How long before we get deliverence from the cycles of birth and death?

[Guest guest]

Here is a story:

 

Once Devarishi Narada decided to go and have Darshan of Bhagwan Vishnu in Vishnu

Loka. On his way Narada met a cobbler sitting under a banyan tree and repairing

shoes etc. The cobbler enquired of Narada as to where was he going? Narada

explained the whole thing and enquired of the cobbler if could do any thing

while he was there. The cobbler asked him to find out, how long will it be

before he gets Moksha? Narada nodded and moved on. A little while later he met a

Pujari (temple priest) doing his deity worship. On seeing Narada he came out

enquired of Narada as to where was he going? Narada explained and asked the

Pujari if he could do any thing while he was in the Vishnu Dhama. The Pujari

made a similar request as was earlier made by the cobbler. Promising the Pujari

to do what he could in the matter, Devarishi Narada continued on his journey to

the Vishnu Loka.

 

On his return journey, Narada first met the Pujari, who enquired as to what the

Lord was doing when he met Bhagwan Vishnu? Narada replied that the Lord was

trying to thread an elephant through the eye of a needle. What nonsense, the

Pujari exclaimed, how can an elephant go through the eye of a needle. In an

answer to his other enquiry, Narada told the Pujari that the Lord had told him

that it will take another 10 life times before he gets deliverance. Upon hearing

this the Pujari was very sad and said that he has been worshipping the Lord all

his life and how come he has to wait for 10 more lives?

 

Next Narada met the cobbler sitting under the same tree, who enquired as to what

the Lord was doing when he met the Lord. Narada replied that the lord was busy

threading an elephant through the eye of a needle. Upon hearing this the cobbler

was very happy and said, "who else could do such a feat other than my Lord". In

answer to his enquiry about the Moksha, Narada said that the Lord had told him

that it will take him as many births as the number of leaves on this tree before

he gets Moksha. Upon hearing this the cobbler was overjoyed and started dancing

and singing ..... "I will get Moksha"....... "I will get Moksha" ....... He was

so much engrossed in the thought of the Lord that he got immediate deliverance.

 

The moral of the story is that the faith and devotion can do wonders, that is

why the proverb, 'faith can move mountains'.

 

Gita says:

 

"Shardhavan Labhate Jnanam" (4.39) i.e. a sincere devotee, full of faith attains

knowledge and having had the revelation of Truth, he immediately attains supreme

peace.

 

"Samshya Atma Vinashyati" (4.40) i.e. a doubting Tom meets with destruction. For

the doubting soul there is neither peace in this world nor the world beyond.

 

Hari Om

radhakutir

 

 

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Know the Lord to be the only real thing in the midst of things unreal. Remember

God.Take His name always. Meditate upon Him. Feel His presence everywhere.

Surrender yourself to Him. He will bless you with peace, bliss, plenty,

prosperity and immortality. ----Swami Sivananda

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