Effort & Grace

[Guest guest]

Here is a beautiful story which Bhagavan liked

 

There were two birds who lived by the ocean. They laid their eggs in the

sands and had gone to gather food. On their return, they were heart-broken

to find that the waves had washed away their eggs. Losing no time in

lamenting the loss or cursing the waves, the pair commenced to empty the

ocean drop by drop. They cared neither for food nor rest. A celestial being

passed by and was intrigued to see the tireless efforts of the birds. He

asked them what they were upto. When the birds answered, the celestial being

enquired if it was not an impossible task. The pair confidently replied.

"No. What doubt is there? Let it take years but empty the ocean we will "

The celestial being, moved by their extraordinary faith, put his hands in to

the ocean and returned the precious eggs to the birds.

 

Making the effort to see God is akin to the bird attempting to empty the

ocean! Yet when our faith is unshakable, like that of the birds, then the '

sadguru' who is God himself grants us our heart's desire. This is the key,

which opens the gates to unalloyed happiness

 

( Mountain Path - Jayanthi issue 1991)