Guest guest Posted January 29, 2000 Report Share Posted January 29, 2000 This thread quotes stories from the great Hindu epic, Mahabharata which gives lessons on morality and spirituality: Story: Duty Comes First Once, a sage called Kausika was bent on accumulating merits and powers but neglected his parents. One day, the droppings of a crane fell on him accidentally and unable to control his anger, he stared at the cane and his spiritual powers burnt the crane into ashes. Later he went to a house and the lady of the house was busy attending to her husband. When she entertained Kausika, he stared at her angrily and demanded to know why she kept the sage waiting. She told him, "Wifely duties come first. I was attending to my husband. I am not crane to be burnt up by your stares. Go to Mithila and learn svadharma (fulfilment of personal obligatory duties) from Dharmavyada." The surprised Kausika went to Mithila and was astonished to see the Dharmavyada was a mere butcher. Dharmavyada said, "This is my profession from birth but I don't eat meat. This and tending to my parents are my svadharma. Did the virtuous lady, with whom you got angry, send you to me?" The lady and the butcher were karma yogins (performed svadharma, but dedicated actions and fruits to God) and therefore had spiritual insight and could "see" Kausika's shortcomings to his astonishment. MORAL: 1. Always perform your duties. Don't abandon them. 2. Those who are committed to their duties and dedicate the fruits of action to God, are already advancing spiritually and don't require austerities or other exclusive spiritual efforts. -- Warmest regards, Ruben rubenn _____________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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