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| (Thus says God Rama in Sundarkand, Ramcharit Manas by Goswami Tulsidas) |
Another story that is related to Ravana (The King of Lanka who was killed by Rama) also says that God even does not like "Ahankaara" of his own devotee. Ravana was a great devotee of Shiva and God Shiva was pleased with his devotion. But the 'Asura' king Ravana was excessively proud of his strength and devotion, which means he had "Ahankaara". Though Ravana had the blessings of God and could not be killed or defeated easily he thought that if he could make Shiva agree to live in Lanka, he would be invincible. So he went to Mountain Kailash where Shiva lived and requested Him to come with him (Ravana) and live in Lanka. But Shiva would not agree to leave Kailash. Ravana was so powerful that he planned to lift the whole Mountain of Kailash and take it along-with Shiva to his kingdom Lanka. In fact, he was capable of it. But Shiva had no intention to go to Lanka because He knew that making Ravana invincible will do great harm to gods and humans. So when Ravana lifted Kailash a few inches God Shiva pressed it with his big toe of his left foot. This action pressed the fingers of Ravana under Kailash. A startled Ravana tried to pull his hand back from beneath the Kailash but to his disbelief, he could not. Pressing of his fingers gave him agonizing pain. When the pain was unbearable he started to praise Shiva which is called "Stuti" and its verses in Sanskrit are called "Stotra". The "Stotra" he composed and sang in praise of Shiva is named "Shiva Tandava Stotra" (शिव तांडव स्तोत्र). Shiva liked this magnificent "Stuti" and was pleased with him and freed Ravana. This incident was a blow to his "Ahankaara" and an example for the world that God does not like "Ahankaara" even in his devotee.
"Ahankaara" or "Abhiman" may be of devotion. As it was once with Rishi Narada who is a great devotee (Bhakt-भक्त) of Vishnu (Narayana). He thought that there is no greater devotee of Vishnu than him. God knew it and planned to make Narada get rid of this "Abhiman" (अभिमान, घमंड). Once Vishnu and Narada were passing through a forest on the earth. Vishnu got thirsty and asked Narada to arrange for some water while He rested below a tree. Narada happily went in search of water. In the meantime, God ordered his "Maya" (The goddess who can hypnotize anyone) to throw a spell over Narada. Some distance away Narada saw some girls of a village drawing water from a well. But instead of asking for some water he began to stare at one of the girls and felt strongly attracted towards her because "Maya" had already started her work. The girl understood this and she hurriedly went to her house with water. Narada followed her and when she went inside the house he spoke loudly "Narayan-Narayan". The girl's father came out and was pleasantly surprised to see Narada at his house. He took Narada inside the house and did all the honor to be given to a guest, then asked, "O great rishi Narada ! Please tell me the purpose behind your visit here". Without hesitation Narada said, "I want to marry your daughter". The man was even more surprised because everyone knew that Narada was a "Brahmachari" (The person who remains unmarried and does not have a relationship with women) and devotion to Vishnu was the purpose of his life. But he felt fortunate that such a great saint was asking for her daughter, so he happily arranged for their marriage and gave a piece of land to make a small house and do farming. Like a "Grihasth-गृहस्थ" (householder) he began his new life and as time passed he got some children too. Vishnu was out of his memory now. Once in the rainy season, it rained continuously for many days and there was no sign of it stopping. It resulted in heavy flood and villagers started to move to some higher place by crossing the flowing floodwaters. Narada too took some valuables in a bale and began to cross floodwaters along-with his wife and children. But the current in water was fast and one by one he began to lose his bale, children, and wife. Everything was gone and a helpless Narada was in utter grief. He could do nothing. Now he had to save his own life but his feet got into a ditch under the water, lost his balance and the fast current swept him away. He began to drown in the water and to save his life involuntarily he called "Narayana -Narayana". As he called Narayana just then he recalled that he left Narayana waiting under a tree for water. Just then like magic happened! Narada found himself standing near the well, there was no flood. He fetched water and rushed to the tree where Vishnu was still waiting for him. Narada fell on Vishnu's feet, weeping he said, "Forgive me god I kept you waiting for so many years here". And told the whole story. He also said, "I thought that I am your greatest devotee and follower but I forgot you and fell in love with a woman. I had got 'Ahankar' inside me". Then Vishnu laughed loudly and told Narada that he had just left a few time ago, not years ago. Everything that he saw and felt was His "Maya". It was done to take out 'Ahankar' within him because it makes one get distracted from his target. "Since you are very dear to me, I could not let you fall from the good path of Dharma," said Vishnu. Narada felt obliged and thanked a lot.
So God brought Narada on the right path. But those who do not understand god's ultimatum get destroyed anyway. For it, God even takes avatars like Rama and Krishna to kill persons filled with 'Ahankara' like Ravana, Kansa, Kauravas, and many more, even though these persons were having some special powers. Hindu mythology is full of numerous such examples.
An interesting example is given by many "Bhagwat Katha Wachak" (The Pundit who tells stories from Sri Madbhagwat Mahapurana). There are many things and persons whom Krishna loves but out of them, only the flute (Murli) is able to touch the lips of God. It makes others jealous and they ask the flute, "After all what quality is in you that Krishna always keeps you at His lips". The flute (Murli) laughed and said, "First you look inside me. What is there?" They all looked and screamed, "O my God! It is nothing there. It is hollow". The flute (Murli) said, "You are right. There is nothing inside me, not even I have my own breath. Krishna's breath is my breath. I have totally given myself to him. That is why he keeps me at his lips always".
It is in fact symbolic of the "Gyana" that the path to God can only be cleared when the devotee makes his heart clear. Tulsidas says it in Ramcharitmanas in a "Choupai" that is written in the image at the beginning of this article. In Sundarkand Rama says about what he likes and what not and this lovely Choupai is the most deep-rooted meaning:-
निर्मल मन जन सो मोहि पावा। मोहि कपट छल छिद्र न भावा।।
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20. देवताओं के वैद्य अश्विनीकुमारों की अद्भुत कथा ....
(The great doctors of Gods-Ashwinikumars !). भाग - 4 (चिकित्सा के द्वारा चिकित्सा के द्वारा अंधों को दृष्टि प्रदान करना)
(The great doctors of Gods-Ashwinikumars !). भाग - 4 (चिकित्सा के द्वारा चिकित्सा के द्वारा अंधों को दृष्टि प्रदान करना)
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