Get Stuck In

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

A Farmer was driving his wagon along a miry country road after a heavy rain. The horses could hardly drag the load through the deep mud, and at last, came to a standstill when one of the wheels sank to the hub in a rut.

The farmer climbed down from his seat and stood beside the wagon looking at it but without making the least effort to get it out of the rut. All he did was to curse his bad luck and call loudly on Hercules to come to his aid. Then, it is said, Hercules really did appear, saying:

"Put your shoulder to the wheel, man, and urge on your horses. Do you think you can move the wagon by simply looking at it and whining about it? Hercules will not help unless you make some effort to help yourself."

And when the farmer put his shoulder to the wheel and urged on the horses, the wagon moved very readily, and soon the Farmer was riding along in great content and with a good lesson learned.

Self-help is the best help. Heaven helps those who help themselves.

The Boy and The Philberts

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

The thing with saadhana, though, is that if we attempt too much, whether overestimating our ability or to 'look good', it is likely that we will fail in our attempts and we will become stuck, as this fable demonstrates:

A Boy was given permission to put his hand into a pitcher to get some filberts. But he took such a great fistful that he could not draw his hand out again. There he stood, unwilling to give up a single filbert and yet unable to get them all out at once. Vexed and disappointed he began to cry.

"My boy," said his mother, "be satisfied with half the nuts you have taken and you will easily get your hand out. Then perhaps you may have some more filberts some other time."

Do not attempt too much at once.

The Tortoise and The Ducks

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

The Tortoise, you know, carries his house on his back. No matter how hard he tries, he cannot leave home. They say that Jupiter punished him so because he was such a lazy stay-at-home that he would not go to Jupiter's wedding, even when especially invited. After many years, Tortoise began to wish he had gone to that wedding. When he saw how gaily the birds flew about and how the Hare and the Chipmunk and all the other animals ran nimbly by, always eager to see everything there was to be seen, the Tortoise felt very sad and discontented. He wanted to see the world too, and there he was with a house on his back and little short legs that could hardly drag him along.

One day he met a pair of Ducks and told them all his trouble.

"We can help you to see the world," said the Ducks. "Take hold of this stick with your teeth and we will carry you far up in the air where you can see the whole countryside. But keep quiet or you will be sorry."

The Tortoise was very glad indeed. He seized the stick firmly with his teeth, the two Ducks took hold of it one at each end, and away they sailed up toward the clouds.

Just then a Crow flew by. He was very much astonished at the strange sight and cried:

"This must surely be the King of Tortoises!"

"Why certainly——" began the Tortoise.

As he opened his mouth to boast that he was indeed the king (which he was not!) he lost his hold on the stick and down he fell to the ground, where he was dashed to pieces on a rock.

Foolish curiosity and vanity often lead to misfortune. It is also good to know that we all, in the end, carry our 'home' with us. It is not so much a place as a state of being!

Big Ideas

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

THE EAGLE AND THE JACKDAW

An Eagle, swooping down on powerful wings, seized a lamb in her talons and made off with it to her nest. A Jackdaw saw the deed and his silly head was filled with the idea that he was big and strong enough to do as the Eagle had done. So with much rustling of feathers and a fierce air, he came down swiftly on the back of a large ram. When he tried to rise again he found that he could not get away, for his claws were tangled in the wool. So far was he from carrying away the ram, that the ram hardly noticed he was there.

The Shepherd saw the fluttering Jackdaw and at once guessed what had happened. Running up, he caught the bird and clipped its wings. That evening he gave the Jackdaw to his children.

"What a funny bird this is!" they said laughing, "what do you call it, father?"

"That is a Jackdaw, my children, but if you should ask him, he would say he is an Eagle."

The moral of the story… 

Do not let your vanity make you overestimate your powers!

Think On

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

One of the most used parables for ending of a year is that of the farmer sowing his seeds and how some fall to the edges of the field and thus do not thrive. Commonly, this is used to direct a congregation to the idea of being focused on where they are 'sowing'. Putting efforts into something that others consider devoid of benefit can seem like landing on the barren ground.

However, consider never sowing seeds at all. What of the harvest then? Then there are the summers that the sound ground is used, but there are other circumstances which affect the balance and growth is not as expected. Does the farmer give up? No! Farmers are among the most resilient of human beings, weathering all states of harvest, or lack or even loss of it. The farmer knows that all his or her best efforts can only amount to anything if the climate brings its side. The farmer has faith in the constancy of conditions. The farmer maximises their knowledge of their land, assesses worst and best case scenarios and sows the seeds, regardless. Any harvest is better than no harvest.

What has this to do with the impending new year? Well, traditionally this is the time when we all take a step back and look at what we thought we might have achieved in the previous year and when we resolve to make the next one better. We do this as much out of faith in the prevailing conditions as from any kind of certainty. What needs to be remembered, though, is that we are our own fields.

If we work on 'tilling' and preparing ourselves, we can find ourselves in better fettle for tackling what the world throws at us. We can undertake tasks in a stronger frame of mind, in a balanced state of being and with more creativity. If we lose ourselves in barrenness, be that through poor dietary and social habits, undisciplined work habits, unsound emotional states, for example, then our 'field' will not produce the level of crop we desire. Just wishing for it will never work. Any farmer will tell you. It's jolly hard work!

Let not 'resolutions' of the turning of the year be about menial and meaningless things. Ponder who you are, how you are and where you are. Seek to improve that internal soil, then you are more likely to find that the efforts you put into 'sowing seeds' are going to give a yield both satisfying and plentiful.

YAM xx

Tide and Time

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

The last weekend of the first month of the year. For many, January is a sort of no-mans-land, where the vestiges of the previous year have to be left appropriately behind and the new year has yet to settle into its routine. The thing about the turning of weeks, months and years is that change happens. It is up to us to keep along with it.

There was a raven who sat upon a post and surveyed the newly-planted garden before her. She was enjoying the spring and warmer weather. There came a great thud, and she flinched at the sound. On the ground before her lay a hummingbird, somewhat dazed and with feathers adrift, but otherwise unharmed. When it had shaken the dirt off and reoriented itself, it began to mutter about buildings getting in the way of its work. The raven was a little surprised. The building had been up for some time now - though perhaps only in the time when the hummingbird had been South for the winter. She asked,

'How could you not see this building as you flew towards it? Were you going so fast you could not see? Is it that you were thinking too much about pretty and luscious blooms and did not have your mind upon the task of flying? So much hurry, so little presence. All you needed to do was see and move. Fly around now to the other side and find your flowers.'

The hummingbird was not impressed and continued to complain. 'What a nerve to put this building up where I always fly. Years I have come by here and straight to the flowers. How could anyone think to block the way so?!'

Raven shook her head. 'You hummingbirds, no thinking. In the time you have stood here complaining, you could have been around and feeding by now.'  With that, she took off and went in search of her own meal.'

Are you the hummingbird, in too much of a hurry, focused on the end and not the journey, not willing to allow for change and to adapt to the new? Or are you the raven, who ponders then acts and adjusts to what is available? To lament change is an utter waste of time. To say that it was always done one way and not allow for another way is an arrogance and a shame. Shake off the dirt, reorient, then go with the flow!

Pick Your Time

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

Sometimes we do something and seems to work well - but at other times it doesn't. Lots can be the cause of this difference, but perhaps we need to look at our timing; knowing the right thing to do at the right time is quite important!

The Fisherman Piping

A FISHERMAN skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the
seashore.  Standing on a projecting rock, he played several tunes
in the hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of
their own accord dance into his net, which he had placed below.
At last, having long waited in vain, he laid aside his flute, and
casting his net into the sea, made an excellent haul of fish.
When he saw them leaping about in the net upon the rock he said:
"O you most perverse creatures, when I piped you would not dance,
but now that I have ceased you do so merrily."  

Beware Boons

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

Glooskap’s Gifts

Four Indians who won to Glooskap’s abode found it a place of magical delights, a land fairer than the mind could conceive. Asked by the god what had brought them thither, one replied that his heart was evil and that anger had made him its slave, but that he wished to be meek and pious. The second, a poor man, desired to be rich, and the third, who was of low estate and despised by the folk of his tribe, wished to be universally honoured and respected. The fourth was a vain man, conscious of his good looks, whose appearance was eloquent of conceit. Although he was tall, he had stuffed fur into his moccasins to make him appear still taller, and his wish was that he might become bigger than any man of his tribe and that he might live for ages.

Glooskap drew four small boxes from his medicine-bag and gave one to each, desiring that they should not open them until they reached home. When the first three arrived at their respective lodges each opened his box, and found therein an unguent of great fragrance and richness, with which he rubbed himself. The wicked man became meek and patient, the poor man speedily grew wealthy, and the despised man became stately and respected. But the conceited man had stopped on his way home in a clearing in the woods, and, taking out his box, had anointed himself with the ointment it contained. His wish also was granted, but not exactly in the manner he expected, for he was changed into a pine-tree, the first of the species, and the tallest tree of the forest at that.

**Glooskap is the Algonquin creation deity. 

Stay Present

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

Aesop brings us a tale today…

The Seaside Travelers

SOME TRAVELERS, journeying along the seashore, climbed to the

summit of a tall cliff, and looking over the sea, saw in the

distance what they thought was a large ship.  They waited in the

hope of seeing it enter the harbor, but as the object on which

they looked was driven nearer to shore by the wind, they found

that it could at the most be a small boat, and not a ship.  When

however it reached the beach, they discovered that it was only a

large faggot of sticks, and one of them said to his companions,

"We have waited for no purpose, for after all there is nothing to

see but a load of wood." 

 Our mere anticipations of life outrun its realities. … don't we all do it? The daydream, the 'castle-building' plans? Another thing to note here though, is that despite the anticipation being disappointed, there was the chance to make something of that pile of wood; at very least to dry it out and have fire fuel for some time! Therefore, let not anticipation blind us to the things currently on offer!!!

Beware What is Wished

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

Today, a simple tale…

The Kites and the Swans

The kites of olden times, as well as the Swans, had the privilege

of song.  But having heard the neigh of the horse, they were so

enchanted with the sound, that they tried to imitate it; and, in

trying to neigh, they forgot how to sing. 

The desire for imaginary benefits often involves the loss of present blessings. 

Compromise

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

With peace in mind, let Aesop speak again;

The Lion and the Boar

ON A SUMMER DAY, when the great heat induced a general thirst

among the beasts, a Lion and a Boar came at the same moment to a

small well to drink.  They fiercely disputed which of them should

drink first, and were soon engaged in the agonies of a mortal

combat.  When they stopped suddenly to catch their breath for a

fiercer renewal of the fight, they saw some Vultures waiting in

the distance to feast on the one that should fall first.  They at

once made up their quarrel, saying, "It is better for us to make
friends, than to become the food of Crows or Vultures."  

Waver Not

Hari OM

Application - that is what 'Workings-days' are about!

The Narada Bhakti Sutra is our guide for a while… the nature of Love (with the capital 'ell') and a full exploration of it. As always, you are encouraged to seek out the full text from Chinmaya Publications (links in side-bar); but for those who prefer e-readers, this version is recommended. Whilst awareness and interest can be raised by these posts on AV-blog, they cannot substitute for a thorough reading and contemplation...and practice!
 

Chapter Nine; Section 1 - Fruits of Love Divine; Greatness of Supreme Love.

A little anecdote to begin this week, demonstrating the benefit of True Devotion.  

Sri Narada was walking through a forest and came upon two sadhus singing the praises of the Lord. When they saw the great sage approach, they beseeched him to ask Bhagavan when He would give them darshan (vision) of Himself.  Narada-ji meditated and came back to one man with the answer that he needed to take one hundred more births before receiving darshan. That fellow became dejected and wondered aloud as to what was 'the point of making such effort in this life then? May as well leave this forest life!' To the other bhakta, Narada-ji gave the message that he had even more than the hundred to return and that he would have to go back through some other forms such as leaves on tree and the like. This second fellow jumped with joy, surprising both the sage and his disgruntled companion. He told them he was delighted because, 'God at least knows who I am and that my efforts thus far are acknowledged. What is more, darshan will be mine with continued good efforts.' … in that moment itself, Bhagavan saw the Love in the man and gave darshan immediately.

It is examples such as this which prompt Narada-ji to now extol Bhakti-marg;

iÇsTySy _ai´rev grIysI _ai´rev grIysI.81.

Trisatyasya bhaktireva gariiyasii, bhaktireva gariiyasii ||81||

Of the three 'truths' (paths), devotion alone is the greatest; (indeed) devotion alone is the greatest.

The greatest Master of Bhakti makes an emphatic statement! This is to be expected, one might say. It could be seen as being rather totalitarian; but it also shows the very nature of devotion. There can be no compromise if we are to reach a goal, no matter what hurdle is put before us. Find a path and stick to it!

Interesting is the vocabulary used in this sutra, though. By using the term 'truths', the Guru could also be referring to the three states of consciousness (waking, dream, deep sleep), or the three periods of time (past, present, future). In doing this, for those who are prepared to ponder deeply on this teaching, it can be found that any who practice in any of the other saadhanas, at any time in their practice and in any state they find themselves, can approach bhakti. It can be the base from which their other saadhanas arise. It alone is a path that anyone can follow, at any time and in any physical or mental circumstance, regardless of environment or challenges. This is its special glory.

Thus we can see that Love conquers all! It behooves a Karmi, or a Jnaani, to keep touching base with the 'feeling' of the Lord, whereas a Bhakta can remain only on that path and still gain from it. That said, any great and beautiful philosophy has no enduring significance if it is not practiced in daily life. Grow into it and in the end come to experience it directly; if not all the promised joys arrive, we will at least find life a little lighter and brighter from the practice.

What does it mean, 'practice'? Narad-ji does not leave the student waving in the wind. The next section tells of different ways to approach Bhakti.

Which Way?

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

One of the traps of life is having to balance everything. Whether at family level or national. Aesop had this to say:

The Father and His Two Daughters 

A MAN had two daughters, the one married to a gardener, and the other to a tile-maker.  After a time he went to the daughter who had married the gardener, and inquired how she was and how all things went with her.  She said, "All things are prospering with me, and I have only one wish, that there may be a heavy fall of rain, in order that the plants may be well watered."  Not long after, he went to the daughter who had married the tilemaker, and likewise inquired of her how she fared; she replied, "I want for nothing, and have only one wish, that the dry weather may continue, and the sun shine hot and bright, so that the bricks might be dried."  He said to her, "If your sister wishes for rain, and you for dry weather, with which of the two am I to join my wishes?' 

It is just not possible to please all of the people all of the time. We sometimes have to make hard choices, at the risk of causing upset or hostility. What is important is that we make our decisions based upon the best available information and allowing for local 'climate'.

Crow Not

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

The Peacock and the Crane

A PEACOCK spreading its gorgeous tail mocked a Crane that passed

by, ridiculing the ashen hue of its plumage and saying, "I am

robed, like a king, in gold and purple and all the colors of the

rainbow; while you have not a bit of color on your wings."

"True," replied the Crane; "but I soar to the heights of heaven

and lift up my voice to the stars, while you walk below, like a

cock, among the birds of the dunghill." 

Fine feathers don't make fine birds.  

Your Own Worst Enemy

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

 The Oak and the Woodcutters

THE WOODCUTTER cut down a Mountain Oak and split it in pieces,

making wedges of its own branches for dividing the trunk.  The

Oak said with a sigh, "I do not care about the blows of the axe

aimed at my roots, but I do grieve at being torn in pieces by

these wedges made from my own branches."

Misfortunes springing from ourselves are the hardest to bear

Save - Don't Hoard

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

The Miser and His Gold

Once upon a time there was a Miser who used to hide his gold

at the foot of a tree in his garden; but every week he used to go

and dig it up and gloat over his gains.  A robber, who had noticed

this, went and dug up the gold and decamped with it.  When the

Miser next came to gloat over his treasures, he found nothing but

the empty hole.  He tore his hair, and raised such an outcry that

all the neighbours came around him, and he told them how he used

to come and visit his gold.  "Did you ever take any of it out?"

asked one of them.

"Nay," said he, "I only came to look at it."

"Then come again and look at the hole," said a neighbour; "it

will do you just as much good."

Wealth unused might as well not exist.

Beware What is Wished

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

The Kites and the Swans

TEE KITES of olden times, as well as the Swans, had the privilege

of song.  But having heard the neigh of the horse, they were so

enchanted with the sound, that they tried to imitate it; and, in

trying to neigh, they forgot how to sing. 

The desire for imaginary benefits often involves the loss of present blessings. 

Remain Supple.

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

Watch not to become so firm in opinion as  to not see another point of view; watch for pride which makes you inflexible...

 The Oak and the Reed

The Oak spoke one day to the Reed

"You have good reason to complain;

A Wren for you is a load indeed;

The smallest wind bends you in twain.

You are forced to bend your head;

While my crown faces the plains

And not content to block the sun

Braves the efforts of the rains.

What for you is a North Wind is for me but a zephyr.

Were you to grow within my shade

Which covers the whole neighbourhood

You'd have no reason to be afraid

For I would keep you from the storm.

Instead you usually grow

In places humid, where the winds doth blow.

Nature to thee hath been unkind."

"Your compassion", replied the Reed

"Shows a noble character indeed;

But do not worry: the winds for me

Are much less dangerous than for thee;

I bend, not break.  You have 'til now

Resisted their great force unbowed,

But beware.

As he said these very words

A violent angry storm arose.

The tree held strong; the Reed he bent.

The wind redoubled and did not relent,

Until finally it uprooted the poor Oak

Whose head had been in the heavens

And roots among the dead folk.

Remember...

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

Time for another fable. As the year draws to a close and we have witnessed again a world determined, it seems, to divide itself in to itty bitty parts and engender disgruntlement and base actions, let us be reminded…

The Four Oxen and the Lion

A Lion used to prowl about a field in which Four Oxen used to

dwell.  Many a time he tried to attack them; but whenever he came

near they turned their tails to one another, so that whichever way

he approached them he was met by the horns of one of them.  At

last, however, they fell a-quarrelling among themselves, and each

went off to pasture alone in a separate corner of the field.  Then

the Lion attacked them one by one and soon made an end of all

four.

  United we stand, divided we fall.

Gratitude

Hari OM

Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.

This is such a well-known tale… and yet it bears retelling, for genuine gratitude can elude us so often these days.

Androcles and the Lion

  

  A slave named Androcles once escaped from his master and fled

to the forest.  As he was wandering about there he came upon a

Lion lying down moaning and groaning.  At first he turned to flee,

but finding that the Lion did not pursue him, he turned back and

went up to him.  As he came near, the Lion put out his paw, which

was all swollen and bleeding, and Androcles found that a huge

thorn had got into it, and was causing all the pain.  He pulled

out the thorn and bound up the paw of the Lion, who was soon able

to rise and lick the hand of Androcles like a dog.  Then the Lion

took Androcles to his cave, and every day used to bring him meat

from which to live.  But shortly afterwards both Androcles and the

Lion were captured, and the slave was sentenced to be thrown to

the Lion, after the latter had been kept without food for several

days.  The Emperor and all his Court came to see the spectacle,

and Androcles was led out into the middle of the arena.  Soon the

Lion was let loose from his den, and rushed bounding and roaring

towards his victim.  But as soon as he came near to Androcles he

recognised his friend, and fawned upon him, and licked his hands

like a friendly dog.  The Emperor, surprised at this, summoned

Androcles to him, who told him the whole story.  Whereupon the

slave was pardoned and freed, and the Lion let loose to his native

forest.

 Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.