Tag Archives: god

SHORT STORY: THE SOUL CONNECTION HAS DIVINE EYES

Copyright@shravancharitymission

   A hunter was once intimidating a small bird perched on a tree. He was feeling exalted that he is so powerful that he can shoot even a flying bird with his gun. The subdued bird on the other hand reminded him not to boast of his present corporeal form but to sober down just like a humble soul. He then narrated the story of the powerful King Chitraketu, where the soul of his just dead son, reminds him, in front of the august rishis assembled there that in his previous births, he was his father, and many a time Chitraketu was his father. Hence the present physical form of the hunter is just a passing milestone of his soul’s journey and nothing to boast about.

    The hunter in return reminds the bird of how Lord Krishna is killed by a hunter named Jara who shoots an arrow that pierces Krishna’s foot mistaking him for a deer when he is resting. So, the corporeal or the personification of the human form is much more powerful than the non-corporeal immortal soul. ‘And what are you, you little bird in front of this mighty hunter’, he aggressed.

    ‘Oh, don’t you go by the size of my body? Haven’t you heard of the famous Valakhilyas … the thumb-sized sages who cursed and threatened Lord Indra to create another Indra because of his ignoble deeds with the power of their yagya (sacrifice) which terrified Lord Indra the king of the Devas so much that he ran to his guru for advice. So, don’t you mistake your current human form for your strength and my bird form for my weakness, because the bandwidth of our souls is equal? What I can see through my soul you can’t see through your body form’, replied the bird.

    ‘Well, then you haven’t heard of the great warrior Veer Ghatotkacha who increases the size of his body when he is killed by Karna who uses his Shakti (astra) in the holy war of Mahabharat. Ghatotkacha falls on the Kuru soldiers killing so many of them. One can do so many things with a versatile human embodiment but very less without it. And the soul is just an offshoot of the towering human embodiment.’

    The bird reacted by saying, ‘Veer Ghatotkacha’s martyr was for a holy cause. But haven’t you heard of the demon king Hiranyakashipu? He is an adamant corporeal of vice. In contrast, his son Prahlad is a corporeal endowment of virtue and God’s consciousness. The father and the son lost their soul connection and that led to a huge disaster in their lives, didn’t you know that? Hiranyakashipu uses his ungodly embodiment to dissuade Prahlad from the path of righteousness and even tries to incinerate him by making him sit in the lap of his sister Holika who is invulnerable to fire but the reverse only happens. Holika is reduced to ashes by the blazing fire whereas Prahlad comes out unscathed. So hey you hunter tone down your arrogance and deal with me just as how a soul would like to deal with a soul.’ The hunter for a moment thought about the lost connection between the two souls, the soul of King Hiranyakashipu and the soul of his son Prahlad and got a glimpse of his old friend from his previous birth sitting up there on the tree as a bird.

    We human beings mostly treat animals and even other human beings as a corporeal identity in life and never as another soul. This leads to friction and distaste. It also leads to inequality, obsequiousness and terror. The hunter would have shot the bird had he dealt with him as a bird but when he connected with the bird’s soul he found him to be an old friend and so he dropped his gun. Remember, the other being is a soul first just like you and me and a body identity later.

***

By Kamlesh Tripathi

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Share it please

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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

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Our Publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

(The book is about a young cancer patient. Now archived in 8 prestigious libraries of the US that includes Harvard College Library; Harvard University Library; Library of Congress; University of Washington, Seattle; University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Yale University, New Haven; University of Chicago; University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill University Libraries. It can also be accessed in MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in libraries and archives of Canada, Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai; Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida; India. Shoolini University, Yogananda Knowledge Center, Himachal Pradesh and Azim Premzi University, Bangalore).  

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; Available for reading in Indian National Bibliography, March 2016, in the literature section, in Central Reference Library, Ministry of Culture, India, Belvedere, Kolkata-700022)

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 the undying characteristics of Lucknow. The book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival of 2014. It is included for reading in Askews and Holts Library Services, Lancashire, U.K; Herrick District Library, Holland and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library, Mecklenburg County in North Carolina, USA; Black Gold Cooperative Library Administration, Arroyo Grande, California).

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 way 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 on 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 on Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories available in Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

AWADH ASSAM AND DALAI LAMA … The Kalachakra

(The story of the man who received His Holiness The Dalai Lama and his retinue in 1959 as a GOI representative when he fled Tibet in 1959. The book was launched on 21st November 2022 by His Holiness The Dalai Lama).

BHAVANS JOURNAL

Short stories, Book reviews and Articles published in Bhavan’s Journal: 1. Reality and Perception, 15.10.19; 2. Sending the Wrong Message, 31.5.20; 3. Eagle versus Scholars June, 15 & 20 2020; 4. Indica, 15.8.20; 5. The Story of King Chitraketu, August 31 2020; 6. Breaking Through the Chakravyuh, September 30 2020. 7. The Questioning Spouse, October 31, 2020; 8. Happy Days, November 15, 2020; 9. The Karma Cycle of Paddy and Wheat, December 15, 2020; 10. Power Vs Influence, January 31, 2021; 11. Three Refugees, March 15, 2021; 12. Rise and Fall of Ajatashatru, March 31, 2021; 13. Reformed Ruler, May 15, 2021; 14. A Lasting Name, May 31, 2021; 15. Are Animals Better Teachers?, June 16, 2021; 16. Book Review: The Gram Swaraj, 1.7.21; 17. Right Age for Achievements, 15.7.21; 18. Big Things Have Small Beginnings, 15.8.21; 19. Where is Gangaridai?, 15.9.21; 20. Confront the Donkey Within You 30.9.21; 21. Know Your Strengths 15.10.21; 22. Poverty 15.11.21; 23. Top View 30.11.21; 24. The Bansuriwala 15.1.22; 25. Sale of Alaska 15.2.22; 26. The Dimasa Kingdom 28.2.22; 27. Buried Treasure 15.4.22; 28. The Kingdom of Pragjyotisha 30.4.22; 29. Who is more useful? 15.5.22; 30. The White Swan from Lake Mansarovar 30.6.22; 31. Bhool Bhulayya 15.9.22; 32. Good Karma 30.9.22; 33. Good name vs Bad Name 15.10.22; 34. Uttarapath—The Grand Trunk Road 1.12.22; 35. When Gods Get Angry 1.1.23; 36. Holinshed’s Chronicles 15.1.23; 37. Theogony 15.2.23

SUNDAY SHILLONG TIMES:

1. POEM HAPPY NEW YEAR 8.1.23; 2. POEM SPRING 12.3.23;

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

*****

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SHORT STORY: BE A LION, NOT A DOG

Copyright@shravancharitymission

        Peace is our original nature. We have only to get back to it. We often get disturbed when things don’t work out, the way, we wish them to. I am sure you must have felt this on several occasions that when your mind is disturbed, and when, you do some painting, play a little tune, or sing a song, you find that your peace returns to you at once.

    But then why, have you ever thought about it? It is because you forget your own self while doing such creative work … as these are steps required for inner peace. So, ‘be a lion, not a dog.’ When I was a schoolboy growing up in Karachi, a holy man visited the city. I often went to sit at his feet and listen to his teachings. Once, when I took leave of him, I requested, ‘Baba, please give me a useful life lesson.’ And he told me, ‘Sher bano, kutta nahi bano.’ Be a lion, don’t be a dog.

    I was thoroughly bewildered by that. So I asked him hesitatingly, ‘Baba, I think I am a lion because I was born with the sign of Leo. But what do you mean by saying, don’t be a dog?’

   The holy man then explained. ‘If you throw a ball at a dog, he runs after the ball. Whereas, if you throw anything at a lion, he will ignore the object and go after you. He will go after the thrower and not the object that is thrown at him.’

    We always think of what has been thrown at us, for example, about the circumstances and conditions in which we live and about the changing vicissitudes of life … But we do not think of Him—God Almighty, the thrower, who has thrown all these things at us. So that’s the lesson from Dada Vaswani friends. Always think of God.

This moral bearing story is by Dada JP Vaswani

Preented by Kamlesh Tripathi

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Share it please

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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 8 prestigious libraries of the US that includes Harvard College Library; Harvard University Library; Library of Congress; University of Washington, Seattle; University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Yale University, New Haven; University of Chicago; University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill University Libraries. It can also be accessed in MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in libraries and archives of Canada, Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai; Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida; India. Shoolini University, Yogananda Knowledge Center, Himachal Pradesh and Azim Premzi University, Bangalore).  

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; Available for reading in Indian National Bibliography, March 2016, in the literature section, in Central Reference Library, Ministry of Culture, India, Belvedere, Kolkata-700022)

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 the undying characteristics of Lucknow. The book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival of 2014. It is included for reading in Askews and Holts Library Services, Lancashire, U.K; Herrick District Library, Holland and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library, Mecklenburg County in North Carolina, USA; Black Gold Cooperative Library Administration, Arroyo Grande, California).

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 way 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 on 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 on Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories available in Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

AWADH ASSAM AND DALAI LAMA … The Kalachakra

(The story of the man who received His Holiness The Dalai Lama and his retinue in 1959 as a GOI representative when he fled Tibet in 1959. The book was launched on 21st November 2022 by His Holiness The Dalai Lama).

BHAVANS JOURNAL

Short stories, Book reviews and Articles published in Bhavan’s Journal: 1. Reality and Perception, 15.10.19; 2. Sending the Wrong Message, 31.5.20; 3. Eagle versus Scholars June, 15 & 20 2020; 4. Indica, 15.8.20; 5. The Story of King Chitraketu, August 31 2020; 6. Breaking Through the Chakravyuh, September 30 2020. 7. The Questioning Spouse, October 31, 2020; 8. Happy Days, November 15, 2020; 9. The Karma Cycle of Paddy and Wheat, December 15, 2020; 10. Power Vs Influence, January 31, 2021; 11. Three Refugees, March 15, 2021; 12. Rise and Fall of Ajatashatru, March 31, 2021; 13. Reformed Ruler, May 15, 2021; 14. A Lasting Name, May 31, 2021; 15. Are Animals Better Teachers?, June 16, 2021; 16. Book Review: The Gram Swaraj, 1.7.21; 17. Right Age for Achievements, 15.7.21; 18. Big Things Have Small Beginnings, 15.8.21; 19. Where is Gangaridai?, 15.9.21; 20. Confront the Donkey Within You 30.9.21; 21. Know Your Strengths 15.10.21; 22. Poverty 15.11.21; 23. Top View 30.11.21; 24. The Bansuriwala 15.1.22; 25. Sale of Alaska 15.2.22; 26. The Dimasa Kingdom 28.2.22; 27. Buried Treasure 15.4.22; 28. The Kingdom of Pragjyotisha 30.4.22; 29. Who is more useful? 15.5.22; 30. The White Swan from Lake Mansarovar 30.6.22; 31. Bhool Bhulayya 15.9.22; 32. Good Karma 30.9.22; 33. Good name vs Bad Name 15.10.22; 34. Uttarapath—The Grand Trunk Road 1.12.22; 35. When Gods Get Angry 1.1.23; 36. Holinshed’s Chronicles 15.1.23; 37. Theogony 15.2.23

SUNDAY SHILLONG TIMES

POEM HAPPY NEW YEAR 8.1.23;

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

*****

SHORT STORY: THE MAGNUM OPUS OF LORD GOD

Copyright@shravancharitymission

    There was once a ferocious tiger who lived in a dense jungle. He often killed animals whenever he was hungry. He used to attack helpless animals from behind the bushes and used to throttle them to death at the very next instant. At times he even killed them when he was hungry by chasing them down. And he took great pride in doing so, as apart from the feeling of being all too powerful, it also satiated his hunger. He considered the grazing animals to be his sole property, gifted to him by God almighty to overcome his hunger. Since animals were aplenty in the jungle there was no dearth of food for the tiger. So with the brute strength of the paws that he possessed, high status in the jungle society and plenty of cuisines to choose from he was having but a ball of a time in his life.

    Contrasting the tiger’s life was a cow there who used to graze the same old grass day in and day out. And he perhaps had done that for as many years as the tiger had hunted animals. Once it so happened that the tiger had not hunted any animal for a couple of days now. The spicy news first reached the hyenas who hadn’t got the meal leftovers from the tiger’s kill for some time now. Soon the hyenas set up a committee to check what was happening at the tiger’s den. They sent a team of two to discreetly find out what had happened to the tiger and why it hadn’t hunted for some days now. The hyenas found that the tiger was limping. He had a wound on his front paw, because of which he couldn’t even walk in the usual manner, forget hunting. The hyenas knew that a wounded tiger is much more dangerous than a normal one so they didn’t dare to get close to him and saw him only from a distance. But upon seeing the hyenas the ailing tiger roared in pain and hunger because he wanted help.

     Over the next few days, the tiger didn’t get anything to eat. He was in deep agony so he couldn’t hunt. The cow in the meantime kept grazing the fields as usual. By now the news had spread around that the tiger was injured and therefore not in a position to hunt so the animals were at ease. On the other hand, the tiger was hoping against hope that the hyenas whom he had fed for such a long time with the leftovers of his kills would come to his rescue with some flesh for him to devour as a kind gesture. But alas that didn’t happen as the hyenas knew about the danger of going close to a wounded tiger. In the meanwhile, a peacock who was perched there with his partner on the tree above the tiger’s den was observing the tiger’s paw. It had a thorn stuck in it and that had created a wound. Seeing the spiritless tiger the merciful peacock took flight and dared to land close to the tiger and after a bit of duel, he pulled out the thorn from the paw of the tiger with his beak. This relieved the tiger almost immediately when the peacock in a flash thought the tiger would thank him for the gesture without realizing that the basic nature of an individual hardly changes. And just then in a desperate reflex, the tiger actually attacked the peacock with the other paw and devoured him to extinguish his hunger. On seeing this the partner of the peacock screamed but in vain. The cow who was watching the obnoxious behaviour of the tiger from behind the bushes retreated fast thinking she could be the next target of the tiger.

But after this episode, the tiger was on guard. For he had come to know of the downsides of hunting where you had to be as fit as a fiddle, always, if you wanted to eat animal flesh. Whereas grazing was effortless when compared to hunting, as the grass was provided by none other than mother earth herself, thought the tiger.

    After a few years, the tiger had really grown old and so had the cow.  The tiger had often started missing his meals because of his age as he couldn’t hunt anymore, and without hunting, there wasn’t any food for him. But the hyenas still kept coming to him for the leftovers whenever there was one. The cow on the other hand had grown old too but had no problems connecting to his food which was simply grazing on the fields. One day when the cow was passing through the tiger’s den, he saw the old and feeble tiger lying without food. He asked ‘How’s life big brother?’ The tiger replied, ‘quite miserable without any flesh to eat. But how about you?’ The cow replied ‘Well, I’m pulling along with my evergreen grass.’

    The tiger said, ‘well I had to fight for each morsel of mine in my life, whereas, you got yours on a ready-made platter. Lucky you.’ ‘Yes, you hunted the moving animals all your life and I ate the stationery grass so the fight had to be there for you.’ Replied the cow. ‘And the green grass gave milk to everyone which even I tasted when I killed a cow once.’ Summed up the tiger.

    After a few days, the partner of the devoured peacock approached the cow to inform her that the tiger had passed away on account of hunger. He had died a horrific death. Towards the end, no animal not even the hyenas came forward to offer themselves to the starving tiger to save his life from hunger. Nor did they get any flesh for him to eat. Even his kith and kin had deserted him at this very crucial moment of his life, informed the peacock. The cow looked at the lush green field that was full of grass and remembered the tiger. No matter how powerful you are you can’t be more powerful than the time—the tiger’s time was up because he had grown old because of which he couldn’t hunt animals anymore and had died of starvation but that was not the case with him, thought the cow. A few years later the cow too left the world but not because of hunger but of old age.

     Moral of the story: How did you feel about the ghastly end of the tiger? Sympathetic, indifferent or did you think that he deserved it because he had mercilessly killed innocent animals all his life? And what did Lord God think of, while creating this magnificent beast called tiger? Well, some questions don’t have straight answers. The best is to leave the magnum opus of God to him only. But yes, the famous lines Cecil Frances Alexander an Anglo-Irish hymn-writer describe Lord God the best:

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

***

By Kamlesh Tripathi

*

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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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 8 prestigious libraries of the US that includes Harvard College Library; Harvard University Library; Library of Congress; University of Washington, Seattle; University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Yale University, New Haven; University of Chicago; University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill University Libraries. It can also be accessed in MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in libraries and archives of Canada, Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai; Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida; India. Shoolini University, Yogananda Knowledge Center, Himachal Pradesh and Azim Premzi University, Bangalore).  

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; Available for reading in Indian National Bibliography, March 2016, in the literature section, in Central Reference Library, Ministry of Culture, India, Belvedere, Kolkata-700022)

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 the undying characteristics of Lucknow. The book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival of 2014. It is included for reading in Askews and Holts Library Services, Lancashire, U.K; Herrick District Library, Holland and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library, Mecklenburg County in North Carolina, USA; Black Gold Cooperative Library Administration, Arroyo Grande, California).

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 way 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 on 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 on Amazon, Flipkart and Onlinegatha)

MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories available in Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

AWADH ASSAM AND DALAI LAMA … The Kalachakra

(The story of the man who received His Holiness The Dalai Lama and his retinue in 1959 as a GOI representative when he fled Tibet in 1959. The book was recently launched on 21st November 2022 by His Holiness The Dalai Lama).

BHAVANS JOURNAL

Short stories, Book reviews and Articles published in Bhavan’s Journal: 1. Reality and Perception, 15.10.19; 2. Sending the Wrong Message, 31.5.20; 3. Eagle versus Scholars June, 15 & 20 2020; 4. Indica, 15.8.20; 5. The Story of King Chitraketu, August 31 2020; 6. Breaking Through the Chakravyuh, September 30 2020. 7. The Questioning Spouse, October 31, 2020; 8. Happy Days, November 15, 2020; 9. The Karma Cycle of Paddy and Wheat, December 15, 2020; 10. Power Vs Influence, January 31, 2021; 11. Three Refugees, March 15, 2021; 12. Rise and Fall of Ajatashatru, March 31, 2021; 13. Reformed Ruler, May 15, 2021; 14. A Lasting Name, May 31, 2021; 15. Are Animals Better Teachers?, June 16, 2021; 16. Book Review: The Gram Swaraj, 1.7.21; 17. Right Age for Achievements, 15.7.21; 18. Big Things Have Small Beginnings, 15.8.21; 19. Where is Gangaridai?, 15.9.21; 20. Confront the Donkey Within You 30.9.21; 21. Know Your Strengths 15.10.21; 22. Poverty 15.11.21; 23. Top View 30.11.21; 24. The Bansuriwala 15.1.22; 25. Sale of Alaska 15.2.22; 26. The Dimasa Kingdom 28.2.22; 27. Buried Treasure 15.4.22; 28. The Kingdom of Pragjyotisha 30.4.22; 29. Who is more useful? 15.5.22; 30. The White Swan from Lake Mansarovar 30.6.22; 31. Bhool Bhulayya 15.9.22; 32. Good Karma 30.9.22; 33. Good name vs Bad Name 15.10.22; 34. Uttarapath—The Grand Trunk Road 1.12.22; 35. When Gods Get Angry 1.1.23; 36. Holinshed’s Chronicles 15.1.23

SUNDAY SHILLONG TIMES

POEM HAPPY NEW YEAR 8.1.23;

(ALL THE ABOVE BOOK 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’S DEFINITION OF GOOD KARMA COULD BE DIFFERENT

Copyright@shravancharitymission

            Once there were three restless souls—a goat, a tiger and a hunter who met, mid-way to heaven, after their sad demise. They all were waiting for God to announce his verdict on them, that could have sent them either to heaven or to hell. Heaven would have allowed the souls to rest in peace eternally, whereas, hell would have meant returning to earth for another innings, and perhaps with greater handicaps and under tougher conditions. The goat in the meanwhile was shocked to see the tiger also waiting there. He asked, how come you died? For, you were the one who killed me. The hunter who was standing out there, said proudly, I shot this brute. But then how did you die? The goat asked the hunter. Because I was accidentally shot by a wayward bullet of another hunter. And the hunter concurred, with what, the goat had to say about the tiger, and went on to add, I’ll surely go to heaven because I shot this demon in the garb of a tiger who killed so many poor animals during his lifetime.

    During the ongoing conversation the tiger didn’t say a word but kept looking at both the goat and the hunter helplessly. He was appalled at what the goat and the hunter had to say about him. He thought, he had observed all the commandments of God and had lived quite a dutiful life eating animals and controlling their unruly growth population in the jungle.

    After a reasonable wait the judgment of God finally came through. The goat and tiger were sent to heaven but the hunter was sent hell. Goat was considered innocent and harmless, and therefore had no grounds of punishment and therefore eased to heaven.

    The tiger too in the eyes of God had followed his commandments as he had killed only when, he was hungry, as without flesh, he instead, would have died, and the tiger did not amass any flesh or bones and its other attributes for trade and money. But the hunter was sent to hell for he had killed animals all his life only for the pleasure of it, and the remuneration.

    Though, in the eyes of the hunter tiger was a brute animal as it ate helpless animals. But God had created tiger for that purpose only and the tiger dutifully did his job. But man the most intelligent of all the species who was supposed to have been the protector of flora and fauna was doing the reverse as a hunter, killing animals and disturbing the ecology, and was therefore sent to hell.

    Moral of the story: God’s definition of good karma could be verydifferent than a man’s.

Written 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 8 prestigious libraries of the US that includes Harvard College Library; Harvard University Library; Library of Congress; University of Washington, Seattle; University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Yale University, New Haven; University of Chicago; University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill University Libraries. It can also be accessed in MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in libraries and archives of Canada, Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai and Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida, India)  

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; Available for reading in Indian National Bibliography, March 2016, in the literature section, in Central Reference Library, Ministry of Culture, India, Belvedere, Kolkata-700022)

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 the undying characteristics of Lucknow. The book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival of 2014. It is included for reading in Askews and Holts Library Services, Lancashire, U.K.)

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)

MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories available in Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

Short stories and Articles published in Bhavan’s Journal: Reality and Perception, 15.10.19; Sending the Wrong Message, 31.5.20; Eagle versus Scholars June, 15 & 20 2020; Indica, 15.8.20; The Story of King Chitraketu, August 31 2020; Breaking Through the Chakravyuh, September 30 2020. The Questioning Spouse, October 31, 2020; Happy Days, November 15, 2020; The Karma Cycle of Paddy and Wheat, December 15,2020; Power Vs Influence, January 31, 2021;

(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: CONFRONT THE DONKEY THAT LIES IN YOU

Copyright@shravancharitymission

    There was once a lazy and a wicked dhobi (washerman) by the name of Nankau. He had an obedient and a long serving donkey at home. Whom he utilized, for transporting clothes to the nearby river-bank, early in the morning for washing. Further, during the day, he use to hand him over to his friend for a fixed amount. The friend happened to be a contractor, where he was utilised for transporting sand from the river bed to his construction site. In the evening the listless and obedient animal used to return with his master, with bundles of washed clothes on his back. Devious Nankau, apart from, making the donkey, do all the work without any rest, even whipped him for small mistakes, and at times he even starved him for minor misdemeanours. But, he never complimented him for the good work that he did for him. Rather, he considered him to be the jinx of his life.

    One day Gopal a friend of Nankau came to stay with him for a few days. During that time he noticed, how for no rhyme or reason, Nankau whipped the donkey mercilessly, and even cursed him loudly and that too quite often.

    One day Gopal asked Nankau. ‘My dear friend what on earth is the matter with you? As I always find you quite irritable, and you often keep whipping this poor soul in great anger for no fault of his. Why do you do this? Especially, when he is so obedient and does all your work dutifully?’

    Nankau ruefully replied, ‘arrey yaar! This donkey has been very inauspicious for me. Ever since he walked into my life I have been facing some problem or the other. Enough is enough. I now want to get rid of him, somehow. Even earlier, I tried to sell him but no one seemed interested. Maybe, because, I cursed and criticized him so much, in front of others, that no one is now, ready to touch him even with a barge pole.’

    During his stay Gopal could assess the worth of the donkey. So, one day he told his friend, ‘brother, since you are unhappy with him. Why don’t you sell him off to me, and instead, buy another one for yourself.’

    Nankau was delighted at this God gifted opportunity and didn’t want to lose it. So he readily agreed, and sold the donkey to Gopal. Who turned out to be a kind master, and thereon, he looked after the donkey quite well.

    In the meanwhile Nankau had bought a mule for himself. Thinking it will do more work than what the previous animal used to do. Though it had been a while since he had sold the donkey. Yet, he couldn’t forget the cursed animal, and often used to curse him for all the misfortunes that occurred in his life. But now with the mule around him he was hoping his luck would change and he will be a happy man again.

    But in reality Nankau had only passed a couple of lacklustre months in the company of the mule. Who as compared to the donkey looked tougher, but very reluctantly, did as much work, as the donkey used to do in a day. But in the present scenario, Nankau didn’t have the wretched donkey, to curse and blame, for his own failures, each time, things went wrong in his life. Therefore, his nemesis of life, was clearly missing, as the cursed donkey was now someone else’s property, and the mule was too new, to be held responsible for any ill luck. In other words he now had no voodoo in life, whom he could have cursed for his misfortunes. And, he didn’t have the courage to blame and curse himself for his own mistakes, and this started worrying him big time.

    One day when the mule was transporting sand from the river to the contractor’s site. The hind legs of the mule got stuck in the muddy waters of the river and as a result, it could not move. Soon, it slipped and fell, and fractured its leg, and within a few days the wound developed gangrene and he died.

    The mishap left Nankau shell shocked. He now had no means of transporting the clothes, meant for washing. He was now constrained to do it on his own back. But then he had limitations, as he couldn’t carry too many clothes on his back. So he started losing business. And since, the mule was now dead. He was also, deprived of the daily rent that he used to get from the contractor. And that cheat of a contractor didn’t even bother to pay Nankau a compensation for the accidental death of the mule. So overall, Nankau, was at a loss, of a lifetime.

    Nankau suddenly realized he now had no one to curse for his setbacks. Because, the ultimate anathema—the donkey, had already gone out of his life. Therefore, it was not influencing his stars anymore. So, the big question now, in front of him was, who then, was influencing his life if not the donkey?

    So he decided to visit his learned friend Gopal for answers. In Gopal’s house, he was once again face-to-face with his nemesis, the donkey, standing there, in a healthy and happy state. Gopal no doubt was taking good care of the donkey. Nankau, narrated the sequence of misfortunes to Gopal.

   Gopal, first gave him a patient hearing and then said, ‘Dear Nankau, when I visited you last time. I knew you were a victim of your own circumstances. But you always wanted to play the victim card for every adversity that you came across in your life. For which you always wanted a villain whom you could blame and where this speechless donkey came in handy.

    But the real solution in life is to look for the hidden donkey within you, before you start cursing any other donkey outside you. Moreover, you are just a human being, and human beings are bound to make mistakes. So if at all, you need to blame anyone for your mistakes, blame the donkey in you. And for that, keep the donkey alive in you. So that you don’t have to look for a donkey outside, just like this donkey whom you kept cursing.

    With this Nankau had got the clarion message of life. He patted the donkey and returned home.

    Moral of the story: We often blame others for our own misfortunes which is not correct. When things start going wrong in your life confront the donkey that lies within you and don’t look for the one outside you.

By Kamlesh Tripathi

*

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Share it if you like it

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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 8 prestigious libraries of the US that includes Harvard College Library; Harvard University Library; Library of Congress; University of Washington, Seattle; University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Yale University, New Haven; University of Chicago; University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill University Libraries. It can also be accessed in MIT through Worldcat.org. Besides, it is also available for reading in libraries and archives of Canada, Cancer Aid and Research Foundation Mumbai and Jaipuria Institute of Management, Noida, India)  

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; Available for reading in Indian National Bibliography, March 2016, in the literature section, in Central Reference Library, Ministry of Culture, India, Belvedere, Kolkata-700022)

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 the undying characteristics of Lucknow. The book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival of 2014. It is included for reading in Askews and Holts Library Services, Lancashire, U.K.)

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)

MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories available in Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

Short stories and Articles published in Bhavan’s Journal: Reality and Perception, 15.10.19; Sending the Wrong Message, 31.5.20; Eagle versus Scholars June, 15 & 20 2020; Indica, 15.8.20; The Story of King Chitraketu, August 31 2020; Breaking Through the Chakravyuh, September 30 2020. The Questioning Spouse, October 31, 2020; Happy Days, November 15, 2020; The Karma Cycle of Paddy and Wheat, December 15,2020;

(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 STILL HAS ANIMALS LIKE YOU TO DEAL WITH

GOD STILL HAS ANIMALS LIKE YOU TO DEAL WITH

   Once a tiger sneaked into a town during the day. The town was quiet with not a soul around. The doors of all the houses were closed and so were the shops and the market. There were no children playing outside. The tiger felt quite elated at the scenario thinking how much people were scared of him, that upon his arrival, the whole town had shut down.

    While he was observing the sombre ambience very keenly, he came across a wandering cow. He asked, ‘Hey you what’s going on here. Kya chal raha hai? Where is everyone, and why is this city under a lockdown?’

    The cow replied, ‘Boss there is a new beast in town so everyone has gone into hiding.’

    ‘Hiding … beast!! O yes—yes. I’m the deadliest of all the beasts, so indeed, they have all gone into hiding because of me.’ Cheered the tiger.

    ‘No I’m sorry tiger bhai. Your days are over. Now no one is scared of you, because there is a new beast in town.’

    ‘My days are over … New beast in town? But where is this new beast? What is his name and where has he come from?’ Asked the tiger.

    ‘Well he has come all the way from China. China is also known as dragon. His name is Corona and he comes from a killer family called Virus.’ Replied the cow.

    ‘And what does he look like?’ Asked the tiger.

    ‘Well … He is as big as the tip of your whisker or may be even smaller. You actually can’t see him with naked eyes. There are some posters of his that human beings have erected in the town so that one can at least imagine what he looks like. He resembles a tiny ball with thorns on it. If I understand correctly he has already killed about half a million people across the world. And tiger ji, you now pale in front of him.’ Replied the cow.

    ‘But boss, who has produced this little deadly beast?’ Asked the tiger.

    ‘The other day. Tommy my neighbourhood dog was telling me, that he had heard from someone, that this micro beast, called Corona-Virus, was actually produced by China in their own lab without the permission of God, and since then, it has already gone on, to kill so many human beings.’

    ‘Tommy is right. There is nothing like god in this world.’ Said the tiger and growled in jubilation.

    The cow looked at the tiger in utter dismay and said, ‘maybe, for animals like you there is no God, but God still has animals like you to deal with.’

    Moral of the story: Even if you believe there is no God. God doesn’t believe likewise and continues to protect you.

Written by Kamlesh Tripathi

*

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Share it if you like it

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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 the undying characteristics of Lucknow. The book was launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival of 2014. It is included for reading in Askews and Holts Library Services, Lancashire, U.K.)

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)

MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories. It is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

(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)

*****

BOOK REVIEW: ‘SHIKHANDI … And Other Tales they don’t tell you’ by Devdutt Pattanaik

Copyright@shravancharitymission

Copyright@shravancharitymission

‘SHIKHANDI … and other tales they don’t tell you,’ by Devdutt Pattanaik.

The subject title was published in the year 2014 by Zubaan in collaboration with Penguin Books. The price of the book is Rs 299. Although, I had heard about this book some time ago I had not read it. I took the book to hand only recently. It comprises of some 176 pages.

    The book deals with the discovery or Invention of Queerness. There are different types of people in the world with different types of physiology. There are races, religions, communities who define queerness in their own peculiar manner. Before planning to write this book I’m sure the author must have done a great deal of homework. He must have studied various communities, races and religions to spin out the content of this particular book. I find a growing trend in some publishers these days where they place the name of the author more prominently on the cover page, and in bigger fonts, than the title of the book which only goes to show that the publisher has more confidence on the brand of the author on account of his or her accumulated titles than the subject book’s content. But this obviously comes after the author has made a mark for himself. Is this one such case I wonder?

    The subject title was published in the year 2014 by Zubaan in collaboration with Penguin Books. The price of the book is Rs 299. Although, I had heard about this book some time ago I had not read it. I took the book to hand only recently. It comprises of some 176 pages.

    The author has made a few daring attempts in the book to put Hindu Gods and Godesses in utter starkness that makes them look frivolous which the author could have avoided. And that also gives one a feeling that the intention behind that act of God is not comprehensively understood or narrowly missed by the author well enough, even when, he has gone through Hindu texts, and some fifty-four select bibliographies that he mentions in the book. The author runs all over. From queerness to hijras, cross-dressers, Gods, mythology and the short stories therein, and then finally it appears as if the author has lost direction. Where, one starts missing the central theme of the book, but was it even there one wonders. In some pages, one wonders, if it is just a collection and free-fall of short stories which is not what the book was intended to be.  Even the emotions of characters are not elaborately emoted. The author goes on to say that India is an agricultural community and so it was common to see women as mere fields with men as the farmers who sow seeds.

    The author has captured the content of this book in thirty chapters mostly out of Hindu mythology—Mahabharat, Ramayan including South Indian and other religious texts such as Purans, Bible and Greek mythology. The author builds the content of queerness on the premise that—Patriarchy asserts men are superior to women. Feminism clarifies women and men are equal. Queerness questions what constitutes male and female.    Queerness isn’t just modern, Western or sexual, says mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik. Take a close look at the vast written and oral traditions in Hinduism, some over two thousand years old, and you will find many overlooked tales, such as those of Shikhandi, who became a man to satisfy her wife being put under a cover. Playful and touching—and sometimes even disturbing—these stories, when compared with their Mesopotamian, Greek, Chinese and Biblical counterparts, reveal the unique Indian way of making sense of queerness. Net-net the book is about the queer retelling of, Indian myths, by the author. But I also have a different take on this book.

    The book would have been more powerful had ‘Queerness’ not been the title or the central theme of the book. For it is dominated more by short stories where queerness spins out as a by-product. And the stories needed to be presented with more of a foreground and background. Author ne dil khol ke nahin likha hai yeh kitab. He has tried to stuff in a lot of content in very few pages and therefore the book doesn’t impact you.

  I would give the book six out of ten.

By Kamlesh Tripathi

*

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Share it if you like it

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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)

MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories. It is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

(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)

*****

GOD SAYS …

Copyright@shravancharitymission

Aap  Sabhi  Mahanbhavon , Kadardano  Aur  Khawateeno   Ko
‘ EID  MUBARAK ‘
       ‘Aadaab ‘
Wish  you  A  Very  Happy  Morning!!!
Put  On  Your …
  ‘BINACA  SMILE’
And  Listen  to  this
Interesting  Conversation  Between….. 
‘Man   And   God !
A  man  in..,
      ‘GOD’s  SHOP’
Man ….
        ” What   Do  
       Do   You   Sell ?
GOD…..
        ” Whatever  
      Your   Heart
         Desires …”
MAN …..
         “I   Want 
          Success   And
          Happiness..”
GOD……SMILES ,
           And    Says …
           ” I   SELL  
        ONLY   SEEDS
                     And
        NOT   FRUITS “

By Uma Misra

 

*

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Share it if you like it

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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)

MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories. It is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

(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: ARROGANT KING

Copyright@shravancharitymission

    Many years ago there lived a deceitful king who always blamed God for anything wrong that happened in his kingdom by saying, “It’s all God’s doing.” But at the same time, for anything good that happened in his kingdom he always said, “It’s the king’s doing.”

    When there were floods in his kingdom he blamed God. When there was an epidemic he blamed God. When there was a war he blamed God. When there was a drought then too he blamed God. In utter disgust he often used to blurt, ‘it’s all God’s doing,’ and slowly that became his catchphrase. In a vast kingdom such as his, something was always going wrong and that gave him umpteen opportunities to curse God.

    Fed up, one day, God approached the king and said,

    ‘Rajan … While ruling over such a vast kingdom, many things will go wrong and many things will go right and it is but the king’s duty, to take the sum total of it, in his stride. But what I find here is something very strange. For all the things that go wrong in your kingdom, you pass it off as God’s doing, and for all the things that go right, you pat your shoulder, to pass it off as the king’s achievement. Now is that fair?”

    The king replied, ‘Prabhu … Of course it is fair.’

    ‘Then explain how.’ God reasoned.

    ‘Prabhu … blaming you is like blaming destiny which is ultimately God’s will. Now, who can question destiny that happens to be God in disguise. And yes, I definitely pat myself for things that go right in my kingdom because it only increases my halo, aura and my command over my subjects.’

    ‘God smiled at the king and said.’

    ‘Rajan … I suggest for some time now, reverse the trend and witness the change.’

    ‘Prabhu … I didn’t get you.’

    ‘Rajan, it’s very simple. For all the things going wrong in your kingdom take the blame upon yourself. Say, it’s the king’s doing and, for all the things going right in your kingdom say, it’s the God’s doing. And, I’ll meet you after a year when we’ll see how the change has affected you and your kingdom.’

    King folded his hands, closed his eyes and said, ‘As you wish Prabhu. After which God left for his heavenly abode.

    Soon, the king instructed his ministers, to badge him for everything, that was going wrong in his kingdom and praise God Almighty for whatever was going right in the kingdom. The ministers were surprised at this gesture of the king, but then they remained silent since they were subordinates.

    Gradually, the work pressure on the king, started increasing, when ‘destiny’ started turning into, shabby governance. The king was now feeling more responsible as he didn’t want his name to get spoilt—earlier it didn’t matter, as it was God’s name that was getting spoilt.  So, he immediately took some proactive measures and started participating much more effectively in the day-to-day running of the kingdom. He built suitable embankments before the floods arrived. He got wells dug up before the crop was sown, for irrigation. He built night shelters for the poor before arrival of winters. And when, the kingdom was attacked by enemies he led by example and fought the battle himself from the frontline. He was able to unearth the frauds that were being committed under the banner of destiny by his ministers. The king was now a changed personality.

    When the rising waters of the river could not enter the kingdom because of the embankment the king praised the God. Upon the bumper harvest because of the new wells that were dug up before the sowing, he praised God. On the day of inauguration of night shelter he again praised God. And thereafter whenever there was something good happening in the kingdom he only praised God Almighty and said it was all because of his grace.

    In a year’s time the reputation of the king took an about-turn. The citizens of his kingdom were now convinced that they couldn’t have had a better king than him. For he took direct responsibility in terms of tackling every challenge that erupted in his kingdom. And at the same time for any success he showed humility and praised God Almighty. This gave an impression to people that the king has become very humble. And with that his overall aura went up.

    After exactly a year God came to meet the king. The king was very busy sorting out urgent issues of his kingdom. He requested God to give him some moments so that he could close certain pressing matters and then sit with him with a free mind. God agreed to wait. But in the rush of work the king forgot that God was waiting for him. The king did return to his castle but only after finishing his work which was after a couple of days and found God still waiting for him. The king fell on God’s feet for the delay in attending to him and pleaded forgiveness, profusely.

    God helped the king to stand on his feet and then said.

    ‘Rajan I’m happy to see the change in you, and for worthy King’s like you God doesn’t mind waiting.’

    Moral of the story: Work is worship.

Written by Kamlesh Tripathi

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Share it if you like it

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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)

MIRAGE

(Published in February 2020. The book is a collection of eight short stories. It is available in Amazon, Flipkart and Notion Press)

(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)

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SHORT STORY: Zeus … Prometheus and the Two Roads

Copyright@shravancharitymission

    Zeus and Prometheus are Greek Gods. In the olden days, the Greeks believed Zeus to be the King of all Gods, and Prometheus, the God who made man. Prometheus stole fire and gave it to mankind.

    One day, Zeus called Prometheus and said, “I command you, Prometheus, to show all human beings the way to freedom and the way to slavery.”

    Prometheus said, “The way to freedom will be rough in the beginning, with many blocks and steep climbs. There would be no water to drink. There would be no pathways, only thorns. It will be extremely tough. And there would be dangers on all sides. But the road would eventually become a smooth and plain. There will be fruit trees and streams on both sides of the path. The difficulty will end. People will be able to rest. And finally they will attain freedom.”

    Prometheus then added, “Contrary to this, the way to slavery will start out, as a smooth and plain in the beginning. The pathway will be full of beautiful flowers and very –comfortable. Just the opposite of the road leading to freedom. But later on, there will be only blocks, steep climbs and difficulty on all sides.”

    In simple terms what Prometheus said was, Good things in life do not come easy. All those successful people around you have struggled extremely hard to get there.

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)

*****