Friday, December 4, 2015

Short story: Knowledge and Love

Copyright@shravancharitymission

By Kamlesh Tripathi








  Long time ago there lived a Maharishi (sage) whose name was Shaunak. He had many devoted shishyas (pupils) who sincerely served him. Maharishi used to often send his shishyas to the nearby villages and cities, and to the common people there to teach them the fundamental objectives of life. This continued for some time. After a while and gradually some shishyas started becoming arrogant as they thought by teaching so many people they had become a scholar.

    One day a few of them came up to the Maharishi and said, ‘Guruji as advised by you, we on a continuous basis keep touring across villages and cities to convey your message about the essence and objective of life to common people.

    We relentlessly spread your message, as we deem fit to so many people. But we feel this huge effort on our part has given no benefit to the people as most continue to be moorkh (simpleton) because even after hearing the message they don’t want to change themselves. We feel as if we are wasting our time and energy with them.

    Maharishi, for a moment was stunned and saddened at this, because he knew some shishyas were sounding arrogant. Maharishi said, ‘You’ll have researched quite a lot on the various aspects of life.’ Shishyas said, ‘yes Guruji and our reservoir of knowledge is praised by one and all, and in all directions. And we have learnt whatever was required to be learnt.’

    Maharishi said, ‘I’m happy at your proficiency of knowledge that you all have attained. But before we discuss anything on the subject, I want you’ll to form two groups. One group will gather the kind of knowledge from the people, that is not bookish and the other group will gather information about love that is not physical.

    The arrogant shishyas were stunned at Maharishi’s orders. They started wondering, as to how a person can gain knowledge without reading a book and how can he be in love without physical contact? Nevertheless, based on Maharishi’s advice they formed two groups and immediately marched towards different directions and started discussing the matter with various people who came in contact. They also came in contact with people they had met earlier.

    Wherever they went they were ridiculed, and people made fun of them considering them to be the moorkh of the first order.  And since the shishyas were away from the realities of life, their self respect took a beating. Soon they returned to the Maharishi. In a murmuring tone they said,

    ‘Guruji, it appears you had sent us to the village and city of moorkhs. Where, each of them who earlier respected us is today mocking at us. It is impossible to gain knowledge without reading a book and also impossible to love without physical relationship.’

    Maharishi smiled and said, ‘is it so? So then what happened to the knowledge that I gave you. If real knowledge is only available through books, and love only with physical relationship then why did you come to me? So then why is it that people after reading books and after acquiring love through physical relationship are still ignorant about real knowledge and real love.’

    Upon hearing Maharishi’s reply the shishyas were shamed. They were embarrassed at their ignorance. They requested Maharishi to show them the way. Maharishi said, ‘my dear children let me make it known to you that real knowledge will not arise out of books but will arise only out of these people. Because from many of them only books have emanated. Before educating these people we will have to understand the reservoir of self knowledge within us. And, if we place ourselves in their position we will know the reason of their laughter.

    Only by knowing people from a close distance can we reach a definite conclusion and understand as to what they want to communicate. And all this is possible only when we accept them.

    Accept the person as he is. Because, accepting the Universe as it is, and also accepting its people as it is the lone true knowledge and rest are only evasive thoughts.

    In the same manner true love comes to you only if you are humble towards the Creator of the Universe. One who has given me body, mind and soul and has decorated this world with various beautiful dreams. This feeling of humbleness takes me to that divine love which forms our roots and that gives us the refuge of salvation.

    To gain out of real knowledge and to know about real love you all had to come to me, as I’m your Guru, and Guru is the representative of the Universe and its creator. Finally, only the real knowledge and love for God are true.’


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