True devotion will surely win

[Guest guest]

Source: Chinna Katha

http://www.saibaba.ws/stories/storiesparables.htm

 

19 - True devotion will surely win

 

Sri Sailam is a great pilgrim center in Andhra Pradesh, and is

famous for its temple of Siva and Parvathi atop a hill. There, Lord

Siva is adored as Mallikarjuna and Goddess Parvathi as Bhramaramba.

There is a legend relating to this sacred shrine and the Divinity

that abides there as Siva and Sakthi.

 

In a hamlet very near Srisailam, there lived a mother and a lad, six

years old. He was called Balaramanna. He was studying in the local

elementary school.

 

Once, on the eve of Sivarathri, all the school boys were returning

home eagerly discussing the festival. One boy said: " My sister and

brother-in-law are coming tonight for Sivarathri. Tomorrow we will

all go to the temple on the hill. " Oh! What fun it is to be with my

sister and brother-in-law " . Another boy said: " My sister and brother-

in-law have already come. They have brought me new dress to wear. We

are all going to the temple tonight itself. " Balaramanna heard this

talk. He wondered whether he too had a sister and brother-in-law. He

ran home and asked his mother: " Mother, do I have a sister? " Where

is she? What is my brother-in-law doing? Why don't they visit us? My

friends are all enjoying themselves in the company of their sisters.

I too would like to be with my sister and brother-in-law. " The

mother knew the child's heart. In order to comfort him and sow the

seeds of faith in him, she said: " My dear child, you too have a

sister and brother-in-law. They are, " Brahmaramba and

Mallikarjuna " . " Is that so? Where are they? I shall go and bring

them home for the festival. Tell me where they are " , said the lad.

The mother sent her son along with her neighbours to the temple on

the hill. She told them to take care of their son and gave them some

money to buy odd little things for him. Balaram said: " Mother,

should I not take something for my sister? " The mother replied: " No,

my son, since you are a child, they will themselves give you a lot

of gifts. "

 

Balaram was taken into the shrine. The neighbours showed him the two

idols, beautifully decorated with flowers and apparel and

said, " Look that is Goddess Brahmaramba, your sister and that is

Lord Mallikarjuna. " Balaram at once ran to the idol of Brahmaramba,

caught hold of her hand and said: " Sister, please come home with me.

Mother has sent me to invite you. " There was no response. He ran

into the other shrine and loudly said: " Brother-in-law, please come

with me along with my sister. I won't leave the place without you. "

The temple priests took him for a mad cap and pushed him out.

Balaram's agony knew no bounds. He was determined to return home

with his sister and brother-in-law. He decided to end his life if

his sister and brother-in-law did not appear before him. He ran and

stood on the top of a peak and cried: " Listen, if you won't come

with me, you my sister and you my brother-in-law, I will jump off

the peak and end my life. " At once, he heard someone

calling: " Brother, wait!, wait! we are coming, we are coming. " Both

Lord Mallikarjuna and Brahmaramba ran towards him and gathered him

into their arms. Balaram said: " You must come with me, mother is

expecting you. " The all compassionate Lord and his consort did

accompany the lad. They granted to them the vision to see them as

Siva and Sakthi.

 

" Whatever you hold once, you have held,

Hold on to it, till you win.

Whatever you have asked, once you have asked,

Ask aloud for it, till you win.

Whatever you wish, once you have wished,

wish deeper for it, till you win.

Whatever you have planned, once you have planned,

Plan firmer for it, till you win.

He must grant to stop your wail.

Wail, weep, pray till you win.

Don't lose heart and turn away

True devotion will surely win. "