Thursday, July 16, 2015

SHORT STORY: HALF KNOWLEDGE

Copyright@shravancharityknowledge

By Kamlesh Tripathi







INCOMPLETE KNOWLEDGE

    Long time ago there lived a Maharishi by the name of Shandilya. He had many pupils, who regularly attended his gurukul (a type of residential school in India) to acquire knowledge. And, simultaneously they also prayed to the Maharishi to bless them with Brahma-Gyan (divine knowledge). But Maharishi as of now was reluctant in accepting their humble request, for teaching them divine knowledge. And after some time, some of his pupils got quite impatient and they asked Maharishi the reason for not enlightening them with divine knowledge.

    Maharishi in a soft tone said, ‘Dear students, I know all of you are very eager for to learn and imbibe divine knowledge, but I feel this is not the right time to teach you this.

    “How is that possible?’said one pupil in a stern tone. ‘Guruji, you only told us knowledge will take us to divine knowledge. You have given us enough knowledge, and now what stops you know from giving us divine knowledge?’

    ‘Is it, have you gained a lot of knowledge?’ Maharishi questioned in a sarcastic manner and then said, ‘arrogance and impatience have blurred your vision and in your expression there is also dearth of love, even when I love you all so much. Okay, I will give you all, whatever you are worth giving. So, please close your eyes and witness a glimpse of your wishes being fulfilled.

    And when everyone had closed their eyes, the pupils saw they were are flying in the space-galaxy. And their flight ended in front of a splendid gate. And as they reached there, the gate opened slowly and they heard a voice saying, ‘you are welcome, and from here you can start your onward journey.’

    And after getting inside this time they reached the golden space-galaxy about which they had neither heard nor seen. And, the way further, took them to another golden gate close by. And as they reached there, this gate also opened. And as they entered, they found it to be pitch-dark, all over. They, then forgot their way and start stumbling in the dark, and started losing their courage.

    In the end, they were unable to withstand the pain and they all started groaning, ‘Gurudev have mercy on us, and save us. We don’t know where we are, and where we have to go, and it’s is pitch-dark here.’ And at that very moment, their illusion broke and their eyes opened, and they saw the smiling and pleasant face of Maharishi. Scared they ask, ‘What had happened to us Gurudev, why couldn’t we go ahead and why all of a sudden everything around us became so abnormal?

    Gurudev, in a sombre tone said, ‘it happened, because, you all had the potential to go only up to halfway, and you did not have the potential to go any further than that.The first door was the knowledge door, which took you to the second door. The second door was the door of love that was getting you to the ocean of love. But your arrogance and impatience stopped the progress of your moving ahead, to the ocean of love.

    ‘You all need to remember, half-knowledge will only take you half-way to ultimate-happiness. And, the balance you need to cover with love. Knowledge and love together, will take you to the high echelons of divine knowledge.

    ‘That’s why you should stay in the domain of knowledge and you should shun arrogance and impatience. Look up to God with immense devotion, and serve his universe with extreme reverence. Supreme knowledge and love are two sides of the same coin that alone takes us to extreme bliss, so go and serve the world with love and humility. And, after that, come to me for divine progress.

     This story tells while we must stay in the domain of knowledge, we must shun arrogance. And along with knowledge, sense of serving the community is equally important. Humility and love are signs of holiness.

    On hindsight the story also tells us that love is an essential link in the chain of human relations, be it physical or human psyche. And Guru plays an important role in unifying the unique relation between love and knowledge.


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