The Value

A man went to God and asked, "What's the value of life?"

God gave him one stone and said, "Find out the value of this stone, but don't sell it."

The man took the stone to an Orange Seller and asked him what it's cost would be.

The Orange Seller saw the shiny stone and said, "You can take 12 oranges and give me the stone."

The man apologized and said that the God has asked him not to sell it.

He went ahead and found a vegetable seller. "What could be the value of this stone?" he asked the vegetable seller. The seller saw the shiny stone and said, "Take one sack of potatoes and give me the stone."

The man again apologized and said he can't sell it.

Further ahead, he went into a jewellery shop and asked the value of the stone.

The jeweler saw the stone under a lens and said, "I'll give you 50 Lakhs for this stone." When the man shook his head, the jeweler said, "Alright, alright, take 2 crores, but give me the stone."

The man explained that he can't sell the stone. Further ahead, the man saw a precious stone's shop and asked the seller the value of this stone.

When the precious stone's seller saw the big ruby, he lay down a red cloth and put the ruby on it. Then he walked in circles around the ruby and bent down and touched his head in front of the ruby.

"From where did you bring this priceless ruby from?" he asked. "Even if I sell the whole world, and my life, I won't be able to purchase this priceless stone.

Stunned and confused, the man returned to the God and told him what had happened. "Now tell me what is the value of life, God?

God said, "The answers you got from the Orange Seller, the Vegetable Seller, the Jeweler & the Precious Stone's Seller explain the value of our life...

You may be a precious stone, even priceless, but people may value you based on their level of information, their belief in you, their motive behind entertaining you, their ambition, and their risk taking ability. But don't fear, you will surely find someone who will discern your true value. I surely do."

In the eyes of God You are very very precious

Contributed by
Mrs Shruti Chaabra ji

Secret of Happiness

This story is about a beautiful,   expensively dressed lady who complained to her psychiatrist that she felt that her whole life was empty, it had no meaning. So, the lady went to visit a counselor to seek out happiness. The counselor called over the old lady who cleaned the office floors. The counselor then said to the rich lady "I'm going to ask Mary here to tell u how she found happiness. All I want u to do is listen to her." So the old lady put down her broom and sat on a chair and told her story: "Well, my husband died of malaria and three months later my only son was killed by a car. I had nobody. I had nothing left. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat, I never smiled at anyone, I even thought of taking my own life. Then one evening a little kitten followed me home from work. Somehow I felt sorry for that kitten. It was cold outside, so I decided to let the kitten in. I got some milk, and the kitten licked the plate clean. Then it purred and rubbed against my leg and, for the first time in months, I smiled. Then I stopped to think, if helping a little kitten could make me smile, may be doing something for people could make me happy. So, the next day I baked some biscuits and took them to a neighbor who was sick in bed. Every day I tried to do something nice for someone. It made me so happy to see them happy. Today, I don't know of anybody who sleeps and eats better than I do.I've found happiness, by giving it to others." When she heard this, the rich lady cried. She had everything that money could buy, but she had lost the things which money cannot buy. "The beauty of life does not depend on how happy you are; but on how happy others can be because of you..." Happiness is not a destination, it's a journey. Happiness is not tomorrow, it is now.  Happiness is not dependency, it is a decision.  Happiness is what you are, not what you have

Contributed by
Mrs Neena ji

The lightening

A bus full of passengers was traveling when suddenly the weather changed and there was a huge downpour and lightening all around. They could see that the lightening would appear to come towards the bus and then go elsewhere. After 2 or 3 horrible instances of being saved from lightening, the driver stopped the bus about fifty feet away from a tree and said - "We have somebody in the bus whose death is a certainty today. Because of that person everybody else will also get killed today. Now listen carefully what I am saying ..I want each person to come out of bus one by one and touch the tree trunk and come back.Whom so ever death is certain will get caught up by the lightening and will die & everybody else will be saved". They had to force the 1st person to go and touch the tree and come back. His heart leaped with joy when nothing happened and he was still alive.
This continued for rest of the passengers who were all relieved when they touched the tree and nothing happened. When the last passenger's turn came, everybody looked at him with accusing eyes. That passenger was very afraid and reluctant since he was the only one left.Everybody forced him to get down and go and touch the tree.
With a 100% fear of death in mind, the last passenger walked to the tree and touched it. There was a huge sound of thunder and the lightening came down and hit the bus - yes the lightening hit the BUS, and killed each and every passenger inside the bus. It was because of the presence of this last passenger that, earlier,the entire bus was safe and the lightening could not strike the bus. LIFE LEARNING from this . At times, we try to take credit for our present achievements, but this could also be because of a person right next to us.
Look around you - Probably someone is there around you, in the form of Your Parents, Your Spouse, Your Children, Your Siblings, Your friends, etc, who are saving you from harm..! Think About it..You will surely find that Person..!! Beautiful Lines ''Alone I can 'Say' but together we can 'talk'. 'Alone I can 'Enjoy' but together we can 'Celebrate'. 'Alone I can 'Smile' but together we can 'Laugh'. That's the BEAUTY of Human Relations.We are nothing without  each other

contributed by
Mrs Shruti Chaabra ji

Triple.filter

One day a person met the great Chanakya,  and said, "Do you know what I just heard about your friend?"
"Hold on a minute," Chanakya replied.  "Before telling me anything I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test." "Triple filter?" "That's right," Chanakya continued.  "Before you talk to me about my friend, it might be a good idea to take a moment and filter what you're going to say. That's why I call it the triple filter test. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?" "No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and..." "All right," said Chanakya. "So you don't know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?" "No, on the contrary..." "So," Chankaya continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, but you're not certain it's true. You may still pass the test though, because there's one filter left, the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really."

"Well," concluded chankaya, "if what you want to tell me is neither true nor good nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?"
____________________________
Use this triple filter each time you hear loose talk about any of your near and dear ones.

It is worth applying in everyone's life.

Ccontributed by
Mr Gothi ji

A thought

A man who has gone out of his town comes back and finds that his house is on fire.

It was one of the most beautiful houses in the town, and the man loved the house the most! Many people were ready to give double price for the house, but he had never agreed for any price and now it is just burning before his eyes.

And thousands of people have gathered, but nothing can be done, the fire has spread so far that even if you try to put it out, nothing will be saved. So he becomes very sad.

His son comes running and whispers something in his ear:

"Don't be worried. I sold it yesterday and at a very good price ― three times.The offer was so good I could not wait for you. Forgive me."

Father said, "thank God, it's not ours now!"  Then the father is relaxed and became a silent watcher, just like 1000s of other watchers.

Please think about it! Just a moment before he was not a watcher, he was attached. It is the same house....the same fire.... everything is the same...but now he is not concerned. In fact started enjoying it just as everybody else in the crowd.

Then the second son comes running, and he says to the father, "What are you doing? You are smiling ― and the house is on fire?" The father said, "Don't you know, your brother has sold it."
He said, "we have taken only advance amount, not settled fully. I doubt now that the man is going to purchase it now."

Again, everything changes!!

Tears which had disappeared, have come back to the father's eyes, his smile is no more there, his heart is beating fast. The 'watcher' is gone. He is again attached.

And then the third son comes, and he says, "That man is a man of his word. I have just come from him. He said, 'It doesn't matter whether the house is burnt or not, it is mine.
And I am going to pay the price that I have settled for. Neither you knew, nor I knew that the house would catch on fire.'"

Again the joy is back and family became 'watchers'! The attachment is no more there.

Actually nothing is changing!

just the feeling that "I am the owner! I am not the owner of the house!" makes the whole difference.

This simple methodology of watching the mind, that you have nothing to do with it..Everything starts with a Thought !

Most of the thoughts are not yours but from your parents, your teachers, your friends, the books, the movies, the television, the newspapers. Just count how many thoughts are your own, and you will be surprised that not a single thought is your own. All are from other sources, all are borrowed ― either dumped by others on you, or foolishly dumped by yourself upon yourself, but nothing is yours.

Sow a thought, you reap an action.
Sow an act, you reap a habit.
Sow a habit, you reap a character.
Sow a character, you reap a destiny..!

Contributed by
Ms. Nita ji & Mrs Shruti Chaabra ji

A thought

A man who has gone out of his town comes back and finds that his house is on fire.

It was one of the most beautiful houses in the town, and the man loved the house the most! Many people were ready to give double price for the house, but he had never agreed for any price and now it is just burning before his eyes.

And thousands of people have gathered, but nothing can be done, the fire has spread so far that even if you try to put it out, nothing will be saved. So he becomes very sad.

His son comes running and whispers something in his ear:

"Don't be worried. I sold it yesterday and at a very good price ― three times.The offer was so good I could not wait for you. Forgive me."

Father said, "thank God, it's not ours now!"  Then the father is relaxed and became a silent watcher, just like 1000s of other watchers.

Please think about it! Just a moment before he was not a watcher, he was attached. It is the same house....the same fire.... everything is the same...but now he is not concerned. In fact started enjoying it just as everybody else in the crowd.

Then the second son comes running, and he says to the father, "What are you doing? You are smiling ― and the house is on fire?" The father said, "Don't you know, your brother has sold it."
He said, "we have taken only advance amount, not settled fully. I doubt now that the man is going to purchase it now."

Again, everything changes!!

Tears which had disappeared, have come back to the father's eyes, his smile is no more there, his heart is beating fast. The 'watcher' is gone. He is again attached.

And then the third son comes, and he says, "That man is a man of his word. I have just come from him. He said, 'It doesn't matter whether the house is burnt or not, it is mine.
And I am going to pay the price that I have settled for. Neither you knew, nor I knew that the house would catch on fire.'"

Again the joy is back and family became 'watchers'! The attachment is no more there.

Actually nothing is changing!

just the feeling that "I am the owner! I am not the owner of the house!" makes the whole difference.

This simple methodology of watching the mind, that you have nothing to do with it..Everything starts with a Thought !

Most of the thoughts are not yours but from your parents, your teachers, your friends, the books, the movies, the television, the newspapers. Just count how many thoughts are your own, and you will be surprised that not a single thought is your own. All are from other sources, all are borrowed ― either dumped by others on you, or foolishly dumped by yourself upon yourself, but nothing is yours.

Sow a thought, you reap an action.
Sow an act, you reap a habit.
Sow a habit, you reap a character.
Sow a character, you reap a destiny..!

Contributed by
Ms. Nita ji

Judgement

A doctor entered the hospital in hurry after being called in for an urgent surgery. He answered the call asap, changed his clothes and went directly to the surgery block. He found the boy’s father pacing in the hall waiting for the doctor.

On seeing him, the father yelled, “Why did you take all this time to come? Don’t you know that my son’s life is in danger? Don’t you have any sense of responsibility?”

The doctor smiled and said, “I am sorry, I wasn't in the hospital and I came as fast as I could after receiving the call and now, I wish you’d calm down so that I can do my work”.

“Calm down?! What if your son was in this room right now, would you calm down? If your own son dies while waiting for doctor than what will you do??” said the father angrily.

The doctor smiled again and replied, “We will do our best by God’s grace and you should also pray for your son’s healthy life”.

“Giving advises when we’re not concerned is so easy” Murmured the father.

The surgery took some hours after which the doctor went out happy, “Thank goodness! your son is saved!” And without waiting for the father’s reply he carried on his way running by saying, “If you have any questions, ask the nurse”.

“Why is he so arrogant? He couldn't wait some minutes so that I ask about my son’s state” Commented the father when seeing the nurse minutes after the doctor left.

The nurse answered, tears coming down her face, “His son died yesterday in a road accident, he was at the burial when we called him for your son’s surgery. And now that he saved your son’s life, he left running to finish his son’s burial. Never judge anyone because you never know how their life is and what they’re going through.”

Contributed by
Mrs Shruti Chaabra ji

The 18th Camel

A father left 17 Camels as an Asset for his Three Sons.

When the Father passed away, his sons opened up the will.

The Will of the Father stated that the Eldest son should get Half of 17 Camels,

The Middle Son should be given 1/3rd of 17 Camels,

Youngest Son should be given 1/9th of the 17 Camels,

As it is not possible to divide 17 into half or 17 by 3 or 17 by 9, the sons started to fight with each other.

So, they decided to go to a wise man.

The wise man listened patiently about the Will. The wise man, after giving this thought, brought one camel of his own & added the same to 17. That increased the total to 18 camels.

Now, he started reading the deceased father’s will.

Half of 18 = 9.
So he gave 9 camels
to the eldest son.

1/3rd of 18 = 6.
So he gave 6 camels
to the middle son.

1/9th of 18 = 2.
So he gave 2 camels
to the youngest son.

Now add this up:
9 + 6 + 2 = 17 &
This leaves 1 camel,
which the wise man took back.

MORAL: The attitude of negotiation & problem solving is to find the 18th camel i.e. the common ground. Once a person is able to find the common ground, the issue is resolved. It is difficult at times.

However, to reach a solution, the first step is to believe that there is a solution. If we think that there is no solution, we won’t be able to reach any!

CONTRIBUTED by
Sh Rajiv ji

Kaliyug

Once the four Pandavas (except Yudhishthira who was not present) asked Krishna:

"What is Kaliyuga and what will happen during Kaliyuga?"

Krishna smiled and said "Let me demonstrate to you, the situation of Kaliyuga." He took a bow and four arrows and shot them in four directions and ordered the four Pandavas to go and bring them back.

Each of the four Pandavas went in the four different directions to search for the arrows.

When Arjuna picked an arrow, he heard a very sweet voice. He turned around and saw a cuckoo singing in a spellbinding voice but was also eating flesh of a live rabbit which was in great pain. Arjuna was very surprised to see such a gory act by such a divine bird he left the place immediately.

Bhima picked arrow from a place, where five wells were situated. The four wells were surrounding a single well. The four wells were overflowing with very sweet water as if they were not able to hold water and surprisingly the well in the middle of these four overflowing wells was completely empty. Bhima was also puzzled at this sight.

Nakula was returning to the place after picking up the arrow. He stopped at a place where a cow was about to give birth. After giving birth the cow started licking the calf but continued to lick it even after the calf was clean. With great difficulty people were able to separate them and by that time the calf was injured badly. Nakula was puzzled by the behaviour of such a calm animal.

Sahadeva picked arrow which fell near a mountain and saw a big boulder falling. The boulder was crushing the rocks and big trees on its way down, but the same boulder was stopped by a small plant. Sahadeva was also amazed at this sight.
All the Pandavas asked the meaning of these incidents. Krishna smiled and started explaining...

"In Kaliyuga, the priests will have very sweet voice and will also have great knowledge but they will exploit devotees the same way cuckoo was doing with rabbit.

In Kaliyuga poor will live among rich, those rich will have enormous amount of wealth which will actually overflow but they will not offer a single penny to the poor same as the four wells didn't have a single drop of water for the empty well.

In Kaliyuga parents will love their children so much that their love will actually spoil them and will destroy their lives similar to the love shown by cow to her newborn calf.

In Kaliyuga people will fall in terms of character like the boulder from the mountain and they will not be stopped by anyone at the end only the name of God will be able to hold them from doom like the little plant held the boulder from further fall."

~ Uddhava Gita, Srimad Bhaagawatam.

CONTRIBUTED by
Mrs Shruti Chaabra

The Cockroach Theory

A beautiful speech by Sundar Pichai - an IIT-MIT Alumnus :
The cockroach theory for self development

At a restaurant, a cockroach suddenly flew from somewhere and sat on a lady. She started screaming out of fear. With a panic stricken face and trembling voice, she started jumping, with both her hands desperately trying to get rid of the cockroach. Her reaction was contagious, as everyone in her group also got panicky. The lady finally managed to push the cockroach away but ...it landed on another lady in the group. Now, it was the turn of the other lady in the group to continue the drama. The waiter rushed forward to their rescue. In the relay of throwing, the cockroach next fell upon the waiter. The waiter stood firm, composed himself and observed the behavior of the cockroach on his shirt. When he was confident enough, he grabbed it with his fingers and threw it out of the restaurant.
Sipping my coffee and watching the amusement, the antenna of my mind picked up a few thoughts and started wondering, was the cockroach responsible for their histrionic behavior? If so, then why was the waiter not disturbed? He handled it near to perfection, without any chaos. It is not the cockroach, but the inability of those people to handle the disturbance caused by the cockroach, that disturbed the ladies. I realized that, it is not the shouting of my father or my boss or my wife that disturbs me, but it's my inability to handle the disturbances caused by their shouting that disturbs me. It's not the traffic jams on the road that disturbs me, but my inability to handle the disturbance caused by the traffic jam that disturbs me. More than the problem, it's my reaction to the problem that creates chaos in my life.

Person who is HAPPY is not because Everything is RIGHT in his Life..

He is HAPPY because his Attitude towards Everything in his Life is Right..!!
—  with Sundar Pichai

Contributed by
Sh Raj Arora ji

धीरज

एक बार भगवान राम और लक्ष्मण एक सरोवर में स्नान के लिए उतरे ।उतरते समय उन्होंने अपने-अपने धनुष बाहर तट पर गाड़ दिए.जब वे स्नान करके बाहर निकले तो लक्ष्मण ने देखा की उनकी धनुष की नोक पर रक्त लगा हुआ था उन्होंने भगवान राम से कहा - "भ्राता ! लगता है कि अनजाने में कोई हिंसा हो गई ।" दोनों ने मिटटी हटाकर देखा तो पता चला कि वहां एक मेढ़क मरणासन्न पड़ा है । भगवान् राम ने करुणावश मेंढक से कहा- " तुमने आवाज क्यों नहीं दी ? कुछ हलचल,छटपटाहट तो करनी थी। हम लोग तुम्हे बचा लेते जब सांप पकड़ता है तब तुम खूब आवाज लगाते हो । धनुष लगा तो क्यों नहीं बोले ? मेंढक बोला - प्रभु !!! जब सांप पकड़ता है तब मैं ' राम-राम ' चिल्लाता हूँ एक आशा और विश्वास रहता है प्रभु अवश्य पुकार सुनेंगे। पर आज देखा की साक्षात् भगवान् श्री राम स्वयं धनुष लगा रहे है तो किसे पुकारता ??? आपके सिवा किसी का नाम याद नहीँ आया बस इसे अपना सौभाग्य मानकर चुपचाप सहता रहा ।"Iसच्चे भक्त जीवन के हर क्षण को भगवान् का आशीर्वाद मानकर उसे स्वीकार करते हैं

Contributed by
Mrs Jyotsna ji

The Elephant Rope

As a man was passing the elephants, he suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not.

He saw a trainer nearby and asked why these animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away. “Well,” trainer said, “when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.”

The man was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn’t, they were stuck right where they were.

Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before?

Failure is part of learning; we should never give up the struggle in life.

contributed by
Mrs Shruti Chhabra

Happy Soul

Who's a "Happy Soul" ?
Definition provided by Buddhist Lamas...

1. A Happy Soul stops trying to change others, but instead focus on changing self.
2. A Happy Soul is one who accepts people for who they are.
3. A Happy Soul is one who understands that everyone is right in one's own perspective.
4. A Happy Soul is one who learns to "let go".
5. A "Happy Soul is one who is able to drop expectations from every relationship and gives for the sake of giving.
6. A Happy Soul is one who understands that whatever we do, we do it for our own peace.
7. A Happy Soul is one who stops proving to the world, how intelligent one is.
8. A Happy Soul is one who does not seek approval from others.
9. A Happy Soul is one who stops comparing with others.
10. A Happy Soul is one who is at peace with oneself.
11. A Happy Soul is one who is able to differentiate between "need" and "want" and is able to let go of one's wants.
12. A Happy Soul is one who stops attaching "happiness" to material things.

Here's wishing you all, a life of a Happy Soul...!!

Contributed by
Mrs Ojasvita ji

The Bamboo

ONE DAY I DECIDED TO QUIT
I quit my job,
my relationship,
my spirituality…
I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with god

“God”, I asked, “Can you give me one good reason not to quit?”.

His answer surprised me… “Look around”, He said. “Do you see the fern and the bamboo ?

“Yes”, I replied.

“When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

He said, “In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.

In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit.” He said.

“Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant…But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.

I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.”

He asked me. “Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots”.

“I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you.”

“Don’t compare yourself to others.” He said.

”The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful.”

"Your time will come”, God said to me. “You will rise high”.

“How high should I rise?” I asked.

“How high will the bamboo rise?” He asked in return.

“As high as it can?” I questioned.

”Yes.” He said, “Give Me glory by rising as high as you can.”

I left the forest and brought back this story.

Never, Never, Never, Give up!! "In life, each  relationship will have feelings and differences. ....it's Always better to be melted in feelings than to be frozen with differences"

Just enjoy Life & Believe in God, For his Plan never fails.

Contributed by
Sh Sanjeev ji

प्रेम की रीत

श्री राम लक्ष्मण व सीता सहित चित्रकूट पर्वत की ओर जा रहे थे ! राह बहुत पथरीली और कंटीली थी ! सहसा राम के चरणों में एक कांटा चुभ गया ! फलस्वरूप वह रूष्ट या क्रोधित नहीं हुए , बल्कि हाथ जोड़कर धरती से एक अनुरोध करने लगे ! बोले - " माँ , मेरी एक विनम्र प्रार्थना है तुमसे ! क्या स्वीकार करोगी ? " धरती बोली - " प्रभु प्रार्थना नही , दासी को आज्ञा दीजिए !" 'माँ, मेरी बस यही विनती है कि जब भरत मेरी खोज में इस पथ से गुज़रे , तो तुम नरम हो जाना ! कुछ पल के लिए अपने आँचल के ये पत्थर और कांटे छुपा लेना ! मुझे कांटा चुभा सो चुभा ! पर मेरे भरत के पाँव में अघात मत करना ', श्री राम विनत भाव से बोले ! श्री राम को यूँ व्यग्र देखकर धरा दंग रह गई ! पूछा - " भगवन, धृष्टता क्षमा हो ! पर क्या भरत आपसे अधिक सुकुमार है ? जब आप इतनी सहजता से सब सहन कर गए , तो क्या कुमार भरत नहीं कर पाँएगें ? और फिर मैंने तो सुना है कि वे संतात्मा है ! संत तो स्वभाव से ही सहनशील व धैर्यवान हुआ करते है ! फिर उनको लेकर आपके चित में ऐसी व्याकुलता क्यों ? श्री राम बोले - ' नहीं .....नहीं माता ! आप मेरे कहने का अभिप्राय नहीं समझीं ! भरत को यदि कांटा चुभा , तो वह उसके पाँव को नहीं , उसके हृदय को विदीर्ण कर देगा ! '
' हृदय विदीर्ण !! ऐसा क्यों प्रभु ?', धरती माँ जिज्ञासा घुले स्वर में बोलीं ! ' अपनी पीडा़ से नहीं माँ , बल्कि यह सोचकर कि इसी कंटीली राह से मेरे प्रभु राम गुज़रे होंगे और ये शूल उनके पगों में भी चुभे होंगे ! मैया , मेरा भरत कल्पना में भी मेरी पीडा़ सहन नहीं कर सकता ! इसलिए उसकी उपस्थिति में आप कमल पंखुड़ियों सी कोमल बन जाना ...!!" श्री राम की बात सुन कर  धरती माँ की आखों से अश्रु बहने लगे

Contributed by
Smt Kanchan ji

भक्त और भगवान्

एक संत थे वे ठाकुर जी को बहुत मानते थे। उनका मानता था कि यदि भगवान के निकट आना है तो उनसे कोई नाता जोड़ लो, जहाँ जीवन में कमी है वही ठाकुर जी को बैठा दो, वे जरुर उस सम्बन्ध को निभायेगे। इसी तरह संत ठाकुर जी को अपना शिष्य मानते थेऔर शिष्य पुत्र के समान होता है इसलिए राधा रानी को पुत्र वधु (बहू)के रूप में देखते थे।  उनका नियम था प्रति दिन मंदिर जाते और ठाकुर रुपी अपने शिष्य को अपने आशीर्वाद के रूप में अपने गले में पहनी हुई माला उतार कर ठाकुर  को पहनाते थे।  किन्तु उनका यह व्यवहार मंदिर के लोगो को अच्छा नहीं लगता था। उन्होंने पुजारी से कहा - ये बाबा प्रति दिन मंदिर आते है और भगवान को अपनी उतारी हुई माला पहनाते है, कोई तो बाजार से खरीदकर भगवान को पहनाता है और ये अपनी पहनी हुई माला भगवान को पहनाते है। पुजारी जी को सबने भडकाया कि बाबा की माला आज भगवान को मत पहनाना। अगले दिन जैसे ही संत मंदिर आये और पुजारी जी को माला उतार कर दी तो आज पुजारी जी ने माला भगवान को पहनाने से इंकार कर दिया, और कहा यदि आपको माला पहनानी है तो बाजार से नाई माला लेकर आये ये पहनी हुई माला ठाकुर जी को नहीं पहनाएंगे। उस दिन वह संत बहुत दुःखी हुए  वे बाजार गए और नई माला लेकर आये, आज संत मन में बड़े उदास थे, अब जैसे ही पुजारी जी ने वह नई माला भगवान को पहनाई तुरंत वह माला टूट कर नीचे गिर गई , उन्होंने फिर जोड़कर पहनाई, फिर टूटकर गिर पड़ी, ऐसा तीन-चार बार किया पर भगवान ने वह माला स्वीकार नहीं की,  तब पुजारी जी समझ गए कि मुझसे बहुत बड़ा अपराध हो गया है और पुजारी जी ने संत से क्षमा माँगी।
संत राधा रानी को बहू मानते थे इसलिए जब भी मंदिर जाते पुजारी जी राधा रानी के विग्रह के आगे पर्दा कर देते थे, भाव ये होता था कि बहू ससुर के सामने सीधे कैसे आये, और बाबा केवल ठाकुर जी  का ही दर्शन करते थे । जब भी संत मंदिर आते तो बाहर से ही आवाज लगाते पुजारी जी हम आ गए और पुजारी जी झट से राधा रानी के विग्रह के आगे पर्दा कर देते। एक दिन संत ने बाहर से आवाज लगायी पुजारी जी हम आ गए, उस समय पुजारी जी किसी दूसरे काम में लगे हुए थे, उन्होंने सुना नहीं, तब राधा रानी जी  तुरत अपने विग्रह से बाहर आई और अपने आगे पर्दा कर दिया। जब संत मंदिर में आये, और पुजारी ने उन्हें देखा तो बड़ा आश्चर्य हुआ और राधा रानी के विग्रह की ओर देखा तो पर्दा लगा है।  पुजारी बोले - बाबा! आज आपने आवाज तो लगायी ही नहीं ? बाबा बोले - पुजारी जी! मै तो प्रति दिन की तरह आवाज लगाने के बाद ही मंदिर में आया। तब संत समझ गए कि राधा रानी जी  स्वयं आसन छोड़कर आई और उन्हें थी और उन्होंने ही अपने आगे पर्दा किया है। तब भाव से भरे उन संत को अत्यंत दुःख हुआ उन्होंने मन में सोंचा कि मेरे लिए राधा रानी को इतना कष्ट उठना पड़ा। उन्होंने मन में निश्चय किया कि अब  हम मंदिर में प्रवेश ही नही करेंगे। उस दिन के बाद से संत प्रतिदिन  मंदिर के सामने से निकलते और बाहर से ही आवाज लगाते अरे चेला राम तुम्हे आशीर्वाद है सुखी रहो और चले जाते।

Compiled and edited by
Smt Anuradha ji

कर्म का सिद्धांत

काशी के एक ब्राह्मण के सामने से एक गाय भागती हुई किसी गली में घुस गई. तभी वहां एक आदमी आया. उसने गाय के बारे में पूछा.
.पंडितजी माला फेर रहे थे इसलिए कुछ बोला नहीं बस हाथ से उस गली का इशारा कर दिया जिधर गाय गई थी.पंडितजी इस बात से अंजान थे कि वह आदमी कसाई है और गौमाता उसके चंगुल से जान बचाकर भागी थीं. कसाई ने पकड़कर गोवध कर दिया.अंजाने में हुए इस घोर पाप के कारण पंडितजी अगले जन्म में कसाई घर में जन्मे नाम पड़ा, सदना. पर पूर्वजन्म के पुण्यकर्मो के कारण कसाई होकर भी वह उदार और सदाचारी थे. कसाई परिवार में जन्मे होने के कारण सदना मांस बेचते तो थे भगवत भजन में बड़ी निष्ठा थी. एक दिन सदना को नदी के किनारे एक पत्थर पड़ा मिला.पत्थर अच्छा लगा इसलिए वह उसे मांस तोलने के लिए अपने साथ ले आए. वह इस बात अंजान थे कि यह वह वही शालिग्राम थे जिन्हें पूर्वजन्म नित्य पूजते थे. सदना कसाई पूर्वजन्म के शालिग्राम को इस जन्म में मांस तोलने के लिए बटखरे के रूप में प्रयोग करने लगे. आदत के अनुसार सदना ठाकुरजी के भजन गाते रहते थे. ठाकुरजी भक्त की स्तुति का पलड़े में झूलते हुए आनंद लेते रहते. बटखरे का कमाल ऐसा था कि चाहे आधे किलो तोलना हो, एक किलो या दो किलो सारा वजन उससे पक्का हो जाता. एक दिन सदना की दुकान के सामने से एक ब्राह्मण निकले. उनकी नजर बाट पर पड़ी तो सदना के पास आए और शालिग्राम को अपवित्र करने के लिए फटकारा.उन्होंने कहा- मूर्ख, जिसे पत्थर समझकर मांस तौल रहे हो वे शालिग्राम भगवान हैं. ब्राह्मण ने सदना से शालिग्राम भगवान को लिया और घर ले आए.गंगा जल से नहलाया, धूप, दीप,चन्दन से पूजा की. ब्राह्मण को अहंकार हो गया जिस शालिग्राम से पतितों का उद्दार होता है आज एक शालिग्राम का वह उद्धार कर रहा है.रात को उसके सपने में ठाकुरजी आए और बोले- तुम जहां से लाए हो वहीँ मुझे छोड़ आओ. मेरा भक्त सदन कसाई की भक्ति में जो बात है वह तुम्हारे आडंबर में नहीं. ब्राह्मण बोला- प्रभु! सदना कसाई का पापकर्म करता है. आपका प्रयोग मांस तोलने में करता है. मांस की दुकान जैसा अपवित्र स्थान आपके योग्य नहीं.भगवान बोले- भक्ति में भरकर सदना मुझे तराजू में रखकर तोलता था मुझे ऐसा लगता है कि वह मुझे झूला रहा हो. मांस की दुकान में आने वालों को भी मेरे नाम का स्मरण कराता है.मेरा भजन करता है. जो आनन्द वहां मिलता था वह यहां नहीं. तुम मुझे वही छोड आओ. ब्राह्मण शालिग्राम भगवान को वापस सदना कसाई को दे आए. ब्राह्मण बोला- भगवान को तुम्हारी संगति ही ज्यादा सुहाई. यह तो तुम्हारे पास ही रहना चाहते हैं. ये शालिग्राम भगवान का स्वरुप हैं. हो सके तो इन्हें पूजना बटखरा मत बनाना. सदना ने यह सुना अनजाने में हुए अपराध को याद करके दुखी हो गया. सदना ने प्राश्चित का निश्चय किया और भगवान जगन्नाथ के दर्शन के लिए निकल पड़ा. वह भी भगवान के दर्शन को जाते एक समूह में शामिल हो गए लेकिन लोगों को पूछने पर उसने बता दिया कि वह कसाई का काम करता था.लोग उससे दूर-दूर रहने लगे. उसका छुआ खाते-पीते नहीं थे. दुखी सदना ने उनका साथ छोड़ा और शालिग्रामजी के साथ भजन करता अकेले चलने लगा. सदना को प्यास लगी थी. रास्ते में एक गांव में कुंआ दिखा तो वह पानी पीने ठहर गया. वहां एक सुन्दर स्त्री पानी भर रही थी. वह सदना के सुंदर मजबूत शरीर पर रीझ गई.उसने सदना से कहा कि शाम हो गई है. इसलिए आज रात वह उसके घर में ही विश्राम कर लें. सदना को उसकी कुटिलता समझ में न आई, वह उसके अतिथि बन गए.रात में वह स्त्री अपने पति के सो जाने पर सदना के पास पहुंच गई और उनसे अपने प्रेम की बात कही. स्त्री की बात सुनकर सदना चौंक गए और उसे पतिव्रता रहने को कहा. स्त्री को लगा कि शायद पति होने के कारण सदना रुचि नहीं ले रहे. वह चली गई और वह गई और सोते हुए पति का गला काट लाई.सदना भयभीत हो गए. स्त्री समझ गई कि बात बिगड़ जाएगी इसलिए उसने रोना-चिल्लाना शुरू कर दिया. पड़ोसियों से कह दिया कि इस यात्री को घर में जगह दी. चोरी की नीयत से इसने मेरे पति का गला काट दिया.सदना को पकड़ कर न्यायाधीश के सामने पेश किया गया. न्यायाधीश ने सदना को देखा तो ताड़ गए कि यह हत्यारा नहीं हो सकता. उन्होने बार-बार सदना से सारी बात पूछी.सदना को लगता था कि यदि वह प्यास से व्याकुल गांव में न पहुंचते तो हत्या न होती. वह स्वयं को ही इसके लिए दोषी मानते थे. अतः वे मौन ही रहे.न्यायाधीश ने राजा को बताया कि एक आदमी अपराधी है नहीं पर चुप रहकर एक तरह से अपराध की मौन स्वीकृति दे रहा है. इसे क्या दंड दिया जाना चाहिए? राजा ने कहा- यदि वह प्रतिवाद नहीं करता तो दण्ड अनिवार्य है. अन्यथा प्रजा में गलत सन्देश जाएगा कि अपराधी को दंड नहीं मिला. इसे मृत्युदंड मत दो,  हाथ काटने का हुक्म दो. सदना का दायां हाथ काट दिया गया. सदना ने अपने पूर्वजन्म के कर्म मानकर चुपचाप दंड सहा और जगन्नाथपुरी धाम की यात्रा शुरू की. धाम के निकट पहुंचे तो भगवान ने अपने सेवक राजा को प्रियभक्त सदना कसाई की सम्मान से अगवानी का आदेश दिया. प्रभु आज्ञा से राजा गाजे-बाजे लेकर अगुवानी को आया. सदना ने यह सम्मान स्वीकार नहीं किया तो स्वयं ठाकुरजी ने दर्शन दिए. उन्हें सारी बात सुनाई- तुम पूर्वजन्म में ब्राहमण थे. तुमने संकेत से एक कसाई को गाय का पता बताया था. तुम्हारे कारण जिस गाय की जान गई थी वही स्त्री बनी है जिसके झूठे आरोपों से तुम्हारा हाथ काटा गया. उस स्त्री का पति पूर्वजन्म का कसाई बना था जिसका वध कर गाय ने बदला लिया है. भगवान जगन्नाथजी बोले- सभी के शुभ और अशुभ कर्मों का फल मैं देता हूं. अब तुम निष्पाप हो गए हो. घृणित आजीविका के बावजूद भी तुमने धर्म का साथ न छोड़ा.इसलिए तुम्हारे प्रेम को मैंने स्वीकार किया. मैं तुम्हारे साथ मांस तोलने वाले तराजू में भी प्रसन्न रहा. भगवान के दर्शन से सदनाजी को मोक्ष प्राप्त हुआ.

Compiled and edited by
Sh. Bimal ji

सच्चा संत

एक संत थे बड़े निस्पृह, सदाचारी एवं लोकसेवी। जीवन भर निस्वार्थ भाव से दूसरों की भलाई में लगे रहते।एक बार विचरण करते हुए देवताओं की टोली उनकी कुटिया के समीप से निकली। संत साधनारत थे, साधना से उठे, देखा देवगण खड़े हैं, आदरसम्मान किया, आसन दिया।देवतागण बोले- “आपके लोकहितार्थ किए गए कार्यों को देखकर हमें प्रसन्नता हुई, आप जो चाहें वरदान माँग लें।“ संत विस्मय से बोले- “सब तो है मेरे पास कोई इच्छा भी नहीं है, जो माँगा जाए।“ देवगण एकस्वर में बोले- “आप को माँगना ही पड़ेगा अन्यथा हमारा बड़ा अपमान होगा।“ संत बड़े असमंजस में पड़े कि कोई तो इच्छा शेष नहीं है माँगे तो क्या माँगे, बड़े विनीत भाव से बोले- “आप सर्वज्ञ हैं, स्वयं समर्थ हैं, आप ही अपनी इच्छा से दे दें मुझे स्वीकार होगा।“देवता बोले- “तुम दूसरों का कल्याण करो!”संत बोले- “क्षमा करें देव! यह दुष्कर कार्य मुझ से न बन पड़ेगा।“देवता बोले- “इसमें दुष्कर क्या है?”
संत बोले- “मैंने आजतक किसी को दूसरा समझा ही नहीं सभी तो मेरे अपने हैं, फिर दूसरों का कल्याण कैसे बन पड़ेगा?”देवतागण एक दूसरे को देखने लगे कि संतों के बारे में बहुत सुना था आज वास्तविक संत के दर्शन हो गये।देवताओं ने संत की कठिनाई समझ कर अपने वरदान में संशोधन किया।
“अच्छा आप जहाँ से भी निकलेंगे और जिस पर भी आपकी परछाई पड़ेगी उस उसका कल्याण होता चला जाएगा।“संत ने बड़े विनम्र भाव से प्रार्थना की- “हे देवगण! यदि एक कृपा और करदें, तो बड़ा उपकार होगा। मेरी छाया से किसका कल्याण हुआ कितनों का उद्धार हुआ, इसका भान मुझे न होने पाए, अन्यथा मेरा अहंकार मुझे ले डूबेगा।“देवतागण संत के विनम्र भाव सुनकर नतमस्तक हो गए।कल्याण सदा ऐसे ही संतों के द्वारा संभव है।...

Compiled and edited by
Sh Deep ji

न्याय

एक वैश्या मरी और उसी दिन उसके सामने रहने वाला बूढ़ा सन्यासी भी मर गया,संयोग की बात है।देवता लेने आए सन्यासी को नरक में और वैश्या को स्वर्ग में ले जाने लगे। संन्यासी एक दम  खड़ा हो गया,तुम ये कैसा अन्याय कर रहे हो? मुझे नरक में और वैश्या को स्वर्ग में ले जा रहे हो,जरूर कोई भूल हो गई है. उसे परमात्मा के पास ले जाया गया, परमात्मा ने कहा इसके पीछे एक गहन कारण है,-वैश्या शराब पीती थी,भोग में रहती थी,पर जब तुम मंदिर में बैठकर भजन गाते थे,धूप दीप जलाते थे,घंटियां बजाते थे,,,तब वह सोचती थी कब मेरे जीवन में यह सौभाग्य होगा,मैं मंदिर में बैठकर भजन कर पाऊंगी कि नहीं,वह तिल। तिल रोती थी,और तुम्हारे धूप दीप की सुगंध जब उसके घर मे पहुंचती थी तो वह अपना अहोभाग्य समझती थी,घंटियों की आवाज सुनकर मस्त हो जाती थी।लेकिन तुम्हारा मन पूजापाठ करते हुए भी यही सोचता कि वैश्या है तो सुंदर पर वहां तक कैसे पंहुचा जाए?तुम हिम्मत नही जुटा पाए,,तुम्हारी प्रतिष्ठा आड़े आई--गांव भर के लोग तुम्हें संयासी मानते थे।
जब वैश्या नाचती थी,शराब बंटती थी,तुम्हारे मन में वासना जगती थी इसलिए वैश्या को स्वर्ग लाया गया और तुम्हें नरक में।वेश्या को विवेक पुकारता था। ,वह प्रार्थना करती थी तुम इच्छा रखते थे वासना की।वह कीचड़ में थी पर कमल की भांति ऊपर उठती गई। और तुम कमल बनकर आए थे कीचड़ में धंसे रहे।

Source ~internet

दर्शन

भगवान् के एक बहुत बड़े भक्त थे। सर्वदा ईश्वर भक्ति व परोपकार के कार्यों में लीन रहते। एक बार नारद जी पृथ्वी पर भ्रमण करने आये।
भक्त ने नारद जी से विनती की – ” देवर्षि, मेरे मन में प्रभु के दर्शन की बहुत लालसा है। जब भी आप प्रभु से मिलें, तब उनसे पूछ कर बताईये कि मुझे उनके दर्शन कब होंगे ?” नारद जी ने हामी भर दी। कुछ समय बाद नारद जी फिर से पृथ्वी पर आये। भक्त ने उत्सुकता व विनम्रता पूर्वक नारद जी से अपना प्रश्न दोहराया। ‘मैंने प्रभु से पूछा था उनका कथन है कि हम जिस वृक्ष के नीचे खड़े हैं उसमें जितने पत्ते हैं ,उतने वषों के बाद तुम्हे प्रभु के दर्शन होंगे। ” नारद जी की बात सुन कर भक्त भाव विभोर हो कर नाचने लगे – मन में आनंद का भाव था, बार बार यही कह रहे थे – “मेरे प्रभु आयेंगे ,मुझे प्रभु के दर्शन होंगे।” उसी समय वहां भगवान् प्रकट हो गए। भक्त अपने प्रभु के दर्शन कर भाव विभोर था। उस समय नारद जी ने कहा – भगवन , आपने मुझसे कहा था कि इस वृक्ष पर जितने पत्ते हैं उतने जन्म के बाद आप आयेंगे लेकिन आप तो अभी आ गए। मेरा कथन भी इस भक्त के सामने झूठा पड़ गया। ”
“नारद मैंने सत्य कहा था। लेकिन भक्त की भक्ति के सामने मैं भी विवश हूँ। मुझे लगा था कि इतना अधिक समय सुन कर भक्त के मन में निराशा होगी ,लेकिन इसके मन में तो और अधिक भक्तिभाव आ गया। इसलिए मुझे अभी आना पडा।

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