CHINNA KATHA FROM BHAGAVAN’S DISCOURSE. No. 1 (With introduction)

[Guest guest]

Dear friends and devotees,

 

Bhakti is eternal.

 

There are many small stories (Chinna Kathalu) which are famous in our Country

from villages to cities since all are meant to promote moral in the society. 

Every one of us has the experience in our childhood from grand mothers and even

in elementary schools.  But to hear the same from Bhagavan we should have His

blessings.   Let us go through the wonderful description of these allegories

by the great scholar Sri. N. Kasturi Garu, the ardent devotee of Bhagavan.

 

Stories and Parables - " Oka Chinna Katha "

 

" Oka Chinna Katha " - When Bhagavan intercepts the speeding current of His

Discourse with these three Telugu words, meanings, " One little story " all ears

are alert, and all hearts are qui vive. For, the story that follows is a flash

that illumines, a shower that cools, a joke that tickles, a " tablet " that

alleviates, a peep into epic grandeur or pompous absurdity, a poetic

parenthesis, an exhilarating prick, a lilt that enlightens, a sugar-coated pill

of profundity, a disarming repartee, a volley of raillery on religious

rigmarole! It may be a tonic tale of the past or the report of a contemporary

comedy; it may be a thrust on theological disputation or a dear little dig at

some egoistic dignitary. The Chinna Katha, if only we ponder over its relevance,

is an effective instrument in Bhagavan's educational process. When He is

discoursing, these parables and stories, ever on the wing, hover in flocks in

the firmament of His Love; He lets a few fly into our

hearts and nestles there, until we fondle and foster them and make them part of

our thought and behaviour patterns. Here is a charming, fragrant bouquet of

these multicoloured kathas, for our delectation, meditation and inspiration.

 

Praying Bhagavan, I will be sending daily one such story under the heading

CHINNA KATHA FROM BHAGAVAN’S DISCOURSE.

 

1 - Your Bhakthi is greater than my Shakthi

 

In South India, in the Tamil country, there was a certain Adigal or Dasa, in a

village, Thangalur by name. He had heard of the spiritual grandeur of Saint

Appar and developed great admiration for him. So he built rest-houses in his

name; named his children after him so that they might grow up in the halo of his

glory; he donated lands and houses, all in the name of the Saint he had not

seen. See how faith preceded experience here. There are others who require

experience before they fix their faith. The first path is more thrilling and

lasting.

 

Well, one day by chance Appar himself walked into Thangalur for he had missed

his way and had to deviate. He noticed everywhere in the town Appar Rest-houses

and Appar Charities, and wondered how his name had preceded him. Then Adigal ran

forward to His Guru and took him home and prepared a grand feast for him. When

his eldest son went to his garden to cut a few plantain leaves for a dinner, a

snake bit him and he died on the spot. Adigal however, was not affected in the

least; he covered up the corpse, heaping dry leaves upon it and proceeded with

the formalities of hospitality for the long-sought Guru. The Guru, however,

insisted on all the children of Adigal sitting around him during the meal, and

he ordered the father, " Go, and call every one here. " Adigal did as he was

commanded. He called and the dead son rose. He too came and sat for dinner with

the rest. When he knew what had happened, Appar said, " Your Bhakthi is greater

than my Shakthi. "

 

Contd. . . .

 

With love and regards,

 

Sastry