Nama Article- 25-03-08

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Dear Members,

 

Short story by Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

 

Faith is more powerful than knowledge

 

There was once a pandit who lived on the bank of a

river. So learned was he that other pandits came from

far and near to consult with him. They showered him

with appreciation.

 

On the other side of the bank lived a milkmaid, called

Lakshmi, who sold milk to the pandit. Hers was a busy

day.

 

She woke up early in the morning, bathed her cows,

milked them, then cooked a meal for her old father and

then set out to deliver the milk. She had to cross the

river on a boat.

 

One day the pandit was waiting for her for a long

time. When she finally arrived, the pandit said, Ah,

Lakshmi you have come at last. I was waiting for you

since early morning. From tomorrow I want the milk

before sunrise.

 

The next morning Lakshmi rushed to the riverbank at

the crack of dawn but the boatman did not show up

until late morning. Hurry, hurry, Lakshmi urged the

boatman, knowing that the pandit would be waiting for

the milk.

 

The pandit complained, You are late again, what

happened?

 

The pandit was in a bad mood that day. Don't give me

excuses! He shouted. How dare you disregard my wishes!

Don't you know who I am?

 

Lakshmi began to cry.

 

But the pandit continued to boast, Do you know how

learned I am? You are just a simple milkmaid. I know

so many things. That river is like the river of life.

People safely cross the river of life by invoking the

Divine name of Hari .

 

Lakshmi took the pandit's words very seriously and

happily departed, saying to herself, I wish panditji

had told me this earlier.

 

The next day Lakshmi arrived at the pandit's house

before sunrise. The Pandit was surprised to see her as

he could not see the boatman. How did you cross the

river? he inquired.

 

Lakshmi smiled and said, “You taught me to cross the

river by chanting the name of Hari and I did. “

 

That is impossible! the pandit shouted and ordered her

to cross the river again.

 

Lakshmi crossed the river again without any

difficulty, chanting the name of Hari as she did so.

She stayed completely dry.

 

The pandit tried to do the same chanting the name of

Hari. But as he tried to protect his clothes from

getting wet, he fell into the river. Lakshmi was

astonished. “Oh Panditji,” she said, “You were not

thinking of Hari at all. You were busy thinking about

your dhoti. That is why it did not work.”

 

Panditji marveled at Lakshmi's devotion and accepted

that her faith was more powerful than his empty

learning. He sincerely blessed Lakshmi.

 

 

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

 

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

 

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