THE LORD’S TRICK

[Guest guest]

THE LORD'S TRICK

 

Situated on the banks of the Ganges near holy Rishikesh in the

Himalayas, there was once an ashram that had attracted a fair number

of seekers due to the holiness of its presiding monk. The guru would

take in all seekers who wanted to learn a life of dedication to God;

but such was his love that he often did not discriminate who he

allowed to stay.

 

After some time, he noticed that the ashramites were often

quarrelling and he could hear rude words that left him pained. `Why

are they angry with one another?' the guru asked himself. But he

could not bring himself to throw anyone out - such was his

compassion. One day he saw two inmates fighting over food in the

ashram canteen. The incident left him shocked and he returned to his

hut in a despondent mood.

`What can be wrong with them?' he asked himself. He was racked with

the problem of remedying the situation and elevating their souls. So,

he increased his discourses to them and gave more personal advice on

their sadhana. The inmates' reverence for their guru increased, but

unfortunately this did not translate in better behaviour towards each

other.

The guru, then resolved to practise penance and ask the Lord for

divine help before matters could get any worse. So, he shut himself

away in his hut for a week, maintained silence and took a reduced

diet. After some days of intense prayers and meditation, he was

rewarded with a vision of celestial light. The guru was transfixed in

bliss as the Lord's nectarine voice came through the light:

" My child, my dear child. " The guru could not believe his ears. He

was thrilled to hear the sweet voice. " Is it really you, my Lord? " he

asked filled with ecstasy and disbelief. " Yes, my child, " God said

lovingly. " Tell me, what can I do for you? "

The Guru prostrated to the Divine voice and said, " Dear Lord, be

pleased to come to my ashram. "

" What for? " the Voice asked.

" You know everything, Lord, " the guru humbly submitted. " Yet, I shall

say it. The members of the ashram hate one another; they are jealous

of each other. Lord, if you come and stay with us for a week, they

will be filled with pure and noble thoughts. "

The kind lord replied, " Certainly, I will come, but not for one week,

but for ever. "

The guru's joy knew no bounds. But the Voice continued, " But only on

one condition. "

" What is it, my Lord, " the guru asked eagerly.

" I will come, but not in this form, " the Lord clarified. " I will

always be at the ashram in the guise of one of the inmates. I shall

always be moving in the hearts of one of them; it could be anyone of

them. "

 

With these words, the Light disappeared.

 

The Guru, after recovering from that ethereal experience, opened the

door of his hut and called all the ashramites to assemble. When he

informed them of God's wish to abide in their hearts they rejoiced,

but they were confused too.

" Is this inmate sitting near me God in disguise? " one disciple

thought. " Who could be `God in disguise' person? " Nobody knew and

everybody was left guessing and as a result careful too. For, each

one thought, " How can I fight against anyone here? What if he is one

in whom God is there now? " And thus, a subtle change slowly came over

in each one of them. They began to see God in everyone and took every

opportunity to help the other and be kind and courteous. The whole

atmosphere in the ashram was now totally transformed – only love and

harmony prevailed.

The guru was the happiest man now. The Lord's trick had done wonders.

If we reflect, we can make our family, our society and our earth just

like this ashram – full of peace and harmony – if only we believe and

practise the feeling that each one is just God in a different form.

Our life would become a sweet experience, every moment.

 

Adapted from Nava Sarathi December, 2003

 

 

 

Illustrations: Sai Aditya, SSSU

- Heart2Heart Team

 

 

 

Ram Chugani

Kobe, Japan

rgcjp