CHINNA KATHA

OVERCOMING KARMA AND EXPERIENCING ANANDA

Once when the sage Narada was proceeding to Vaikuntha,the heavenly abode of the Lord, he espied a yogi (renunciant) who was engaged in severe ascetic practices.

The yogi prayed to Narada to bring back from Vaikuntha information about the date of his becoming entitled to enter into the Lord’s abode. Narada promised to do so.

When Narada stood in the presence of God, he pleaded on behalf of the yogi and asked that he may be informed of the date.

The Lord replied, "Tell him that he will be coming here after as many more births as there are leaves on the tree under which he is currently doing penance."

Narada felt sad and dispirited when he thought of the grief into which the yogi would be thrown into on hearing this disheartening verdict of the Lord. But he mustered courage to announce it nevertheless, for, the yogi insisted on learning the news that he had assured to bring.

When Narada at last broke the demoralizing decision of the Lord, contrary to his expectations, the yogi was transported into a realm of joy; he was not dispirited in the least.

He jumped and danced in glee. He was lost in the thrill of his dream being so near actual fulfillment. He became oblivious to the world around and was filled with ecstasy thinking of the Lord and offering Him his profound gratitude.

The Lord was so pleased with the joy of the yogi that He himself appeared before him and offered him Vaikuntha immediately. But, the yogi said, he would bide his time, for, he did not like the Lord's word, which Narada had brought, to be falsified!

The Lord now had to convince him that good deeds, noble thoughts and sacred feelings can wipe out the tracings of bad; therefore, by his enthusiastic acceptance of the Lord's will he has actually overcome the consequences of past actions.

The Law of Karma is not an iron law; by dedication and purification, which invites Divine benediction, its effects can be modified, and its rigour mitigated. Do not despair; do not lose heart. When vices hold sway over your heart it becomes foul and sooty; the flames of kaama, krodha and lobha (desire, anger and greed) char the heart. What quenches these flames is the Grace of the Lord. Grace confers bliss (anandam), which the evil tendencies (kama, krodha and lobha) can never confer.

- Baba

Illustrations: Mrs. Vidya, Kuwait