A DIVINE MESSAGE
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2015 New Year
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Philosophy
Shri Maharaj Ji's Pind Daan in GayaWhat Happens after death? |
Kripalu Leelamritam
Serve your GuruHow Maharaj Ji taught young Banchary Didi the meaning of serving your Guru.
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Kids Story
Looks can be deceptive |
Magic of words "also" and "only"
Philosophy
On November 15, 2013, our Gurudev His devotees, left us devoid of His physical presence and ascended back to His divine abode, Golok. Even though every devotee feels His divine presence and guidance every moment, nonetheless, His enthusiastic interaction with devotees and His various pastimes and glimpses, all of which gave devotees indescribable bliss, make us aware of His physical absence.
Shri Maharaj ji’s obligations are being carried on by His daughters, who have relentlessly tried to lessen the pain of His devotees. After His ascension, His sons, grandsons, and daughters, along with His preachers and several devotees went to various pilgrimages, and with great reverence and devotion performed His last rites in accordance with Vedic rituals.
Gaya is one of the holiest pilgrimages in India. Performing of rituals that are part of the Pind Daan unless Father’s Pind Daan has been performed. Therefore our Pujya Jagatjannani Maa Padma and Shri Maharaj Ji’s Pandits, the dates decided upon were 6 all the devotees from India and abroad started planning their trip. Approximately 1000 people from Canada, America, England, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Malaysia, and Trinidad, and about 4000 devotees from India arrived in Gaya for the ceremony. Two of Shri Maharaj Ji’s preachers, Shri Sharan Ji and Sushri Raseshwari Ji had organized the entire ceremony wonderfully. Arrangements were made for Shri Maharaj Ji’s family members and other devotees in various upscale hotels.
A three day Sadhana program was held in Gandhi Maidan (field) in Gaya. An elaborate tent was built and decorated with many beautiful posters of Shri Radha Krishna, Shri Maharaj Ji, and Pujya and ornamented with various colorful flowers. Cut outs of Shri Radha Krishna, Shri Maharaj Ji, and Pujya Amma were placed on stage where every morning, from 4.30 to 9:00am, Artis, Kirtans and Pravachans would take place. Every morning the day would begin with daily prayers, Radha Krishna Arti and Guru Arti. Even during meal times, Shri Maharaj Ji’s CDs were played in order to keep the mind absorbed in Divine thoughts. Thereafter, a kirtan session would start to enable all devotees to lovingly do Roopdhyan of their Ishthdev and Guru . All of this took place under the guidance of Shri Maharaj Ji’s oldest daughter Sushri Vishakha Tripathi. In the same way, the hotel venues, Vishnu temple, Phalgu River, Akshay Vat, and many other places.
In the same way, the hotel venues, Vishnu temple, Phalgu River, Akshay Vat, and many other places where ceremonies were performed were decorated with colorful flowers, beautiful posters and yellow flags with Radhey Radhey inscribed on them. The entire Gaya Dham was adorned in an elaborate manner. Thousands of Shri Maharaj Ji’s devotees wearing yellow Radhey Shyami and chanting Radhey Radhey making Gaya Dham a truly sacred experience. Residents of Gaya were astounded to see such a Divine event being held there. They were curious to know about the Divine personality is in whose honor such arrangements had been made. The devotees would lovingly tell them about all of Shri Maharaj Ji’s glories, and gladly talk to them about the Divine loving personality of their Gurudev.
Pind Daan and Tarpan arrangements were organized mainly in three places in Gaya.
Shri Maharaj ji’s obligations are being carried on by His daughters, who have relentlessly tried to lessen the pain of His devotees. After His ascension, His sons, grandsons, and daughters, along with His preachers and several devotees went to various pilgrimages, and with great reverence and devotion performed His last rites in accordance with Vedic rituals.
Gaya is one of the holiest pilgrimages in India. Performing of rituals that are part of the Pind Daan unless Father’s Pind Daan has been performed. Therefore our Pujya Jagatjannani Maa Padma and Shri Maharaj Ji’s Pandits, the dates decided upon were 6 all the devotees from India and abroad started planning their trip. Approximately 1000 people from Canada, America, England, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Malaysia, and Trinidad, and about 4000 devotees from India arrived in Gaya for the ceremony. Two of Shri Maharaj Ji’s preachers, Shri Sharan Ji and Sushri Raseshwari Ji had organized the entire ceremony wonderfully. Arrangements were made for Shri Maharaj Ji’s family members and other devotees in various upscale hotels.
A three day Sadhana program was held in Gandhi Maidan (field) in Gaya. An elaborate tent was built and decorated with many beautiful posters of Shri Radha Krishna, Shri Maharaj Ji, and Pujya and ornamented with various colorful flowers. Cut outs of Shri Radha Krishna, Shri Maharaj Ji, and Pujya Amma were placed on stage where every morning, from 4.30 to 9:00am, Artis, Kirtans and Pravachans would take place. Every morning the day would begin with daily prayers, Radha Krishna Arti and Guru Arti. Even during meal times, Shri Maharaj Ji’s CDs were played in order to keep the mind absorbed in Divine thoughts. Thereafter, a kirtan session would start to enable all devotees to lovingly do Roopdhyan of their Ishthdev and Guru . All of this took place under the guidance of Shri Maharaj Ji’s oldest daughter Sushri Vishakha Tripathi. In the same way, the hotel venues, Vishnu temple, Phalgu River, Akshay Vat, and many other places.
In the same way, the hotel venues, Vishnu temple, Phalgu River, Akshay Vat, and many other places where ceremonies were performed were decorated with colorful flowers, beautiful posters and yellow flags with Radhey Radhey inscribed on them. The entire Gaya Dham was adorned in an elaborate manner. Thousands of Shri Maharaj Ji’s devotees wearing yellow Radhey Shyami and chanting Radhey Radhey making Gaya Dham a truly sacred experience. Residents of Gaya were astounded to see such a Divine event being held there. They were curious to know about the Divine personality is in whose honor such arrangements had been made. The devotees would lovingly tell them about all of Shri Maharaj Ji’s glories, and gladly talk to them about the Divine loving personality of their Gurudev.
Pind Daan and Tarpan arrangements were organized mainly in three places in Gaya.
1. On November 6th 2014, the first Pind Daan was performed on the bank of Phalgu River from 1 to 3pm. It was here that Dashrath Ji himself came to Sita Ji and asked Her to perform Pind Daan made of sand. There is a belief that Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram Ji, along with His brother Shri Lakshman Ji, and wife Shri Sita Ji had come to Gaya to perform His father’s Pind Daan and Tarpan. Before the ceremony, when both the brothers had gone for bath in the river and also to arrange for rice and sesame seeds for the ceremony, Sita Ji was idly sitting on Phalgu river bank and playing with the sand. At that moment Dashrath Ji appeared from heaven and requested Sita Ji to perform his Pind Daan. Hearing this Sita Ji hesitated and said, “Both your sons have gone to take bath in order to perform this ceremony and will soon come and perform your Pind Daan with rice and sesame seeds, please wait for their return”. Dashrath Ji replied, “No, I am very hungry. Give me Pind Daan right now with the same sand in your hand”. Sita Ji obeyed Her father-in-law’s request and performed Pind Daan in front of five witnesses. Those five witnesses were: the Phalgu river, Akshya Vat, a cow, Brahmins who were present there and a Tulsi plant.
When Bhagwan Ram came back with His brother to perform Pind Daan, Dashrath Ji did not appear before them. Shri Ram was very surprised by this, as in those days, the ancestors would appear in person to accept Pind Daan. Seeing this, Sita Ji told Shri Ram about Dashrath Ji’s appearance earlier and accepting Pind Daan. Bhagwan Ram could not believe that His father accepted Pind Daan made out of sand. He asked Sita Ji, “Do you have any evidence of this incident?” Sita Ji instantly asked the five witnesses to give validation. Besides Akshay Vat all the other four witnesses, greedy to get more offerings and in hopes of getting Shri Ram’s favor and respect, denied having seen anything. Hearing their response, Sita Ji got angry and cursed each of them by saying that from that day onwards in Gaya, the Phalgu River would remain dry, Tulsi would not have any place in Gaya, the Brahmins of Gaya would always be dissatisfied and the worship of a cow in Gaya would be from the back side, never from the front.
Nonetheless, being pleased by Vat Vraksha, She gave him a boon of immortality. Whoever went to Phalgu River to perform Pind Daan would always worship the Vat tree. It has been known that all other trees in that area shed their leaves once a year in winter, but the Akshay Vat stays evergreen. Even during dissolution it is not destroyed.
Having been cursed by Sita Ji, only sand is seen on top of the Phalgu River. If you dig a foot into it, you can see the water. Ever since then Phalgu River has been proclaimed a false (phalgu means false) river. Every Hindu comes here to fulfill their ancestors Pind Daan and by performing puja of Akshay Vat, they conclude the ceremony.
Mahaprabhu Chaitanya also came to Gaya to perform Shraddha of His father. And to tie another knot in the chain of historical events, on the historic day of November 6th, 2014, the 5th Original Jagadguru 1008 Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj and His wife Padma’s (Amma Ji) Pind Daan was performed by their sons (Shri Ghanshyam Tripathi and Shri Balkrishna Tripathi), daughters (Sushri Vishakha Tripathi, Sushri Shyama Tripathi and Sushri Krishna Tripathi), grandsons (Shri Ramanand Tripathi and his wife Sita Tripathi, Shri Krishnanad Tripathi, Shri Premanand Tripathi, Neelmani Tripathi), and their great grandson Shri Luvanand Tripathi, along with other relatives and devotees present on the banks of Phalgu River.
Here as well, for the convenience of the devotees, a magnificent tent was built, and that part of the river was echoing with Naam Sankirtan continually. A beautiful stage was created inside the tent where all the Pind Daan ceremonies took place. Invited Pundits performed with proper Vedic Mantras and Yagna. Shri Ramanand Ji and his wife took the seat of the main Yajman. Shri Maharaj Ji and Amma’s pictures were placed on a beautifully decorated stage and all of the family members placed garlands and offered their reverence to the Divine Couple. Thereafter, along with other devotees, they performed Arti of Shri Maharaj Ji and Amma Ji.
The entire ambience reverberated with sounds of Jai Jaikar. Afterwards, according to the Vedic rituals Pind Daan ceremony was carried out. Shri Maharaj Ji has always propagated Raganuga Bhakti. Therefore, following the footsteps and principles of Sita Ji, Shri Maharaj Ji's daughters and other women devotees offered Tarpan with faith and devotion.
When Bhagwan Ram came back with His brother to perform Pind Daan, Dashrath Ji did not appear before them. Shri Ram was very surprised by this, as in those days, the ancestors would appear in person to accept Pind Daan. Seeing this, Sita Ji told Shri Ram about Dashrath Ji’s appearance earlier and accepting Pind Daan. Bhagwan Ram could not believe that His father accepted Pind Daan made out of sand. He asked Sita Ji, “Do you have any evidence of this incident?” Sita Ji instantly asked the five witnesses to give validation. Besides Akshay Vat all the other four witnesses, greedy to get more offerings and in hopes of getting Shri Ram’s favor and respect, denied having seen anything. Hearing their response, Sita Ji got angry and cursed each of them by saying that from that day onwards in Gaya, the Phalgu River would remain dry, Tulsi would not have any place in Gaya, the Brahmins of Gaya would always be dissatisfied and the worship of a cow in Gaya would be from the back side, never from the front.
Nonetheless, being pleased by Vat Vraksha, She gave him a boon of immortality. Whoever went to Phalgu River to perform Pind Daan would always worship the Vat tree. It has been known that all other trees in that area shed their leaves once a year in winter, but the Akshay Vat stays evergreen. Even during dissolution it is not destroyed.
Having been cursed by Sita Ji, only sand is seen on top of the Phalgu River. If you dig a foot into it, you can see the water. Ever since then Phalgu River has been proclaimed a false (phalgu means false) river. Every Hindu comes here to fulfill their ancestors Pind Daan and by performing puja of Akshay Vat, they conclude the ceremony.
Mahaprabhu Chaitanya also came to Gaya to perform Shraddha of His father. And to tie another knot in the chain of historical events, on the historic day of November 6th, 2014, the 5th Original Jagadguru 1008 Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj and His wife Padma’s (Amma Ji) Pind Daan was performed by their sons (Shri Ghanshyam Tripathi and Shri Balkrishna Tripathi), daughters (Sushri Vishakha Tripathi, Sushri Shyama Tripathi and Sushri Krishna Tripathi), grandsons (Shri Ramanand Tripathi and his wife Sita Tripathi, Shri Krishnanad Tripathi, Shri Premanand Tripathi, Neelmani Tripathi), and their great grandson Shri Luvanand Tripathi, along with other relatives and devotees present on the banks of Phalgu River.
Here as well, for the convenience of the devotees, a magnificent tent was built, and that part of the river was echoing with Naam Sankirtan continually. A beautiful stage was created inside the tent where all the Pind Daan ceremonies took place. Invited Pundits performed with proper Vedic Mantras and Yagna. Shri Ramanand Ji and his wife took the seat of the main Yajman. Shri Maharaj Ji and Amma’s pictures were placed on a beautifully decorated stage and all of the family members placed garlands and offered their reverence to the Divine Couple. Thereafter, along with other devotees, they performed Arti of Shri Maharaj Ji and Amma Ji.
The entire ambience reverberated with sounds of Jai Jaikar. Afterwards, according to the Vedic rituals Pind Daan ceremony was carried out. Shri Maharaj Ji has always propagated Raganuga Bhakti. Therefore, following the footsteps and principles of Sita Ji, Shri Maharaj Ji's daughters and other women devotees offered Tarpan with faith and devotion.
2. On November 7th, 2014, under the guidance of Sushri Vishakha Didi (Badi Didi) was organized on the grounds of Vishnu Pad Mandir. A magnificent Chariot was decorated with beautiful colorful flowers. On that a cutout of Shri Maharaj Ji was placed on a throne. all the family members put garlands and offered their respects. This was followed by Guru Arti by all devotees and the grand procession commenced. In front of the procession was a large banner with Shri Maharaj Ji’s name written on it. This was followed by devotees sprinkling flower petals on the path. Thousands of devotees followed the Chariot singing Hari Naam Sankirtan, advancing towards Vishnu Pad Temple. Ramanand Ji sat on the chariot to fan and offer flowers. All other family members, including sons, grandsons, and daughters stayed close to the chariot followed by preachers and devotees. The Shraddha event started at 8:00 am and took place inside the temple hall. Shri Ramanand Ji and his wife Shrimati Sita Devi were the main Yajman (performers) of the Shradha. This program continued till 11.30 am.
Due to limited space, a tent was put up in the outer courtyard of the temple to accommodate all the devotees. Where Puja family members, preachers were present. They all participated in ceremony and went to the temple for darshan and puja. During the ceremonies, live keertan continued in the tent. Later these devotees too went to the temple for Vishnu Pad darshan.
According to the Vayu Puran, Gayasur great devotee of God Vishnu, declared that whosoever sees or touches him would attain heaven. However, with time, the boon that he received from Lord Vishnu started being misused. Displeased by his behavior, Vishnu Ji placed His right foot on Gayasur’s head and pushed him back down to the earth. Since then His footprint is left on this place. Later on, Queen Ahilya Bai Holkar built the present temple at that auspicious place. Having received the darshan of Vishnu Ji's footprint, many devotees had extraordinary experiences. It is said that after pleading with God Vishnu several times, Gayasur got a place to live in Gaya in the form of the hills. That is why Gaya is now known to be a very exuberant place to visit.
Due to limited space, a tent was put up in the outer courtyard of the temple to accommodate all the devotees. Where Puja family members, preachers were present. They all participated in ceremony and went to the temple for darshan and puja. During the ceremonies, live keertan continued in the tent. Later these devotees too went to the temple for Vishnu Pad darshan.
According to the Vayu Puran, Gayasur great devotee of God Vishnu, declared that whosoever sees or touches him would attain heaven. However, with time, the boon that he received from Lord Vishnu started being misused. Displeased by his behavior, Vishnu Ji placed His right foot on Gayasur’s head and pushed him back down to the earth. Since then His footprint is left on this place. Later on, Queen Ahilya Bai Holkar built the present temple at that auspicious place. Having received the darshan of Vishnu Ji's footprint, many devotees had extraordinary experiences. It is said that after pleading with God Vishnu several times, Gayasur got a place to live in Gaya in the form of the hills. That is why Gaya is now known to be a very exuberant place to visit.
3. On November 8, 2014, the third day of Shraddha took place. In the morning after Sadhana and breakfast, all the devotees, under the guidance of Badi Didi, proceeded towards Akshay Vat.
The significance of Akshay Vat has already been told in reference to Phalgu River earlier. At the time of creation, Shri Krishna Himself, in the form of a child, slept on one of the leaves of the Vat tree.
The significance of Akshay Vat has already been told in reference to Phalgu River earlier. At the time of creation, Shri Krishna Himself, in the form of a child, slept on one of the leaves of the Vat tree.
करारविन्देन पदारविन्दं, मुखारविन्दे विनिवेशयन्तम्। वटस्य पत्रस्य पुटे शयानं बालं मुकुन्दं मनसा स्मरामि॥
Here also, magnificent tents were set up and Shri Maharaj Ji and Amma’s decorated pictures were placed on the stage. The entire place was adorned with beautiful posters and flags bearing Shri Radha Rani’s name. Starting from 8.30 to 11 am, the Pundits performed Puja and Pind daan ceremony. At the end of the ceremony, Pundits were given gifts, food, and Dakshina, and everyone proceeded for have the Prasad.
Thereafter, all the devotees, with beautiful impressions from the Shraddha ceremony and recollections of many other happy memories of Shri Gurudev and Amma Ji eft for Shri Vrindavan Dham and Shri Barsana Dham where Sadhu Bhoj and Vidhwa Bhoj were to take place.
Devotees, who participated in the ceremonies at Gaya give thanks with a grateful heart, to the three Presidents of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (lovingly called Didis) for organizing this program and having given the opportunity to participate in the Divine Shraddha ceremony of Shri Gurudev and Amma. They only had one thing to say, “This Yatra will never be forgotten”.
Thereafter, all the devotees, with beautiful impressions from the Shraddha ceremony and recollections of many other happy memories of Shri Gurudev and Amma Ji eft for Shri Vrindavan Dham and Shri Barsana Dham where Sadhu Bhoj and Vidhwa Bhoj were to take place.
Devotees, who participated in the ceremonies at Gaya give thanks with a grateful heart, to the three Presidents of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat (lovingly called Didis) for organizing this program and having given the opportunity to participate in the Divine Shraddha ceremony of Shri Gurudev and Amma. They only had one thing to say, “This Yatra will never be forgotten”.
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Philosophy
अंत मति सोइ गति गोविंद राधे । याते मन नित हरि गुरु में लगा दे ॥
All scriptures unanimously proclaim that we will only attain whosoever we recall moments before dying. There are only four scenarios that we are compelled to think of. Let us now examine these four scenarios. Three are from the material realm, tamas, rajas and satvik. And the last one is beyond the material realm or involves God and Mahapurush (one who has attained God). Everybody’s mind is attached to one of these four at the time of death.
को हि जानाति कस्याद्य मृत्युकालो भविष्यति?
ko hi jaanaati kasyaady mrtyukaalo bhavishyati?
ko hi jaanaati kasyaady mrtyukaalo bhavishyati?
“Who knows which moment will that last moment”?
This lesson should always stay in your mind. No one knows when you might have a heart attack or meet with an accident. If your mind is attached to God then after death you will go to Golok. Constant remembrance (smaran) does not come easily at first. But start reminding yourself every 30 minutes that He is sitting on that table in your office and continue to work. When you get into that habit, then do the same every 15 min, then every 10 minutes, then every 5 minutes. In this manner if you practice for a month or two, or a year or two, a day will come when at all times you will realize that God is with you.
This is not mere imagination, this is the truth. He is sitting in your heart and also is omnipresent.
This lesson should always stay in your mind. No one knows when you might have a heart attack or meet with an accident. If your mind is attached to God then after death you will go to Golok. Constant remembrance (smaran) does not come easily at first. But start reminding yourself every 30 minutes that He is sitting on that table in your office and continue to work. When you get into that habit, then do the same every 15 min, then every 10 minutes, then every 5 minutes. In this manner if you practice for a month or two, or a year or two, a day will come when at all times you will realize that God is with you.
This is not mere imagination, this is the truth. He is sitting in your heart and also is omnipresent.
य आत्मनि तिष्ठति
He is omnipresent in His divine form.
यद्यपि साकारोऽयं तथैकदेशी विभाति यदुनाथः । सर्वगतः सर्वात्मा तथाप्ययं सच्चिदानंदः ॥ शंकरा.
You will have to practice this. You have a lot of valuable information from your Guru, but keep losing it.
Scriptures say
Scriptures say
आवृत्ति रसकृदुपदेशात्।
"Listen repeatedly and remind yourself constantly, only then will the idea stick."
Let alone Godly matters, even the attachments to material transient things increase due to constant repetition. Extended use of things like cigarettes, alcohol will allow them to will eventually grip you and force you to consume them. We have forced ourselves into this habit. We did not have these problems from the time of our birth. After our birth we drank unsweetened mother’s milk, kicked our feet and cooed joyously. Later we started asking for sweetened milk, saffron in the milk, cardamom, tea etc and the list kept growing.
When we get addicted to material things that enslave us, we must constantly remind ourselves of the ocean of bliss as then our mind will definitely start craving for that bliss all the time. Remember that this state will come only with practice.
Shri Krishna told Arjun a secret to a good after-life
Let alone Godly matters, even the attachments to material transient things increase due to constant repetition. Extended use of things like cigarettes, alcohol will allow them to will eventually grip you and force you to consume them. We have forced ourselves into this habit. We did not have these problems from the time of our birth. After our birth we drank unsweetened mother’s milk, kicked our feet and cooed joyously. Later we started asking for sweetened milk, saffron in the milk, cardamom, tea etc and the list kept growing.
When we get addicted to material things that enslave us, we must constantly remind ourselves of the ocean of bliss as then our mind will definitely start craving for that bliss all the time. Remember that this state will come only with practice.
Shri Krishna told Arjun a secret to a good after-life
अन्तकाले च मामेव स्मरन्मुक्त्वा कलेवरम । य: प्रयाति स मद्भावं याति नास्त्यत्र संशय: ॥ 8.5॥
"When a soul, before leaving the body remembers Me then that soul comes to Me after leaving the body. "
यं यं वापि स्मरन्भावं त्यजत्यन्ते कलेवरम । तं तमेवैति कौन्तेय सदा तद्भावभावित: ॥ 8.6॥
Would you then attain whatever you remember at the final moment? There is such a dog lover in America who has named his dog as the beneficiary of his property worth Rs17,000,000,000. The dog lives in a palatial house, roams around in an air-conditioned car, has several servants to cater to its needs.
Jad Bharat Paramhans recalled a deer fawn at the time of his death and was granted the body of a deer after death.
Jad Bharat Paramhans recalled a deer fawn at the time of his death and was granted the body of a deer after death.
तस्मात्सर्वेषु कालेषु मामनुस्मर युध्य च ॥ 8.7॥
Hence Arjun you should always imbibe me in your mind, for no one knows when death might embrace you. If a person knows that he is going to leave the body at 8:05 then till 8:00 he can be callous and after that start focusing on God and attain God. But when you don’t know the time of death, you will have to remember God all the time. This is a great secret that God does not reveal to anybody except God-realized saints.
ओमित्येकाक्षरं ब्रह्म व्याहरन्मामनुस्मरन । य: प्रयाति त्यजन्देहं स याति परमां गतिम ॥ 8.13॥
"The one, who leaves this mortal body remembering Me alone while his mind stays absorbed in Me, attains highest reward of My divine abode."
You may chant My name or not but for sure remember Me
Where ever the attachment lies at the time of death, people ask for that person, so they can see them, embrace them one last time before leaving the body. Some ask for their son, some people ask for their daughter. You have seen your loved ones several times and still your thirst is not quenched then how do you think it will get quenched by seeing them one more time? Let alone wanting to see people, some others ask for porridge, one last time, before dying. So if you constantly remember God, only then can you cross the cosmic ocean as nobody knows when the time to leave the body will come. At that time you won’t even be spared a moment. The scriptures repeatedly use the words satat, nirantar, nitya means always remember God.
You may chant My name or not but for sure remember Me
Where ever the attachment lies at the time of death, people ask for that person, so they can see them, embrace them one last time before leaving the body. Some ask for their son, some people ask for their daughter. You have seen your loved ones several times and still your thirst is not quenched then how do you think it will get quenched by seeing them one more time? Let alone wanting to see people, some others ask for porridge, one last time, before dying. So if you constantly remember God, only then can you cross the cosmic ocean as nobody knows when the time to leave the body will come. At that time you won’t even be spared a moment. The scriptures repeatedly use the words satat, nirantar, nitya means always remember God.
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Philosophy
भी ने बिगाड़ा सब गोविंद राधे । बिगड़ी बनाना है तो ही को लगा दे ॥
bhī ne bigāḍa़ā saba goviṃda rādhe । bigaड़ī banānā hai to hī ko lagā de ॥
bhī ne bigāḍa़ā saba goviṃda rādhe । bigaड़ī banānā hai to hī ko lagā de ॥
In this couplet there are 2 keys words - bhī which means also and hī which means only.
Shri Maharaj Ji says that "Where we should have used only, so far we have used also. If you want to have blissful life now start using only". You must be wondering about the context of these words. So read further.
Use of these two words in spiritual realm is so significant that it transforms the entire life. Lord Krishna instructed Arjun in Gita on the same topic,
Shri Maharaj Ji says that "Where we should have used only, so far we have used also. If you want to have blissful life now start using only". You must be wondering about the context of these words. So read further.
Use of these two words in spiritual realm is so significant that it transforms the entire life. Lord Krishna instructed Arjun in Gita on the same topic,
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज | अहं त्वां सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुच: || 18.66
sarvadharmānparityajya māmekaṃ śaraṇaṃ vraja | ahaṃ tvāṃ sarvapāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śuca: || 18.66
sarvadharmānparityajya māmekaṃ śaraṇaṃ vraja | ahaṃ tvāṃ sarvapāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śuca: || 18.66
"You have to surrender yourself unto me only". Not surrender also to me.
So far our stance it that we are surrendered to God also. That is why Shri Maharaj Ji says "bhī ne bigāḍa़ā saba" being surrendered to God "also" is the cause of all our miseries. That is why in our past infinite human lives despite continually toiling for bliss he haven't attained it. This human body is so invaluable that celestial gods, living in heaven, desire for this body that excretes waste and smells bad. Yes the devi-devata, who live in swarg and are worshipped by human beings, desire for this body (1). The reason being God has given this right to perform fruit yielding actions ONLY to human form. Since, every action in this human form yields fruits therefore one can make spiritual gains only in this form.
In pursuit of happiness one will have to explore one of the two realms One is God and the other is the material world made by Maya. There is no other realm to explore.
This world is perceptible to our senses so most often one pursues bliss in this world. At our present spiritual state, God is imperceptible even though He is present in His divine form in each and every particle of this world. He also sits in the heart of every living being. Yet, He cannot be perceived with any of our senses for they are material. Material senses cannot perceive divine God. This body was formed with the Panch Mahabhoot in our mother’s womb. She too had a body made of same 5 material elements. Hence, even when He descends on this earth, we see him but not His true divine form.
That is why we do not benefit from his presence. He has descended countless times. And we were also there at that time. But we could not the avail the benefit of his presence.
So far our stance it that we are surrendered to God also. That is why Shri Maharaj Ji says "bhī ne bigāḍa़ā saba" being surrendered to God "also" is the cause of all our miseries. That is why in our past infinite human lives despite continually toiling for bliss he haven't attained it. This human body is so invaluable that celestial gods, living in heaven, desire for this body that excretes waste and smells bad. Yes the devi-devata, who live in swarg and are worshipped by human beings, desire for this body (1). The reason being God has given this right to perform fruit yielding actions ONLY to human form. Since, every action in this human form yields fruits therefore one can make spiritual gains only in this form.
In pursuit of happiness one will have to explore one of the two realms One is God and the other is the material world made by Maya. There is no other realm to explore.
This world is perceptible to our senses so most often one pursues bliss in this world. At our present spiritual state, God is imperceptible even though He is present in His divine form in each and every particle of this world. He also sits in the heart of every living being. Yet, He cannot be perceived with any of our senses for they are material. Material senses cannot perceive divine God. This body was formed with the Panch Mahabhoot in our mother’s womb. She too had a body made of same 5 material elements. Hence, even when He descends on this earth, we see him but not His true divine form.
That is why we do not benefit from his presence. He has descended countless times. And we were also there at that time. But we could not the avail the benefit of his presence.
हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे । हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे
The Supreme Lord whose name we chant, that Shri Ram descended on this earth in Treta Yuga and ruled for 11,000 years. God and his powers have eternally existed. jeev is a power of God. So each jeev has seen God countless times when he descended. We would have been in a different body. At the time of death, jeev will leave the present body and go in some other body. In this manner jeev roams around in these numerous bodies, but jeev cannot cease to exist. Even God cannot kill us. We are eternal. God is eternal. And Maya too cannot be killed. Yes, it is insentient, but none of these powers can destroy another.
At the time of God realization Maya releases the saints from its clutches and continues to hold the others in its clutches (2). If God or any Mahapurush had killed Maya then all other beings would have become free from its bondage. Just like when somebody kills a dacoit others are relieved of its terror. It is not so. Infinite jeev have been liberated from the shackles of Maya and the cosmic power of God called Maya still remains.
Ok, let me simplify it further. When a heinous criminal is sentenced to jail time, his hands and feet are tied with shackles. Once the time of imprisonment is completed, then the shackles are removed and he is instructed not to do any unlawful activities. But the convict might have already made plans in the jail to rob a couple of places before reaching home. But that is a private thought. So the jailer opened the shackles for person is released him. Releasing him does not mean that the shackles no longer exist. Others still have their hands and feet in shackles. Similarly, every being is overpowered by Maya. God instructs Maya to let go of those who have surrendered to God and Maya leaves that jeev. Maya is God’s servant. Nobody is her enemy. As per God’s instruction, Maya punishes us in this jail. If we realize our faults, then our job is done. We don’t have to do anything else. No compensation needs to be made. Nope, just admit from the inner most depths of your heart that you are faulty.
When the world pushes us to our knees, at that time we admit,” O Lord! You ALONE are mine. All these people are my rivals; they inflict pain on me mercilessly”. And when these people become apologetic and approach us lovingly, then we go back to square one. Just like when a hungry dog approaches you for a loaf of bread and is hit hard with a stick, it runs away whimpering in pain. After reaching a certain distance, it looks back thinking that even if you are human and powerful, instead of hitting me, you could have given me one loaf of bread, and it would not have changed anything for you as have so many. At that time, if you show him the loaf of bread again and call out to it, it will come again, and if you again hit it and keep doing so, the dog will still keep coming back. Such is our situation with father /mother /brother /sister /husband /wife who insult each other all day long and the tug-of-war of selfish motives is happening all the time. But after the conflict if the other party approaches affectionately, then the offended party forgets all about the misbehavior and gets attracted to the same people all over again.
Why? Because we are a part of God. So what? God is Happiness. So? We are a part of Happiness, hence we desire for happiness. This is our motive. Hence for our own motive we perform all these covetous actions. It is not a bad goal. And we cannot stop desiring happiness either. Because, without attaining happiness, we cannot sit idle for even a moment. One desires for one’s own happiness. Not for the happiness of father/mother/husband/son! We want to attain our goal with all relatives and even from cows, dogs, cats, lions and tigers. And we do that too. See, there are several people who have pet lions and they perform shows where they put their hand in the lion’s open mouth. And people give money for watching them. Every being is trying to fool every other being, get control and satisfy one’s own desire of attaining happiness. But he does not understand that there is no happiness here in this world. Hence one cannot get it from this area.
This is a market of all blind people. One blind man says, please show me the way to Golok dham. The other blind man thinks this guy does not know if I am blind or not. So he calls out to the other blind man and says- come here, I will show you the way. One holds the hand of the other, both of them walk together for a while and then both fall into a ditch. This is the same repeat comedy that is going on for infinite lives. But it still did not get 100% crystallized in our minds that there is no happiness here. When we are beat up by our circumstances, we do realize this. For example, at the time of death, we chant “Ram naam satya hai” (“Ram! Your name alone is true”). See, I did not obey my father so he gave the entire property to someone else, I did not listen to my brother so he is ready to shoot me dead, I did not listen to my wife so she has become characterless, I did not listen to my husband so he is ready to divorce me. As soon as the selfish motive is destroyed, love ends.
But when you have too much pain, you turn to God- O Lord, have mercy! That is why you all have come here. You have this faith that there is some happiness in God. So let us go and listen about Him. But, none of you here have decided that whatever my Guru says I will do ONLY that, and I won’t go back and fall a prey to material desires. So what do we do? We say God ALSO is mine and world ALSO is mine. In the temples we say
At the time of God realization Maya releases the saints from its clutches and continues to hold the others in its clutches (2). If God or any Mahapurush had killed Maya then all other beings would have become free from its bondage. Just like when somebody kills a dacoit others are relieved of its terror. It is not so. Infinite jeev have been liberated from the shackles of Maya and the cosmic power of God called Maya still remains.
Ok, let me simplify it further. When a heinous criminal is sentenced to jail time, his hands and feet are tied with shackles. Once the time of imprisonment is completed, then the shackles are removed and he is instructed not to do any unlawful activities. But the convict might have already made plans in the jail to rob a couple of places before reaching home. But that is a private thought. So the jailer opened the shackles for person is released him. Releasing him does not mean that the shackles no longer exist. Others still have their hands and feet in shackles. Similarly, every being is overpowered by Maya. God instructs Maya to let go of those who have surrendered to God and Maya leaves that jeev. Maya is God’s servant. Nobody is her enemy. As per God’s instruction, Maya punishes us in this jail. If we realize our faults, then our job is done. We don’t have to do anything else. No compensation needs to be made. Nope, just admit from the inner most depths of your heart that you are faulty.
When the world pushes us to our knees, at that time we admit,” O Lord! You ALONE are mine. All these people are my rivals; they inflict pain on me mercilessly”. And when these people become apologetic and approach us lovingly, then we go back to square one. Just like when a hungry dog approaches you for a loaf of bread and is hit hard with a stick, it runs away whimpering in pain. After reaching a certain distance, it looks back thinking that even if you are human and powerful, instead of hitting me, you could have given me one loaf of bread, and it would not have changed anything for you as have so many. At that time, if you show him the loaf of bread again and call out to it, it will come again, and if you again hit it and keep doing so, the dog will still keep coming back. Such is our situation with father /mother /brother /sister /husband /wife who insult each other all day long and the tug-of-war of selfish motives is happening all the time. But after the conflict if the other party approaches affectionately, then the offended party forgets all about the misbehavior and gets attracted to the same people all over again.
Why? Because we are a part of God. So what? God is Happiness. So? We are a part of Happiness, hence we desire for happiness. This is our motive. Hence for our own motive we perform all these covetous actions. It is not a bad goal. And we cannot stop desiring happiness either. Because, without attaining happiness, we cannot sit idle for even a moment. One desires for one’s own happiness. Not for the happiness of father/mother/husband/son! We want to attain our goal with all relatives and even from cows, dogs, cats, lions and tigers. And we do that too. See, there are several people who have pet lions and they perform shows where they put their hand in the lion’s open mouth. And people give money for watching them. Every being is trying to fool every other being, get control and satisfy one’s own desire of attaining happiness. But he does not understand that there is no happiness here in this world. Hence one cannot get it from this area.
This is a market of all blind people. One blind man says, please show me the way to Golok dham. The other blind man thinks this guy does not know if I am blind or not. So he calls out to the other blind man and says- come here, I will show you the way. One holds the hand of the other, both of them walk together for a while and then both fall into a ditch. This is the same repeat comedy that is going on for infinite lives. But it still did not get 100% crystallized in our minds that there is no happiness here. When we are beat up by our circumstances, we do realize this. For example, at the time of death, we chant “Ram naam satya hai” (“Ram! Your name alone is true”). See, I did not obey my father so he gave the entire property to someone else, I did not listen to my brother so he is ready to shoot me dead, I did not listen to my wife so she has become characterless, I did not listen to my husband so he is ready to divorce me. As soon as the selfish motive is destroyed, love ends.
But when you have too much pain, you turn to God- O Lord, have mercy! That is why you all have come here. You have this faith that there is some happiness in God. So let us go and listen about Him. But, none of you here have decided that whatever my Guru says I will do ONLY that, and I won’t go back and fall a prey to material desires. So what do we do? We say God ALSO is mine and world ALSO is mine. In the temples we say
त्वमेव माता च पिता त्वमेव
"You ALONE are my mother, you ALONE are my father."
“ev” in Sanskrit means “ALONE”. That is what we say. But the reality is “you ALSO are my mother and I have a mother at home, you ALSO are my father and I have a father at home, you ALSO are my wealth and I have a bank balance too”. So in this manner, we have increased our attachments in this world. That means whatever we earned we lost it too and always stayed in debt. There are several in this world who have earned millions in this world but when asked about their net worth, they say that their net balance is zero; as the bank loan is worth millions. Why? “Oh, what can I say? During my youth, I thought money will keep flowing in the same way. So I spent unscrupulously on dinners, vacation etc. Now I am old, and I can’t work. So I took a loan, but have no means to repay it. So just like that we have lost all our wealth. God says, "Arjun surrender ONLY unto me”. You can’t pursue both realms and yet attain Me.
“ev” in Sanskrit means “ALONE”. That is what we say. But the reality is “you ALSO are my mother and I have a mother at home, you ALSO are my father and I have a father at home, you ALSO are my wealth and I have a bank balance too”. So in this manner, we have increased our attachments in this world. That means whatever we earned we lost it too and always stayed in debt. There are several in this world who have earned millions in this world but when asked about their net worth, they say that their net balance is zero; as the bank loan is worth millions. Why? “Oh, what can I say? During my youth, I thought money will keep flowing in the same way. So I spent unscrupulously on dinners, vacation etc. Now I am old, and I can’t work. So I took a loan, but have no means to repay it. So just like that we have lost all our wealth. God says, "Arjun surrender ONLY unto me”. You can’t pursue both realms and yet attain Me.
So now let us understand the philosophy. Our mind is dirty. It is full of material attachments and afflictions. We have to get rid of these attachments. God and Guru are pure. When we attach our mind to then for an hour or two then our mind becomes cleaner. But the rest of the day we start thinking about the material world and it becomes dirty again. So you earned Rs. 10 and you lost Rs. 20. That is why we never stopped roaming around in the 8.4 million life forms. So if you continuously attach our mind to Guru and God, only then will it become pure. When you rub two bamboo sticks continuously, the temperature keeps increasing and finally fire appears. It you rub it for 30 seconds and keep it aside , it becomes cold again. Again, if you pick this up, after a couple of rub for some time and keep it aside, you could be doing this for but no fire will appear.
We shed a couple of tears for the Guru, then as our daughter is getting married, we shed tears there too. Mom died and we shed tears there too. You get news that your son met with an accident. You start panting as if you have an unbearable physical discomfort. You son is hurt, so he is crying, but why are you crying? You are not hurt. Oh, he is my son!
See we were born alone. Once our stomach is full we kick our legs happily and keep cooing. If mother dies you would not care, father also dies you still would not care. Once you grew up, then your attachment to mother increased. After a little while attachment to father also increased, after some more time, attachment to sister and brother too. After yet some more time, you got a wife and 2/4/6/8 children. Now the old man boasts of a family of 25 people. One one met with an accident, he cries, another dies then he cries too. When there are so many, someone will have cancer, someone will die, some will meet with accidents. Something or the other will keep happening. Now he is upset due to the sufferings of 25 people. And all this is in addition to one’s own physical ailments. It is amazing how all these people are alive after enduring so much pain.
And when we meet a saint we say, oh, he explains so well. So now use the word ONLY in the statement ‘Love God Only’. Oh, how can I do that? I love roaming around in these 8.4 million life forms. Sometime I will become a dog then a cat, then a worm, then a donkey. It is full of variety, this is what I like. What is the fun in reaching Golok and staying there? A drunkard asked a maulvi (muslim holy man), how is heaven, how many people are there, what do they do? And what happens in hell? The holy man replied, in heaven there are a few people and they keep reading namaz all the time. In hell there are lots of people and they keep getting beatings all the time. The drunkard said "Oh, then I will get bored in heaven, I prefer going to hell. So I’ll keep sinning". We are all like this.
We are fools but we don’t consider ourselves fools. If you tell a real mad person to eat medicine, he replies back that he is not mad. “Why should I eat medicine? You must be mad to call me mad.” There are several fathers who are troubled as their sons don’t take their medicine. They come to me and say please tell him to take his medicine. We are just like that.
We don’t consider ourselves a fool. The moment we start considering ourselves to have been a fool that very moment we will put ONLY instead of ALSO and we will become wealthy forever.
See we were born alone. Once our stomach is full we kick our legs happily and keep cooing. If mother dies you would not care, father also dies you still would not care. Once you grew up, then your attachment to mother increased. After a little while attachment to father also increased, after some more time, attachment to sister and brother too. After yet some more time, you got a wife and 2/4/6/8 children. Now the old man boasts of a family of 25 people. One one met with an accident, he cries, another dies then he cries too. When there are so many, someone will have cancer, someone will die, some will meet with accidents. Something or the other will keep happening. Now he is upset due to the sufferings of 25 people. And all this is in addition to one’s own physical ailments. It is amazing how all these people are alive after enduring so much pain.
And when we meet a saint we say, oh, he explains so well. So now use the word ONLY in the statement ‘Love God Only’. Oh, how can I do that? I love roaming around in these 8.4 million life forms. Sometime I will become a dog then a cat, then a worm, then a donkey. It is full of variety, this is what I like. What is the fun in reaching Golok and staying there? A drunkard asked a maulvi (muslim holy man), how is heaven, how many people are there, what do they do? And what happens in hell? The holy man replied, in heaven there are a few people and they keep reading namaz all the time. In hell there are lots of people and they keep getting beatings all the time. The drunkard said "Oh, then I will get bored in heaven, I prefer going to hell. So I’ll keep sinning". We are all like this.
We are fools but we don’t consider ourselves fools. If you tell a real mad person to eat medicine, he replies back that he is not mad. “Why should I eat medicine? You must be mad to call me mad.” There are several fathers who are troubled as their sons don’t take their medicine. They come to me and say please tell him to take his medicine. We are just like that.
We don’t consider ourselves a fool. The moment we start considering ourselves to have been a fool that very moment we will put ONLY instead of ALSO and we will become wealthy forever.
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Kriplau Leelamritam
Shri Maharaj Ji began preaching from Mahabani Ji's house in Pratapgarh. He used to travel extensively to deliver lectures and grace the souls thirsting for God. Eventually, they purchased an ambassador car to facilitate His travels.
One day, Shri Maharaj Ji drove the car to the railway station to pick up a devotee, with little Banchary Didi accompanying him. Upon reaching the station, Maharaj Ji parked the car in front of the main entrance and instructed Banchary Didi to remain in the car while he fetched the devotee. However, instead of staying with the car as instructed, Banchary Didi left it unlocked and went inside the railway station.
One day, Shri Maharaj Ji drove the car to the railway station to pick up a devotee, with little Banchary Didi accompanying him. Upon reaching the station, Maharaj Ji parked the car in front of the main entrance and instructed Banchary Didi to remain in the car while he fetched the devotee. However, instead of staying with the car as instructed, Banchary Didi left it unlocked and went inside the railway station.
When Shri Maharaj Ji saw her, He asked her why she had left the car unattended. She explained that she believed He, being God, was omnipresent and would protect the car from theft. She thought it unnecessary to stay in the car in the sun.
Shri Maharaj Ji then explained to her that obeying the Guru's instructions is a form of service to the Guru. By following His orders, one pleases the Guru. This attracts more of His grace. While the Guru has the powers akin to God, it is the devotee's duty to serve the Guru, not the other way around.
MORAL
If Guru has given you direct instructions then surely follow those. If not then you can follow the instructions he has given in his lectures. Doing so will attract more grace. And one can attain God only through Guru's grace. Do you obey your Guru's instructions?
Shri Maharaj Ji then explained to her that obeying the Guru's instructions is a form of service to the Guru. By following His orders, one pleases the Guru. This attracts more of His grace. While the Guru has the powers akin to God, it is the devotee's duty to serve the Guru, not the other way around.
MORAL
If Guru has given you direct instructions then surely follow those. If not then you can follow the instructions he has given in his lectures. Doing so will attract more grace. And one can attain God only through Guru's grace. Do you obey your Guru's instructions?
Kid's Story
Sage Uddalaka ran a school (Ashram) teaching Vedic knowledge. Kahoda was one of his best disciples. Uddalaka was so pleased with him that he got his daughter Sujata married to him. In due course Sujata conceived a child and wanted to instill the Vedic knowledge in her child early in life. So she too began to sit in the classes taught by Uddalaka and Kahoda. She along with the unborn baby would listen to the lectures and chanting sessions. It was one day, in a class taught by Kahoda, the unborn baby spoke up from inside the womb, "This is not the way to chant the verse, father." Kahoda felt insulted in front of the class and cursed, "You will be born deformed."
Sujata did not take the instance too seriously. When the baby was born he was deformed in 8 places. In order to raise her child Sujata needed money. So she asked Khoda to go to king Janak (father of Mother Sita). King Janak was preparing for a fire worship ceremony (yagya) to bring money to the family.
When Kahoda approached Janak, the king received him respectfully but regretted that he was unable to perform the yagna which I decided to perform several years back. Sage Bandhi arrived and asked me to only include those sages in the yagya who can defeat Bandhi in a scriptural debate (Shastrartha). His condition further includes that the sages who come forth, if defeated would be drowned. So far he has killed many learned sages. Now it is up to you to take the challenge." Kahoda agreed to debate with Bandhi. He was defeated and drowned in the nearby river. The widowed Sujata heard the news and repented having sent her husband to the king’s assembly. A few months later she gave birth to a boy with deformity at eight joints, hence was named Ashtavakra. He got his education from his grandfather Uddalaka. Ashtavakra was extremely intelligent and his grandfather loved him dearly and was very proud of him. When Ashtavakra was only twelve, he finished learning all that he needed to know from his grandfather. He also heard the fate of his father and the Yagna of king Janak which still remained unfinished as no one could defeat Bandhi.
One night Ashtavakra ran away from the hermitage and went to king Janak. Looking at his deformed body, the guards were amused. Ashtavakra retorted, "Do not judge a person by his appearance and age, judge him by what he knows. Inform your king that there is a person ready to challenge Bandhi." The king came and was surprised to see a small deformed boy. He asked a few questions and was greatly impressed by his knowledge. King Janak soon arranged for the debate with Bandhi. Imagine a 6-feet tall man, deformed in 8 places meaning he is crooked every 9 inches. How would a man like that look?
Sujata did not take the instance too seriously. When the baby was born he was deformed in 8 places. In order to raise her child Sujata needed money. So she asked Khoda to go to king Janak (father of Mother Sita). King Janak was preparing for a fire worship ceremony (yagya) to bring money to the family.
When Kahoda approached Janak, the king received him respectfully but regretted that he was unable to perform the yagna which I decided to perform several years back. Sage Bandhi arrived and asked me to only include those sages in the yagya who can defeat Bandhi in a scriptural debate (Shastrartha). His condition further includes that the sages who come forth, if defeated would be drowned. So far he has killed many learned sages. Now it is up to you to take the challenge." Kahoda agreed to debate with Bandhi. He was defeated and drowned in the nearby river. The widowed Sujata heard the news and repented having sent her husband to the king’s assembly. A few months later she gave birth to a boy with deformity at eight joints, hence was named Ashtavakra. He got his education from his grandfather Uddalaka. Ashtavakra was extremely intelligent and his grandfather loved him dearly and was very proud of him. When Ashtavakra was only twelve, he finished learning all that he needed to know from his grandfather. He also heard the fate of his father and the Yagna of king Janak which still remained unfinished as no one could defeat Bandhi.
One night Ashtavakra ran away from the hermitage and went to king Janak. Looking at his deformed body, the guards were amused. Ashtavakra retorted, "Do not judge a person by his appearance and age, judge him by what he knows. Inform your king that there is a person ready to challenge Bandhi." The king came and was surprised to see a small deformed boy. He asked a few questions and was greatly impressed by his knowledge. King Janak soon arranged for the debate with Bandhi. Imagine a 6-feet tall man, deformed in 8 places meaning he is crooked every 9 inches. How would a man like that look?
When the scholars laughed on seeing the deformed Ashtavakra, he said, "Janak! I had heard that your court is a seat of the learned. Little did I know that this learned gathering is no better than a bunch of cobblers”.
When the scholars laughed on seeing the deformed Ashtavakra, he said, "Janak! I had heard that your court is a seat of the learned. Little did I know that this learned gathering is no better than a bunch of cobblers”. All scholars took offence to this statement. Hence king Janak humbly asked Ashtavakra to explain the reason behind his comment. Ashtavakra said,” A cobbler works with leather and is an expert in judging the quality of leather. These people saw my body which is deformed in 8 places and started to laugh. That is why I called them cobblers. Learned scholars should not judge a person by the skin but by the knowledge he has."
To everyone's surprise, Ashtavakara defeated Bandhi in no time. As per the agreement, he then requested the king to drown his father's killer. Bandhi then disclosed his identity. He said, "I am the son of Varuna, the god of water. I came to earth on the request of my father to get the best sages from here to perform his twelve years of Yagna. The only way I could get them to my father was to challenge them in a debate and throw them into water. Now that my father has completed the Yagna, let us go to the river bank and watch the sages walk out of the river."
People rushed to the river bank and watched the sages return from the river. Kahoda came and embraced his learned son Ashtavakra. He then openly admitted that his son Ashtavakra was a lot wiser than him. Bandhi then asked Ashtavakra to take a dip in the river, with the blessings of his father, Varuna, which would make him normal. Ashtavakra did as he was told and came out of the river as a handsome young man. Janak rewarded Ashtavakra and Kahoda. They went back to their hermitage to be united with the family. Uddalaka was very happy to see his worthy grandson surpass all the great sages of his time in knowledge. Sujata rejoiced at seeing her handsome son and the husband.
Moral
A wise man appraises the qualities only. Whenever you meet a real saint don't look at his height, eight, skin color, etc. These things are not the real personality. Look at the knowledge, his love for God, his disinterest in the material possessions etc. (see )
To everyone's surprise, Ashtavakara defeated Bandhi in no time. As per the agreement, he then requested the king to drown his father's killer. Bandhi then disclosed his identity. He said, "I am the son of Varuna, the god of water. I came to earth on the request of my father to get the best sages from here to perform his twelve years of Yagna. The only way I could get them to my father was to challenge them in a debate and throw them into water. Now that my father has completed the Yagna, let us go to the river bank and watch the sages walk out of the river."
People rushed to the river bank and watched the sages return from the river. Kahoda came and embraced his learned son Ashtavakra. He then openly admitted that his son Ashtavakra was a lot wiser than him. Bandhi then asked Ashtavakra to take a dip in the river, with the blessings of his father, Varuna, which would make him normal. Ashtavakra did as he was told and came out of the river as a handsome young man. Janak rewarded Ashtavakra and Kahoda. They went back to their hermitage to be united with the family. Uddalaka was very happy to see his worthy grandson surpass all the great sages of his time in knowledge. Sujata rejoiced at seeing her handsome son and the husband.
Moral
A wise man appraises the qualities only. Whenever you meet a real saint don't look at his height, eight, skin color, etc. These things are not the real personality. Look at the knowledge, his love for God, his disinterest in the material possessions etc. (see )
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