The story of the skull and three boons...

O human, always be aware of one thing that a lazy person is not only the one who does not want to work but he too who can perform better but doesn’t and nor does he aspire to do so.

Ask your heart, whether there is a feeling (bhav) of expectation from God, whenever you pray.

 You have been plagued by this mentality since ages that someone else will do something for you and this thought has made you intolerant (asaheshun) and (akarmany) lazy. Now listen to the condition of the boons (vardaans) –

 A middle aged couple could not arrange for a happy and peaceful life while they were young. They banked their hopes on their only son, assuming him to be their support in old-age. But nothing of this sort happened. The son too only managed to make ends meet by doing odd-jobs. Old age dawned upon them and yet they had no house or any economic support. Worried, they began running here and there looking for a solution.

Then someone gave them a skull and told then to worship it with full adulation and reverence (lagan) only then it would fulfil three of their desires.

Three boons are a lot. The couple was very happy and pleased.

Khoob manoyog se, With all their heart-felt trust they started to worship the skull. After a few days, in the night, there were some vibrations in the skull. It was time now to ask for the boons. They asked for a house. In the morning a man came and announced that they were to receive a large sum of money. When they enquired about the source of it, they were told that their only son was killed in a gruesome accident and the money was his compensation.

Crushed with sorrow hey lost their bearings. When they recovered a little, they remembered the skull and started to invoke it. As soon as it showed some signs of movement they asked for their son back. And lo and behold! Their son came back but in a badly mutilated condition. He needed constant care, howling day and night in agony, asking for food, medicines etc. Their old bodies became weary looking after such a horrible case.

In despair, they searched for a way out - once again they remembered the skull. Again the entire process of invoking it started – worshipping, chanting mantras. Once again the skull moved. This time they asked for the liberation and peace of their son’s soul.

 

 All three desires were consumed without bearing any fruit (nishphal). But their condition remained the same as before, in fact it became worse, their only hope and support - their son was gone. So now all that remained was to sit and blame their fate. This is the story of the happenings (niyati) of the karm-cycle (karmchakr).

From Hirananyakashap to Ravan, many seeped by their arrogance, performed penances using the powers of various mantras and tantras and received boons from God. But the divine plan (vidhi ka vidhan) somehow (chooses and) prepares a medium who acts as an antidote to boons procured through the limited mind.

So, o human, know that all that is achieved by working without desire, through sincere hard work according to the laws of natural Nature (kalyankari) – creates path for the welfare of all.

 This world is very beautiful and an absolutely appropriate laboratory for refining your being and expansion of divine qualities (gunas).

  Pranam.

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 Truth purity and clarity touch the climax when we feel the will and purpose of the soul in the Universe and constantly live in the thought of Oneness. Then only one DHARM pervades.

Copyright Pranam 2011. All Rights Reserved.