Those were times when the gods moved through invisible borders to sojourn on earth. Human civilisation was still relatively young, and the atmosphere was permeated with a spirit of enquiry. The external world whetted man's curiosity, and his inner world invited him to reflect. If it was common to see artisans in deep concentration, carving out figurines on chariots, it was equally unexceptional to see mystics contemplating on the secrets of life. Society, at large, was motivated towards augmenting mutual enhancement; fostering a sense of togetherness; and encouraging an attitude of ahimsa. Yet, it was not the perfect age. For dharma, which in its complete state stood on four legs, was now having to balance itself on just three. It was Treta Yuga.
Sage Narada, one of the sons of Brahma, stepped out of his celestial abode to descend into a dense forest in Bhuloka. The forest that was home to several beasts of prey was also the haunt of a hunter and wayside robber, Ratnakara. As was his wont with passersby, Ratnakara accosted Narada and demanded his possessions at knife-point. An unfazed Narada responded, "I have nothing of material value with me." And further asked, "But...why are you committing this baneful act?" The bandit replied that he had taken to it in a desperate bid to support his wife, children and aged parents.
Narada looked him in the eye and asked, "Are you aware that you will have to experience the effects of your wrong Karma? Do you think that your family members will come forward to partake in the suffering that is bound to follow?" Narada was a sage of legendary wisdom and omniscience. If he was eliciting information from Ratnakara about his motives, it was only with the intention of having the robber introspect. When Ratnakara replied that his choice of action was dictated solely by a sense of duty, Narada utilised that opportunity to awaken the man to the inescapable effects of karmic laws.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 2022 من The Vedanta Kesari.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 2022 من The Vedanta Kesari.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Panchakroshi Parikrama of Varanasi
At the snow-capped Kailas, the Divine Lord Shiva was seated with Mother Parvati.
Gadai and the Monks
A fictional narrative based on incidents from the childhood of Sri Ramakrishna.
Swami Vivekananda’s French Interview: A New Discovery
We are happy to present what, to the best of our knowledge, is a hitherto unknown interview given by Swami Vivekananda in French language to a newspaper in France. Interestingly the interview was published on 11 September 1900, exactly seven years after Swamiji burst upon the world from the platform of the Parliament of Religions in Chicago. Swami Surarchitananda discovered this interview during an online archive search and Ms. Irina Croitor has translated it into English.
'Pandit Ji Maharaj' Par Excellence: Swami Vipulananda
In 1933, the Annamalai University of Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu was bustling with activity in connection with the imminent visit by the British Governor, George Fredrick Stanley of Madras Presidency. He was to chair the Convocation at the University.
Reminiscences of Sargachhi
All the doctors, teachers, engineers you see, are doing social service. Our education system teaches 'service to the society'- this is the objective side of man.
Mon Ekbaar Hori Bolo... Songs dear to Sri Ramakrishna
Sri Ramakrishna loved songs. There probably was no normal day when he did not sing some songs. His conversations with devotees were interspersed with songs that drove home the point of discussion and intensified the spiritual mood of the gathering. Sri Ramakrishner Priyo Sangeet is a collection of songs that were sung by Sri Ramakrishna or sung in his presence by others. In this section we serialise these songs giving the English and Devanagari transliteration of the Bengali song, along with its English translation.
Freedom vs Technology
Ethics, principles and values that guide ordinary people to do extraordinary work in eternal India
Seven Steps on the Path and other Heart to Heart Talks
BOOK REVIEWS
Tale of Two Realities An understanding of life through the Ramayana and Yogasutra
Beginning with this issue we are serialising Tale of Two Realities which we hope will help readers gain a deeper understanding of life. Our readers are familiar with the author through her The Vedas and Poorva: Magic, Miracles & the Mystical Twelve which were serialised earlier. The illustrations for this series is by Smt Uma Krishnaswami, a well-known artist. The author's note below gives a brief introduction to the series.
Sri Ramakrishna and the Freedom Movement - SWAMI VEDANISHTHANANDA
75th Anniversary of India's Independence The year 2022 is significant for India as it celebrates 75 years of attaining independence from the colonial domination. It was after a long struggle that we could free our motherland from foreign rule and make this "tryst with destiny".
