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