Anec.23&24 of Part I: Myths

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Dear Bhagavatas,

 

With this post, we conclude the series of Anecdotes from our scriptures which

convey morals that are as valid today as they were at the time of these

episodes .

There are many more events that can be cited. We will allide to them on a

later occasion.

 

I invite your valuable comments on the correctness of the facts presented and

the views expressed on Myths in general and the 24 anecdotes in particular.

 

We propose to present in Section 3 of Part I Myths, some topics of interest

before dealing with Part II Miracles.

 

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy

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23. Power of Ekadasi Vrata ( Fasting)- ( Ambarisha )

 

Ambarisha, son of Nabhaka ruled over the entire world. He was a devotee

of Lord Vasudeva (another name for Lord Narayana) . He did several

scarifices including many Aswamedha yagas. He attached very great

importance to the observance of the Ekadasi Vrata (fasting on the 11th

day from the full moon day and the new moon day). Pleased with his

devotion and scrupulous observance of the fast, the Lord gave him a

discus.

 

Once, when he was about to do 'Paranai' (the ritual of breaking

the fast on the subsequent Dwadasi day), Sage Durvasa came. He asked

Ambarisha to wait until he and his retinue returned after taking bath in

the river. Since, Durvasa did not return for a long time and the moment

for the 'Paranai' had arrived, he with the permission of the elders

around sipped a spoonful of the holy water.

 

Durvasa who came late was angry that Ambarisha had taken 'Paranai' without

him. He created a ghost from his matted locks and asked it to torment

Ambarisha. But, the discus presented by Lord Vishnu chased both the ghost and

the Sage. Both

surrendered to Brahma, Rudra and finally to Lord Vishnu. But, Vishnu

said " I am a slave to my devotees. So, I cannot do anything. Rather

surrender to Ambarisha himself and seek his pardon". This Durvasa did

and was relieved.

 

After feeding Durvasa and his retinue, he fasted for one year and then took

'Paranai' again. After handing over his kingdom to his sons, he retired to

forest, performed penance and attainedMoksha.

 

Comment

 

The story brings out the efficacy of observing the Vrata. In Hndu

tradition, observing the Ekadasi Vrata involves complete fasting

throughout the day and night of the 11th day from the new moon day and

the full moon day and keeping awake the whole of that night. The fast

should be broken only early in the morning of the Dwadasi day (12 th

day) by sipping the holy water with the holy basil (Tulasi) leaves and

then partaking of a comparatively heavy lunch. Care should be taken not

to fall asleep during the day time of the Dwadasi day especially after

the heavy meal. Throughout the observance, one is expected to constantly

meditate on the Lord, read and hear stories of God and holy men. Thus,

they say, enormous spiritual merit accrues to the person practicing the

Vrata. How arduous it is can be realized only by going through therigor

of the Vrata.

 

Whether fasting helps the individual in accumulation of spiritual merit

or not, it does seem to serve a mundane benefit. A certain amount of

rest for the digestive system is advised even by modern research to keep

the body functions in fine fettle.

 

Also, it has a social purpose. At least once in a while, the haves are made to

forego food and sleep possibly to bring home to them the plight of the have

-nots who go without food or sleep for days on end. The pangs of hunger and

sleeplessness might induce them to be a little more concerned and

compassionate to their unfortunate peers in society. Maybe, this

consideration might move them to action in charitably feeding the needy

and sheltering the homeless.

 

Even if the Vrata does not per se result in spritual merit, this concern

would result in a satisfaction of having rendered a useful service to

society. The truth, however, is that the Vrata does yield spiritual,

personal and societal benefits and the individual becomes that much

evolved. The efficacy of fasting is acknowledged by all religions

(e.g.Ramadan), is as valid today as in the days of Ambarisha.

 

24.The power of words of wisdom ( Teachings of Dattaatreya)

 

Dattaatreya is an auxilary Avatar.of Lord Narayana. He gave himself to

the Sage Aatreya as his son. Hence, the name. Dattaatreya appeared on

earth to teach mankind certain basic truths through his disciple king,

Yatu Maharaja. In his teachings, he brought out the virtues and vices

that humanity encounters and advised learning lessons from various

elements and other living creatures. Some of his teachings are as

follows:

 

1. One should learn patience and lending succour to the needy - from

earth (prithvi), which gives succour even to those who dig it

 

2. One should learn sense of detachement - from wind (vayu) which blows

but never sticks to anyone particular object

 

3. One should learn to have have a breadth of vision- from ether

(akasa) which is spread out everywhere

 

4. One should learn to preserve one's innate nature ( Swarupa and

Swabhava) - from water (apah) whose nature is to be cool

 

5. One should learn to be a nonentity- from fire ( teyu) which exists

but without any specific form.

 

6. One should learn about the industructibility of the soul - from the

moon (chandra) which waxes and wanes but never gets extinguished.

 

7. One should learn to offer sustenance to others - from the Sun

(surya) which ensures this to all living creatures.

 

8. One should learn being unmoved by vicissitudes in the confidence

that God would provide everything in due course- from the python which

remains in a place unmoved but nevertheless gets its catch anyway.

 

9. One should learn to remain calm - from the center of the Ocean which

remains calm and unperturbed.

 

10. One should learn to be innocent and guileless - from the innocence

of an infant.

 

11. It can be seen that one who falls a prey to even one of the sensual

attractions gets destoyed (e.g)

(i) The moth dies when it reaches the fire attracted by its radiant form

( Rupa)

(ii) the bee dies when it gets trapped in a flower when it is fascinated

by its fragrance ( Gandha)

(iii) The fish dies when it falls for the taste ( Ruchi) of the bait.

(iv) The male elephant gets trapped when it desires to enjoy the touch

(Sparsa) of the female elephant

(v) The deer gets killed by a dart when it stands still entranced by the

sound (Sabda) of music

(vi) The honey bees get destroyed when they hoard honey; hoarding money

is no less dangerous.

 

12. The spider builds its web with its own secretions. So also, God

creates the Universe out of his own self without needing any help from

any external agency.

 

Comment

 

As the teachings are self explanatory, no comments are offered except to

say that these truths are eternally valid.

============================================================

 

 

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