Episode - 158 Chapter - 24 Part - 11 The Bhikshu’s Story Lord Krishna continues clearing the doubts of Udhava... O! Disciple of Brihaspathy! The taunts and ill treatment of the wicked affect only the body not the soul just as the wind lashes the trees on the shore of a lake but not its reflections in the lake below, though they too appear to move. Now listen to the story of the Bhikshu of Avanti. In the city of Avanti, there once lived a rich brahmin. Though a brahmin he was a great miser. He almost starved his own children; would not entertain relatives or guests even with a kind word and spent nothing for puja or worship or performance of sradhas for his own ancestors. His wife, children and servants would not obey him as they were continuously tormented and he would not spend a paisa for himself either. Thus devoid of dharma and kama the five participants of wealth - Gods, ancestors, the elements, men, and sages - were offended. The rains failed. Agriculture was ruined. Robbers broke into his house and he lost everything. With duty undone and deprived of any pleasure, deserted by friends and relatives, he became full of remorse. ”Alas! I have suffered and strained in vain Neither for charity nor for myself I used my wealth Verily the wealth of misers serves them not For pleasures here or moksha there The fame of the famous And good name of the good Both are marred by greed . As leprosy mars beauty’s form Theft, violence, greed and lust Anger, pride, malice, lack of trust All these have roots in wealth. Hence give up wealth If you seek happiness. Brothers quarrel, wives, friends, parents Even bosom friends fall out over money Having reached this gateway to heaven Who will yearn for wealth the cause of all evil Wise men torture their limbs for Self This world is fooled by the Lord’s Maya So, for the rest of my life I withdraw And may the gods help me now. The time is short; but what of that, Did not King Khatwanga reach the goal In as short a time? “ With this high resolve this brahmin of Avanti rooted out all attachments and became calm. He wandered as he pleased and for alms sometimes entered villages and towns. Seeing the old man mischievous youngsters made fun of him; one snatched his staff; another his begging bowl and the string of beads and others snatched even his poor clothes. They would pretend to give it back and when he stretched his withered hands, would take it back again , and snatch away his scanty food shouting “This is that same old rascally brahmin now returned in this pious guise. Strike him bind him, this crafty crane”. And when he was down, some one urinated on his body, another spat on his head. But the old Brahmin spoke not a word; rather he began to sing. The Bhikshu’s song... These people can do me no harm Nor ill luck nor planets, not even gods Mind, the mind alone is the cause Mind that turns the wheel of Time. Mind creates the three gunas Creating actions white dark or red And from them rise the four varnas Charity, duty and all the laws All are meant for control of the mind Great is that Yoga that gives peace of mind Terrible is the power of the Mind Who controls the mind he controls the world And he alone gets this power Who has the grace of the Lord. Happiness and misery are products of the mind. So too are friends, enemies and this world itself Caused by ignorance, darkness of the mind Hence, dear one, concentrate on God And this in short is the essence of Yoga. Thus, deprived of all wealth and disowned by friends the Bhikshu wandered all alone, finding true happiness at last.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Mar 2014 04:57:15 +0000