The Kings Daiva Prarthana

[Guest guest]

 

Dear friends and devotees,

 

Bhakti is eternal.

 

The King's Daiva Prarthana

 

Once upon a time Surasena used to rule Mathura. He once got separated from the

rest of his army, when he went to the forest for hunting. At last he reached one

small remote village and it was night. Hence he went to a house for shelter. A

farmer couple used to live in that house and on seeing the King; they gave

atithyam (reception) to him with great affection. May be they were people who

really believed that “Atithi devo bhava”. Even though they did not know who the

King was, they cooked food for him and arranged a very comfortable bed for the

King. Seeing their hospitality, the King felt very happy. The next day while

leaving their place, the King gave his Raja-mudrika to them and said “please do

meet me in case you need something”. The farmer couple did not notice that it

was a Raja-mudrika and kept it safely somewhere.

 

Once after many years, there was a great draught and the life of a farmer became

miserable. Same was the case with the farmer couple. Not knowing what to do,

they remembered the mudrika given by the King and went to him. The guards took

them to the King, who was doing puja at that time. They heard the King saying “O

Bhagavan! Give me wealth, gold, diamonds etc.” Getting Disgust, they left the

place. After his puja, King enquired about the farmer couple and ordered his

guards to bring them back. Not having another way, the couple came back to the

King. The King asked them why they went away without asking for anything. The

couple replied “We came for charity from you, turned back on hearing that you

were doing the same with God”. Knowing the inner meaning in the couple’s words,

the King spent the entire wealth of his treasury for the benefit of the

suffering people and saved them from their difficulties.

 

Do we go to Himalayas and ask for small pebbles? Similarly Bhagavat-Prathana

(prayer to God) must not be done for mere earthly desires.  

The importance of Atithi seva is well shown by the farmer couple. They gave

reception to the King and did whatever services they could, though they did not

know who he was.

 

One must never forget the sukti “Paropakaaraartham idam Sariiram”.

 

With love and regards,

 

Sastry