Upakhyan (Anecdote)
Khalifa Umar spent his whole life in religious service. For religion he also had to take up sword. He had to make an army to fight those who would oppress innocent people. Once he met with an opponent and a sword-fight ensued. Umar overcame the opponent and mounted on his chest. As he drew out his sword to cut off the man's head, he swore on Umar. In a flash, Umar put back his sword and let the man go.
Umar's soldiers were annoyed and asked, "Sir, this man deserved to die. Why did you not kill him?" Khalifa replied, "I took up this fight with a calm mind for justice. When he swore on me, my calm mind was overcome with anger. I realized that before killing him I have to first learn to kill my own anger. Now I feel quiet, so I will fight him again." The opponent was amazed at the great man's nobility. He fell down on his feet and became his disciple.
The inner enemy is indeed mightier than the outer one, so it should be conquered first.
Hrudaysparshi Katha [Story, that touches our heart]
True Yagya is Assuaging Others' Pain
King Vidal was extremely worried. His kingdom was in the spate of a severe famine and the state granary was also now nearly empty. All the stored grain had already been distributed to the needy. The learned men and astrologers in the king's court advised him to organize a grand yagya to appease Lord Indra, the god of rains.
So on an auspicious day a grand yagya was planned. All the high priests were seated on their chairs and the proceedings of yagya were initiated. Suddenly clouds appeared from nowhere and heavy showers began to pour down on the parched earth. Everyone was amazed and the priests began to invoke Lord Indra. When Indra appeared, Vidal asked, "O Lord! No prayers were offered yet and no offerings were made to the sacrificial fires of the yagya. How come you poured down your grace before the yagya was performed?"
"Which yagya are you talking about? The real yagya is already over", replied Indra. "Saint Shargadhar has just offered the final offering. I am appeased now and so have returned the favour."
Shargadhar was an ordinary subject of the kingdom, which yagya could he do without anyone's notice? Everyone was very curious to know what was this amazing yagya. Indra replied, "Shargadhar is no ordinary man. He is a saint as his heart is full of compassion. He could not bear to see the pain and suffering all around him due to famine. So he decided to do some work and get food for others. He first went to Kaumiliya city in the neighbouring kingdom and worked under a rich man a few days back. The rich man was impressed by his conduct and wisdom. On hearing the state of people in his city, the rich man gave Shargadhar one thousand coins. He decided to return home with this money. As he passed through the villages near the border of his homeland, he saw hundreds of hungry people begging for food. His compassion knew no bounds and he distributed all the wealth to them. This was Shargadhar's first offering to me.
"He then returned to the neighbouring state and this time began to work as an assistant to a farmer. The farmer soon got impressed by the his workmanship and hard work. After a few days he gave him lots of food grains and some money. As Shargadhar headed home he saw on the way many poor women with starving children. He bought clothes with money and distributed food grains with clothes to suffering women. This was Shargadhar's second offering to me.
"He went back to the neighbouring state to earn once again. This time he could get work only under a chandal, the caretaker of funeral grounds. He worked for seven days but got only 5 rotis (bread) for his hard work. He was very hungry as he returned home today. On his way he saw a heart rending scene. Six children of a farmer were fighting and hitting each other as they were very hungry and there was just one roti among them. Shargadhar's heart was overcome with grief. He calmed down the children and gave away his five rotis so that all could eat. The children began to eat, with their wet eyes thanking him. Shargadhar attained sainthood with this sacrifice. He made this final offering to me just now and I am returning the favour."
|
