Self Realization                                                                                                                    We always listen to the God’s Strength but we forget about His strength in our daily life.  Once there lived a brahmin by name Atmadeva who believed that Atma(soul) is God. We must understand the “tatwas” in our life.  It is God within us who is responsible for all the deeds done in our life.  Mama Swami and Sarva Swami are the two” tatwas”.   God is Atma (soul).  All the activities are performed through Atma.  God is always ananthagunaparipurna. Atmadeva was married to a beautiful woman.  But she was very talkative and was interested in gossiping. They had no issues.  Atmadeva was very much worried about it.  While wondering in the forest Atmadeva became thirsty and he was taking rest after drinking water.  Another Sanyasi joins Atmadeva.  The worried Atmadeva confesses to the Sanyasi that even though he had made lot of sacrifices he was not able to have children.  Atmadeva tells Sanyasi that he has decided to commit suicide and prays to the Sanyasi if he could help him to beget a child.  The Sanyasi from his knowledge found out that Atmadeva cannot have children even after 7 janmas.  Sanyasi told Atmadeva about his inability to help him.  In Mahabharata the following are the reasons for not being able to have children:  i) poisoning of children ii) consuming the flesh of calves and birds iii) Guru dwesh iv) hating the children of others v) those who do not perform shraddas.  Tarpanas and shraddas must be performed.  Sanyasi asks Atmadeva to take Sanyasatva.  But Atmadeva refuses to become Sanyasi and pleads Sanyasi to bestow him a son.  Then Sanyasi   tells Atmadeva about an incident that happened once for a king Chitraketu who got a child in spite of advise by Angirasa rushi that he cannot be blessed with a child.  The child born was poisoned by other concubines.  Even then Atmadeva persists of having a child,  then Sanyasi gives a fruit to Atmadeva and advises him to give to his wife.  Sanyasi advises Atmadeva to observe strictly truthfulness and devotion to God for one year; he should eat only once daily and be involved in helping deserving people.  Atmadeva gave the fruit to his wife.  But she was not willing to follow these instructions and was also not willing to be pregnant.  At that time her younger sister came and she was pregnant.  Her sister advises her to act as pregnant and she will give her child to her.  The fruit was given to a cow in the house. The cow became pregnant and gave birth to a son with cow’s ears.  That child was named as Gokarna.    Dundali the wife of Atmadeva named her sister’s child as Dundukari.  He followed the wicked path.  He was giving lot of troubles to his friends and he started living with wicked women.    Atmadeva became very sad.  Gokarna advises Atmadeva to renunciate family life and think of God.  Atmaderva by his sadhana and devotion gets salvation.  Dundali fell into a well and lost her life because of Dun Dakari’s torture.   Dundukari lives lavishly in illegal manner.  His concubines kill him for the sake of property. The moral of the story is we must not desire for the impossible things beyond our reach and be contented with whatever God has given to us.

Based on the lecture of Uttaradi mutt Swamiji