CHINNA KATHA FROM BHAGAVAN’S DISCOURSE. No. 9

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9 - I don't belong to any place

 

 

 

One day in the sacred shrine of lord Viswanath at Kasi, all the devotees

and temple priests were immersed in singing hymns and reciting chants.

All of a sudden, they heard a metallic sound. When they turned their

heads in that direction they saw a shining gold plate on the floor of

the shrine. It must have fallen through an open space in the center of

the hall from the sky leading to the sanctum sanctorum. All of them

gathered round with wonder, while the chief temple priest went close to

examine it. He found some letters inscribed on it. " This belongs to my

dear devotee " . The priest read the inscription loudly. All the temple

priests vied with one another to snatch the plate with the feeling, " Who

could be a greater devotee than myself. I spend my time, talent and

strength only to offer worship to the Lord Viswanath. " But the plate

changed into an earthen one the moment they touched it one after

another. News spread like wild fire about the golden plate. Several

scholars, singers, poets and preachers came and tried their luck but in

vain. Days, weeks and months rolled on but the plate remained there

without a claimant.

 

 

 

One day, a stranger came to the temple. He stood at the entrance and

tears gathered in his eyes when he saw beggars, blind, dumb and lame

piteously pleading for alms. He felt ashamed of his inability to relieve

them of their hunger and agony. He wanted to pray to the Lord and so

stepped into the temple. He saw people gathered round and discussing

something. He tried to squeeze himself into the crowd to find out why

they were standing there. He saw a golden plate in the center of that

enclosure. He enquired and was told about the episode of the golden

plate. He was rather surprised and sad at the attitude of the people and

the priests. Instead of praying to the Lord of the Universe and trying

to possess Him, they were eager to possess the golden plate. Observing

his non-covetous attitude, the high priest requested him to try his

hand. The stranger replied: " Oh Revered one! I do not care for either

gold or silver, what I long for is God's Grace. " The priest's esteem for

that man increased. So he once again pressed him, " At least to satisfy

us, please try your hand. " The stranger touched the plate without a

trace of attachment. Lo! It shone forth with redoubled effulgence. All

the priests gathered round and queried: " Sir, where do you come from?

What are your qualifications? What are the branches of learning you have

mastered? How many years did you do penance? " The stranger replied

calmly: " I don't belong to any place. I just manage to earn my bread by

hard labor. The only sadhana I do is Namasmarana [repeating the name of

the Lord]. This has perhaps rendered my heart pure and filled it with

love and compassion. It has enabled me to control my mind and the

senses. I have not read any book or mastered any science. The only art I

know of is chanting the Name Divine. The only act I do is to be kind to

the poor. "

 

 

 

So, the only qualification to become dear to the Lord is to acquire a

compassionate heart and sense control. These two can be acquired through

Namasmarana with full faith in the Lord.