Navaratri 6th Day Story

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Jaya Guru Datta,

 

Here is today's saying:

 

“An aged couple were sitting under a banyan tree, engrossed in singing the

glory of the Divine Mother. When they opened their eyes after their

prayers, they saw two devils which descended from the tree and prostrated at

their feet saying, 'We have been freed of a curse because of you.'

Surprised, the couple asked them as to what made them become devils. Then

the devils narrated a strange story as follows:

 

Everyone knows about the greatness of sage Gowtama, the propagator of Shaiva

Vidya, Navaratna pooja and different mudras. His ashram was very

beautiful. Many divine events took place there every day. Annadana and

various Homas used to take place perpetually in Gowtama's ashram. Even the

angels visited His ashram regularly and enjoyed Gowtama's hospitality.

 

Among Gowtama's disciples was a lunatic who always engaged himself in wicked

deeds. He would needlessly disturb anyone engaged in meditation; or he

would disrespect the visitors and guests. All the inmates of the ashram

hated him for his bad behavior. But Gowtama was very fond of him and thus

no one said a word about the lunatic.

 

Once Navaratri was being celebrated in Gowtama's ashram in which even the

angels from heaven paricipated. Among them, Shubashi and Shubha (two

angels) were busy preparing for the day's pooja. All of a sudden, the

lunatic came and sat on the heap of flowers which were kept for the day's

pooja. Overcome by anger, the angels cut off his head. All the inmates of

the ashram felt silently happy. But Gowtama, who could not bear the grief

due to the death of his beloved disciple, ended his life. Sukracharya,

another sage also ended his life, unable to bear the fate of his dear ones.

Now the angels did not know what to do. They immediately prayed the Divine

Mother to do something. The Divine Mother appeared in front of them and

looking at Gowtama's body, said softly-- 'Gowtama, wake up.' Gowtama sat up

as though he had just woken up from sleep and said, 'this lunatic was my

disciple in his previous life also. He is an Avadhoota. He is not bound by

do's and don'ts. He was here only because of his love for me. He always

respected anyone who had genuine respect for me. But some people hated him

becuase they did not know his background.' So saying, hs sprinkled holy

water on His disciple and sage Shukracharya. Both of them came back to

life. The angels who had beheaded Gowtama's disciple became devils.

Gowtama said, 'You will become angels once again when you hear the prayer

that I sang on the sixth day of Navaratri.'

 

The two devils who said that, they got rid of this curse after hearing the

prayers sung by the old couple sitting under the banyan tree, were none

other than the angels who had been cursed by Gowtama.

 

The angels again went to Gowtama, who blessed them and said--'whoever

listens to your story will be freed from the sins accrued due to engaging

themselves in speaking ill of a Guru.'

 

As you have listended to this story, may all of you be blessed by the Divine

Mother."

 

Sri Swamiji,

October 10th, 1994

Sixth Night of Navaratri

Bhakthi Mala, November 1994 pp.13 - 15

 

Sri Guru Datta,

Swamiji Says

 

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