Marmik Kathayen (Stories that touch our hearts):

                                               Disobedient Samaritan

Here is another old story this week, that of one of the greatest Indian saints Ramanujacharya of Srirangam. While his scholarly accomplishments and devotion to God are very well known, this story brings out another very important attribute of a truly spiritual being: unbounded love for humanity and willingness to accept personal sufferings to benefit others.

Ramanuja was initiated into sannyasa by saint Yatiraj of Srirangam. The guru initiated the disciple with the eight letter Narayan mantra and said that this mantra is very pious and devoted chanting of this mantra can lead an ascetic to salvation. While bidding him farewell he told Ramanuja, "Dear child, never chant aloud the mantra I gave you. Whoever hears this mantra would be purified whether he is a pious man or a sinner. But this mantra has to be given to a deserving individual only."

Ramanuja returned to his hut. But to his dismay his mind was even more upset and disturbed than any previous days. An intense struggle was ensuing within him. He was thinking that the whole world is steeped into sin. While in God's creation there is no place for evil, humanity is suffering only because of its sinful deeds. The Narayan mantra that his guru had given him was a potent means of uplifting humanity from the quicksand of sin and thereby from its suffering.

But his Guru's words came back to him that only a deserving person can be initiated into this mantra. He was distressed. Why was he told not to chant the mantra aloud? A sannyasi's whole life is devoted to benefit and uplift others. Why has the mantra, in which lies benefit of all, been bound in this vow of secrecy. If he  followed the strict regulations imposed by his guru he would fail in his duty to save the world from sin and cause a grave loss to humanity. If he gives the mantra to all he would commit a sin of disobeying his guru. Two thirds of the night was past without sleep in this great confusion of mind.

At the stroke of dawn Ramanuja jumped from his bed and climbed up the roof of his hut and began to shout, "Om Namo Narayanay!", the sacred mantra. People woke up in confusion and he continued shouting the mantra and explaining, "Dear all, chant this mantra, it will take you away from your sins and then from all your sufferings".

When Yatiraj heard about this he sent for Ramanuja. The disciple appeared in front of the guru like a guilty person. His eyes were swollen due to lack of sleep. His guru berated him, "How dare you disobey me. I had told you very clearly that no undeserving person should hear this pious mantra?"

Ramanuja spoke humbly, "I know I have committed a grave sin by disobeying you. But I cannot bear to see this beautiful world created by God suffering so much. This mantra can bring salvation and peace to the whole world. I am ready to bear all consequences and pain for my misdemeanour, but at least this world would have happiness."

Yatiraj was filled with pride to have such a disciple. He got up and embraced Ramanuja and said, "Dear child, you would surely bring light to this whole world one day."

Upakhyan (Anecdote):

A king had four ministers. Three of them were sycophants but the fourth one was farsighted and frank.

When the king died the first minister built an expensive monument in his memory. The second one got precious stones engraved in the monument. The third one got golden lamps lighted in it. Everyone appreciated their devotion and sincerity towards the deceased king.

The fourth minister got a dense garden planted around the monument.

In the course of time the amount spent by all the three ministers got wasted. Thieves and dacoits stole all the valuable decorations of the monument. The garden of the fourth minister kept giving fruits. Families of gardeners lived on them. The travellers got shade to rest in the garden and heartily blessed the person who got it planted and nurtured.

SADVICHAR (Thought of the week):

The only worthwhile precept is one that is practiced.

SAMPARK (Contacts):
Yug Shakti Gayatri Kendra

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Prakash Nagar, Bangalore 560021
Phone: 91-80-23526694
Mobile: 9844503818 / 9880679755

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