Category Archives: short story

SHORT STORY: HALF KNOWLEDGE

ARTICLE SPIRITUAL, beautiful lines, casual causerie, causerie, column, quotes and lines, short story, snippet, spiritual, spiritual article, story, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

copyright@shravancharitymission

 

gurukul half knowledge knowledge

HALF KNOWLEDGE

    Long time ago there lived a Maharishi by the name of Shandilya. He had many pupils, who regularly attended his gurukul (Vedic residential school) to acquire knowledge. But somehow. They were not satisfied with just the routine things they were learning out there. So, one day they humbly requested him to bless them with Brahma-Gyan (divine knowledge).

    But Maharishi as of now, was reluctant to accept their humble request, to teach them Brahma-Gyan. The situation drifted for sometime when the the discontented pupils got impatient. One day they asked him the reason for his not enlightening them with Brahma-Gyan

    Maharishi in a soft tone said, ‘Dear students, I know all of you are very eager to learn ‘Brahma-Gyan.’  But I feel this is not the right time to teach you this.

    ‘How is that possible?’ Said one pupil in a stern tone and then added. ‘Guruji, you only told us that knowledge will take us to divine knowledge. You have given us enough knowledge, so then what stops you now from giving us this divine knowledge too?’

    ‘Is it, have you gained a lot of knowledge?’ Questioned Maharishi in a sarcastic tone and then said, ‘arrogance and impatience have blurred your vision, and also in your expression there is dearth of love, even when I love you all so much. Nevertheless, I will give you all, whatever you are worth giving. So, please close your eyes and witness a glimpse of your wishes being fulfilled.’

    And when everyone had closed their eyes. They saw, they were flying in the space-galaxy. Soon, their flight ended in front of a splendid gate, and when they reached there. The gate opened slowly and they heard a voice inviting them, ‘you are welcome, and from here you can start your onward journey.’

    After entering the gate they reached the golden space-galaxy about which they had not heard anything before. The way further, took them to another golden gate which was close by. And after reaching there, this gate also opened. They entered but found it to be pitch-dark, all over. Finally, they forgot their way and started stumbling all over the place, because of which they started losing their courage.

    In the end, they were unable to withstand the pain of uncertainty, and they all started groaning, ‘Gurudev have mercy on us, please save us. We don’t know where we are, and where we have to go to, and it is pitch-dark here.’ And at that very moment, their illusion broke and their eyes opened, and they saw the smiling and pleasant face of the Maharishi. Scared they ask, ‘What had happened to us Gurudev, why couldn’t we go ahead and why all of a sudden everything around us became so abnormal?’

    Gurudev in a sombre tone said, ‘it happened, because, you all, only had the potential to go up to the halfway. You did not have the potential to go any further than that. The first door was the knowledge door, which took you to the second door. The second door was the door of love that was getting you to the ocean of love. But your arrogance and impatience stopped your progress to the ocean of love.

    You all need to remember. Half-knowledge will only take you half-way to ultimate-happiness. And, the balance you need to cover with love. For knowledge and love together, will take you to the high echelons of Brahma-Gyan.

    That’s why you should stay in the domain of knowledge and you should shun arrogance and impatience. Look up to God with immense devotion, and serve his universe with extreme reverence. Supreme knowledge and love are two sides of the same coin that alone takes us to the extreme bliss, so go and serve the world with love and humility. And, after that, come to me for divine knowledge.’

    The story tells us, while we must stay in the domain of knowledge, we must also shun arrogance. Along with knowledge, sense of serving the community is equally important. And humility and love are signs of holiness.

    On hindsight, the story also tells us, that love is an essential link in the chain of human relations, be it physical or human psyche. And Guru plays an important role in unifying the unique relation between love and knowledge.

*

Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

*

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

*

Share if you like it

*

Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

*****

 

SHORT STORY: CHILDREN-LIKE UNREAD BOOKS

article, article on career, article on feedback, causerie, column, short article, short story, snippet, story, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Copyright@shravancharitymission

FLAMBOYANT parents student 2 student simple

    Once, there were two college students staying in the same housing society. They both were in class XII. But in different institutions. They both had working parents. One out of them was very flamboyant. Just like his parents who only believed in telling the world. How well they were doing and also, how well their child was doing in college. They had nursed big ambitions. That their child will qualify for the best professional college, from where no dream will be impossible.

    The other student was rather subdued, again, like his parents. He used to spend a lot of time in understanding about the merit and sweat required to get into a professional course through competition vis-a-vis his own capabilities.

    After clearing class XII exams. The subdued student took to the first professional course that he could qualify for and went his way. While, the flamboyant student decided to pursue higher and tougher ambitions based on his parent’s advice and his own overconfidence.

    Some years had passed when the subdued student after completing his professional degree had taken up a job in a midsize company, while the flamboyant student along with his parents was still busy making lofty plans of conquering the world.

    He kept trying for the best institutes. When, he couldn’t even get into the average ones. He became very selective on what he wanted to do. Without ever assessing his own capabilities. And a day came when he was neither in any professional college nor in a job, whereas the subdued student had completed half a decade of service and was now a manager in a big company.

    Children are like books. Unless you read the book end-to-end. You will neither understand the narration, plot, nor the end of it. Many parents are very good at reading only the first chapter of their child’s book and that too again and again, and that alone satisfies them beyond compare. They do not take the trouble of reading their child’s book end-to-end. This creates a lot of dissonance between what a child can do and what he is told to do.

    And mind you. The book on its own, will never come and tell you the narration, the plot and the end. On the contrary you will have to make an effort to read it.

    To know your child, read the complete book. Read all the chapters. For that alone will give a very clear view of his liking, desires, aspirations and capabilities vis-a-vis available opportunities.

    Remember: The book of your child is as interesting as any other best-seller you might be reading now. So let it, just not lie in your library. Pick it up and read it now. And I’m sure. Once you go through it you’ll feel like reading it again and again, and from time to time.

    This is the gist of an article I had read sometime back. As far as possible we should try and remove the mismatch between our child’s capability and what we expect him to do, to make him happy.

*

Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

*

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

*

Share if you like it

*

Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

(Archived in 7 prestigious libraries of the US, including, Harvard University and Library of Congress. It can also be accessed in MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in Libraries and archives of Canada and Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai)  

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

(Launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2014)

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(Co-published by Cankids–Kidscan, a pan India NGO and Shravan Charity Mission, that works for Child cancer in India. The book is endorsed by Ms Preetha Reddy, MD Apollo Hospitals Group. Book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2016)

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

Story of an Indian salesman who is lowly qualified but fights his ways through uncertainities to reach the top. A good read for all salesmen. Now available in Amazon.com

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

*****

 

 

SHORT STORY: MAHARISHI’s LAUGH

short story, story, , , , , , , , , , ,

Copyright@shravancharitymission

By Kamlesh Tripathi

arrogant bragging rishi

Maharishi (great spiritual leader) Matang was a bhramagyani (theologian) He had many devotees, and to meet his devotees he used to continuously travel to various towns and cities, and that gave an opportunity to his disciples to see new places, and meet new people. Most people used to come to the Maharishi with their worries and problems to get it solved.

One day the mukhiya (Head) of a town with his complete jingbang and sycophants came to meet the Maharishi. And to Maharishi’s surprise, mukhiya’s sycophants were not getting tired of praising him. And the pompous mukhiya with a lot of arrogance, started boasting to Maharishi about how he had thought about the citizenry of his town and had made plans to develop it, by keeping their future in mind.

After sometime, Maharishi Matang went to another town. There the famous vaidya (practitioner of Ayurvedic medicines) of the town came to see him along with his aides and supporters and started swaggering about, how he had treated so many illnesses and saved so many from the cruel hands of death. And when his aides and supporters were praising the vaidya, Maharishi couldn’t help, and he laughed. Vaidya took offence to Maharishi’s laugh and left immediately with his aides and supporters.

And, after some time, in a different town, a renowned Pandit of that town, along with his disciples came to see the Maharishi. And all those disciples started bragging about the spiritual knowledge of the Pandit, and started narrating how he pardoned the crime of so many criminals and brought them under his fold and gave them assurance of a good life. Upon hearing all this talk Maharishi laughed, when the Pandit too, took offence and left in anger.

The disciples of Maharishi were watching this, and were amazed at him, when they decided to ask, ‘Gurudev, normally you bless people who come to your fold, but thrice we saw you have not blessed them, on their achievements and on the contrary you laughed at them, because of which they took offence and left in a huff. Can we know the reason for this?

Maharishi smiled and looked at them, and said softly, ‘My dear disciples, Mukhiya was planning to sort out others life in the town when he knew nothing about his own life. In the same manner Pandit, by pardoning criminals was trying to become God, when he never could focus, his own attention on the number of sins he himself had committed. And such arrogant and boastful people want to control the future, life and faith of others.

I laughed because the mukhiya is soon going to die, the viadya will contract a disease shortly that doesn’t have a cure and the pandit will go mad soon. In life we should not try and do those jobs which are beyond us. In fact we should encourage other people to move forward themselves. We should rely only on God, and at best, should be in under the aegis of a theologian, if required.

This story reminds us about some relevant aspects of life, and that is, although, we may plan meticulously for our future we can’t ensure it. We are no one to give life to anyone but we can definitely look after the health of someone. In the same manner we can control our devotion. We can increase our devotion or help increase devotion of others.

***

SHORT STORY: POVERTY

causerie, column, short story, snippet, spiritual, story, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

 Copyright@shravancharitymission

concern
poverty
warmth

    Once upon a time, there lived a poor and elderly couple that without fail used to visit the railway station of a small town every morning, as well as in the evening. There, they used to wait for a particular passenger train that used to arrive at six in the morning. The same train used to return at seven in the evening. When again, they used to wait for its arrival, and after the train left they used to return to their home empty handed.

    But in the five minutes that the train halted the couple used to go into a tizzy. They used to go in opposite directions. One towards the engine and the other towards the end of the train. As if looking for someone, and day-after-day they used to call out the same name.

    In the same platform there was a tea vendor who had had his tea stall there for many years now. He used to light his gas stove at 5 in the morning to make tea. His first customers used to be the ones out of the same passenger train, for which, this elderly couple, used to come and wait each morning and evening.

    The tea vendor had watched the couple quite attentively for years every day while doing his brisk business. The passenger train was rarely late. And after midnight it used to be the first train in the morning.

    One morning when the train arrived. The elderly couple as usual went in opposite directions, calling out the same name. But as the train trickled out of the platform. They came and sat near the staircase trying to catch their breath.

    The tea vendor who used to watch them from a distance each day could not hold his inquisition that day. He walked up to the elderly couple and asked,

    ‘I have being watching you both, coming to this platform, without fail, for years now. What do you come here for? Are you looking for someone?’ He asked in a concerned tone.

    Embarrassed, the couple looked at each other when the elderly man in a hesitant and guilty tone said,

    ‘Babuji some fifteen years back. In the same passenger train. We had left behind, three of our children, because we didn’t have money to feed them. So we come here looking for them. We shout for the elder one. Who was six then, thinking he might remember his name and respond, but till date we have not met with any success.’

    This is poverty at its worst. It is a true story. In this life we often are upset over minor things, even when God has given us everything. Remember, destiny can be extremely kind to some, and extremely harsh to some others. So thank God, for each iota of goodness that you have in your life.

*

Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

*

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

*

Share if you like it

*

Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

(Archived in 7 prestigious libraries of the US, including, Harvard University and Library of Congress. It can also be accessed in MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in Libraries and archives of Canada and Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai)  

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

(Launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2014)

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(Co-published by Cankids–Kidscan, a pan India NGO and Shravan Charity Mission, that works for Child cancer in India. The book is endorsed by Ms Preetha Reddy, MD Apollo Hospitals Group. Book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2016)

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

*****

SHORT STORY: ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE, ANYTIME AND ANYWHERE

article, articles, column, political article, politics, SATTIRE, short article, short article on politics, short article- politics, short political article, short srticle, short story, snippet, spiritual, spiritual article, story, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Copyright@shravancharitymission

 

arrogance helpless

SO DON’T JUST BASK UNDER THE GLORY THAT YOU’RE ALL TOO POWERFUL

 

On 24th of June 2015. Kiran Rijijiu the all powerful minister of state for home, Government of India, was returning from Leh to Delhi, along with his assistant Nirmal Singh. To accommodate him. Three members of a benign family of an IFS officer including a child, were disallowed from boarding flight AI-446. According to media reports this unpleasant episode, delayed the flight and brought Kiran Rijiju under an avoidable, but virulent controversy called #VVIPRACISM.

    In this world, often the rich and mighty feel they are all too powerful, and nothing can hit them, even when, they are at large after a heinous crime. But, I guess, this is not how God works. In this case also, when Kiran left for Leh he couldn’t have imagined in his dream that he will be caught up in such a odd controversy. Considering the fact that he is the all powerful minister of state for home in Government of India. But he forgot about the Supreme Power who has his own ways of tracking such devious stories—where this time it was through the media.

    This brings us to the moot point that anything can happen to anyone, anytime and anywhere no matter how powerful he or she is. And, this is what Rijiju’s controversy conveys to the society.

    Take for instance, had Kiran Rijiju known that by gate crashing into flight AI-446 he will become a clumsy news item. Even when, he is going for an official visit and will enter the zone of controversy where the matter will escalate right up to the PMO. He would have shunned the flight. But God had not passed on any such vibes to him and therefore he had no such inkling of such a happening. For Kiran, retaining the prestigious job, as minister of state for home in Government of India, any day is much more important than getting mired in such stupid controversies. Which he had not done deliberately.

    But I presume, he never anticipated the ruckus. Perhaps, he thought I’m the all mighty minister for state, and that too for home, so who can question me. So, he got on to the flight. But this arrogant mistake of his hit him like the bolt from the blue.

    This gives us a lesson of life that no matter how powerful you are. You wouldn’t know what will come and hit you now or even later. Especially, if you try to be devious with the hapless.

    For God has his own arrows in his quivers that the notoriously rich and mighty can’t see. Such episodes keep happening at regular intervals. Only to remind us of this stark reality. Where, this time Kiran Rijiju was the chief protagonist. He will remember this episode throughout his life. But more important is the need for the message to spread across to the society.

    This is only a spiritual lesson and no aspersions on any one.

*

By Kamlesh Tripathi

*

                                                  https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

*

Share if you like it

*

Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

*****

 

 

SHORT STORY: THE WORRYING KING

causerie, cinema, short story, snippet, spiritual, story, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Copyright@shravancharitymission

king problem worry

In primitive times there once ruled an intelligent king who constantly worried about something or the other. And every now and then, for various reasons, he used to feel helpless and hapless. He often behaved like those ordinary people who for lack of resources could never face a problem in a lively and bold manner. As a consequence of which he never laughed. Even his ministers never saw him laughing. Nor did they ever smile in the king’s presence.

    One day, the well-wishers of the king discreetly thought of ways and means to change his attitude towards life. So they made a plan. Next time, when the king’s court was held. Like any other time the king called for his closest minister and said, ‘I’m worried about something.’ Upon hearing this. The minister promptly replied, ‘yes your honour. I know that, and I have been thinking about it.’ Upon hearing the minister’s reply the king was astounded, ‘even without my telling you, how do you, know about my worry?’ The king asked.

    The minister replied humbly. ‘Your majesty. I’m not interested in learning about your problem, because I already know the solution to your problem.’ King was surprised at this and he said, ‘even without knowing my problem, how do you know the solution?’  Minister replied in a respectful tone. ‘Your majesty, quite possibly you may not have one but many problems, but to all your problems there is only one solution.’

And upon hearing this. The king got baffled and hesitantly asked, ‘May I know, what is the solution to my problem?’

The minister replied, ‘your majesty, please don’t worry about the solution as, it is absolutely on the dot and perfect for you.’ The king tried to guess what the minister had in mind when he said, ‘well if there is a problem how can I not worry?’

Minister bowed respectfully and asked, ‘your majesty, till date has your worry solved any of your problems? ‘No,’ replied the king. “Well if that is so then why worry?’ Mystery of success doesn’t lie in worries, but removal of worries. And, it is also true that your worries lead you to your grave. The joy of life is in rejoicing and not in worrying. Your majesty, you are so knowledgeable. With your wisdom you lead us. So then, why don’t you set up a more vivacious aura of yourself in front of us?

The king then realised his stupidity and ignorance. He also realised how in a subtle manner his minister and his well-wishers taught him this simple fact of life. He started laughing, and was rather astonished, when everyone else too, started laughing with him.

    This is an ancient story. That tells us, worrying is not the solution to our problem. On the contrary it makes us weak and creates barriers on our way to success. To win over your worry means you have already won fifty percent of the battle.

By Kamlesh Tripathi

*

Share if you like it

*

Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

(Archived in 7 prestigious libraries of the US, including, Harvard University and Library of Congress. It can also be accessed in MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in Libraries and archives of Canada and Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai)  

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

(Launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2014)

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(Co-published by Cankids–Kidscan, a pan India NGO and Shravan Charity Mission, that works for Child cancer in India. The book is endorsed by Ms Preetha Reddy, MD Apollo Hospitals Group. Book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2016)

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

Story of an Indian salesman who is lowly qualified but fights his ways through uncertainities to reach the top. A good read for all salesmen. Book launched on 10th February, 2018 in Gorakhpur Lit-Fest. Now available in Amazon.com and Flipkart

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR A COPY)

*****

*****

SHORT STORY: NEWTON’S … EQUAL AND OPPOSITE REACTION

article, article on feedback, casual causerie, causerie, column, short article, short story, snippet, story, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Copyright@shravancharitymission

Some 40 years back

tempo2 MOTION

 

 

 

 

 

    It was a gorgeous Friday morning when we came out of the university campus—bunking classes; and were in a great hurry to the board the beast that you see above—the absurd ‘tempo’ nicknamed ‘Suwar’ (pig) as it could poke its nose, anywhere and everywhere on a busy road. We were already late for the noon show, and mind you an adult one, with all those … aha … aha scenes.

    With me was tall, lanky and mangy Sandy Lal— about whom, I was not sure whether he practiced Hinduism or Christianity, for he at times, visited the Church on Sundays, and with equal casualness he even swallowed the prasad of Lord Hanuman–those tasty, and as many, besan-ka-laddoos at the Hanuman temple, especially on Tuesdays, when I used to break my fast with half a kg of those. So, God, alone knew what he was, but yes there was little doubt, about his being God fearing.

    Also, accompanying us was Amrish Tiwari, son of Vice Principal Tiwari, of Christ Church College, which wasn’t far from the Lucknow University campus. Amrish, a Christian with a Hindu surname, was perennially bewitched by the Bard of Avon.

    The rumour around was, the initial scenes were quite explosive. So, we three were waiting quite eagerly for the next tempo, by the roadside to be on time. And, just then we saw one approaching. But I guess the guy had space only for two, he slowed down, and for a fraction of a second even halted, but seeing the three of us together, he decided to move on, and rightly so. This irked us.

    We were now late for the show and therefore restless. And, as the tempo moved Amrish shot from the hip, some nicely laced Hindi ones, and seconded by kicking the side panel of the Suwar. But in the process he mildly him hurt himself.

    Sandy who was behind me, felt he should do something more aggressive than Amrish, to establish his one-upmanship. So, he ran behind the tempo and using his long skinny legs tried to kick it, when his foot got stuck, in the rear fender, and he was dragged for a while after falling flat on his back. The uproar made the tempo driver to stop it.

    Good heavens! By now Amrish had sprained his foot and Sandy couldn’t get up when he was stretchered to a close by clinic where we came to know he had fractured his ankle.

    And with all this, the aha … aha scenes, had gone for a toss. A Chinese lunch post the movie, too, was out of question as all the money was utilised in bandage and plaster, and what was left was just enough for a quarter kg of besan-ka-laddoos, from the close by Hanuman temple which we all shared.

    I realised, bunking college always doesn’t take you where you want to be. And, if you try and hurt someone, it will have an equal and opposite reaction, just as Newton’s third law of motion, but God forbid, if you compete in hurting someone, there could be a double whammy, like Sandy.

*

By Kamlesh Tripathi

*

Share if you like it

*

Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

*****

 

SHORT STORY: REDISCOVER LIFE

ARTICLE SPIRITUAL, articles, casual causerie, causerie, column, short story, snippet, spiritual, spiritual article, story, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Copyright@shravancharitymission

 

life 1 life 3 life

    Once upon a time there live a Mahatma in a small town, whom, many people from in and around the area visited for spiritual knowledge. One day a person who was particularly known for his anger and cruelty came up to him and said, ‘Your holiness, my mind is always filled with bad and dirty thoughts that prompts me to do wrong things. So, can you please help me keep away from these dirty thoughts and can you also help me acquire some spiritual knowledge?

    Mahatama, thought for a while and then said, ‘son, before I pass on any spiritual knowledge or message of peace to you I want to caution you, that you’ll die within a month.’

    Upon hearing this, the man got a shock of his lifetime. Fear of death almost gripped his mind immediately. He hurriedly went across to his wife and said, ‘I have troubled you a lot in the past but now I want to correct my mistakes. Please forgive me, because as per holy predictions I’m going to die within a month. Therefore I now want to live with you peacefully.’ Then he went to his kids, parents, relatives, friends and neighbours, and apologized to everyone and started living with them peacefully.

    The change in the state of his mind had changed his behaviour in a dramatic way. Everyone, then reciprocated to his affection with cordiality and the whole ambience was filled with positivity. But the man had one, regret; that he is going to die within a month.

    On the last day of the month Mahatma came to him, and asked about the experience. He replied, ‘Guru ji my mind is always filled with the thought of death, and that has changed the state of my mind to a great extent. Now people love me, and my mind is completely at peace, but I have only one worry and that is I’m going to die now.’

    Mahatma smiled and said, ‘the very thought of death within a month has changed you for good, and everywhere around you, there is peace, love and harmony. We all know life is impermanent and through our karmas we can spread a lot of happiness, yet we don’t. You are not going to die soon, but don’t let these beautiful thoughts ever die in you as they have benefitted you so much. Stay happily with everyone. And live in the present, as that is the supreme spiritual knowledge.’

    Most problems of our life, stems, from our belief that we are going to live for a very long time, even when, every now and then we see death all around us.

*

Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

*

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

*

Share if you like it

*

Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

*****

 

 

 

SHORT STORY: UNSCHOLARLY SCHOLAR

casual causerie, causerie, column, short story, snippet, story, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Copyright@shravancharitymission

advice advice1 advice5

    Once upon a time a rich man in a small town was standing on the terrace of his house and smoking a cigarette. While doing so he was also basking under the evening sun and reminiscing the hard struggle that he had undergone during his lifetime, to earn his reputation and standing in the society. While inhaling a puff each time, it appeared, as if he was remembering every challenge of his life. And while exhaling, how he countered the challenges.

    Just then a scholar was passing by on the road. He stopped for a moment, and looked up at the rich man and asked, ‘Hey you!! why are you smoking. Don’t you know it is harmful for health?’

    ‘Yes I know. Yet I smoke, because I like it.’

    ‘And since how many years have you been smoking?’

    ‘For the last twenty years.’ replied, the rich man, in a jovial tone.

    ‘And how many cigarettes do you smoke each day?’

    ‘Say about two packets, which is about twenty cigarettes.’

    ‘And how much does a packet cost?’

     The rich man thought for a moment and then gingerly replied, ‘Say about two rupees.’

    ‘That means you spend about four rupees a day, which in twenty years with interest will be somewhere around thirty five thousand rupees.’

      ‘Yes I know. I am a businessman.’ Curtly, replied the rich man.

      ‘And what other vices do you have?’ asked the scholar in a concerned tone.

      ‘I also drink?’

      ‘Drink!! That is really bad. But, how much do you drink?’

     ‘A pint a day. That costs some ten rupees, and that too I have been drinking for the last twenty years.’

    The scholar was astonished. He halted for a moment to calculate and then said, ‘That means you have wasted another ninety thousand on drinks.’

    ‘So what, and how does it matter?’ asked the rich man.

    The scholar, by now was irritated at the rich man, and he decided to give him his peace of mind. He said,

    ‘Hey you!! Don’t you know. Both cigarettes and drinks are extremely harmful for health. Plus you have wasted over a lac of rupees on your vices. Had you saved all this. You could have bought this house, atop which you are standing so proudly.’

    The rich man looked at the scholar in amusement. Took a deep puff and said,

    ‘Dear passerby. This house is mine, my vices are mine and I’m in good shape.’ But who are you to ask these questions?

    Moral of the story: No matter how intelligent you are. Avoid, unsolicited and free advice to others.

Refrain: Smoking and drinking is harmful for health.

***

By Kamlesh Tripathi

*

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

*

Share it if you like it

*

Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers that includes both children and adults and it has a huge variety in terms of content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate for the cause. The bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

(The book is about a young cancer patient. Now archived in 7 prestigious libraries of the US, including, Harvard University and Library of Congress. It can also be accessed in MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in Libraries and archives of Canada and Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai)

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

(Is a book on ‘singlehood’ about a Delhi girl now archived in Connemara Library, Chennai and Delhi Public Library, GOI, Ministry of Culture, Delhi)

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

(Is a fiction written around the great city of Nawabs—Lucknow. It describes Lucknow in great detail and also talks about its Hindu-Muslim amity. That happens to be its undying characteristic. The book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival of 2014)

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(Co-published by Cankids–Kidscan, a pan India NGO and Shravan Charity Mission, that works for Child cancer in India. The book is endorsed by Ms Preetha Reddy, MD Apollo Hospitals Group. It was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2016)

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

(Is a story of an Indian salesman who is, humbly qualified. Yet he fights his ways through unceasing uncertainties to reach the top. A good read not only for salesmen. The book was launched on 10th February, 2018 in Gorakhpur Lit-Fest. Now available in Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

RHYTHM … in poems

(Published in January 2019. The book contains 50 poems. The poems describe our day to day life. The book is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

(ALL THE ABOVE TITLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN AMAZON, FLIPKART AND OTHER ONLINE STORES OR YOU COULD EVEN WRITE TO US FOR A COPY)

*****

 

 

 

SHORT STORY: GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES

ARTICLE SPIRITUAL, beautiful lines, column, short story, snippet, spiritual, spiritual article, story, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Copyright@shravancharitymission

 

god4godgod 3

 

    In primitive times there was a Mahatma who lived in a village located on the banks of a river. Where, many villagers, from in and around and even far off places used to come to him for help and advice.

    One day a moorkh (simpleton) from the nearby village came to the Mahatma and started weeping. And, upon Mahatma’s enquiring about the cause he replied, ‘Guruvar, people in my village are very bad, they always misbehave with me. So what should I do to protect myself from such rogues. Please advice to help me out.’

    Mahatma consoled him and politely said, ‘don’t you worry and have confidence in God, for he will set everything right.’ And upon hearing this, the moorkh was happy and soon he left for his home.

    After a few months there were severe floods in the village when everyone started running helter-skelter to save themselves, but the moorkh was cool. He just climbed the roof of his house and started praying to God. And when the flood water started touching the roof a kind person spotted him and extended his hand to help him. But he refused to hold his hand and said, ‘I don’t trust you but I’m confident God will help me.’

    In the meanwhile the flood waters had climbed further and reached up to his neck and seeing this, some people perched in a passing boat offered to help, by asking him to jump but he again refused and said, ‘I only trust God.’

    After sometime he started drowning, when some kind people finally rescued him. They helped him back to consciousness. But the moorkh instead of thanking them, went up to the Mahatma and started complaining, ‘you had asked me to have faith in God, but this tip of yours nearly killed me, for he never came forward to help me.’

    Mahatama smiled at him and sweetly said, ‘Hey you simple soul, in response to your prayers only these people and the boat were sent to you, to save you. But you refused to take any help. Even then God almighty who wishes and desires everyones welfare, to save you, sent some kind people, otherwise by now you would have been dead.’ But Mahatma was not finished as yet when he further sermonized, ‘always remember in response to your earnest prayers God will not come and do your “karma” for you. He has given you brains and you need use it.’

    This story is from Puran (Hindu holy script) and conveys a simple message–“God helps those who help themselves.”

Share if you like it

By Kamlesh Tripathi

*

Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. Should you wish to donate for the cause the bank details are given below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

(CAN BE BOUGHT FROM ON LINE BOOK STORES OR WRITE TO US FOR COPIES)

*****