Tag Archives: story

SHORT STORY: ILL EFFECTS OF SINFUL BREAD

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bhishmapitamah draupadi mahabharat

    When the great war of Mahabharat got over. Dharamraj Yudhistir took over as the undisputed Emperor of the vast kingdom.

    And, with the permission of Lord Krishna. He along with his patrani (chief queen) Draupadi and younger brothers, went to the bloody battlefield. To meet and ask after Bhishma Pitamah who was lying on the bed of arrows. Waiting for the sun to move to the position of uttarayan (northward movement of the Sun in the celestial sphere). So that he could wilfully leave his body.

    Whereupon, on Yudhistir’s request. Pitamah began sermonising about the varn-ashram (natural phases of life) and the time tested relationship between the King and his subjects, to Yudhistir. When Pitamah was midway into his sermons, suddenly queen Draupadi laughed at him.

    Pitamah felt a bit awkward at this, and stopping his sermon he asked,

    ‘My dear daughter, what makes you laugh?’

    Draupadi hesitantly replied—‘It was a mistake Pitamah, I shouldn’t have laughed, so please excuse me.

    Pitamah, was not satisfied with her reply. He softly said, ‘Any well mannered daughter-in-law of such a great family doesn’t suddenly laugh, and that too without a reason in front of elders. I know you are extremely cultured and well mannered so your laughter cannot be without a reason. Don’t hesitate to tell me the real reason for your laughter.’

    With folded hands Draupadi said—‘Pitamah it may sound absurd and ill-mannered. But if you insist I will have no choice but to tell you, because I just cannot disobey your orders. You were just now giving rich sermons on dharma-updesh (Theology) but what came to my mind was. When Dushashan was disrobing me in Kuru-sabha (Kuru’s court) where was your dharma-updesh then? It appears to me, all this dharma-updesh that you learnt was only after the episode. With this thought in mind I couldn’t help but laugh. So, please pardon me.’

    Pitamah was stunned at this. He waited for some time and then very softly said, as he was badly injured.

    ‘Daughter there is no question of your seeking an apology because in some ways you are right. I was well conversant with dhrama-updesh during that time also. But then I was feeding myself with the polluted bread of Duryodhanya and that had polluted my mind too. That’s why in the Kuru-sabha when Dushshan was disrobing you I could not use the dharma-updesh and dharma-gyan judiciously to save you. But with all the innumerable arrows of Arjun that have pierced my body. All my polluted blood, made out of the polluted bread of Duryodhana  has drained out. With that my mind has become pure again and I’m able to think about religion and dharma-gyan in the right manner.

    Moral of the story: The source of your bread goes a long way in the making you.

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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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CASUAL CAUSERIE: NO ONE KNOWS-WHO HELPS WHOM

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By Kamlesh Tripathi

affinity destiny helping hand

NO ONE KNOWS—WHO HELPS WHOM

    At an era, when there used to be long queues for domestic flights in India. My boss, who had once come visiting me. Got a sudden call from the HR Head. Asking him, to report back immediately for an urgent and important meeting at Head Office.

    As luck would have it. There was no chance of getting a confirmed flight ticket before three days, as it was all jam packed. Therefore, there was every likelihood. That he would have missed the important meeting. So, we decided to take a chance at the airport. Those days nothing was computerized. Personal relations with airport staff and their whims and fancies mattered a lot. Therefore, he was carrying an open ticket. And in the middle of all the din and rush. The counter clerk had asked us to wait. Just in case of a last moment cancellation or a no show.

    We were waiting patiently. When, I saw the captain of the aircraft hovering near the check-in counter puffing a cigarette. Those days we didn’t have smoking zones like today.

    Suddenly, the counter clerk called for my boss, ‘Mr Datta.’ We quickly walked up to him. When he politely said, ‘Sorry Datta sahab. There is just no seat as the flight is absolutely full. Please take a chance tomorrow morning.’

    I pleaded, citing the urgent meeting. As I could see the tension rising on my boss’s face. Is when the captain of the aircraft. Who was standing close to the counter walked up and said to the counter clerk. ‘Please issue him a boarding pass. Only, if he has cabin baggage. I will take him in the cockpit, since he has an urgent meeting.’

    With that I guess Mr Datta’s day was made. When he happily said to me, ‘bye, and see you soon.’

    After a month. I happened to be in the Head Office, on a visit. When I congratulated him on his well deserved promotion and casually asked about the flight that day. He remembered the captain in a pleasant way and this was what he had to say.

    ‘Arrey, I was extremely lucky. That the captain took me along with him, in the cockpit that day. Otherwise, I would have missed my appraisal meeting with the Marketing Director. But as the flight took off. The captain asked in Bengali,

    “Kaimon achain, Dutto babu. Apni comfortable?”

    And, before he could load on some more Bengali. I promptly replied, ‘sorry captain I am a Punjabi Datta. Not a Bengali Dutto.’

    ‘Oh-oh-oh sorry. But, I thought. I heard the counter clerk calling you as Mr Dutto and not Mr Datta. Anyways, sorry, sorry, very sorry, once again.’

    By then the flight was more than airborne. After that we didn’t have any exchange of conversation in the flight. Though, on landing. I said goodbye to him. To which he didn’t respond warmly. But in his own subtle way he had ensured my promotion.

    In life. You just don’t know who lends you a helping hand where, and who comes to your rescue.

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SHORT STORY: IN LOVE WITH YOUR GURU

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gurukul gurupurnima 2 gurupurnima

    In ancient times there lived a Mahatma by the name of Maharishi Kanad. He had the absolute distinction of exponentially increasing the treasure base of Indian knowledge by scripting the Vaishesik Sutras. That determined the rights and the wrongs in a human life. In terms of discovering the absolute good, required for the betterment of man. He had many shishayas (pupils) that included both men and women, and they all owed, their esteem allegiance, to the Mahatma.

    Among his shishayas there was a beautiful woman also. Who used to look after the Mahatma with all sincerity. But slowly. She started feeling as if she was falling in love with the man. But was unable to express her feelings in front him. Moreover, she was even scared that the Mahatma might suddenly shun her. If she expressed her feelings and that will also give an opportunity to other shishayas to make fun of her.

    But, still, one day when she was alone with the Mahatma. She gathered guts and said, ‘My dear Swami. I have started loving you from the bottom of my heart. I want to sacrifice everything of mine, just for my love, which is you. So, can you not accept me in life?’

    The Guru was shocked at what the lady had just told him. Because of which, he went quiet. And the unexpected utterance of the lady, had even spread like a ‘jungle fire’ in the hermitage. Now, all the shishayas were eagerly waiting to know, what would be Mahatma’s reply.

    Guru smiled and said, ‘I’m happy that you love me. But you should also know. That I love the entire world, and in that even you are included. And Devi (respected lady), you also should know, that all my shishayas love me. So, then what is so special about your love?’

    The lady was now in dilemma, because she couldn’t really figure out. How to convey what she actually wanted to. For she had all the hesitation in communicating her deep love to the Mahatama. Moreover, she was also cautious about the fact that so many unseen eyes and ears must be waiting for the much awaited answer from him. Mahatma waited for sometime and then said to her, ‘When you say you love me, and you want to sacrifice everything for me. It also means, you want to control me. Which goes to show that you are not conversant with the real meaning of Guru. But since you are a devoted shishaya. I don’t want you to be unhappy, so you can have my love. Tomorrow, when, I am alone in the cottage. You come to me.’

    Upon, hearing these lovely words of acceptance. The lady was on top of the world. She came out of the cottage. Where, the rest of the female shishayas, were now jealous of her. As they too wanted to share her luck.

    Next day after decking up when she felt no one is in Mahatama’s cottage. She entered. But, rest of the shishayas were keeping a constant track of her. When they saw her entering the cottage. They quietly assembled to ascertain what was going on.

    The lady could see that the Mahatma was in samadhi and all around him, there was a halo of light. In that he appeared like the bright Sun that excited her. She suddenly ran towards him in full enthusiasm trying to embrace him. But alas: What was that? She then saw, she was only embracing herself. When, suddenly, she felt the Mahatma was all over the sky. Where, she, just couldn’t hold the sky nor could she embrace the sky. Even after trying from all the ends she could only experience, as if she was trying to catch hold of the endless sky. But all was in vain. And after a little while. She was tired and stood there wonder struck. She then heard a loud laughter in the cottage.

    And that is when the Mahatma said, ‘my dear shishaya. You forgot the basic essence of life. Guru is not a personal property of anyone. In fact he belongs to everyone. He is divine, who is everywhere, but not visible. He is the route to your destiny. But not your destiny or your kismet. Guru, makes you farsighted. So share me with everyone. And don’t try to control me. Feel my wisdom and knowledge within you.

    After hearing such divine sermons from the Mahatma. The lady who until some moments back, was dull and gloomy. Immediately, cheered up, and with her fellow shishayas started celebrating the occasion, and praising the Guru. Thereafter, slowly the Mahatama returned to his embodiment. When he too joined the celebrations.

    This story is lifted from a mythological article. It conveys. Our relation with our Guru, which is quite different than our relations with others.

    Today is Guru-punima. Therefore a tribute to every Guru.

Posted 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

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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)

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SHORT STORY: THE ART OF SURVIVING

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gurukul helping hands scorpio

    Maharishi Mandalya was a scholar of great repute. He had many pupils in his hermitage. One day, two out of them went out to the close by river, to collect some flowers and fruits. And on the way they saw a scorpion crawling near the banks of the river. The first pupil cautioned the second one, ‘beware of the poisonous scorpion, as Guru ji says, we should keep away from bad people and bad things.’

    In the meanwhile the scorpion slipped and fell into the river and started struggling for life. Upon seeing this, the second pupil picked it up with his own hands, and put it back on the banks. But, while doing so the scorpion stung him and soon he was in deep pain as the poison started spreading.

    The first pupil, on seeing the second one in deep pain got very angry and said, ‘You did not follow the teachings of the Guruji and that is why you are in deep agony now.’ The second pupil reacted, ‘No I have followed his teachings, and he can’t be wrong.’ And that started the vehement discussion between the two, about the teachings of the Guru.

    In spite of the severe pain, the second pupil told the first one. ‘Our Guru, has taught us to help anyone in need, and at any cost, and even if they don’t agree with our sentiments. The way scorpion’s nature is to sting, my nature is to save it from drowning.’

    The first pupil said, ‘But our Guru has also taught us to keep away from bad people and to protect ourselves. But you have violated this rule of the Guru, and that is why you are in deep pain.

    Both stuck to their guns and could not reach a conclusion. Finally, they went to the guru and narrated the whole episode. Maharishi with a smiling face heard both of them, and in a peaceful tone said, ‘Up to a point you both are correct but beyond a point you both are incorrect. You all have not understood my teachings properly, as there is no contradiction in what I’ve said.’

    ‘When I taught you to stay away from bad people and things, what I meant was don’t let yourself get polluted by the evil. And every intelligent person should do this only till he doesn’t develop the inherent capacity to completely remove the evil from the society. When I taught you not to give up your helping nature, the objective behind was to teach you service. You should be like a true doctor, who doesn’t decipher between enmity and friendship and only concentrates on reducing and removing pain.

    In this episode the second pupil got mixed up with both the teachings. It was his duty to save the drowning creature. But he could have used a stick for that. There was no need to use your hand. By using a stick he could have saved that scorpion and also protected himself.

    ‘If the evil is powerful and big, what should one do?’ asked a pupil. The guru replied, ‘your first obligation is to save yourself, because to stay alive is the biggest obligation of life. Later on if it’s possible you can kill the evil with your materialistic and spiritual powers.

    This interesting story tells us how we should help others and while helping others we should also keep in mind that we don’t hurt ourselves. And as our gurus have said, help others by keeping yourself safe.

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Posted 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

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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)

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SHORT STORY: RELATIONSHIP OF TRUTH AND REALITY

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reality truth

    The spiritual Indian city of Kashi is located on the holy banks of river Ganges where an able ruler once ruled. His court was blessed by many renowned scholars who used to have big discussions and debates on ‘truth.’ And in the court, it was inscribed in golden letters, ‘In pursuit of truth.’

    One morning a Yogi came to the court and suggested to the ruler, to change the inscription in gold to, ‘In pursuit of reality’ instead of ‘in pursuit of truth.’ And upon hearing this all the scholars in the court of the ruler were rather startled.

    To convince the ruler he said, ‘Truth is not like reality. Truth is what we believe in, but reality is the state of things as they actually exist.’ And to prove his point he called for some barrels and got it filled with oil, and on a moonlit night he got the barrels placed in an open field where the reflection of moon was very clearly visible in each barrel of oil.

    And then the Yogi said, ‘dear friends when you see the reflection of the moon in these barrels you feel there are so many moons, but when you look up to the sky you come to know of the reality, that there is only one moon.

    In the same manner if we want we can get so many things made out of wood, but we are well abreast of the fact that all these are made of wood and the wood is the same. In the same manner when you’ll empty the barrels you’ll come to know the moons have vanished but the real moon atop remains.

    So also, when the furniture breaks into pieces various furniture items will lose their identity but the identity of wood remains. In the same manner truth might be linked to the environment and times but reality is quite different from all this.

    And that is why our efforts and inscription should be in accordance to the directive, ‘In search of reality.’ And every scholar in the court agreed with the logic of the Yogi and the inscription accordingly was changed to, ‘In search of reality.’

    After sometime another Yogi came and said, ‘Dear friends there may be a difference between truth and reality but truth has its own importance as we see so many moons in barrels filled with oil so we cannot condone the truth, even when we know that the moon is one. In the same manner we cannot overlook the reality and status of various things with various names. In reality you all are either male or female, but you cannot overlook the fact that you have a name too. The ultimate and complete face of truth is the reality and reality is witnessed in various forms of individual truths.

    And that is why my suggestion is to change the inscription to, ‘in pursuit of truth and reality’ to which every scholar gave his approval. But the change of inscription did not last for long as after a while another Yogi came who wanted to change the inscription again. He said, ‘truth cannot become truth unless it is linked to reality.’ He further said, ‘In all the barrels of oil  the reflection  of moon is linked to one such reality that the moon exists, and had the moon not existed its reflection too would not have been there. In the same manner the wooden furniture is linked to its basic raw material—wood. And. you will have to agree that truth in any form is always connected to the reality and you also can reach the substance if you change the inscription to ‘the relation of truth with reality.’

    All scholars had felt the power of real truth in what the yogi had said and therefore the inscription was further changed as per him. But while doing so the ruler felt there is a very thin line between reality and truth, where in life a reality cannot be denied and truth cannot be created without reality. 

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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

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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)

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SHORT STORY: PERSEVERANCE– LORD SHIVA’S APPRECIATION

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By Kamlesh Tripathidevotee lord shiva perseverence

PERSEVERANCE—LORD SHIVA’S APPRECIATON

Once upon a time there was a person who could not understand as to why so many devotees queued up in front of the Shiva temple for darshan of the Shiv-ling. In fact he was extremely intrigued by the simplicity of these devotees, and so he wanted to see for himself, the power that Lord Shiva in his own Shiv-ling.

So, one day he decided, here on, every night, when the temple is closed to the devotees, he would enter it from the back gate with his cane to whack the Shiv-ling at least five times, and see how Lord Shiva retaliates at him in return, as he was doubtful, even of his existence.

And he confided in his wife about his agnostic idea, to take her reaction as she too was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. On hearing this, his wife shuddered, at the very thought. She tried to convince her husband tooth and nail, about the devastating consequences, but failed in doing so.

The person started visiting the temple every night to whack the Shiv-ling. And every day in the morning his wife used to seek pardon in the same temple for him.

After sometime when the person felt even after whacking Lord Shiva’s Shiv-ling every night, nothing was happening and everything was as normal as every day, he would come and tease his wife and say. ‘See you are only worshiping a piece of stone as he has no powers.’

And gradually the person’s dare increased manifold when besides whacking he also started abusing Lord Shiva. But he was extremely regular in doing so.

By now a year had passed, but he had not missed a single day where he did not whack the Shiv-ling. Whether, it was the heat of summers, freezing cold of winters or even torrential monsoon, and even when he was unwell or his wife or children were unwell he made it a point to enter the temple and whack Lord Shiva.

Once, during monsoon, when it had been raining for a couple of days continuously, and the area around the temple was totally flooded, and the temple marooned. One could only swim to the temple, but that also was quite risky as all the snakes and crabs had come out of their holes and were floating along the waters.

But the person was determined as ever to reach the temple. So he took the cane between his teeth and started swimming. And on the way he ducked and even went around certain snakes and insects and finally reached the steps of the temple.

And happy at his effort, he as usual, entered the temple and started whacking and abusing Lord Shiva’s Shiv-ling. And he was enjoying it even more today because of the humungous effort he had put in to reach there.

And then suddenly the person saw he was being blinded by a very bright light and saw some silhouettes emerging that resembled the pictures of Lord Shiva that he had often seen.

And then he could hear a divine voice as if telling him,

‘I’m impressed by your passion and regularity, even when each day, you only came to whack and abuse me. Not one day you missed out, no matter what issues you had at hand. I’m happy and I grant you a vardan, bhakt.’ Resonated, the divine loud voice of Lord Shiva as the silhouettes merged into a gigantic image of the Lord.

The person was astounded when he realised his mistake and fell at the feet of the Lord and started asking for mercy. Lord Shiva granted him mercy and just then the gigantic image of the Lord started receding along with the bright light and soon everything was calm and normal.

The story conveys a message that there is no shortcut for perseverance. Perseverance is so powerful that it even made Lord Shiva appear, even when the person was pursuing a campaign against Lord God Shiva.

This story was told to me by my mother.

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SHORT STORY: JOB OF GOD

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charvaha god at work indian king

    Long time ago there lived a king, who was habitually righteous but extremely arrogant. One day, he called his Prime Minister and said,

    ‘I have a doubt that keeps bothering me. As you know. In this universe everyone has a job to do.  Just like the king, who is supposed to rule. A soldier’s job is to fight, a trader is supposed to trade. A teacher is supposed to teach, a preacher is supposed to preach and even the rest of the citizenry have prescribed jobs to do.

    That is the law of the universe. In the same manner. The person who runs this universe. Also must be having a definite job to do. About, which, I know nothing. So please tell me what is the job of the person who runs the universe. That is the job of God.’

    Prime Minister had no ready answer. To this very tricky query of the king. As no one had ever asked him a question like this. But he tried to deflect the king’s attention by saying.

    ‘Your Majesty! No one has an answer for this very intelligent question. Neither, it is mentioned in any book—as the job of God.’ He then halted for a few moments. But, since, he was an extremely cunning person he thought for an instant and added, ‘Nevertheless, your question is quite valid. As this question came to my mind also and that too several times. But since my job was to advise you to help you run the administration. I didn’t bother to ask. And these are spiritual issues. Where, I  think the Raj-Purohit (Chief-Priest) will be in a better position to give an apt answer.’

    After expressing his views. He strategically left the place immediately. Leaving the entire responsibility of answering the question on the shoulders of the Raj-Purohit.

    When the king posed the same question to Raj-Purohit. He too got bewildered, as no one had ever asked him such a question. Because, no one knew what the exact job of God was. And everyone, only knew to the extent they had read in the books. Even in the books there was no separate information about God’s job responsibility.

    But the King specifically wanted an answer to his question. Raj-Purohit couldn’t have dared to offend the King, so he sought a week’s time.

    King agreed and said, ‘okay, but I need a comprehensive reply to my question.’ Raj-Purohit went home. In the next one week he went to all the libraries in the kingdom and went through all the books that he could lay his hands on. But, no where, he could get a comprehensive answer to this question.

    By the end of the week he was mentally quite exhausted. So he went out of the city and sat under a tree and started thinking. How will he show his face to the King tomorrow, or should he leave the kingdom and flee.

    One shepherd boy who was grazing his sheep nearby. Saw the Raj-Purohit sitting there in a pensive mood and recognised him. He asked, ‘sir, why are you looking so sad?’ Raj-Purohit replied, ‘child you please do your work, as I have some spiritual task to handle.’

    But, when the child assertively asked again. Raj-Purohit narrated his problem. Knowing full well, the boy will not be able to solve his problem. But the child was smart. He said.

    ‘Raj-Purohit ji, if you are troubled only because of this small question. Then please go home and relax. Tell the King, this shepherd boy knows the answer to his question.’

    Upon hearing this. The Raj-Purohit was stunned. Because, even the most renowned scholars of the kingdom didn’t know the answer to this question. He pleaded to the boy to let him know the answer. But the child insisted. He alone, would tell the king. The answer to question.

   This relaxed him a little bit when he left for his home. Next day when he reached the King’s court. The king repeated his question and with great amount of eagerness and waited for the answer. But was flabbergasted to hear. That the answer to his question was available with a shepherd boy. He immediately ordered for the child to be there. The boy arrived at the King’s court in great enthusiasm.

    When, everyone looked at him with a great amount of disgust. And also waited for the valuable words to come out of his mouth. The king asked, ‘O shepherd boy! Do you know the answer to my question. That even the renowned scholars sitting in my court don’t know? So tell me all that you know about the subject?’

    The shepherd boy hesitated for some moments and then said, ‘Your Majesty! Before, I answer your question. I wish. I be given the right kind of seat to sit. Because, as far as this query is concerned. You are the student and I’m the teacher. So, I’ll provide you with that knowledge. In principle the seat of the teacher should be higher than that of the student. But such is not the case here.’

    Upon hearing this, everyone started whispering in an appreciative manner, about the boy. The King also felt some sense is his statement. After a few moments the King vacated his throne and requested the shepherd boy to occupy it After which he eagerly was waiting for the answer, while looking at him.

    But the boy after sitting on the throne went quiet. He started enjoying the great feel, while perched on it. The King got restless and in an arrogant tone he shouted. ‘Hey you child. Will you answer now. What is the job of God?’ The boy looked at the King and peacefully asked, ‘what answer?’ and on hearing this. All those present in the King’s court were stunned. The boy then said, ‘the job of God is to put down the arrogant and lift the humble.’

    This story is one out of the thousand stories of Puran (mythological scriptures). That is still relevant even today. Just as, it was in those days. 

by Kamlesh Tripathi

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We are an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life threatening diseases. If you wish you could contribute for the cause. The bank details are below:

NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION

                                  Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)

                                  IFSC code: BKID0006805

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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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Copyright@shravancharitymission

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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