Blind following and a Chaotic Feast

Lord Rama with his entourage

This is a story is from Ramayana that heard.After the war with Ravana and Rama returned victorious to Ayodhya with Sita Devi,Lakshman and all his army of Monkeys and bears. Lord Ram was coronated as the King and it was a happy and joyful occasion for everyone. One day there was a invitation from Janak Maharaj, King of Mithila inviting everyone to come and stay for sometime and of course there will be a big feast – Huge Lunch etc. All the monkeys are immediately got excited and wanted to go with Rama to his father in-law's place for the wonderful feast and hospitality that he promised. Lord Ram was hesitant to go, especially with all his monkey army because, after all monkeys are monkeys except few like Hanuman, Angada, Sugriva etc. But all the monkey soldiers immediately pleaded with Ram. Master please let us come with you. We promise you that we will be well behaved and cause no trouble to your reputation nor any inconvenience your father-in law and other relatives.And, then assured him. Look, you and everyone else know how wise and well behaved is our minister Jambavan (the Bear) is. We will all simply follow him and do whatever he does.That way, one can't go wrong. Lord Ram of course who is very magnanimous in heart agreed for this and one the given day Lord Rama and the whole entourage set off to Mithila.

Upon arrival and after exchange of pleasantries, the much awaited lunch feast was served.The monkey and bear soldiers were seated in a huge palace and the food was served. As a part of the menu, fruits including a ripe mango and other items were served to everyone. Now everyone was watching Jambavan trying to act, behave exactly like him. During the course of lunch, Jambavan happened to pick up the soft, juicy mango fruit and before he can eat it, the fruit popped open because of the pressure he applied and the large seed inside the fruit rocketed out into the air. Jambavan was shocked and embarrassed by this sudden mishap and quickly jumped up a little bit from his seat, caught hold of the seed before it landed on others plate or floor. Of course all the monkeys watching Jambavan with rapt attention and  to be true to their word to Ram started following Jambavan act. Everyone started pressing the mango fruits with their full power and of course there was competition about who is doing it better. Some monkeys jumped few feet, others to the ceiling, others to the windows, other went all the way to the top of the palace and came back. There was the seeds of mangos being thrown everywhere, monkeys jumping, things flying out in all directions. This must have been one of the most chaotic lunch feast ever.

So friends, this is what happens when one blindly follows other. That is why, blind following is condemned.

Thus before following anyone or any philosophy, one needs to use their mind, intelligence and reasoning. The Vedic tradition has an internal check system of truth validation. Guru (spiritual master), sastra (revealed scripture) and sadhu (holy persons) must be in harmony and then an issue can be accepted as verified.

Supreme God - The Perfect Creator

This is a small instructional and Moral story typed verbatim by my son Gopal, from one of his story books.I told him to do so, just to keep him busy and not disturb me from what I was doing.When I saw what he had done, I was quite impressed and decided to post it here.The simple story helps us to illustrate, how Supreme God is the perfect creator of everything, animate and inanimate we see in this world. Right from highly intelligent Human beings, Huge trees, Mountains, Rivers, Stars, planets, the Sun and the Moon. If we carefully observe, we realise that everything is created in a perfect way and nothing came about by chance. There is an intelligent creator, the most perfect and Supreme being who is behind everything including ourselves. That’s why in Srimad Bhagavatham the Supreme God is called the Otam and Protam, like the threads supporting a cloth going horizontal and vertical across the length and breath. He is also mentioned as Aniyor Aniyan and Mahato Mahiyan – the smallest of the small and the largest of the large. In Bhagavad Gita, The Supreme Lord explains the same as below –

“mattah parataram nanyat

 kincid asti dhananjaya

 mayi sarvam idam protam

 sutre mani-gana iva

O conqueror of wealth [Arjuna], there is no Truth superior to Me.Everything rests upon Me, as pearls are strung on a thread (BG Chapter 7 Verse 7)".

Let’s get into the story my son typed from his story book.

It was a hot day. Ramu began the long journey to his uncle's village. On the

way,Ramu saw a huge banyan tree spreading its branches, welcoming him to

rest under it's shade. Ramu lay down on the cool grass,reveling in the shade of

the old banyan. As he rested , he looked up at the branches of the tree. He noticed

the tiny fruit on the huge banyan. He said to himself, "I believe that the great lord

is the most intelligent of all. But why did he create a huge banyan tree with such

small fruits! "He thought about the pumpkin creeper in his backyard.  The creeper

was slender but it's fruit was so big. He thought,"surely the lord has made a big

mistake! The huge tree must have large fruits and the small plants, tiny fruits."

The cool breeze and the soothing shade of the banyan tree slowly lulled Ramu

into a deep slumber, when suddenly... The breeze blew harder. It became stronger

and swifter.  The branches of the banyan began to shake. Some dried leaves and

fruits fell to the ground. One bunch of fruits fell on Ramu's head...

He awoke with a start and shook with fright as he wondered what had hit him. 

He thought "If it has been bigger I would have been badly hurt!". He folded his hands

and thanked the lord, "you are the wisest! You made this great big banyan tree for

weary travelers like me to rest under but made it's fruit tiny so that they will not

get hurt badly. I shall never doubt your creation again. You are the PERFECT

CREATOR!"

Ramu thus understood that since, lord is perfect everything created by him is

PERFECT!

The invocation Mantra from Isopanisad says,

“Om purnam adah purnam idam

 purnat purnam udacyate

 purnasya purnam adaya

 purnam evavasisyate

The Personality of Godhead is perfect and complete, and because He is completely perfect, all emanations from Him, such as this phenomenal world, are perfectly equipped as complete wholes. Whatever is produced of the Complete Whole is also complete in itself. Because He is the Complete Whole, even though so many complete units emanate from Him, He remains the complete balance”.

Sovereign Hill Lookout Photos and a Short Story

Sovereign Hill is one of the most famous gold yielding mining of 1850s.Situated in the City of Ballarat and on Mount Pleasant, today it is a historic and cultural place.You step into Sovereign Hill and you will be transported back 150 years, Old Buildings, roads, Mine tunnels, gold refining factory etc. There are free and paid, guided mining tours.Carts being pulled by Horses. You can walk along the old, historic town at your pace, which is not a huge place and max should take about 2 to 3 hours. Then, there is Gold museum, where you can see the artefacts of famous gold nuggets found during the history of Sovereign Hill, various photographs of Europeans, the early settlers and also about the aboriginal people. 

There is an interesting movie about the Aboriginal people and culture that is shown,once in every 20 mins or so.Then, there is the Gold shop and various items of Gold etc.Anyway, I was told by one of my Gold savvy friend who like to buy gold coins informed me that the price of the gold coin is more costly in the shop then at the Gold Bullion here at Melbourne. Anyway, I am not so much into the gold stuff but, I did buy a $5 gold - a bottle that has some transparent liquid, may be distilled water and and some thinnest gold flakes. Looks good and as a Sovenier.

The funny thing about this visit was that, I did not actually go to the Sovereign Hill or the Museum ( I was there 3 times before) because, I am on a different purpose attending a Spiritual Retreat at the Accommodation - Comfort Inn, which is right next to the Hill. We had fun in our own way, but managed to get some photos. Also, when I learnt that my son was going to visit this place again, as a part of his school exclusion, I did not bother much about visiting the hill.

I read this amazing information  from one of the visitor information boards up there which says “In 1853, they have recovered 14 Kg Gold Nuggets For every 30 cms mined and 1 ton gold for claim of  bare 24 feet deep mine”. So, where is all that Gold gone? . 

Reminds me of a verse from Bhagavad Gita 16^th Chapter Verse 21 and a story narrated by HH Mahavishnu Gosvami Maharaj in Sydney .

tri-vidham narakasyedam dvaram nasanam atmanah

kamah krodhas tatha lobhas tasmad etat trayam tyajet

[There are three gates leading to this hell -- lust, anger and greed. Every sane man should give these up, for they lead to the degradation of the soul.](BG 16.21)

Greed is a horrible thing :-

Once Sri Narada muni was walking on the village road and there was one beggar, you know, with a begging bowl. I don’t know, have you seen in India, they have the begging bowl, black long thing. So he was showing the begging bowl to Narada muni and he showed to him and said: “Please Maharaj, nobody is able to fill up my begging bowl, but you are very nice saint, you are not attracted to riches, so you will be definitely be able to fill up my begging bowl.”

So Narada muni said: “What is this, show me your bowl”.

He showed the bowl, and it was just ordinary begging bowl.

“Why, why nobody is able to fill?” he said, “I don’t have anything, but do one thing. I know Kuvera, the treasurer of the demigod, and I’ll write a chit on him. You take my chit and he will fill up within no time.”

So the beggar was very happy, you know. Narada muni took out his address of Kuvera, he had diary, you know, computer, you know, [Laughs], put-put-put, he took out the address, wrote a letter line that “I am sending you this beggar, please fill his begging bowl and oblige. Your Servant, Narada.”

So the beggar went running to heavenly planets and he was very happy that now the bowl will be full. So eventually he reached there and found out Kuvera, you know.

He said: “Kuveraji, I have introduction letter from Narada Muni for you.”

So he took the letter and said, “I am sending you, you please fill up the bowl.”

“Show me your bowl”, he showed his bowl.

“Alright, it is a play thing. Narada does not have any sense. Why should he write a letter for this. I can fill up within a second.”

So he called his servant and said: “You take this beggar and go and fill up the bowl.”

So the servant went running and said: “Come, come with me, I’ll fill it up within no time.”

 To his surprise, half the treasury was empty and even then the bowl was not full. So he was doubting, “whether there is a hole inside or what, I don’t know. It is not getting full.” So somehow or other he could not understand. So, then he started pouring again, within no time the whole treasury was empty and the bowl was not full.

He said, “There must be something wrong.”

He went back running to Kuvera. He said, “Maharaj, you are completely poor now. Nearly you are  beggar and even now this bowl is not full.”

He said, “What are you talking.”

“Yes, I have emptied the whole treasury, you don’t have anything now.”

“Oh!” he said, “Narada, is silly man. He did not see whether he has bowl or not or whether it has hole inside”.

So in the mean time Narada was passing though the heavenly planets.

He called, “Hey Narada. What did you do? This beggar … We are not able to fill up his bowl.”

Narada said: “I didn't know. It looks like an ordinary begging bowl.”

So he called the beggar and said: “Show me your bowl.”

He showed like that.

He said, “No, no, show me the other way.”

So he just showed the other way. And it was not a begging bowl, it was human skull.

 This human skull will never be satisfied even if the Kuvera’s treasury is poured into this. This is our greed. Please, we are all carrying that skull, and unlimited, insatiable desire is there. We have come to Australia, we have come here, we have gone to America, and all over the world we are earning very nice money, and even then running after… you know, this is greed. Please try to limit your things, try to think over these things. Human existence is slipping, away, and in order to protect our own interest, which is spiritual interest, we must draw somewhere the line of this kama, krodha and lobha. In a limited way, we are allowed to have, in a regulated way, but unregulated way, unlimitedly, if  we run after these things then we are going to be destroyed completely.

And these are kaam, krodha and lobha, Lust, Anger and Greed please leave them for good. And this is the clear instruction of Bhagavad-gita. And of the three, greed is the most horrible thing, because as we see from the above story, a person who is greedy can never be satisfied or be happy inspite of having the whole world.

Three questions - A short story by Leo Tolstoy

Here is an age old wonderful story. Bit, of a long one but, worth reading.

It once occurred to a certain king, that if he always knew the right time to begin everything; if he knew who were the right people to listen to, and whom to avoid; and, above all, if he always knew what was the most important thing to do, he would never fail in anything he might undertake.

And this thought having occurred to him, he had it proclaimed throughout his kingdom that he would give a great reward to any one who would teach him what was the right time for every action, and who were the most necessary people, and how he might know what was the most important thing to do.

And learned men came to the King, but they all answered his questions differently.

In reply to the first question, some said that to know the right time for every action, one must draw up in advance, a table of days, months and years, and must live strictly according to it. Only thus, said they, could everything be done at its proper time. Others declared that it was impossible to decide beforehand the right time for every action; but that, not letting oneself be absorbed in idle pastimes, one should always attend to all that was going on, and then do what was most needful. Others, again, said that however attentive the King might be to what was going on, it was impossible for one man to decide correctly the right time for every action, but that he should have a Council of wise men, who would help him to fix the proper time for everything.

But then again others said there were some things which could not wait to be laid before a Council, but about which one had at once to decide whether to undertake them or not. But in order to decide that, one must know beforehand what was going to happen. It is only magicians who know that; and, therefore, in order to know the right time for every action, one must consult magicians.

Equally various were the answers to the second question. Some said, the people the King most needed were his Councillors; others, the priests; others, the doctors; while some said the warriors were the most necessary.

To the third question, as to what was the most important occupation: some replied that the most important thing in the world was science. Others said it was skill in warfare; and others, again, that it was religious worship.

All the answers being different, the King agreed with none of them, and gave the reward to none. But still wishing to find the right answers to his questions, he decided to consult a hermit, widely renowned for his wisdom.

The hermit lived in a wood which he never quitted, and he received none but common folk. So the King put on simple clothes, and before reaching the hermit's cell dismounted from his horse, and, leaving his body-guard behind, went on alone.

When the King approached, the hermit was digging the ground in front of his hut. Seeing the King, he greeted him and went on digging. The hermit was frail and weak, and each time he stuck his spade into the ground and turned a little earth, he breathed heavily.

The King went up to him and said: "I have come to you, wise hermit, to ask you to answer three questions: How can I learn to do the right thing at the right time?

Who are the people I most need, and to whom should I; therefore, pay more attention than to the rest?

And, what affairs are the most important, and need my first attention?"

The hermit listened to the King, but answered nothing. He just spat on his hand and recommenced digging. "You are tired," said the King, "let me take the spade and work awhile for you."

"Thanks!" said the hermit, and, giving the spade to the King, he sat down on the ground.

When he had dug two beds, the King stopped and repeated his questions. The hermit again gave no answer, but rose, stretched out his hand for the spade, and said:

"Now rest awhile-and let me work a bit."

But the King did not give him the spade, and continued to dig. One hour passed, and another. The sun began to sink behind the trees, and the King at last stuck the spade into the ground, and said:

"I came to you, wise man, for an answer to my questions. If you can give me none, tell me so, and I will return home."

"Here comes someone running," said the hermit, "let us see who it is."

The King turned round, and saw a bearded man come running out of the wood. The man held his hands pressed against his stomach, and blood was flowing from under them. When he reached the King, he fell fainting on the ground moaning feebly. The King and the hermit unfastened the man's clothing. There was a large wound in his stomach. The King washed it as best he could, and bandaged it with his handkerchief and with a towel the hermit had. But the blood would not stop flowing, and the King again and again removed the bandage soaked with warm blood, and washed and re-bandaged the wound. When at last the blood ceased flowing, the man revived and asked for something to drink. The King brought fresh water and gave it to him. Meanwhile the sun had set, and it had become cool. So the King, with the hermit's help, carried the wounded man into the hut and laid him on the bed. Lying on the bed the man closed his eyes and was quiet; but the King was so tired with his walk and with the work he had done, that he crouched down on the threshold, and also

fell asleep--so soundly that he slept all through the short summer night. When he awoke in the morning, it was long before he could remember where he was, or who was the strange bearded man lying on the bed and gazing intently at him with shining eyes.

"Forgive me!" said the bearded man in a weak voice, when he saw that the King was awake and was looking at him.

"I do not know you, and have nothing to forgive you for," said the King.

"You do not know me, but I know you. I am that enemy of yours who swore to revenge himself on you, because you executed his brother and seized his property. I knew you had gone alone to see the hermit, and I resolved to kill you on your way back. But the day passed and you did not return. So I came out from my ambush to find you, and I came upon your bodyguard, and they recognized me, and wounded me. I escaped from them, but should have bled to death had you not dressed my wound. I wished to kill you, and you have saved my life. Now, if I live, and if you wish it, I will serve you as your most faithful slave, and will bid my sons do the same. Forgive me!"

The King was very glad to have made peace with his enemy so easily, and to have gained him for a friend, and he not only forgave him, but said he would send his servants and his own physician to attend him, and promised to restore his property.

Having taken leave of the wounded man, the King went out into the porch and looked around for the hermit. Before going away he wished once more to beg an answer to the questions he had put. The hermit was outside, on his knees, sowing seeds in the beds that had been dug the day before.

The King approached him, and said: "For the last time, I pray you to answer my questions, wise man."

"You have already been answered!" said the hermit, still crouching on his thin legs, and looking up at the King, who stood before him.

"How answered? What do you mean?" asked the King.

Do you not see," replied the hermit. "If you had not pitied my weakness yesterday, and had not dug those beds for me, but had gone your way, that man would have attacked you, and you would have repented of not having stayed with me. So the most important time was when you were digging the beds; and I was the most important man; and to do me good was your most important business.

Afterwards when that man ran to us, the most important time was when you were attending to him, for if you had not bound up his wounds he would have died without having made peace with you. So he was the most important man, and what you did for him was your most important business.

Remember then: there is only one time that is important-Now!

It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power. The most necessary man is he with whom you are, for no man knows whether he will ever have dealings with any one else: and the most important affair is, to do him good, because for that purpose alone was man sent into this life!"

Servant of the Servant

This is a story I heard involving Alexander the great. While, the authenticity of the story cannot be verified, what is more important is the meaning and take home message from this story.

Once, Alexander happened to visit Vrindavan and saw a small hut of a Babaji ( a saintly person). Apart from being a great warrior, being a student of Aristotle, Alexander had this fascination for spirituality and saintly people. He wanted to meet this person in the hut. Alexander ordered one of his soldiers to go to the Sadhu and tell him to come and meet him. The soldier went and came back promptly told him that the person in the hut, does not know, who Alexander is and sees no need for him to come and meet him. But, if he is interested, he can come and meet him. Alexander was angry with the words of his soldier and rebuked him. “Did you tell him? Properly explain him, who is waiting to meet him?” And ordered the soldier to go back and explain, and convince the saintly person to come out of the hut and meet him. The soldier went and came back again and with great hesitation told Alexander that the Babaji knows no king other than Krishna.

By now, Alexander was infuriated and barged into the hut of this Babaji. As soon as he entered the hut, he heard a voice which said “Welcome servant of my servant”. Now, this was too much and Alexander took out his sword, placed it on the neck of the Babaji and said furiously “How dare you call me servant of your servant”. But, seeing the serene and undisturbed face and expression of the sadhu, Alexander removed his sword and waited for the answer patiently.

The Babaji explained – My dear King, I have these things, Lust, anger, Greed under my control and I am not affected by them. Since, you became so angry and affected by anger; you automatically became a servant of anger. Because, Anger is my servant who is currently controlling you and that is why, I called you as the Servant of my Servant.

                                                                                                                   .End of the story….

That’s why the saintly people are called as Gosvamis, one who has their senses under control and also Maharaja because, even though they do not own a kingdom, they have control of the mind, body and its senses, which actually control majority of people in the world including Kings, Ministers etc.

In Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 16 verse 21, the same point is explained by the Lord Krishna

"tri-vidham narakasyedam

dvaram nasanam atmanah

kamah krodhas tatha lobhas

tasmad etat trayam tyajet"

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, There are three gates leading to the hell — Lust, Anger and Greed. Every sane man should give these up, for they lead to the degradation of the Soul."

This Too Shall Pass

Tweed River - Murwillumbah - NSW

This is a famous adage that finds its place in many religions of the world like, Hebrew, Arabic, Christianity and Hinduism. Of course, pronounced differently, these four words have a deep, philosophical meaning to the temporality of this world. Nothing in this world is permanent, always changing. There is happiness and there is distress. Everything comes on its own accord, according to time, place and circumstances. No one wants distress yet it still comes and everyone wants to be happy forever, yet it also stays for certain amount of time, based on ones Karma. Similarly, what is a pleasure for one person may be pain for another. A person smoking a cigarette might be enjoying the smoke and tobacco smell but, a non-smoker standing near him might actually get vomit with the smell. Even for a same person, within a matter of few months the same things that he enjoyed doing before might be repulsive. I have a friend who is a great fan of Candy Crush, the most useless mobile game. But, after he completed 300 or so levels, he got fed up and un-installed the game from his mobile and now completely hates it.

Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita says, Chapter 2, Verse14,

matra-sparsas tu kaunteya

sitosna-sukha-duhkha-dāh

agamapayino 'nityas

tams titiksasva bharata

O son of Kunti, the non-permanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.

Down below is an instructive story about this adage read number of versions of this story and liked this one.   

Once a king called upon all of his wise men and asked them,” Is there a mantra or suggestion which works in every situation, in every circumstance, in every place and in every time. In every joy, every sorrow, every defeat and every victory? One answer for all questions? Something which can help me when none of you is available to advise me? Tell me is there any mantra?”. All the wise men were puzzled by the Kings question. They thought and thought. After a lengthy discussion, an old man suggested something which appealed to all of them. They went to the king and gave him something written on paper, with a condition that the king was not to see it out of curiosity. Only in extreme danger, when the King finds himself alone and there seems to be no way, only then he can see it. The King put the papers under his Diamond ring. Sometime later, a neighboring king attacked the Kingdom. King and his army fought bravely but lost the battle. The King had to flee on his horse. The enemies were following him. And, they were getting closer and closer. Suddenly the King found himself standing at the end of the road - that road was not going anywhere. Underneath there was a rocky valley thousand feet deep. If he jumped into it, he would be finished and he could not return because it was a small road the sound of enemy’s horses was approaching fast. The King became restless. There seemed to be no way. Then suddenly he saw the Diamond in his ring shining in the sun, and he remembered the message hidden in the ring. He opened the diamond and read the message. The message was “THIS TOO SHALL PASS”.The King read it . Again read it. Suddenly something struck him- Yes! This too will pass. Only a few days ago, I was enjoying my kingdom. I was the mightiest of all the Kings. Yet today, the Kingdom and all my pleasure have gone. I am here trying to escape from enemies. Like those days of luxuries have gone, this day of danger too will pass. A calm came on his face. He kept standing there. The place where he was standing was full of natural beauty. He had never known that such a beautiful place was also a part of his Kingdom. The revelation of the message had a great effect on him. He relaxed and forgot about those following him. After a few minutes he realized that the noise of the horses and the enemy coming was receding. They moved into some other part of the mountains and were near him. The King was very brave. He reorganized his army and fought again. He defeated the enemy and regained his empire. When he returned to his empire after victory, he was received with much fanfare. The whole capital was rejoicing in the victory. Everyone was in festive mood. Flowers were being showered on King from every house, from every corner.
People were dancing and singing. For a moment King said to himself. I am one of the bravest and greatest King. It is not easy to defeat me. With all the reception and celebration he saw an ego emerging in him. Suddenly the Diamond of his ring flashed in the sunlight and reminded him of the message. He opened it and read it again: THIS TOO SHALL PASS. He became silent. His face went through a total change -from the egoist he moved to a state of utter humbleness. If this too is going to pass, it is not yours. The defeat was not yours, the victory is not yours. You are just a watcher. Everything passes by. We are witnesses of all this. We are the perceivers. Life comes and goes. Happiness comes and goes. Sorrow comes and goes.

Now as you have read this story, just sit silently and evaluate your own life. This too will pass. Think of the moments of joy and victory in your life. Think of the moment of Sorrow and defeat. Are they permanent? They all come and pass away. Life just passes away. There is nothing permanent in this world. Everything changes except the law of change. Think over it from your own perspective. You have seen all the changes. You have survived all setbacks, all defeats and all sorrows. All have passed away. The problems in the present, they too will pass away. Because nothing remains forever. Joy and sorrow are the two faces of the same coin. They both will pass away. You are just a witness of change. Experience it, understand it, and enjoy the present moment - THIS TOO SHALL PASS.

Have faith in God's Plan

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6.Verse 30.

This is one of my favorite verses from Bhagavad Gita and the story below is one that I received from my well wisher. The story is so nice that, I immediately wanted to share it but, some how did not materialise till now. So, in short the moral of the story is that, God has plans and justice for everyone. We just have to have patience.

The story goes like this,

Once there was a sweeper in a well known temple and he was very sincere and devoted. Every time he saw thousands of devotees coming to see the Lord, he thought that the Lord is standing all the time and giving auspicious sight and He must be feeling very tired.

So one day very innocently he asked the Lord whether he can take the place of the Lord for a day so that the Lord can have some relief and rest. The Deity of Temple replied, "I do not mind taking a break. I will transform you like myself, but you must do one thing. You must just stand here like me, smile at everyone and just give benedictions.

Do not interfere with anything and do not say anything. Remember you are the deity and you just have faith that I have a master plan for everything. The sweeper agreed to this. The next day the sweeper took the position of the deity and a rich man came and prayed to the Lord. He offered a nice donation and prayed that his business should be prosperous. While going, the rich man inadvertently left his wallet full of money right there. Now the sweeper in the form of deity could not call him and so he decided to control himself and keep quiet. Just then a poor man came and he put one coin in the donations box and said that it was all he could afford and he prayed to the Lord that he should continue to be engaged in the Lord's service. He also said that his family was in dire need of some basic needs but he left it to the good hands of the Lord to give some solution.

When he opened his eyes, he saw the wallet left by the rich man. The poor man thanked the Lord for His kindness and took the wallet very innocently. The sweeper in the form of the Deity could not say anything and he had to just keep smiling.

 At that point a sailor walked in. He prayed for his safe journey as he was going on a long trip. Just then the rich man came with the police and said that somebody has stolen his wallet and seeing the sailor there, he asked the police to arrest him thinking that he might have taken it.

Now the sweeper in the form of Deity wanted to say that the sailor is not the thief but he could not say so and he became greatly frustrated. The sailor looked at the Lord and asked why he, an innocent person, is being punished. The rich man looked at the Lord and thanked Him for finding the thief. The sweeper in the deity form could no more tolerate and he thought that even if the real Lord had been here, he would have definitely interfered and hence he started speaking and said that the sailor is not the thief but it was the poor man who took away the wallet. The rich man was very thankful as also the sailor.

 In the night, the real Lord came and He asked the sweeper how the day was. The sweeper said, "I thought it would be easy, but now I know that your days are not easy, but I did one good thing." Then he explained the whole episode to the Lord. 

The Lord became very upset on hearing this whereas the sweeper thought the Lord would appreciate him for the good deed done. The Lord asked, "Why did you not just stick to the plan? You had no faith in me. Do you think that I do not understand the hearts of all those who come here? The entire donation which the rich man gave was all stolen money and it is only a fraction of what he really has and he wants me to reciprocate unlimitedly. The single coin offered by the poor man was the last coin he was having and he gave it to me out of faith.

 The sailor might not have done anything wrong, but if the sailor were to go in the ship that night he was about to die because of bad weather and instead if he is arrested he would be in the jail and he would have been saved form a greater calamity.

 The wallet should go to the poor man because he will use it in my service. I was going to reduce the rich man's karma also by doing this and save the sailor also. But you cancelled everything because you thought you know my plan and you made your own plans."

Allow the Sunlight to enter Your Room

Somewhere on Great Ocean Road -Photo by VinodT

Here is another instructive story by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura.

A boy from a wealthy family was spoilt through over -indulgence. His parents used to fulfil all his fanciful desires and thus they did great harm to the boy. When the boy grew up as a young man he became more and more unruly. He concluded that the sun and moon must carry out his orders. One day the young man was sleeping in a room with all the doors closed. By late afternoon the parents of the boy thought their son was still sleeping because he might have worked very hard the night before. When midday was arriving, the parents became deeply anxious and started knocking at the door. Still in bed, the boy kept on telling, why are you knocking at my door in the dead of night? I am not going to open it now. You must have come with some bad motive. Everyone outside was urging, the sun has been up for a long time, now it is almost midday. Please open the door.

The young man replied, the midday sun must be very strong and if it is so, let him come into my room and show his strength. After all, I am not going to get up from my cosy comfortable bed. Then everyone appealed, Will you open the door so that the sunlight will get into the room?

What does this story tell us?

Some people think that it is nothing but flattery to say that the Lord is all merciful. If the Lord was really merciful, how is it that there is so much suffering in the world? Some people even think that if Godhead was omnipotent, He should have changed our motives without out effort. There argument is similar to such a spoilt child. They have, in fact, encaged themselves in their own apparently cosy comfortable bedroom under illusionary energy.

The sun distributes his light everywhere indiscriminately, for rich and poor, palace and cottage alike. Anyone who takes the trouble of opening his doors and windows will surely get sunlight. The Lord has also bestowed his mercy everywhere and every living entity, using his freewill, can enjoy it.