not able to conceive the idea of a Lord or a God, they must be able to
know what Love is by experience, is it not? They have experienced the
love of parents, of a friend, or of a brother or sister, or towards
their own children. That love is itself a spark of God. God could
respond if one cries longingly even for a physical mother or father if
not God's name."
One dark night when Vishnu and Lakshmi were journeying through the
sky, they saw a man perched on the branch of a tree, about to fall on
the ground through sheer exhaustion of limbs. Lakshmi pleaded on his
behalf and wanted that Vishnu should save him; and Vishnu preferred
that she should save him, instead since she has equal or even more
powers than him!!!
Meanwhile, the fall became imminent and so Vishnu & Lakshmi decided
that if the man shouted "Amma (mother)," while falling down, Lakshmi
should hasten to arrest his fall and if he shouted, "Appa (father),"
Vishnu should help and see that no bones are broken & that he doesn't
get injured!
The man fell, but he shouted neither `Amma nor Appa', but screamed
`Ayyo' (a sigh of misery)! And so he had to be left severely alone in
agony with some broken bones!!! After some time he passed away!"
In the sixth skanda of Srimad Bhagavatam, Parikshit asks Shukacharya
how to avoid hell and its' horrid experiences. Shuka says the practice
of spiritual discipline is the remedy. He said, "If a man, with a
feeling of passionate attachment, unites his mind with Krishna's feet
even once, he will not see Yama or his emissaries with noose in hand,
even in a dream!"
Shukacharya then narrated the story of Ajamila. Ajamila was once a
very noble brahmin, performing his duties and prescribed rituals most
sincerely and was also a good husband, good son and good father. Once
when he was in the forest to gather the fuel-wood for his rituals, he
fell for a woman, heart and soul. Actually the woman was one of very
low morals.
From that time onwards he lived with her, abandoned his family and his
own parents. He got ten children by her, made a living and supported
this large family by blackmailing rich people, by cheating, fraud and
gambling. He was particularly fond of the youngest child, Narayana, by
name. The attachment to the child was so pronounced that whether he
was eating, drinking, relaxing or working, he would always want
Narayana to be by his side and partake of his food or participate in
his enjoyment.
When finally the call from Yama, the God of Death, came, it came
suddenly and in his agony he cried: O Narayana. Narayana!!! He called
aloud with great fear.
The messengers of Yama who almost got him in their noose suddenly
found from within his heart four well-clad beautiful angel-like
figures, each with four hands, preventing the messengers of Yama from
discharging their duty. They said, "The one name of God absolves and
purifies sins of all kinds, small or large. Even when he has uttered
the name without really intending to call the Supreme Lord, it
purifies him!!!" Thus they prevented Yama from taking away his soul!
That's why we have the habit of giving our children names of Gods &
Goddesses! It is a question of practice. When we are thirsty, we don't
want all the water from the well. One glass will suffice. Here is a
match box with some 60 matches; if we want to light a fire we need to
strike one match, not the entire box of matches.
knr
__._,_.___
--
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God
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