Friday, June 26, 2015

SHORT STORY: GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES

Copyright@kamleshsujata1

By Kamlesh Tripathi



In primitive times there was a Mahatma who lived in a village on the banks of a river. And many villagers from in and around, and even far off places used to come to him for help and advice.

    One day a moorkh (simpleton) villager came to the Mahatma and started weeping. On Mahatma’s enquiring he replied, ‘people in my village are very bad, and they always misbehave with me. So what should I do to save myself from them; please advice and help me.’

    Mahatma consoled him and politely said, ‘don’t worry and have confidence in God, for he will set right everything right.’ And upon hearing this, moorkh was happy, and soon he left for home.

    After a few months there were severe floods in the village when everyone started running helter-skelter to save themselves, but the moorkh just climbed up to the roof of his house and started praying to God. And when the flood water started touching the roof a kind person spotted him and extended his hand to help him, but the moorkh refused to hold his hand and said, ‘I don’t trust you, and I’m confident God will help me.’

In the meanwhile the flood waters climbed further and reached up to his neck and seeing this, some people perched in a passing boat offered to help, by asking him to jump on the boat but again he refused and said, ‘I only trust God.’

After sometime he started drowning, when some kind people rescued him. They helped him back to consciousness. But the moorkh Instead of thanking these people, went up to the Mahatma and started saying, ‘you had asked me to have faith and reliance in God, but this tip of yours nearly killed me for he never came for my help.

    Mahatama smiled at him and sweetly said, ‘simple soul in response to your prayers only these people and the boat was sent to you; to save you. But you refused to take any help. But, even then God almighty who wishes and desires everyone welfare, to save you, sent some kind people, otherwise by now you would have been dead.’ And, the Mahatma further sermonized, ’always remember in response to your earnest prayers God will not come and do your “karma” for you. He has given you brains and you need use it.’

    This story from the Puran  (Hindu holy script)  and conveys a simple message, “God helps those who help themselves.”

****

No comments:

Post a Comment