Tag Archives: short story

SHORT STORY: THE SIKH GURU

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

sikh flag gloom

An excerpt from the book ‘Gloom behind the Smile’

    It is amazing to see some cities and states losing people to other urban areas that are dynamic. This has also been happening across countries and continents. I guess this is how civilizations kept moving from one place to another. I was reading about a Sikh Guru. He once visited a village and stayed there for a few days and then prepared to leave. While he was leaving he blessed the village by saying ‘May you prosper by staying here only.’ Guru moved on and as night was setting in he camped in another village and stayed there for a couple of days and enjoyed their hospitality. While leaving he blessed the village by saying ‘May you prosper and move to other parts of the world.’ A keen follower.Who was watching. Asked the Guru as to why he had given two types of blessings. To his disciples in two different villages. The Guru replied that the people of the first village. Though looked after me, were not very cultured. Therefore, I blessed them. But prayed to God. That they should not move out and spread their culture. I found the second village well cultured. Therefore I wished to the Almighty. That these people should prosper and travel to other parts of the world. So that they spread the light of their sweetness and culture everywhere.

Write to us for hard copies. Or you could purchase the book online from any book store. E-book can be downloaded from Antrik.com or Pothi.com.

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SHORT STORY: AN INTELLIGENT ENTERTAINER

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tenaliram 2 tenaliram tenalirama1

    ‘Where will this road take me to?’ enquired a traveller from a kid who was playing in a narrow lane. Kid replied, ‘excuse me sir. This road will not take you anywhere, because it cannot walk.’ After replying the kid started playing again.

    The traveler, who was otherwise an intelligent person, got quite impressed by the logic of the kid. On probing he found that the parents of the child were very poor. They were therefore unable to provide him even with basic education and having come to know about this fact, the traveler was disappointed. He wondered that a kid with such an unusual flare and talent is not getting an opportunity to study and increase his skills. So, he decided to help him. He went up to him again and asked, ‘I want to teach you the secret of knowledge. So would be interested in that. Kid replied, ‘Sir, if I have to pay you money in return. The answer is no because I don’t have money.’    The traveler replied, ‘you don’t need money to acquire knowledge. All you need to do, is to visit the temple every night and pray to God. Who in turn will bless you with knowledge’ and after saying that he left.

    The kid did exactly that. And happy with his prayers Ma Saraswati (Goddess of learning) gave him darshan (divine audience) and granted him a vardan (blessing). But the kid instead of accepting the vardan, playfully had a glimpse of Ma Saraswati and started laughing. Ma Saraswati was surprised. She asked, ‘instead of asking for a vardan what is it, that you’re doing?’ The kid in a jovial tone replied, ‘Ma as you know I have one nose and two hands. But when I catch cold and have a running nose. With both my hands I wipe my nose, and in the process I get so tired and irritated. But you have many heads and so many hands. What will happen, if you catch cold. For you will have nothing else to do, but to keep wiping your nose, and you will have no time for anything else, because you have so many noses. Thinking about that possibility I was laughing. I’m so lucky to have only one nose.

    Ma Saraswati too, could not control herself and started laughing, because what the kid had said was nothing else, but logic. Ma Saraswati then gave him a vardan to be happy, and also keep others happy, and vanished.

    This child later became the chief entertainer in a King’s court. Many stories and episodes of him are heard even today, and his power of logic, make others laugh.

    The name of this kid was Tenaliram.

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Posted 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)

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

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SHORT STORY: GUILT

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

ganga guilt heaven

    When I was young. My maternal Granny often used to remind me as an endearing edict. That when I die, take my mortal remains to the banks of river Ganga (Ganges) for cremation, considered, the ultimate holy grail. To the splendorous gateway of heaven, in Hindus. But I was not sure. If she ever realised, whether a ten year old kid understood, what she meant. Surely, I had no idea, of what a ‘cremation’ on the banks of river Ganga meant, until one day. I actually saw a dead body being cremated, while I was crossing river Ganga, at Kanpur in a train. And, that shook me as a teen.

    My Mom, was her only issue. So, she understood her mother’s writhing trauma. That was encased in her subconscious, now for ages. And she often hovered around her. Sensing, Granny might repeat her request for Ganga, at the pangs of life beyond death.

    For me, life continued as usual and with that my meandering rigmarole. In the guise of school, college, career and then raising a family. But, all this, didn’t deter her from placing her request, whenever she had an opportunity. And, as life flew. One day I lost my Mom, and with that Granny’s infrequent requests, became more like frequent holy warnings—that she be taken to the banks of river Ganga.

    But, in the drift of life. For quite some time, I was posted away from my hometown. During that period, whenever I spoke to her. I did assure her a cremation on the banks of holy river Ganga. But when the destined moment came unannounced. I could not reach on time, and she was cremated on the banks of river Gomti in Lucknow. About eighty km before the banks of river Ganga.

    That gave me a feel of intense guilt that continued lifelong. As if, between Gomti and Ganga, she had lost the battle because of me.

    Ever since then years have passed. But she hasn’t complained to me. My guilt says she couldn’t reach heaven. Where my heart says, she smiles at me from heaven.

    And today. I am returning from the banks of river Ganga. Where, I came to  tide over my guilt. To request Holy Ganga, if not already, take her to heaven even now. And to offer my lifetime apologies to her. From the serene surroundings of holy Ganga.  But I guess I came quite late. Because now even I have started thinking of the holy Ganga.

    There are a few things that are non-negotiable in life: one happens to be death.

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VIGNETTE: CORPORATE CAUSERIE

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beginning friend remembrance

 

   

    I was once travelling with a senior colleague of mine, somewhere in Uttar Pradesh. We were on a long and arduous company tour. To launch a few of our products that had a rural flair. Having been out for about twenty days now. Homesickness was but evident on our faces. And a deeper look even revealed we were famished.

    This colleague of mine had a weird sense of humour that often hyperlinked you to a jolly laughter a little later. He was also a voracious reader, mostly of management books which he preferred to expeditiously lay his hands on. Much before the company moguls did. Largely, to orchestrate is own personality … ‘Ya-ya, I too, have read it.’

    Amid the pile-up of fatigue, and on a sweltering Sunday we were roughing it out, from one meeting to the other. Talking vivaciously about our product, is when the day finally merged into a lazy evening.

    We finally returned to the hotel. Where, we were sharing a room. On our way back we had picked up some chilled beer as hotel bar was indeed, expensive.

    The plan of action now was to have a quick shower. Even when, the tap water was boiling hot, owing to the severe heat of summers. So as to, catch the beer within drinkable temperatures. Mind you … the room did not have a fridge.

    So, as a senior he barged into the toilet first for a shower. But only to return within minutes, since the water was so very hot, is when I followed suit. Where, while rushing through a quick shower. I couldn’t help but notice, his severe hair fall that didn’t speak well of his scalp.

    After I was through, we finally decided to uncork the bottles. The beer was still drinkable. So we gulped down the first sip after a well deserved cheers, followed by a concomitant munch, is when I said,

    “Dada you’re losing a lot of hair. I just noticed in the toilet.’

    Upon hearing me, he had another draught followed by another munch— some spicy peanuts. He then looked into my eye and very seriously said.

    “Arrey baba, mein toh chahaton hun ki sab bal gir jaye aur mein General Manager ban jaun.’

    As a tube light. I flickered for a few moments before I understood what he actually meant, when we both started laughing.

    Those days the General Manager and Head of our Marketing division, was a bald gentleman.

    This causerie is only a tribute to my senior colleague Debashish Gangully who died of cancer in the US some time back. The General Manager and Head of Marketing then was Mr. V. A. Pemaiah, who  took the joke quite sportingly when we told him later. But, I really don’t where he is now.

    In this busy life of ours whenever you look back you’ll find. Over the years so much has happened, that is so very captivating and worth remembering, but unfortunately we don’t have the time for it.

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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

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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

(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: DESTINY by DEFAULT

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careful carelessness naughty child

 

    Many years ago, Rishi a friend of mine was returning from a hill-station with his newly married wife, after his honeymoon. They were in a shared jeep—the old one, with a superstructure and canvass top having two longitudinal seats at the rear, facing each other along the length of the vehicle.

    As all hill routes of those times. It was an uncomfortable journey, especially because of the narrow and single winding road, and that too with a plethora of hair-pin bends, and many of them, even without railings. It was drizzling low key that had shortened the visibility. But it appeared as if, both, the vehicle and the driver were not solely depending on visibility alone to course through, and were even delving some bit on their day-to-day, hands-on experience of the road.

    In all, there were eleven people in the vehicle. Out of which three were in the front, that included, the driver, Rishi and his wife. Seven were behind. Out of which six were sitting on the longitudinal seats. Three on either side. they were two couples and two men. and last but not the least was a half standing, half sitting, restless, uncomfortable and a noisy kid of around ten to twelve years of age.

    Even when the jeep was meandering down the road leaving everyone fatigued, giddy and somewhat tired the untiring kid was all over the jeep trying to reach up to the driver, to fiddle the  gear lever and the steering wheel, and that was irritating the driver.

    The parents of the kid appeared quite bindaas, and were not even attempting to calm their hyper-child.

    After about fifteen minutes the jeep halted at the midway, to the railway station, which was a two hour drive from the hill-station.

    Most cafeterias and dhabas were located within a span of about hundred metres on the straight road passing the midway, after which the road winded to an immediate right, where on one side you had climbing hills and on the other side a dangerous fall of about a thousand feet, where there were no railings. The roadside along the straight road was crowded with no space to park the car. So, the jeep driver took the vehicle closer to the immediate right and parked it there, which was quite close to the point where there were no railings in almost a routine fashion. He announced a stop of fifteen minutes that was quite sufficient to freshen up, followed by a cup of tea and some hot snacks that sounded awesome in the beautiful surroundings.

    Everyone got off the vehicle except the lady in the rear seat who preferred to sleep, most likely on account of giddiness that had set in her, and giving her company was her middle aged husband.

    The naughty kid was the first to finish his snacks, and soon came and sat in the vehicle without his parents. Soon from the rear seat he jumped over to the front seat and started swirling his hands on the steering wheel.

    The man behind mildly warned him to return to his seat but that fell on deaf ears. Soon the kid started enjoying the steering wheel when his hands reached the gear lever, and unknowingly his foot to the clutch pedal, and with that the jeep got into neutral mode and slowly started rolling. The man behind realised what had happened, and so, he jumped and ran towards the dhaba to call the driver, perhaps he didn’t know driving himself. His wife was still asleep in the jeep.

    The kid was still unaware of what had happened and about the ensuing danger. And as the vehicle slowly moved he started enjoying the feel of the vehicle even more as the steering felt light. The vehicle was now heading towards the fall.

    Upon hearing the shout the driver edged out of the dhaba and with grim eyes saw his fortune rolling towards the steep fall. He darted and jumped inside trying to push the kid aside to stop the vehicle, but by then it was too late as the front wheels of the jeep had already waddled off the road, where it overhung for some moments and off it went taking the unlucky trio along with it. All the three had died in the mishap— The kid, the driver and the lady behind.

We often blame destiny for whatever goes wrong in our lives. But in this case wasn’t it a case of destiny by default?

    For why were the parents of the kid so unconcerned about their hyper-child? In that one hour of journey they never reprimanded the child even once. Not even, when, he was irritating the driver while driving. And above all, they let the child go alone, to the vehicle parked alongside a dangerous fall. Therefore, all such parents who don’t reprimand their children at the initial stages of life need to introspect about the ghastly consequences they might have to face later on.

    The middle aged husband realising the danger did not attempt to save his wife first, instead he thought of saving all— the kid, his wife and even the vehicle but in the process could save nothing. So should it be, help yourself first?

    The driver knew about the hyper-child, yet he parked the jeep close to a dangerous point in all casualness.  And he could have stayed away from the vehicle in those dying moments yet he pounced on it. So think before you jump.

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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

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: HALF KNOWLEDGE

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gurukul half knowledge knowledge

HALF KNOWLEDGE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

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

*****

 

SHORT STORY: CHILDREN-LIKE UNREAD BOOKS

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FLAMBOYANT parents student 2 student simple

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

*

https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

*

Share if you like it

*

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

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

IFSC code: BKID0006805

*

Our publications

GLOOM BEHIND THE SMILE

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

ONE TO TANGO … RIA’S ODYSSEY

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

AADAB LUCKNOW … FOND MEMORIES

(Launched in Lucknow International Literary Festival 2014)

REFRACTIONS … FROM THE PRISM OF GOD

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

TYPICAL TALE OF AN INDIAN SALESMAN

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

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

*****

 

 

SHORT STORY: MAHARISHI’s LAUGH

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

arrogant bragging rishi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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SHORT STORY: KARMA AUR AKARMA (ACTION AND INACTION)

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By kamlesh Tripathi

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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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    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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