Tag Archives: karma

SHORT STORY: MAHARISHI’s LAUGH

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

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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.

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BEAUTIFUL QUOTES OF FOURTEENTH DALAI LAMA

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Posted by: Kamlesh Tripathi

dalailama buddhist

Some beautiful quotes by Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the fourteenth Dalai Lama

He is the spiritual and temporal leader of the Tibetan people. He has written several books on Buddhism and philosophy, and has received many international awards, including the 1989 Nobel Prize as recognition for his advocacy of world peace and inter-religious understanding.

The common enemy of all religious disciplines is selfishness of mind. For it is just this which causes ignorance, anger and passion, which are at the root of all the troubles.

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Whenever Buddhism has taken root in a new land, there has been certain variation in the style in which it observed. The Buddha himself taught differently according to the place, the occasion and the situation of those who were listening to him.

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Buddhahood is a state free of all obstructions to knowledge and disturbing emotions. It is the state in which the mind is fully evolved.

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From the earliest stages of our growth, are completely dependent upon our mother’s care and it is very important for us that she express her love. If children do not receive proper affection, in later life they will often find it hard to love others.

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Through actual practice in his daily life, man well fulfils the aim of all religion, whatever his denomination.

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We can speak of an effect and a cause on the disturbing side as well as on the liberating side.

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According to Buddhist practice, there are three states or steps. The initial stage is to reduce attachment towards life. The second stage is the elimination of desire and attachment to this samsara. Then the third stage, self-cherishing is eliminated.

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Encountering sufferings will definitely contribute to the elevation of your spiritual practice, provided you are able to transform the calamity and misfortune into the path.

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Faith dispels doubt and hesitation, it liberates you from suffering and delivers you to the city of peace and happiness.

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Suffering increases your inner strength. Also, wishing for suffering makes the suffering disappear.

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Even when we are helping others and are engaged in charity work, we should not regard ourselves in a very haughty way as great protectors benefitting the weak.

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The creatures that inhabit this earth—be they human beings or animals—are here to contribute, each in its own particular way, to the beauty and prosperity of the world.

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We are born and reborn countless number of times, and it is possible that each being has been our parent at one time or another. Therefore, it is likely that all beings in this universe have familial connections.

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The process of dying begins with the dissolution of the elements within the body. It has eight stages, beginning with the dissolution of the earth element, then the water, fire and wind elements. The next four stages are visions in terms of colour: appearance of a white vision, increase of the red element, black near-attainment, and finally the clear light of death.

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Do your best and do it according to your own inner standard—call it conscience—not just according to society’s knowledge and judgement of your deeds.

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For discovering one’s true inner nature. I think one should try to take some time, with quiet and relaxation, to think more inwardly and to investigate the inner world.

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When one is very involved in hatred or attachment, if there is time or possibility during that very moment, just try to look inward and ask: ‘What is attachment? What is the nature of anger?’

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Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned.

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It is through listening that your mind will turn with faith and devotion, and you will be able to cultivate joy within your mind and make your mind stable.

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Laziness will stop your progress in your spiritual practice.

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When a day seems to be long, idle gossip makes our day seem shorter. But it is one of the worst ways in which we waste out time. If a tailor just holds the needle in his hand and goes on talking to a customer, the tailoring does not get finished. Besides, the needle might prick his finger. In short, meaningless gossip prevents us from doing any kind of work.

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If you rely on someone who has lower qualities than yourself, that will lead to your degeneration. If you rely on someone who has qualities similar to yourself, you will stay where you are. It is only if you rely on someone who has better qualities than yourself, that you will achieve sublime status.

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The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well being.

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The problems we encounter are never the result of starting a project or work on an inappropriate day or time. Buddha always talked about negative experiences as the result of having performed negative actions. So, for a good practitioner there is no good day or bad day.

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There is no way to escape death. It is just like trying to escape when you are surrounded by four great mountains touching the sky. There is no escape from these four mountains of birth, old age, sickness and death.

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Ageing destroys youth, sickness destroys health, degeneration of life destroys all excellent qualities and death destroys life. Even if you are a great runner, you cannot run away from death. You cannot stop death with your wealth, through your magic performances or recitation of mantras or even medicines. Therefore it is wise to prepare for your death.

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Discipline is a supreme ornament and, whether worn by old, young or middle-aged, it gives birth only to happiness. It is perfume par excellence and, unlike ordinary perfumes which travel only with the wind, its refreshing aroma travels spontaneously in all directions. A peerless ointment, it brings relief from the hot pains of delusion.

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A blossoming tree becomes bare and stripped in autumn. Beauty changes in ugliness, youth into old age, and fault into virtue. Things do not remain the same and nothing really exists. Thus appearances and emptiness exist simultaneously.

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Some people who are sweet and attractive, strong and healthy, happen to die young. They are masters is disguise teaching us about impermanence.

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SHORT POEM BY A CHILD CANCER PATIENT: IN THE LAP OF GOD

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IN THE LAP OF GOD

What was my wrong?

That you took away my song,

For when I opened my eyes,

I was in severe bites.

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You taught me a lesson,

By plaguing me with cancer,

But I had not harmed anyone,

So why the torture?

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As a child,

I had no devious past,

Yet you stepped on my present,

And took away my craft.

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They call you kind,

They call you a forgiver,

Synonym for mercy,

But you left me in heresy.

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Fear not my child,

For I’m with you every while,

And you are not alone,

In this vast world of mine.

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For you are special,

In life’s battle,

And you are my messenger,

And you are my harbinger.

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You puzzled me God,

You scared me God,

But after talking to you,

I am at peace God,

For I now know,

I am in your lap God.

***

By Kamlesh Tripathi

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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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

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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)

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SHORT STORY: KARMA AUR AKARMA (ACTION AND INACTION)

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By kamlesh Tripathi

action inaction progress

Long time ago there lived a man, who wanted to prosper in life, very fast. He went to a saint and expressed his desire. Saint smiled at him and gave him two coins, and asked him to drop the coins one after the other, so that he could fulfil his desire.

The person felt extremely happy about his own sensible thought as his desire, was soon to be accomplished. And, before the saint could give him any other valuable advice, the person, while the saint was watching him ran away from there.

And after running a distance when he was out of his sight, he halted, and dropped a coin to test. Just then, in front of him, and as he was watching a golden chariot came and stood, and invited him for a ride. In the chariot at a particular place it was written ‘Karma,’ and excited and delighted the young man sat in the chariot. And as he sat the chariot took to supersonic speed when the youth noticed there is no control lever in the chariot. For some time he enjoyed the high speed of the chariot but soon he got nervous, as he was not sure about where he was going and his destination. He had no answers to his questions but the chariot was still moving at supersonic speed. He got scared.

When he was pondering to save himself from the high speed of the chariot, he saw a button on which it was written ‘stop’. With great hope he pressed the button. And immediately the chariot stopped. When the person jumped out of the chariot and heaved a sigh of relief.

The journey had tired him. And after some rest when he was re-energised, with some renewed hope and strength he eagerly decided to drop the other coin, and as he did that another chariot came and stood in front of him on which it was written ‘akarma’ and it invited him for a ride. But this time the youth was less scared of the chariot when he entered.

But to his surprise this time the chariot was stationery, but around the chariot everything was moving at a very fast pace and he was unable to see anything. And this moving of things at a fast pace started troubling him, and he felt giddy.

When he could not withstand all this, to save himself he pressed the ‘stop’ button. The moving of everything around him stopped immediately. The person jumped from the chariot and ran towards the saint. He complained to the saint that by using the coins he has made no progress in his life.

The saint looked at him pensively, when he decided to explain and said, ‘most people in the world want fast progress for themselves and that too without any directional and sustained effort. While some are just the opposite. But neither hard work alone nor idling or inaction can give us progress.

Saint further added, ‘Every, karma of ours should have an objective. And there should be a particular procedure to do that karma and there should be a continuous effort, and in this, factors that help are wisdom, intelligence, and sound ideas. And, when all these factors combine, then only we attain worldly and spiritual progress.

This story conveys a message that ‘karma’ and ‘akarma,’ both without an objective and continuous efforts are like a vehicle that does not have a control levers for direction and control.

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SHORT STORY: POVERTY

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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.

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Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Share if you like it

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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)

*****

POETRY: DREAM vs REALITY

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DREAM3 DREAM5 DREAM1 DREAM

DREAM vs REALITY

 

Like the brooks and streams,

Flows my stream of dreams,

From high mountains,

To the rigors of extremes.

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Whichever way one sees,

It glees,

But for dream to realise,

One has to besiege.

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For in the applecart of life,

Nothing is simple,

But in the garrison of mind,

Nothing is invincible.

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And between my dreams and reality,

Something is amiss,

And the gap is wide,

For one dreams of future,

But lives in extremes.

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For dream is the thrill of reality,

And reality the forerunner of dream,

And this is how life schemes.

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In the harsh struggle of life,

Time to dream is a luxury,

And need to struggle a reality,

Where reality is my mother,

And alluring dream is the sky.

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And from the temerity of wisdom,

Kindles the refractions of life,

Only to convey life is incomplete,

Without the spectrum of dreams.

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Harsh realities are pin-pricks,

Fancy dreams are breathtaking,

And they live in different worlds,

Where reality bites,

And dream incubates.

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So what is important?

To live in reality or in dreams,

For without reality there is no dream,

And without dream there is a boring reality.

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And so I tread,

Three steps reality and one step dream,

For that is the way,

To beam.

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Since I realised,

Dream and reality need to co-exist,

To balance your life.

****

By Kamlesh Tripathi

*

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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Share if you like it

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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: GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES

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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

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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 LONG HISTORY OF MANKIND

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veda 1 veda veda3

    Long time ago in a far away kingdom there lived a king who wanted to know about the complete history of mankind. Starting, right from the birth of the first man till the present day man. He therefore, decided to summon all the Vidvans (scholars) to his kingdom to understand from them. How much time it will take to provide him with this valuable and unique knowledge. Vidvans, discussed the matter amongst themselves. After which, the senior most out of them, got up and humbly said, ‘Your majesty. This otherwise will take a very long time. But we shall try and complete the exercise for you in about 20 years. And it will cost around 27,000 gold coins.

    Although, the cost of the assignment was exorbitant and the time frame was much more, than what the king had expected. He was still eager to know about the history of mankind. Therefore, he agreed to their proposal, and thereafter, handed over the gold coins to them and decided to wait for the findings.

    When the king had given the go ahead for the exercise. He was 50 years old. Since then, some twenty years had passed and he was now 70. Upon completion of the promised period all the Vidvans, reached the palace of the king with some 2000 books in 20 elephants. But by now the king had grown old. His eyesight and hearing had receded. Even his general health was not as good as before. So, he couldn’t have sat and attempted to read these voluminous books. Because, to read them, one would have required at least a time frame of ten years.

    So, the King softly said. ‘With this health condition of mine. Ten years is a long period. So kindly reduce the number of books for me. So that I can read them in lesser time.’

    Vidvans, again got into a huddle. To discuss the issue and came out in consensus, ‘Your Majesty. We will surely fulfill your wishes by reducing the number of books. But it will take five years and 5000 gold coins.’ The king had no choice being midway, than to accord his approval.  And after 5 years. The team of Vidvans, as agreed. Entered the King’s palace with some 200 books.

    But in the last 5 years. The king had fallen sick and had become extremely weak. So very weak, that he couldn’t even move. Even his eyesight and hearing capability had reduced substantially. And in no way. He could have gone through those books.

    The king therefore smiled and politely said, ‘I am obliged. That you all worked so hard for me. But now, I am physically not capable of reading these huge books. And in case, someone tries to read it to me. Then also, it will take a lot of time. So kindly reduce the number of books further.’ Vidvans had no choice but to agree to the King’s request. So, they told him. Your Majesty, this time it will take. At least a year and some 1000 gold coins to complete the exercise. To which the king readily agreed.

    After a year. All the Vidvans, as agreed reached the king’s palace with three voluminous books. But by now the king’s health had further deteriorated. Where, the doctors had given up hopes. Pundits and priests in the kingdom had now started their prayers. To save him.

    One Vidvan went close to the king and said, ‘Your majesty we have finally summarized the entire history of mankind, into, just 3 voluminous books. For you to read and benefit.’ King replied in dejection, ‘Now it is too late. As I am on my death bed. My wealth, time and efforts, all went for a waste in pursuit of this knowledge. Before, I even start reading the history of mankind that you all have brought for me, my death will take me far away.

    ‘Nahi Rajan’ (No Your Majesty) replied the Vidvan, who was standing close to him, ‘you’ll surely learn about the history of mankind. And, in fact. Should I tell you about it in your ears now?’ King was in deep pain, but he made an effort to say, ‘Well if you can narrate it, in my ears. Please do it fast.’

    Vidvan respectfully bowed at the king and whispered in his ears, ‘a man is born. He eats all his life and at the end he dies. In short. This is the ultimate reality of mankind.’

    ‘That’s all, only this much,’ said the king and he expired, thereafter.

    This is one such a story that narrates, how the majority of mankind, have spent their time in this world. They are born, they eat and in spare time they do some work and one day because of tension and disease they expire.

    Can we not do better than this?

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Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

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                                                    https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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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)

*****

 

 

YOU REALLY WON’T KNOW WHO ALL WILL BE THERE TO SEE YOU OFF WHEN YOUR MOMENT COMES

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We know nothing about our future, yet we all have a future.

As narrated by anonymous in Lucknow.

It was just the other day when I had gone for a cocktail dinner to one of my friend’s place, on the occasion of his daughter’s wedding somewhere in Gomti Nagar. I had really done a lot of planning to be there. Having come, all the way from Delhi. But for some reason my wife couldn’t accompany me on that particular day.

Considering it will be a late night. I had hired a cab for the evening; and was expecting to have some great recalling moments. Catching up with some very old friends.Whom I had not met for an eon now. Besides that, I also expected many unknown, yet distinguished guests on the occasion. Overall a formal flashy gathering, where I wasn’t wrong.

The party had just about begun in the first floor of a guest house that he had hired. The epicenter of the venue was quite well lit, with a festive ambience. Buoying with some lilting ghazals and appropriating the celebratory occasion to a rocking start.

I too saluted the moment by gulping down some whisky, as I waved out for some piping hot chicken-tikka-kabab, in the freezing, yet enjoyable ambient temperature. And, as I put a piece in my mouth, very strangely it went straight down my throat and into my food pipe before I could even chew it and started choking me. I felt a little alarmed and cussed to begin with.

First, I tried to gulp it down with some whisky and then some water. But to my shock both whisky and water started oozing out of my nose but the chicken remained where it was. I rushed to the toilet thinking I’m about to vomit but there too nothing great happened as the chicken piece or the chicken bone, still remained stuck.

In all of this some fifteen to twenty minutes must have passed. By now the party was in full blast, when I could hazily see, some unknown, yet smartly dressed up couples and their children around me. Just then, I felt I was close to a blackout. But there appeared not a single known face in the tangible surrounding. Whom I could have shouted for help. Moreover the music was too loud. And, by now I was beginning to feel a little embarrassed.

It was an unexpected and painful moment for me. When I could feel my present withering to a repulsive future. Coming my way on fast track; to grip me. I was now in deep agony now, for over twenty minutes. Breathing heavily through my nose and messy all over, is when I decided to leave. For I didn’t want the party to get spoilt. And by now my eyes had even blurred. All the fluid stuck in my throat was dripping out of my nose. My hanky was all wet and by now some people had also started noticing me.

Fortunately, I was able to locate my cabby in the car park. I waved at him. He appeared to be a smart guy. As he smelt something was wrong with me, just by observing my body language and drove the car right up to where I was standing, as if in divine sync. I slid in, and in panic, I asked him to take me home. And even though, he could make out, I was unwell, He did not say a word till he put the car in motion.

By now, another five minutes had passed. I called my wife at home and told her to be at the gate, to take me to a doctor forthwith. Briefly describing, what was stuck in my throat. She panicked upon hearing this. I was in deep agony by now. My eyes were closing and I was breathless.

Meanwhile, the driver, while he was driving, opened his water bottle and asked me to forcefully drink some water even if I couldn’t. Which I did, but nothing improved. On the contrary I became a little more uncomfortable. He then slowed the car and started patting me on my neck, but I remained uncomfortable. By now, I could make out we were crossing ‘Bhaisa Kund,’ the cremation ground at around 9.30 in the night. That was indeed scary. As, I found it quite still and dark, with I  so close to it. Will I be brought here tomorrow? Was the weird feel I got. And, will I survive this onslaught of chicken-tikka-kabab, I wondered, in surrendering emotion.

It was one of the most frightening moments of my life for obvious reasons. Since, no one from my family was there to hold me, except, the cabby who appeared as a family then. Who happened to be a young guy, and my only source of inspiration. Perhaps, the divine co-passenger sent from heaven, for the hallowed moment. I helplessly thought, will I make it from here? I pondered in pessimism, but by then my head had slumped forward, almost resting on the dashboard; perhaps the end was near, thought the cabby.

Is when I suddenly felt he had stepped up the vehicle. We were to turn right but he took to the left and in just about five minutes he stopped in front of a small hospital. He rushed inside and got a wheel chair and took me straight to the emergency ward with the help of a ward boy. By now, I was hardly able to converse, but the driver explained to the doctor, and the doctor with a minor procedure pulled out the chicken piece and advised me not to attempt it, ever again. And with that my trauma had subsided, but myriads of introspection arose.

Because, the last one hour had given me a feel of life’s biggest certainty, death. It also conveyed, you have very little control over your future. So enjoy every moment and create similar situations for others also. As anything can happen anytime. And all around you, you only have fellow passengers. For you don’t know who all will come to see you off. And, who all, you’ll see off, when the moment comes.

And, last but not the least, the incident took me close to an accident victim. Who suddenly dies away from his family and without any forewarning. He has no one to see him off. But my case was slightly different. Where, the fellow passenger, the driver in this case had come to see me off. For a moment I thought, the strong thread of family would have helped me go past that last flicker. From the feel of future to actually arriving at the future–death. But I guess the longing best wishes of my family and the presently departed souls at Bhaisa kund still wanted me alive and about, and so pulled me back with the lease of life. But then who knows when it will strike again.

*****