Courtesy: Mr.Narayanan
==================
Namaskarams,
I wanted to bring your attention to a famous and important story from the
Mahabharata. We would have all heard this story in some form or the other
during our childhood but when I re-read it now, it brought out the real
significance of the teachings in it.
The *Vyadha Geeta *appears in the Vana Parva of the Mahabharata and sage
Markandeya recites this story to Yudhishtira. The story talks about a
learned Brahmin living in a forest and how he is taught the essence of
dharma, dedication to duty etc. by a butcher in a nearby town.
This story reiterates my favourite proverb -- work is worship. In life, we
are expected to perform different duties in different phases of life. These
duties are imposed by several factors: society, family, profession etc. The
importance lies in realizing what ones duties are and performing them with
dedication.
There is no point in attaching too much importance in what and how people
lived in the past. They can at best be guiding principles to life in the
present. Two centuries ago, our community had a different function and
standing in society and hence our duties were different.
Change is always a good thing and is a natural thing we cannot escape. It is
important for us to realize that going to office, working hard
professionally etc are imposed by society and these are in no way less that
our earlier duties of learning and chanting from scriptures.
Hence making a value judgement on a person who reads the scriptures vs. a
person who works hard and keeps his family happy are completely wrong.
Practicality and adaptation to change are most important.
Let me write about the actual story I mentioned:
-------------------------------------
The Brahmin was living an austere life in the forest and had acquired yogic
powers after lots of practice and performing of the necessary austerities.
Once while he meditated sitting under a tree, a bird sitting atop the tree
disturbed the Brahmin by dropping dirt over him. Incensed by this, he look
at the bird with anger and his power was so much that the bird dropped dead.
After this incident, he carried on and went to a nearby village begging for
food. He stood outside a house and called out to the people inside for food.
The housewife was busy inside tending to her husband who was unwell. It took
her some time to come out and offer food to the Brahmin.
The Brahmin was angered by her behavior and told the woman that she should
have either given him food immediately or else should have asked him to go
and not kept him waiting like this. The woman replied telling him -- "Please
do not be angry. I know your anger burnt a bird down but I am no bird".
She also said "*Krodah shathru sharirastho, manushyaanam dvijottama*" (Anger
is not good for the body; it is man's greatest enemy)
The Brahmin was shocked to hear this and asked her how she came to know
about the bird. The housewife said that she did not practice any austerities
but by just doing her duty with cheerfulness and wholeheartedness, she
became illumined.
She then asked him to go to Mithilapuri -- a nearby town and meet
Dharmavyadha (Righteous Butcher). The Brahmin wet to the town and met
Dharmavyadha in his meat-store.
Dharmavyadha told him that he knew the woman had sent the Brahmin to him to
discuss and understand the issues of Dharma. The Brahmin was again amazed by
this. He asked the butcher why he indulged in the occupation of selling meat
while he was so well versed in Dharma. The butcher replied that this was the
profession which his family was engaged in and this was a suitable
profession for him and not improper to his dharma.
And he said:
*Kamakordho vashe kritva*
*Dambham lobhamanarjavam*
*Dharmamityeva santhushtas*
*Te shishta sishtatammatah*
*
*
"Right conduct is achieved through two things: avoiding the vices and
promoting virtues. By taking such an approach we can maintain the right
conduct even after attaining perception"
knr
I wanted to bring your attention to a famous and important story from the
Mahabharata. We would have all heard this story in some form or the other
during our childhood but when I re-read it now, it brought out the real
significance of the teachings in it.
The *Vyadha Geeta *appears in the Vana Parva of the Mahabharata and sage
Markandeya recites this story to Yudhishtira. The story talks about a
learned Brahmin living in a forest and how he is taught the essence of
dharma, dedication to duty etc. by a butcher in a nearby town.
This story reiterates my favourite proverb -- work is worship. In life, we
are expected to perform different duties in different phases of life. These
duties are imposed by several factors: society, family, profession etc. The
importance lies in realizing what ones duties are and performing them with
dedication.
There is no point in attaching too much importance in what and how people
lived in the past. They can at best be guiding principles to life in the
present. Two centuries ago, our community had a different function and
standing in society and hence our duties were different.
Change is always a good thing and is a natural thing we cannot escape. It is
important for us to realize that going to office, working hard
professionally etc are imposed by society and these are in no way less that
our earlier duties of learning and chanting from scriptures.
Hence making a value judgement on a person who reads the scriptures vs. a
person who works hard and keeps his family happy are completely wrong.
Practicality and adaptation to change are most important.
Let me write about the actual story I mentioned:
-------------------------------------
The Brahmin was living an austere life in the forest and had acquired yogic
powers after lots of practice and performing of the necessary austerities.
Once while he meditated sitting under a tree, a bird sitting atop the tree
disturbed the Brahmin by dropping dirt over him. Incensed by this, he look
at the bird with anger and his power was so much that the bird dropped dead.
After this incident, he carried on and went to a nearby village begging for
food. He stood outside a house and called out to the people inside for food.
The housewife was busy inside tending to her husband who was unwell. It took
her some time to come out and offer food to the Brahmin.
The Brahmin was angered by her behavior and told the woman that she should
have either given him food immediately or else should have asked him to go
and not kept him waiting like this. The woman replied telling him -- "Please
do not be angry. I know your anger burnt a bird down but I am no bird".
She also said "*Krodah shathru sharirastho, manushyaanam dvijottama*" (Anger
is not good for the body; it is man's greatest enemy)
The Brahmin was shocked to hear this and asked her how she came to know
about the bird. The housewife said that she did not practice any austerities
but by just doing her duty with cheerfulness and wholeheartedness, she
became illumined.
She then asked him to go to Mithilapuri -- a nearby town and meet
Dharmavyadha (Righteous Butcher). The Brahmin wet to the town and met
Dharmavyadha in his meat-store.
Dharmavyadha told him that he knew the woman had sent the Brahmin to him to
discuss and understand the issues of Dharma. The Brahmin was again amazed by
this. He asked the butcher why he indulged in the occupation of selling meat
while he was so well versed in Dharma. The butcher replied that this was the
profession which his family was engaged in and this was a suitable
profession for him and not improper to his dharma.
And he said:
*Kamakordho vashe kritva*
*Dambham lobhamanarjavam*
*Dharmamityeva santhushtas*
*Te shishta sishtatammatah*
*
*
"Right conduct is achieved through two things: avoiding the vices and
promoting virtues. By taking such an approach we can maintain the right
conduct even after attaining perception"
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
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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