Guest guest Posted June 23, 2006 Report Share Posted June 23, 2006 Dear Beloved Family, A few days ago Maa was at the Temple and She was telling this story. Later as She was going back home, She said, "Why don't you write that story for the club?"....So here it is!!! :-) There is a question after you read the story. It is at the end.... Kashyap Sadhu's story Once upon a time there was a man called Kashyap. He left his home to go to the Himalayas to meditate. For many, many years he did spiritual practices. One day he was in meditation when a bird put a dropping on top of his head – right in the place where there is the sahasra chakra – on top of his head. Kashyap got so angry with the bird! He looked at it angrily and by the power of his tapasya the bird caught fire and burned. He thought, "Oh, what a siddhi (miraculous power) I have! I could burn a bird! This is the fruit of my many years of meditation!" He was very happy and set out to go back to his village. In his village, he met his family and they asked him what was new and he said that he burnt a bird. The family was not impressed. They said "You burnt a bird and now you want us to feed you all your life?" He felt bad and left them. He started going village to village getting biksha (food given by householders to sadhus to support their spiritual practices). One time he was in a bazaar (market) and he was outside a shop of a butcher. The butcher looked at him and said, "Oh, you have come… You, who burnt a bird." Sadhu Kashyap was amazed!!! How did the butcher know this? He thought, "I don't know anything about him, but he knows I burnt a bird. How is that possible?" He questioned the butcher about this. The butcher said, "I learned all this and much more because of my service to my mother. I serve my mother as the Divine Mother and that way I realized God. But I am not your guru. Your Guru is in another village." Then the butcher told Kashyap the name of that village. The sadhu set out to that village and when he reached there he once again went from house to house seeking alms. In one house, he knocked on the door and said, "Mother, please give alms in the name of God." The mother of the house came out and said, "Oh! You who burned the bird have come – please come in and I shall give you food." The sadhu was wonderstruck at how she knew his past. Meanwhile, her husband arrived and she forgot all about the sadhu. She became engrossed in doing seva for her husband. She went inside to serve him and the sadhu thought she had forgotten all about him. He was getting very angry. The lady called out from inside, "Don't get angry, I am not a bird that you can burn! I will come soon." The Sadhu wondered how she knew his past and all his thoughts! What sadhana was she performing to attain such knowledge? Shortly thereafter she came to serve him food, but he was more interested in her spiritual attainment than he was in eating. He eagerly questioned her, "What sadhana have you performed to attain such knowledge?" The lady of the house replied, "I reached God by serving my family as I would serve God. I pay respect to each and every action I perform and serve my husband as I would serve Lord Shiva." People think of spirituality as something different from every day life, when in fact it is the very essence of every day life. Spirituality is showing respect in each and every action. If we respect those around us and treat them and serve them as we would serve God, we are being spiritual and we can reach God. ************** What does it mean when we say "as we would serve God"....How do we do that? i hope you will share your thoughts and insights...Thank you very much! Jai MAA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 23, 2006 Report Share Posted June 23, 2006 > Kashyap Sadhu's story> > ************** > > What does it mean when we say "as we would serve God"....How do we do that? i hope you > will share your thoughts and insights...Thank you very much! Jai MAA! > Love every moment and everyone and everything as oneself and make divine Universe. thank you for perfect story thank you for all blessings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 23, 2006 Report Share Posted June 23, 2006 i guess, it would mean that you would serve everybody and perform each action with much love, awareness and efficiency... n_ramya108 <n_ramya108 > wrote: Dear Beloved Family, A few days ago Maa was at the Temple and She was telling this story. Later as She was going back home, She said, "Why don't you write that story for the club?"...So here it is!!! :-) There is a question after you read the story. It is at the end.... Kashyap Sadhu's story Once upon a time there was a man called Kashyap. He left his home to go to the Himalayas to meditate. For many, many years he did spiritual practices. One day he was in meditation when a bird put a dropping on top of his head – right in the place where there is the sahasra chakra – on top of his head. Kashyap got so angry with the bird! He looked at it angrily and by the power of his tapasya the bird caught fire and burned. He thought, "Oh, what a siddhi (miraculous power) I have! I could burn a bird! This is the fruit of my many years of meditation!" He was very happy and set out to go back to his village. In his village, he met his family and they asked him what was new and he said that he burnt a bird. The family was not impressed. They said "You burnt a bird and now you want us to feed you all your life?" He felt bad and left them. He started going village to village getting biksha (food given by householders to sadhus to support their spiritual practices). One time he was in a bazaar (market) and he was outside a shop of a butcher. The butcher looked at him and said, "Oh, you have come… You, who burnt a bird." Sadhu Kashyap was amazed!!! How did the butcher know this? He thought, "I don't know anything about him, but he knows I burnt a bird. How is that possible?" He questioned the butcher about this. The butcher said, "I learned all this and much more because of my service to my mother. I serve my mother as the Divine Mother and that way I realized God. But I am not your guru. Your Guru is in another village." Then the butcher told Kashyap the name of that village. The sadhu set out to that village and when he reached there he once again went from house to house seeking alms. In one house, he knocked on the door and said, "Mother, please give alms in the name of God." The mother of the house came out and said, "Oh! You who burned the bird have come – please come in and I shall give you food." The sadhu was wonderstruck at how she knew his past. Meanwhile, her husband arrived and she forgot all about the sadhu. She became engrossed in doing seva for her husband. She went inside to serve him and the sadhu thought she had forgotten all about him. He was getting very angry. The lady called out from inside, "Don't get angry, I am not a bird that you can burn! I will come soon." The Sadhu wondered how she knew his past and all his thoughts! What sadhana was she performing to attain such knowledge? Shortly thereafter she came to serve him food, but he was more interested in her spiritual attainment than he was in eating. He eagerly questioned her, "What sadhana have you performed to attain such knowledge?" The lady of the house replied, "I reached God by serving my family as I would serve God. I pay respect to each and every action I perform and serve my husband as I would serve Lord Shiva." People think of spirituality as something different from every day life, when in fact it is the very essence of every day life. Spirituality is showing respect in each and every action. If we respect those around us and treat them and serve them as we would serve God, we are being spiritual and we can reach God. ************** What does it mean when we say "as we would serve God"....How do we do that? i hope you will share your thoughts and insights...Thank you very much! Jai MAA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 23, 2006 Report Share Posted June 23, 2006 this question brings to mind the biblical scripture that says, / And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have *done* it unto one of the *least* of *these* my brethren, ye have *done* it unto me. //Matthew 25:39-41 <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=25&verse=39&end_verse=41&version=9&context=context>/ all is god. there is no place where god is not. so to serve her family each day was to be serving god. it was not relegated to a special day devoted to god. everyday, every act, every moment was lived with the awareness that god is in, through, and as everything. we don't have to go anywhere. her husband was the most immediate manifestation of god/siva and to honor and serve him was to honor and serve god. this woman lived a holy life. > <snipped> > > The lady of the house replied, "I reached God by serving my family as > I would serve God. I > pay respect to each and every action I perform and serve my husband as > I would serve > Lord Shiva." > > People think of spirituality as something different from every day > life, when in fact it is the > very essence of every day life. Spirituality is showing respect in > each and every action. If > we respect those around us and treat them and serve them as we would > serve God, we are > being spiritual and we can reach God. > > ************** > > What does it mean when we say "as we would serve God"....How do we do > that? i hope you > will share your thoughts and insights...Thank you very much! Jai MAA! > -- Be Love, Egyirba -=-=- .... "The cat is nature's beauty." ~ French Proverb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2006 Report Share Posted June 24, 2006 > > What does it mean when we say "as we would serve God"....How do we do that? i hope you will share your thoughts and insights...Thank you very much! Jai MAA! With full attention, with full respect, selflessly expecting nothing, with love, with patience, with an open mind and heart. Jai Maa! , "n_ramya108" <n_ramya108 wrote: > > Dear Beloved Family, > > A few days ago Maa was at the Temple and She was telling this story. Later as She was > going back home, She said, "Why don't you write that story for the club?"...So here it is!!! > :-) There is a question after you read the story. It is at the end.... > > Kashyap Sadhu's story > > Once upon a time there was a man called Kashyap. He left his home to go to the > Himalayas to meditate. For many, many years he did spiritual practices. One day he was > in meditation when a bird put a dropping on top of his head – right in the place where > there is the sahasra chakra – on top of his head. Kashyap got so angry with the bird! He > looked at it angrily and by the power of his tapasya the bird caught fire and burned. He > thought, "Oh, what a siddhi (miraculous power) I have! I could burn a bird! This is the > fruit of my many years of meditation!" He was very happy and set out to go back to his > village. > > In his village, he met his family and they asked him what was new and he said that he > burnt a bird. The family was not impressed. They said "You burnt a bird and now you > want us to feed you all your life?" He felt bad and left them. > > He started going village to village getting biksha (food given by householders to sadhus to > support their spiritual practices). One time he was in a bazaar (market) and he was > outside a shop of a butcher. The butcher looked at him and said, "Oh, you have come… > You, who burnt a bird." > > Sadhu Kashyap was amazed!!! How did the butcher know this? He thought, "I don't know > anything about him, but he knows I burnt a bird. How is that possible?" He questioned > the butcher about this. The butcher said, "I learned all this and much more because of my > service to my mother. I serve my mother as the Divine Mother and that way I realized God. > But I am not your guru. Your Guru is in another village." Then the butcher told Kashyap > the name of that village. > > The sadhu set out to that village and when he reached there he once again went from > house to house seeking alms. In one house, he knocked on the door and said, "Mother, > please give alms in the name of God." The mother of the house came out and said, "Oh! > You who burned the bird have come – please come in and I shall give you food." The > sadhu was wonderstruck at how she knew his past. > > Meanwhile, her husband arrived and she forgot all about the sadhu. She became > engrossed in doing seva for her husband. She went inside to serve him and the sadhu > thought she had forgotten all about him. He was getting very angry. The lady called out > from inside, "Don't get angry, I am not a bird that you can burn! I will come soon." The > Sadhu wondered how she knew his past and all his thoughts! What sadhana was she > performing to attain such knowledge? > > Shortly thereafter she came to serve him food, but he was more interested in her spiritual > attainment than he was in eating. He eagerly questioned her, "What sadhana have you > performed to attain such knowledge?" > > The lady of the house replied, "I reached God by serving my family as I would serve God. I > pay respect to each and every action I perform and serve my husband as I would serve > Lord Shiva." > > People think of spirituality as something different from every day life, when in fact it is the > very essence of every day life. Spirituality is showing respect in each and every action. If > we respect those around us and treat them and serve them as we would serve God, we are > being spiritual and we can reach God. > > ************** > > What does it mean when we say "as we would serve God"....How do we do that? i hope you > will share your thoughts and insights...Thank you very much! Jai MAA! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2006 Report Share Posted June 24, 2006 dear members of the Devi Mandir family my humble pranams to you all this story of Shree Maa i can cordially agree namaste to all Varunah --- Devi's Daughter <devi.daughter > wrote: > this question brings to mind the biblical scripture > that says, > > / And the King shall answer and say unto them, > Verily I say unto you, > Inasmuch as ye have *done* it unto one of the > *least* of *these* my > brethren, ye have *done* it unto me. //Matthew > 25:39-41 > <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=25&verse=39&end_verse=41&version=9&context=context>/ > > all is god. there is no place where god is not. so > to serve her family > each day was to be serving god. it was not relegated > to a special day > devoted to god. everyday, every act, every moment > was lived with the > awareness that god is in, through, and as > everything. we don't have to > go anywhere. her husband was the most immediate > manifestation of > god/siva and to honor and serve him was to honor and > serve god. this > woman lived a holy life. > > > > <snipped> > > > > The lady of the house replied, "I reached God by > serving my family as > > I would serve God. I > > pay respect to each and every action I perform and > serve my husband as > > I would serve > > Lord Shiva." > > > > People think of spirituality as something > different from every day > > life, when in fact it is the > > very essence of every day life. Spirituality is > showing respect in > > each and every action. If > > we respect those around us and treat them and > serve them as we would > > serve God, we are > > being spiritual and we can reach God. > > > > ************** > > > > What does it mean when we say "as we would serve > God"....How do we do > > that? i hope you > > will share your thoughts and insights...Thank you > very much! Jai MAA! > > > > -- > Be Love, > Egyirba > > > > -=-=- > ... "The cat is nature's beauty." ~ French Proverb > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2006 Report Share Posted June 24, 2006 Dear List, I've been wondering if the word "jai" is related to the "ye" ending of Kalikaye, and what the exact meaning of jai is. Any thouights? Saktavira Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2006 Report Share Posted June 24, 2006 I think "as we would serve God" means with respect and one-pointed attention and humility and pure love. Jai Maa, Gauri , "n_ramya108" <n_ramya108 wrote: > > Dear Beloved Family, > > A few days ago Maa was at the Temple and She was telling this story. Later as She was > going back home, She said, "Why don't you write that story for the club?"...So here it is!!! > :-) There is a question after you read the story. It is at the end.... > > Kashyap Sadhu's story > > Once upon a time there was a man called Kashyap. He left his home to go to the > Himalayas to meditate. For many, many years he did spiritual practices. One day he was > in meditation when a bird put a dropping on top of his head – right in the place where > there is the sahasra chakra – on top of his head. Kashyap got so angry with the bird! He > looked at it angrily and by the power of his tapasya the bird caught fire and burned. He > thought, "Oh, what a siddhi (miraculous power) I have! I could burn a bird! This is the > fruit of my many years of meditation!" He was very happy and set out to go back to his > village. > > In his village, he met his family and they asked him what was new and he said that he > burnt a bird. The family was not impressed. They said "You burnt a bird and now you > want us to feed you all your life?" He felt bad and left them. > > He started going village to village getting biksha (food given by householders to sadhus to > support their spiritual practices). One time he was in a bazaar (market) and he was > outside a shop of a butcher. The butcher looked at him and said, "Oh, you have come… > You, who burnt a bird." > > Sadhu Kashyap was amazed!!! How did the butcher know this? He thought, "I don't know > anything about him, but he knows I burnt a bird. How is that possible?" He questioned > the butcher about this. The butcher said, "I learned all this and much more because of my > service to my mother. I serve my mother as the Divine Mother and that way I realized God. > But I am not your guru. Your Guru is in another village." Then the butcher told Kashyap > the name of that village. > > The sadhu set out to that village and when he reached there he once again went from > house to house seeking alms. In one house, he knocked on the door and said, "Mother, > please give alms in the name of God." The mother of the house came out and said, "Oh! > You who burned the bird have come – please come in and I shall give you food." The > sadhu was wonderstruck at how she knew his past. > > Meanwhile, her husband arrived and she forgot all about the sadhu. She became > engrossed in doing seva for her husband. She went inside to serve him and the sadhu > thought she had forgotten all about him. He was getting very angry. The lady called out > from inside, "Don't get angry, I am not a bird that you can burn! I will come soon." The > Sadhu wondered how she knew his past and all his thoughts! What sadhana was she > performing to attain such knowledge? > > Shortly thereafter she came to serve him food, but he was more interested in her spiritual > attainment than he was in eating. He eagerly questioned her, "What sadhana have you > performed to attain such knowledge?" > > The lady of the house replied, "I reached God by serving my family as I would serve God. I > pay respect to each and every action I perform and serve my husband as I would serve > Lord Shiva." > > People think of spirituality as something different from every day life, when in fact it is the > very essence of every day life. Spirituality is showing respect in each and every action. If > we respect those around us and treat them and serve them as we would serve God, we are > being spiritual and we can reach God. > > ************** > > What does it mean when we say "as we would serve God"....How do we do that? i hope you > will share your thoughts and insights...Thank you very much! Jai MAA! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2006 Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 People think of spirituality as something different from every day life, when in fact it is the very essence of every day life. Spirituality is showing respect in each and every action. If we respect those around us and treat them and serve them as we would serve God, we are being spiritual and we can reach God. What does it mean when we say "as we would serve God"....How do we do that? When I read the story Maa told I had to dive deeply into myself as I felt that I was missing something. (Before I continue I think this story is from the Upanishads if I am wrong in that assumtion and you are aware of it please let me know). Then I asked myself the question is spirituality only about morality or ethical behaviour? Beacause if you see the story in that light then all that housewife and butcher acheived was good karma from ethical behaviour which led to them acquiring powers due to their purity of thought of course they proved it it can also be done in the setting of regular life. And when life comes to an end they would go to a beautiful heaven to reap their rewards. But if thats the only point then its a weak one because its like telling someone you can become a doctor by taking care of your family and simultaneously studying, it can be done but we all know that it is more easier just concentrating on becoming doctor without other distractions and you will always come back to serve after your attainment - before you think on this let me tell you that the monk who burnt the bird - that act was born out of years of practice in concentrating his mind he was capable of experiencing great bliss in meditation due to that training and also only if he had an efficeint mind can he have attained such a siddhi. Its all good but to me Upanishads are not only about ethical behaviour because that is the purview of the the other parts of the vedas. Its about knowing ourselves in all its glory and starkness. Will thinking that your husband is Shiva and your mother is the Divine Mother help you attain the high ideals of the Upanshids - give me a break don't we have enough problems caused by religion due to improper understanding - eg. all those abused disciples who thought their masters were God. But you will say that it is your desire which counts and nature will lead you to the answers eventually - come on then what about effeciency in action - I know eventually one day everyone will become God. How about thinking everyone is God? It is has the same problems - but it is a good goal to work towards but unless you feel it from deep within you as a result of a profound understanding it best to humble about it. What does it mean when we say "as we would serve God"....How do we do that? Keep your focus on finding the Truth and have the guts to go were it takes you. Try not to be a burden on society as you seek the Truth. As your understanding evovles your service to others will evovle. Keep visting masters - everything in life is so much easier with help from those who have the experience. How did I understand the story - When the monk burned the bird it should his capacity to burn or eradicte his thoughts (he was avoiding life). When he went back to soceity he was in a way incapable being a part of it because for him thoughts or thought forms were irrelavant or to be avoided. The butcher, who saw everything as the part of the divine and was in service of Her showed him the defect in his understanding of avoiding life. He is then sent him to the housewife for further clarification. When he met the housewife, who was no different from her beloved, he understood that he could not destroy Her because She was not thought or a thought form but Shiva herself. He finally understood... The modern equvalent of this might be the episode in Sri Ramakrishna's life where he helped Tothapuri his vedanta master understand the significance of Divine Mother. Jai Sri Ramakrishna! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2006 Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 Om Namah Shivaya! When we serve God, we understand that God is totally benevolent and so consider our prayers. Do we think about the beneficiary of the work we are doing as pure in heart? We may be abusing that person which should not be the way. The butcher and the chaste lady had no bad feeling on those persons whom they served. Mahadevan venkitaraman --- n_ramya108 <n_ramya108 > wrote: > Dear Beloved Family, > > A few days ago Maa was at the Temple and She was > telling this story. Later as She was > going back home, She said, "Why don't you write that > story for the club?"...So here it is!!! > :-) There is a question after you read the story. > It is at the end.... > > Kashyap Sadhu's story > > Once upon a time there was a man called Kashyap. He > left his home to go to the > Himalayas to meditate. For many, many years he did > spiritual practices. One day he was > in meditation when a bird put a dropping on top of > his head – right in the place where > there is the sahasra chakra – on top of his head. > Kashyap got so angry with the bird! He > looked at it angrily and by the power of his tapasya > the bird caught fire and burned. He > thought, "Oh, what a siddhi (miraculous power) I > have! I could burn a bird! This is the > fruit of my many years of meditation!" He was very > happy and set out to go back to his > village. > > In his village, he met his family and they asked him > what was new and he said that he > burnt a bird. The family was not impressed. They > said "You burnt a bird and now you > want us to feed you all your life?" He felt bad > and left them. > > He started going village to village getting biksha > (food given by householders to sadhus to > support their spiritual practices). One time he was > in a bazaar (market) and he was > outside a shop of a butcher. The butcher looked at > him and said, "Oh, you have come… > You, who burnt a bird." > > Sadhu Kashyap was amazed!!! How did the butcher know > this? He thought, "I don't know > anything about him, but he knows I burnt a bird. > How is that possible?" He questioned > the butcher about this. The butcher said, "I > learned all this and much more because of my > service to my mother. I serve my mother as the > Divine Mother and that way I realized God. > But I am not your guru. Your Guru is in another > village." Then the butcher told Kashyap > the name of that village. > > The sadhu set out to that village and when he > reached there he once again went from > house to house seeking alms. In one house, he > knocked on the door and said, "Mother, > please give alms in the name of God." The mother of > the house came out and said, "Oh! > You who burned the bird have come – please come in > and I shall give you food." The > sadhu was wonderstruck at how she knew his past. > > Meanwhile, her husband arrived and she forgot all > about the sadhu. She became > engrossed in doing seva for her husband. She went > inside to serve him and the sadhu > thought she had forgotten all about him. He was > getting very angry. The lady called out > from inside, "Don't get angry, I am not a bird that > you can burn! I will come soon." The > Sadhu wondered how she knew his past and all his > thoughts! What sadhana was she > performing to attain such knowledge? > > Shortly thereafter she came to serve him food, but > he was more interested in her spiritual > attainment than he was in eating. He eagerly > questioned her, "What sadhana have you > performed to attain such knowledge?" > > The lady of the house replied, "I reached God by > serving my family as I would serve God. I > pay respect to each and every action I perform and > serve my husband as I would serve > Lord Shiva." > > People think of spirituality as something different > from every day life, when in fact it is the > very essence of every day life. Spirituality is > showing respect in each and every action. If > we respect those around us and treat them and serve > them as we would serve God, we are > being spiritual and we can reach God. > > ************** > > What does it mean when we say "as we would serve > God"....How do we do that? i hope you > will share your thoughts and insights...Thank you > very much! Jai MAA! > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 26, 2006 Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 > > What does it mean when we say "as we would serve > > God"....How do we do that? i hope you > > will share your thoughts and insights...Thank you > > very much! Jai MAA! Dear Friends, Namaste. "As we would serve God" is just like "as I would do a puja". As I would get the ingredients ready, welcome my beloved deity, light the lamp and incense, offer water for washing the feet, and then a bath, and then bathe with the five nectars, and then offer clothes, and food, and flowers .... and the extent that we would go to pamper and nourish and cherish our Ishta Deva. It is about a happiness, a joy , and as Swamiji says, a PRIVILEGE to participate in an activity , to DO something, to jump at a chance to demonstrate our love for our beloved. That, is what "as we would serve God" means to me. Jai Maa Nanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 26, 2006 Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 Dear all, in addition to what others have said, to me an important aspect of how to serve God is to ask God how He/She would want to be served because in many situations I really don't know. I try to stay close, ask, listen en do the best I can: I know nothing of mantras, I do not perform good conduct, I have no devotion, Oh Supreme Goddess. But Oh my God, please accept the worship that I offer. with love, Henny > Dear Beloved Family, > > A few days ago Maa was at the Temple and She was telling this story. Later as She was > going back home, She said, "Why don't you write that story for the club?"...So here it is!!! > :-) There is a question after you read the story. It is at the end. .... > > Kashyap Sadhu's story > > Once upon a time there was a man called Kashyap. He left his home to go to the > Himalayas to meditate. For many, many years he did spiritual practices. One day he was > in meditation when a bird put a dropping on top of his head – right in the place where > there is the sahasra chakra – on top of his head. Kashyap got so angry with the bird! He > looked at it angrily and by the power of his tapasya the bird caught fire and burned. He > thought, "Oh, what a siddhi (miraculous power) I have! I could burn a bird! This is the > fruit of my many years of meditation!" He was very happy and set out to go back to his > village. > > In his village, he met his family and they asked him what was new and he said that he > burnt a bird. The family was not impressed. They said "You burnt a bird and now you > want us to feed you all your life?" He felt bad and left them. > > He started going village to village getting biksha (food given by householders to sadhus to > support their spiritual practices). One time he was in a bazaar (market) and he was > outside a shop of a butcher. The butcher looked at him and said, "Oh, you have come… > You, who burnt a bird." > > Sadhu Kashyap was amazed!!! How did the butcher know this? He thought, "I don't know > anything about him, but he knows I burnt a bird. How is that possible?" He questioned > the butcher about this. The butcher said, "I learned all this and much more because of my > service to my mother. I serve my mother as the Divine Mother and that way I realized God. > But I am not your guru. Your Guru is in another village." Then the butcher told Kashyap > the name of that village. > > The sadhu set out to that village and when he reached there he once again went from > house to house seeking alms. In one house, he knocked on the door and said, "Mother, > please give alms in the name of God." The mother of the house came out and said, "Oh! > You who burned the bird have come – please come in and I shall give you food." The > sadhu was wonderstruck at how she knew his past. > > Meanwhile, her husband arrived and she forgot all about the sadhu. She became > engrossed in doing seva for her husband. She went inside to serve him and the sadhu > thought she had forgotten all about him. He was getting very angry. The lady called out > from inside, "Don't get angry, I am not a bird that you can burn! I will come soon." The > Sadhu wondered how she knew his past and all his thoughts! What sadhana was she > performing to attain such knowledge? > > Shortly thereafter she came to serve him food, but he was more interested in her spiritual > attainment than he was in eating. He eagerly questioned her, "What sadhana have you > performed to attain such knowledge?" > > The lady of the house replied, "I reached God by serving my family as I would serve God. I > pay respect to each and every action I perform and serve my husband as I would serve > Lord Shiva." > > People think of spirituality as something different from every day life, when in fact it is the > very essence of every day life. Spirituality is showing respect in each and every action. If > we respect those around us and treat them and serve them as we would serve God, we are > being spiritual and we can reach God. > > ************** > > What does it mean when we say "as we would serve God"....How do we do that? i hope you > will share your thoughts and insights...Thank you very much! Jai MAA! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 26, 2006 Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 Dear devotees, To the best of my knowledge this story is from Srimad Bhagwat, where it is narrated with slight variation. In both cases, butcher and housewife performed their duties considering that they are serving God himself. And with their selfless service of God in the form of parents (in case of butcher) and her husband (in case of housewife) without desiring a return, they achieved their life's fullfilment. It also illustrates that God can be achieved while living in the world and doing whatever work one is allotted to do. For, after all, it is the attitude and concentration of the mind which determines the effectiveness of the action and its result. Love for the sake of love and service for the sake of service, without any desire for return is true love and true service. It reminds me of an incident in Sri Ramakrishna's life. An old widow told him that she is not able to concentrate in her prayers and fix her mind on her Ishta, He asked her, what is that distracted her mind. To which she replied she loved her baby nephew and his thoughts distract her. He then advised her to serve the child considering him as child Krishna. She followed the advice and achieved considerable spiritual progress in a short time! Chetan Chetan Merani gets better. Check out the new email design. Plus there’s much more to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 27, 2006 Report Share Posted June 27, 2006 Thank you for the information on the story and your clear insights into it. Jai Sri Ramakrishna! , Chetan Merani <cvmerani wrote: > > Dear devotees, > To the best of my knowledge this story is from Srimad Bhagwat, where it is narrated with slight variation. In both cases, butcher and housewife performed their duties considering that they are serving God himself. And with their selfless service of God in the form of parents (in case of butcher) and her husband (in case of housewife) without desiring a return, they achieved their life's fullfilment. It also illustrates that God can be achieved while living in the world and doing whatever work one is allotted to do. For, after all, it is the attitude and concentration of the mind which determines the effectiveness of the action and its result. Love for the sake of love and service for the sake of service, without any desire for return is true love and true service. > It reminds me of an incident in Sri Ramakrishna's life. An old widow told him that she is not able to concentrate in her prayers and fix her mind on her Ishta, He asked her, what is that distracted her mind. To which she replied she loved her baby nephew and his thoughts distract her. He then advised her to serve the child considering him as child Krishna. She followed the advice and achieved considerable spiritual progress in a short time! > Chetan > > > Chetan Merani > > > > gets better. Check out the new email design. Plus there's much more to come. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2006 Report Share Posted June 28, 2006 Thank you Henny. I think this is an important addition.Thank you for sharing this sensitive perspective. Jai Maa. , "henny_v_i" <henny_v_i wrote: > > Dear all, > > in addition to what others have said, to me an important aspect of how > to serve God is to ask God how He/She would want to be served because > in many situations I really don't know. I try to stay close, ask, > listen en do the best I can: > > I know nothing of mantras, I do not perform good conduct, I have no > devotion, Oh Supreme Goddess. But Oh my God, please accept the worship > that I offer. > > > with love, > Henny > > > > > Dear Beloved Family, > > > > A few days ago Maa was at the Temple and She was telling this story. > Later as She was > > going back home, She said, "Why don't you write that story for the > club?"...So here it is!!! > > :-) There is a question after you read the story. It is at the end. > ... > > > > Kashyap Sadhu's story > > > > Once upon a time there was a man called Kashyap. He left his home > to go to the > > Himalayas to meditate. For many, many years he did spiritual > practices. One day he was > > in meditation when a bird put a dropping on top of his head – right > in the place where > > there is the sahasra chakra – on top of his head. Kashyap got so > angry with the bird! He > > looked at it angrily and by the power of his tapasya the bird caught > fire and burned. He > > thought, "Oh, what a siddhi (miraculous power) I have! I could burn > a bird! This is the > > fruit of my many years of meditation!" He was very happy and set > out to go back to his > > village. > > > > In his village, he met his family and they asked him what was new > and he said that he > > burnt a bird. The family was not impressed. They said "You burnt a > bird and now you > > want us to feed you all your life?" He felt bad and left them. > > > > He started going village to village getting biksha (food given by > householders to sadhus to > > support their spiritual practices). One time he was in a bazaar > (market) and he was > > outside a shop of a butcher. The butcher looked at him and said, > "Oh, you have come… > > You, who burnt a bird." > > > > Sadhu Kashyap was amazed!!! How did the butcher know this? He > thought, "I don't know > > anything about him, but he knows I burnt a bird. How is that > possible?" He questioned > > the butcher about this. The butcher said, "I learned all this and > much more because of my > > service to my mother. I serve my mother as the Divine Mother and > that way I realized God. > > But I am not your guru. Your Guru is in another village." Then the > butcher told Kashyap > > the name of that village. > > > > The sadhu set out to that village and when he reached there he once > again went from > > house to house seeking alms. In one house, he knocked on the door > and said, "Mother, > > please give alms in the name of God." The mother of the house came > out and said, "Oh! > > You who burned the bird have come – please come in and I shall give > you food." The > > sadhu was wonderstruck at how she knew his past. > > > > Meanwhile, her husband arrived and she forgot all about the sadhu. > She became > > engrossed in doing seva for her husband. She went inside to serve > him and the sadhu > > thought she had forgotten all about him. He was getting very angry. > The lady called out > > from inside, "Don't get angry, I am not a bird that you can burn! I > will come soon." The > > Sadhu wondered how she knew his past and all his thoughts! What > sadhana was she > > performing to attain such knowledge? > > > > Shortly thereafter she came to serve him food, but he was more > interested in her spiritual > > attainment than he was in eating. He eagerly questioned her, "What > sadhana have you > > performed to attain such knowledge?" > > > > The lady of the house replied, "I reached God by serving my family > as I would serve God. I > > pay respect to each and every action I perform and serve my husband > as I would serve > > Lord Shiva." > > > > People think of spirituality as something different from every day > life, when in fact it is the > > very essence of every day life. Spirituality is showing respect in > each and every action. If > > we respect those around us and treat them and serve them as we would > serve God, we are > > being spiritual and we can reach God. > > > > ************** > > > > What does it mean when we say "as we would serve God"....How do we > do that? i hope you > > will share your thoughts and insights...Thank you very much! Jai > MAA! > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2006 Report Share Posted June 28, 2006 Every twist of this story has a lesson in it, what amazed me is that She let the Sadhu wait while she attended to her husband, whom she served like God. In ancient India taking care of a hungry Sadhu would be a top worldly responsibility,but this lady was wise and knew her priorities. In today's context how many times I put puja aside for all my other responsibilities and priorities. The never ending list of chores, no wonder I am never done. Ruchi , "Sadhu Maa" <sadumaa wrote: > > Thank you Henny. I think this is an important addition.Thank you for > sharing this sensitive perspective. Jai Maa. > > , "henny_v_i" <henny_v_i@> wrote: > > > > Dear all, > > > > in addition to what others have said, to me an important aspect of how > > to serve God is to ask God how He/She would want to be served because > > in many situations I really don't know. I try to stay close, ask, > > listen en do the best I can: > > > > I know nothing of mantras, I do not perform good conduct, I have no > > devotion, Oh Supreme Goddess. But Oh my God, please accept the worship > > that I offer. > > > > > > with love, > > Henny > > > > > > > > > Dear Beloved Family, > > > > > > A few days ago Maa was at the Temple and She was telling this story. > > Later as She was > > > going back home, She said, "Why don't you write that story for the > > club?"...So here it is!!! > > > :-) There is a question after you read the story. It is at the end. > > ... > > > > > > Kashyap Sadhu's story > > > > > > Once upon a time there was a man called Kashyap. He left his home > > to go to the > > > Himalayas to meditate. For many, many years he did spiritual > > practices. One day he was > > > in meditation when a bird put a dropping on top of his head – right > > in the place where > > > there is the sahasra chakra – on top of his head. Kashyap got so > > angry with the bird! He > > > looked at it angrily and by the power of his tapasya the bird caught > > fire and burned. He > > > thought, "Oh, what a siddhi (miraculous power) I have! I could burn > > a bird! This is the > > > fruit of my many years of meditation!" He was very happy and set > > out to go back to his > > > village. > > > > > > In his village, he met his family and they asked him what was new > > and he said that he > > > burnt a bird. The family was not impressed. They said "You burnt a > > bird and now you > > > want us to feed you all your life?" He felt bad and left them. > > > > > > He started going village to village getting biksha (food given by > > householders to sadhus to > > > support their spiritual practices). One time he was in a bazaar > > (market) and he was > > > outside a shop of a butcher. The butcher looked at him and said, > > "Oh, you have come… > > > You, who burnt a bird." > > > > > > Sadhu Kashyap was amazed!!! How did the butcher know this? He > > thought, "I don't know > > > anything about him, but he knows I burnt a bird. How is that > > possible?" He questioned > > > the butcher about this. The butcher said, "I learned all this and > > much more because of my > > > service to my mother. I serve my mother as the Divine Mother and > > that way I realized God. > > > But I am not your guru. Your Guru is in another village." Then the > > butcher told Kashyap > > > the name of that village. > > > > > > The sadhu set out to that village and when he reached there he once > > again went from > > > house to house seeking alms. In one house, he knocked on the door > > and said, "Mother, > > > please give alms in the name of God." The mother of the house came > > out and said, "Oh! > > > You who burned the bird have come – please come in and I shall give > > you food." The > > > sadhu was wonderstruck at how she knew his past. > > > > > > Meanwhile, her husband arrived and she forgot all about the sadhu. > > She became > > > engrossed in doing seva for her husband. She went inside to serve > > him and the sadhu > > > thought she had forgotten all about him. He was getting very angry. > > The lady called out > > > from inside, "Don't get angry, I am not a bird that you can burn! I > > will come soon." The > > > Sadhu wondered how she knew his past and all his thoughts! What > > sadhana was she > > > performing to attain such knowledge? > > > > > > Shortly thereafter she came to serve him food, but he was more > > interested in her spiritual > > > attainment than he was in eating. He eagerly questioned her, "What > > sadhana have you > > > performed to attain such knowledge?" > > > > > > The lady of the house replied, "I reached God by serving my family > > as I would serve God. I > > > pay respect to each and every action I perform and serve my husband > > as I would serve > > > Lord Shiva." > > > > > > People think of spirituality as something different from every day > > life, when in fact it is the > > > very essence of every day life. Spirituality is showing respect in > > each and every action. If > > > we respect those around us and treat them and serve them as we would > > serve God, we are > > > being spiritual and we can reach God. > > > > > > ************** > > > > > > What does it mean when we say "as we would serve God"....How do we > > do that? i hope you > > > will share your thoughts and insights...Thank you very much! Jai > > MAA! > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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