Parables of Sri Swami Sivananda

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in TBP,

 

Love and Love alone...

 

Here is a Chinna Katha and the corresponding explanation by Swami

Sri Sivananda. Enjoy, reflect and relate. Love and Love alone...

 

P. Gopi Krishna

 

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Parable Of The Man Who Washed Mud With Mud

 

A young man had heard it said: " Ushnam Ushnena Shamyati. " One day he

was walking along the road, when he found he had to cross a muddy

canal. On reaching the other side of the canal, he found that his

feet were covered with mud up to the knee. He at once began to apply

more mud, up to the waist. A wise man passing by asked the young man

what he was doing. He replied: " I am trying to remove the mud. " " But

you are adding to it! " " That is in accordance with the rule that

like cures like. " " O fool, " said the wise man, " that rule does not

apply to this. By adding dirt to dirt, you will only become more

dirty. Remove the mud by washing it with water and soap. " The young

man did so, and was clean.

 

Similarly, the Jiva which is thrown into this pool of mud, called

Samsara, revels in it and adds more mud to it by performing all

kinds of Kamya Karmas (actions with desire). It is led to believe

that through such actions it will reap a rich harvest of happiness.

But, as a matter of fact, the result is just the reverse. The Jiva

is bound more and more strongly to the wheel of birth and death by

these chords of Avidya, Kama and Karma. The Guru comes and

enlightens the Jiva. He says: " O man, this is not the way to attain

eternal bliss or salvation. Wash the dirt of Karma that has given

you this birth here, with the water of Bhakti to God, and with the

soap of desirelessness. Spiritualise all your actions. Then will the

dirt that has covered your soul be washed away and you will shine in

your pristine glory. " The disciple thereupon practices Bhakti and

Nishkama-Seva, and is finally liberated.

Posted by " gopi krishna " <gopi