A DIVINE MESSAGE
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2012 Holi
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Philosophy
Humility - The Key to devotion |
Kids Story
God Loves Simplicity |
Philosophy
The key to devotion
This is a story from the great Epic Ramayan. Bali was the monkey king of Kishkindha, a son of Indra and the revered elder brother of Sugreev. The kingdom had a sworn enemy named Mayavee. Tired of his attacks on their kingdom, Bali decided to settle the score with him. When Bali and Mayavee entered a cave during their fight, Sugreev was ordered to keep a watch outside for 15 days, after which time, he was instructed to go back assuming that Bali was killed in the fight.
Time passed and sounds of the roaring fight wafted to Sugreev’s ears. Sugreev waited for the whole month but neither Bali nor the demon Mayavee came out. After a month, Sugreev saw a heavy stream of blood coming out of the cave. Seeing the blood, Sugreev thought that his brother Bali had been killed by the demon and he decided to flee from there to protect himself. Before leaving the cave, he blocked the entrance of the cave with a huge rock to stop the demon from emerging from the cave. Saddened and heart broken by his brother’s death, Sugreev went back to Kishkindha. The ministers in the kingdom forced him to become the king and look after the kingdom.
However Bali was not dead. He had in fact killed the demon and it was the demon’s blood that was flowing out from the cave. When Bali returned to his kingdom and saw Sugreev as the king, he was infuriated. He thought Sugreev had betrayed him. Though Sugreev tried to explain the misunderstanding, Bali was unrelenting. He attacked Sugreev and forced him and his confidante ministers to flee Kishkindha. Sugreev and his ministers took shelter on the Rishya-mook Mountain.
When Lord Shri Ram and his brother Laxman passed through that mountain in search of mother Sita, Sugreev got acquainted with Him and developed friendship with Him. Learning about Sugreev’s story and how he was humiliated and banished from his kingdom for no fault of his and how his wife was also taken away from him, Shri Ram, the protector of the righteousness, promised to help him kill Bali and free him from all fears.
Shri Ram asked Sugreev to challenge Bali for a fight. On the second day of Bali-Sugreev fight, Ram shot a fatal arrow at Bali and Bali fell to the ground fatally wounded. As he lay wounded and motionless on the ground, Shri Ram went and sat beside Bali.
Time passed and sounds of the roaring fight wafted to Sugreev’s ears. Sugreev waited for the whole month but neither Bali nor the demon Mayavee came out. After a month, Sugreev saw a heavy stream of blood coming out of the cave. Seeing the blood, Sugreev thought that his brother Bali had been killed by the demon and he decided to flee from there to protect himself. Before leaving the cave, he blocked the entrance of the cave with a huge rock to stop the demon from emerging from the cave. Saddened and heart broken by his brother’s death, Sugreev went back to Kishkindha. The ministers in the kingdom forced him to become the king and look after the kingdom.
However Bali was not dead. He had in fact killed the demon and it was the demon’s blood that was flowing out from the cave. When Bali returned to his kingdom and saw Sugreev as the king, he was infuriated. He thought Sugreev had betrayed him. Though Sugreev tried to explain the misunderstanding, Bali was unrelenting. He attacked Sugreev and forced him and his confidante ministers to flee Kishkindha. Sugreev and his ministers took shelter on the Rishya-mook Mountain.
When Lord Shri Ram and his brother Laxman passed through that mountain in search of mother Sita, Sugreev got acquainted with Him and developed friendship with Him. Learning about Sugreev’s story and how he was humiliated and banished from his kingdom for no fault of his and how his wife was also taken away from him, Shri Ram, the protector of the righteousness, promised to help him kill Bali and free him from all fears.
Shri Ram asked Sugreev to challenge Bali for a fight. On the second day of Bali-Sugreev fight, Ram shot a fatal arrow at Bali and Bali fell to the ground fatally wounded. As he lay wounded and motionless on the ground, Shri Ram went and sat beside Bali.
धर्म हेतु अवतरेहु गोसाईं। मारेहु मोहि ब्याध की नाईं॥ मैं बैरी सुग्रीव पिआरा। करन कवन नाथ मोहिं मारा ॥
Bali said to Lord Ram “You killed me and saved Sugreev, which indicates that Sugreev is dear to you while I am your enemy! You are renowned for being just and impartial. Why did you do this to me?”
अनुजबधू भगिनी सुत नारी। सुनु सठ कन्या सम ए चारी॥ इनहिं कुदृष्टि बिलोकइ जोई। ताहि बधे कछउ पाप न होई ॥
Shri Ram replied, “I am not your enemy, but I am the enemy of unrighteous deeds. Don’t you know that a sister, daughter-in-law and younger brother’s wife are like one’s own daughter? Thinking of them or looking at them with lustful intentions is a great sin. To kill such a sinner is not considered a sin. Also, you have a big ego. Your wife warned you that Sugreev has taken refuge under me, yet you chose to ignore that warning and came to fight with Sugreev.”
Hearing Shri Ram’s words of wisdom, a transformation came over Bali. He realized his mistake and fell on Shri Ram’s lotus feet to beg for forgiveness and seek His shelter.
Shri Ram is the protector of fallen souls. Seeing true repentance in Bali’s words, Shri Ram asked him with great affection, “Do you want to live?” Bali replied,
Hearing Shri Ram’s words of wisdom, a transformation came over Bali. He realized his mistake and fell on Shri Ram’s lotus feet to beg for forgiveness and seek His shelter.
Shri Ram is the protector of fallen souls. Seeing true repentance in Bali’s words, Shri Ram asked him with great affection, “Do you want to live?” Bali replied,
कोटि कोटी मुनि यतन कराहीं अंत राम कहि आवत नाहिं ॥
मम लोचन गोचर सोइ आवा । बहुरि कि प्रभु अस बनहि बनावा ॥
मम लोचन गोचर सोइ आवा । बहुरि कि प्रभु अस बनहि बनावा ॥
“Lord! All great rishis, munis and ascetics, try hard to get a glimpse of your divine form, at the moment of their death, but are not successful. It is my great fortune that I am holding your divine vision at the time of my death. What else could be a better way to die! I don’t think I will have this opportunity ever again in future. So please let me die now. I wish to be your servant in all my future lives”. Saying so, Bali left this mortal body without any pain. Shri Ram sent him to His divine abode.
Upon hearing the news of Bali’s death, Tara-Bali’s wife, came lamenting and blaming Shri Ram for his death. Lord Ram asked her,
Upon hearing the news of Bali’s death, Tara-Bali’s wife, came lamenting and blaming Shri Ram for his death. Lord Ram asked her,
क्षिति जल पावक गगन समीरा । पंच रचित यह अधम शरीरा ॥
प्रगट सो तनु तव आगे सोवा। जीव नित्य केहि लगि तुम रोवा॥
उपजा ज्ञान चरन तब लागी। लीन्हेसि परम भगति वर माँगी॥3॥
प्रगट सो तनु तव आगे सोवा। जीव नित्य केहि लगि तुम रोवा॥
उपजा ज्ञान चरन तब लागी। लीन्हेसि परम भगति वर माँगी॥3॥
“Why are you crying? Did you love Bali or his mortal body? If you loved the body, it is right here, lying in front of you. But if you loved Bali, he is the soul. The soul is immortal. It never dies. It simply changes forms, from one body to the other.” Tara assimilated the knowledge given by Shri Ram. She bowed down to His lotus feet to seek forgiveness for her ignorance and impudence. She prayed to Lord Ram to grant her a boon of selfless and unceasing devotion to his lotus feet, which the ever kind and graceful Shri Ram granted.
Kid's Story
This is the story of a 10 year old boy who lived 200 years ago in the land of Braj. His master, Nandkisor Das Goswamipad, used to run a Gurukul-Ashram in Barsana. He used to live in the ashram and tend to his master’s cows. He was a very simple and innocent boy, very pure in heart and free from any vice or deceit. People called him Bhondu, literally meaning simpleton.
Like a little child, he was so credulous that he would easily believe anything that anyone told him. Every morning he used to go to Bhandiravana, the forest on the other side of Yamuna to graze the cows. Someone told him that Nandalala (Sri Krishna, the son of Nand) also went to Bhandiravana with the other cowherd boys to graze his cows. He began to rejoice in the thought that someday he would meet Nandalala and make friends with Him. He would then dance, sing, and play with Him and the other cowherd boys.
His anxiousness to meet Nandalala went on increasing. He began to sob and cry for Him. How could Nandalala who is by nature so kind and loving, ignore the cry of a simple hearted boy so intensely devoted to Him? Nandlal became equally anxious to meet him.
So, Nandlad appeared before Bhondu one day with His elder brother Balram (Dau). Bhondu immediately became friends with Nandalala and started bringing nice treats for Him every day. Krishna shared it with His playmates and enjoyed it very much.
One day as Bhondu was going out of the Ashram to graze the cows, Nandkisora Das Goswami saw him carrying a big load on his head.
“What are you carrying Bhondu?” he asked.
“I am carrying provisions for a feast for Nandalala and His friends,” Bhondu replied smilingly.
“Feast for Nanadalala?”
“Yes for Nanadalala.”
“Which Nanadalala?”
“Nandalala the flute player, who comes to Bhandiravana for grazing cows. Oh, He is extremely handsome! The color of His body is lustrous blue. He wears a yellow garment round His chest and a garland of flowers round His neck. A crown studded with peacock feathers adorns His head. He always has a charming smile on His face. Oh Master, I can’t describe how handsome he looks.”
Bhondu's master could not believe what Bhondu said, but he also could not disbelieve, because he knew that Bhondu was not capable of telling a lie.
He asked Bhondu to invite Nandalala and His party for feast at the ashram the next day. Not sure if Shri Krishna would accept, he asked Bhondu, if his friend would accept the invitation.
“Yes why not? I shall bring him tomorrow,” said Bhondu with confidence
While going to Bhandiravana, Bhondu was constantly musing on Nandalala’s reaction to the invitation. “Oh, how happy He will be!” But when he conveyed the invitation to Nandalala, promptly came the reply, “No Bhondu, I will not go to your ashram.”
“No, Nandlala, You will have to go. I have promised my master,” said Bhondu, his face blushing with affront and anxiety; for it was an affront not only to him but also to his master.
“No, I will not. What have I to do with your master and ashram?” Nandalala curtly replied again.
Poor Bhondu never imagined that Nandalala could be so defiant and discourteous. After all he had made a simple request to Him and he had every right to believe that He would readily accede. But He did not. Bhondu’s heart was broken. Tears trickled down his cheeks. He had no words to express his feelings. He decided, he no longer wanted to play with Nandalala. He separated his cows and started to march back to the ashram in anger.
Nandalala was shocked. “What are you doing Bhondu?” He asked.
“I am going away. If you do not have anything to do with my Master, then I have nothing to do with You!”
This was too much for Nandalala. How could he bear Bhondu parting company with Him? He ran and caught Bhondu’s arm and very sweetly said, “Listen Bhondu! Dau comes with me. And your master lives in Barsana. That is Radha Rani’s place. Dau does not want to go there. And I can’t leave Dau alone and go. Why don’t you invite your master to the forest tomorrow? We will all sit and have a meal together.” This pacified Bhondu. When he went back to the ashram, his master was waiting impatiently. He asked Bhondu if Nandalala had accepted his invitation. Bhondu explained that Barsana is Shri Radha Rani’s place and Dau didn’t want to come here, so Nandalala has invited you to lunch tomorrow.
The master could not sleep all night. Next morning both of them got ready early and left for the forest with loads of food. Bhondu waited patiently as he knew Nandalala came whenever he liked. But his master was desolate and full of yearning. As midday approached, Shri Krishna appeared with Dau and all His cows. The master could not bear the joy of seeing the Lord in all his glory and fell unconscious. Bhondu was used to Nandalala appearing and disappearing in this manner every day. He could not understand what happened to his master suddenly. He ran to serve the master and asked Nandalala to help. Nandalala knew that if He did not help, Bhondu would again be upset like yesterday. So he too started fanning the master with his peetambar (yellow cloth that is draped around his shoulders or arm). When the master came back to consciousness, he bowed down at the lotus feet of Nandalala and offered his respects. Then the master offered all food to Him. He was so ecstatic seeing Nandalala laugh and have fun with Bhondu, that he kept going in and out of consciousness.
Thus, due to his simple heartedness and steadfast faith, Bhondu realized God. The master was also graced through his servant.
Like a little child, he was so credulous that he would easily believe anything that anyone told him. Every morning he used to go to Bhandiravana, the forest on the other side of Yamuna to graze the cows. Someone told him that Nandalala (Sri Krishna, the son of Nand) also went to Bhandiravana with the other cowherd boys to graze his cows. He began to rejoice in the thought that someday he would meet Nandalala and make friends with Him. He would then dance, sing, and play with Him and the other cowherd boys.
His anxiousness to meet Nandalala went on increasing. He began to sob and cry for Him. How could Nandalala who is by nature so kind and loving, ignore the cry of a simple hearted boy so intensely devoted to Him? Nandlal became equally anxious to meet him.
So, Nandlad appeared before Bhondu one day with His elder brother Balram (Dau). Bhondu immediately became friends with Nandalala and started bringing nice treats for Him every day. Krishna shared it with His playmates and enjoyed it very much.
One day as Bhondu was going out of the Ashram to graze the cows, Nandkisora Das Goswami saw him carrying a big load on his head.
“What are you carrying Bhondu?” he asked.
“I am carrying provisions for a feast for Nandalala and His friends,” Bhondu replied smilingly.
“Feast for Nanadalala?”
“Yes for Nanadalala.”
“Which Nanadalala?”
“Nandalala the flute player, who comes to Bhandiravana for grazing cows. Oh, He is extremely handsome! The color of His body is lustrous blue. He wears a yellow garment round His chest and a garland of flowers round His neck. A crown studded with peacock feathers adorns His head. He always has a charming smile on His face. Oh Master, I can’t describe how handsome he looks.”
Bhondu's master could not believe what Bhondu said, but he also could not disbelieve, because he knew that Bhondu was not capable of telling a lie.
He asked Bhondu to invite Nandalala and His party for feast at the ashram the next day. Not sure if Shri Krishna would accept, he asked Bhondu, if his friend would accept the invitation.
“Yes why not? I shall bring him tomorrow,” said Bhondu with confidence
While going to Bhandiravana, Bhondu was constantly musing on Nandalala’s reaction to the invitation. “Oh, how happy He will be!” But when he conveyed the invitation to Nandalala, promptly came the reply, “No Bhondu, I will not go to your ashram.”
“No, Nandlala, You will have to go. I have promised my master,” said Bhondu, his face blushing with affront and anxiety; for it was an affront not only to him but also to his master.
“No, I will not. What have I to do with your master and ashram?” Nandalala curtly replied again.
Poor Bhondu never imagined that Nandalala could be so defiant and discourteous. After all he had made a simple request to Him and he had every right to believe that He would readily accede. But He did not. Bhondu’s heart was broken. Tears trickled down his cheeks. He had no words to express his feelings. He decided, he no longer wanted to play with Nandalala. He separated his cows and started to march back to the ashram in anger.
Nandalala was shocked. “What are you doing Bhondu?” He asked.
“I am going away. If you do not have anything to do with my Master, then I have nothing to do with You!”
This was too much for Nandalala. How could he bear Bhondu parting company with Him? He ran and caught Bhondu’s arm and very sweetly said, “Listen Bhondu! Dau comes with me. And your master lives in Barsana. That is Radha Rani’s place. Dau does not want to go there. And I can’t leave Dau alone and go. Why don’t you invite your master to the forest tomorrow? We will all sit and have a meal together.” This pacified Bhondu. When he went back to the ashram, his master was waiting impatiently. He asked Bhondu if Nandalala had accepted his invitation. Bhondu explained that Barsana is Shri Radha Rani’s place and Dau didn’t want to come here, so Nandalala has invited you to lunch tomorrow.
The master could not sleep all night. Next morning both of them got ready early and left for the forest with loads of food. Bhondu waited patiently as he knew Nandalala came whenever he liked. But his master was desolate and full of yearning. As midday approached, Shri Krishna appeared with Dau and all His cows. The master could not bear the joy of seeing the Lord in all his glory and fell unconscious. Bhondu was used to Nandalala appearing and disappearing in this manner every day. He could not understand what happened to his master suddenly. He ran to serve the master and asked Nandalala to help. Nandalala knew that if He did not help, Bhondu would again be upset like yesterday. So he too started fanning the master with his peetambar (yellow cloth that is draped around his shoulders or arm). When the master came back to consciousness, he bowed down at the lotus feet of Nandalala and offered his respects. Then the master offered all food to Him. He was so ecstatic seeing Nandalala laugh and have fun with Bhondu, that he kept going in and out of consciousness.
Thus, due to his simple heartedness and steadfast faith, Bhondu realized God. The master was also graced through his servant.
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