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सूर्यवंशी राजा नृग की कथा

vmission — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 02:24:40 +0000

सूर्यवंशी राजा नृग की कथा?

इंद्र कुलिस मम सूल बिसाला। कालदंड हरि चक्र कराला॥
जो इन्ह कर मारा नहिं मरई। बिप्र द्रोह पावक सो जरई॥

भावार्थ:-इंद्र के वज्र, मेरे विशाल त्रिशूल, काल के दंड और श्री हरि के विकराल चक्र के मारे भी जो नहीं मरता, वह भी विप्रद्रोह रूपी अग्नि से भस्म हो जाता है॥

‘श्रीमद्भागवत महापुराण’ के अनुसार- श्रीशुकदेवजी कहते हैं- “प्रिय परीक्षित! एक दिन साम्ब, प्रद्युम्न, चारुभानु और गदा आदि यदुवंशी राजकुमार घूमने के लिये उपवन में गये। वहाँ बहुत देर तक खेल खेलते हुए उन्हें प्यास लग आयी।

अब वे इधर-उधर जल की खोज करने लगे। वे एक कुएँ के पास गये; उसमें जल तो था नहीं, एक बड़ा विचित्र जीव दीख पड़ा। वह जीव पर्वत के समान आकार का एक गिरगिट था।

उसे देखकर उनके आश्चर्य की सीमा न रही। उनका हृदय करुणा से भर आया और वे उसे बाहर निकालने का प्रयत्न करने लगे। परन्तु जब वे राजकुमार उस गिरे हुए गिरगिट को चमड़े और सूत की रस्सियों से बाँधकर बाहर न निकाल सके, तब कुतूहलवश उन्होंने यह आश्चर्यमय वृत्तान्त भगवान श्रीकृष्ण के पास जाकर निवेदन किया।

जगत के जीवनदाता कमलनयन भगवान श्रीकृष्ण उस कुएँ पर आये। उसे देखकर उन्होंने बायें हाथ से खेल-खेल में-अनायास ही उसको बाहर निकाल लिया। भगवान श्रीकृष्ण के करकमलों का स्पर्श होते ही उसका गिरगिट-रूप जाता रहा और वह एक स्वर्गीय देवता के रूप में परिणत हो गया।

अब उसके शरीर का रंग तपाये हुए सोने के समान चमक रहा था और उसके शरीर पर अद्भुत वस्त्र, आभूषण और पुष्पों के हार शोभा पा रहे थे। यद्यपि भगवान श्रीकृष्ण जानते थे कि इस दिव्य पुरुष को गिरगिट-योनि क्यों मिली थी, फिर भी वह कारण सर्वसाधारण को मालूम हो जाय, इसलिये उन्होंने उस दिव्य पुरुष से पूछा- “महाभाग! तुम्हारा यह रूप तो बहुत ही सुन्दर है। तुम हो कौन?

मैं तो ऐसा समझता हूँ कि तुम अवश्य ही कोई श्रेष्ठ देवता हो। कल्याणमूर्ते! किस कर्म के फल से तुम्हें इस योनि में आना पड़ा था? वास्तव में तुम इसके योग्य नहीं हो। हम लोग तुम्हारा वृत्तान्त जानना चाहते हैं। यदि तुम हम लोगों को वह बतलाना उचित समझो तो अपना परिचय अवश्य दो।”

श्रीशुकदेवजी कहते हैं- “परीक्षित! जब अनन्तमूर्ति भगवान श्रीकृष्ण ने राजा नृग से इस प्रकार पूछा, तब उन्होंने अपना सूर्य के समान जाज्वल्यमान मुकुट झुकाकर भगवान को प्रणाम किया और वे इस प्रकार कहने लगे।

राजा नृग ने कहा- “प्रभो! मैं महाराज इक्ष्वाकु का पुत्र राजा नृग हूँ। जब कभी किसी ने आपके सामने दानियों की गिनती की होगी, तब उसमें मेरा नाम भी अवश्य ही आपके कानों में पड़ा होगा। प्रभो! आप समस्त प्राणियों की एक-एक वृत्ति के साक्षी हैं।

भूत और भविष्य का व्यवधान भी आपके अखण्ड ज्ञान में किसी प्रकार की बाधा नहीं डाल सकता। अतः आपसे छिपा ही क्या है? फिर भी मैं आपकी आज्ञा का पालन करने के लिये कहता हूँ। भगवन! पृथ्वी में जितने धूलिकण हैं, आकाश में जितने तारे हैं और वर्षा में जितनी जल की धाराएँ गिरती हैं, मैंने उतनी ही गौएँ दान की थीं।

वे सभी गौएँ दुधार, नौजवान, सीधी, सुन्दर, सुलक्षणा और कपिला थीं। उन्हें मैंने न्याय के धन से प्राप्त किया था। सबके साथ बछड़े थे। उनके सींगों में सोना मढ़ दिया गया था और खुरों में चाँदी। उन्हें वस्त्र, हार और गहनों से सजा दिया जाता था।

ऐसी गौएँ मैने दी थीं। भगवन! मैं युवावस्था से सम्पन्न श्रेष्ठ ब्राह्मणकुमारों को-जो सद्गुणी, शीलसम्पन्न, कष्ट में पड़े हुए कुटुम्ब वाले, दम्भरहित तपस्वी, वेदपाठी, शिष्यों को विद्यादान करने वाले तथा सच्चरित्र होते-वस्त्राभूषण से अलंकृत करता और उन गौओं का दान करता।

इस प्रकार मैंने बहुत-सी गौएँ, पृथ्वी, सोना, घर, घोड़े, हाथी, दासियों के सहित कन्याएँ, तिलों के पर्वत, चाँदी, शय्या, वस्त्र, रत्न, गृह-सामग्री और रथ आदि दान किये। अनेकों यज्ञ किये और बहुत-से कुएँ, बावली आदि बनवाये।

एक दिन किसी अप्रतिग्रही तपस्वी ब्राह्मण की एक गाय बिछुड़कर मेरी गौओं में आ मिली। मुझे इस बात का बिलकुल पता न चला। इसलिये मैंने अनजान में उसे किसी दूसरे ब्राह्मण को दान कर दिया। जब उस गाय को वे ब्राह्मण ले चले, तब उस गाय के असली स्वामी ने कहा- “यह गौ मेरी है।” दान ले जाने वाले ब्राह्मण ने कहा- “यह तो मेरी है, क्योंकि राजा नृग ने मुझे इसका दान किया है।

” वे दोनों ब्राह्मण आपस में झगड़ते हुए अपनी-अपनी बात कायम करने के लिये मेरे पास आये। एक ने कहा- “यह गाय अभी-अभी आपने मुझे दी है” और दूसरे ने कहा कि “यदि ऐसी बात है तो तुमने मेरी गाय चुरा ली है।” भगवन! उन दोनों ब्राह्मणों की बात सुनकर मेरा चित्त भ्रमित हो गया।

मैंने धर्मसंकट में पड़कर उन दोनों से बड़ी अनुनय-विनय की और कहा कि- “मैं बदले में एक लाख उत्तम गौएँ दूँगा। आप लोग मुझे यह गाय दे दीजिये। मैं आप लोगों का सेवक हूँ। मुझसे अनजाने में यह अपराध बन गया है। मुझ पर आप लोग कृपा कीजिये और मुझे इस घोर कष्ट से तथा घोर नरक में गिरने से बचा लीजिये।”

“राजन! मैं इसके बदले मैं कुछ नहीं लूँगा।” यह कहकर गाय का स्वामी चला गया। “तुम इसके बदले में एक लाख ही नहीं, दस हज़ार गाएँ और दो तो भी मैं लेने का नहीं।” इस प्रकार कहकर दूसरा ब्राह्मण भी चला गया। देवाधिदेव जगदीश्वर! इसके बाद आयु समाप्त होने पर यमराज के दूत आये और मुझे यमपुरी ले गये।

वहाँ यमराज ने मुझसे पूछा- “राजन! तुम पहले अपने पाप का फल भोगना चाहते हो या पुण्य का? तुम्हारे दान और धर्म के फलस्वरूप तुम्हें ऐसा तेजस्वी लोक प्राप्त होने वाला है, जिसकी कोई सीमा ही नहीं है।” भगवन! तब मैंने यमराज से कहा- “देव! पहले मैं अपने पाप का फल भोगना चाहता हूँ।” और उसी क्षण यमराज ने कहा- “तुम गिर जाओ।

” उनके ऐसा कहते ही मैं वहाँ से गिरा और गिरते ही समय मैंने देखा कि मैं गिरगिट हो गया हूँ। प्रभो! मैं ब्राह्मणों का सेवक, उदार, दानी और आपका भक्त था। मुझे इस बात की उत्कट अभिलाषा थी कि किसी प्रकार आपके दर्शन हो जायँ। इस प्रकार आपकी कृपा से मेरे पूर्वजन्मों की स्मृति नष्ट न हुई। भगवन! आप परमात्मा हैं।

बड़े-बड़े शुद्ध-हृदय योगीश्वर उपनिषदों की दृष्टि से अपने हृदय में आपका ध्यान करते हैं। इन्द्रियातीत परमात्मन! साक्षात आप मेरे नेत्रों के सामने कैसे आ गये। क्योंकि मैं तो अनेक प्रकार के व्यसनों, दुःखद कर्मों में फँसकर अंधा हो रहा था। आपका दर्शन तो तब होता है, जब संसार के चक्कर से छुटकारा मिलने का समय आता है।

देवताओं के भी आराध्यदेव! पुरुषोत्तम गोविन्द! आप ही व्यक्त और अव्यक्त जगत तथा जीवों के स्वामी हैं। अविनाशी अच्युत! आपकी कीर्ति पवित्र है। अन्तर्यामी नारायण! आप ही समस्त वृत्तियों और इन्द्रियों के स्वामी हैं। प्रभो! श्रीकृष्ण! मैं अब देवताओं के लोक में जा रहा हूँ। आप मुझे आज्ञा दीजिये। आप ऐसी कृपा कीजिये कि मैं चाहे कहीं कहीं भी क्यों न रहूँ, मेरा चित्त सदा आपके चरणकमलों में ही लगा रहे।

आप समस्त कार्यों और कारणों के रूप में विद्यमान हैं। आपकी शक्ति अनन्त हैं और आप स्वयं ब्रह्म हैं। आपको मैं नमस्कार करता हूँ। सच्चिंदानन्दस्वरूप सर्वान्तर्यामी वासुदेव श्रीकृष्ण! आप समस्त योगों के स्वामी योगेश्वर हैं। मैं आपको बार-बार नमस्कार करता हूँ।”

राजा नृग ने इस प्रकार कहकर भगवान की परिक्रमा की और अपने मुकुट से उनके चरणों का स्पर्श करके प्रणाम किया। फिर उनसे आज्ञा लेकर सबके देखते-देखते ही वे श्रेष्ठ विमान पर सवार हो गये।

राजा नृग के चले जाने पर ब्राह्मणों के परम प्रेमी, धर्म के आधार देवकीनन्दन भगवान श्रीकृष्ण ने क्षत्रियों को शिक्षा देने के लिये वहाँ उपस्थित अपने कुटुम्ब के लोगों से कहा- “जो लोग अग्नि के समान तेजस्वी हैं, वे भी ब्राह्मणों का थोड़े-से-थोड़ा धन हड़पकर नहीं पचा सकते।

फिर जो अभिमानवश झूठ-मूठ अपने को लोगों का स्वामी समझते हैं, वे राजा तो क्या पचा सकते हैं? मैं हलाहल विष को विष नहीं मानता, क्योंकि उसकी चिकित्सा होती है। वस्तुतः ब्राह्मणों का धन ही परम विष है, उसको पचा लेने के लिये पृथ्वी में कोई औषध, कोई उपाय नहीं है।

हलाहल विष केवल खाने वाले का ही प्राण लेता है और आग भी जल के द्वारा बुझायी जा सकती है; परन्तु ब्राह्मण के धन रूप अरणि से जो आग पैदा होती है, वह सारे कुल को समूल जला डालती है। ब्राह्मण का धन यदि उसकी पूरी-पूरी सम्मति लिये बिना भोगा जाय, तब तो वह भोगने वाले, उसके लड़के और पौत्र-इन तीन पीढ़ियों को ही चौपट करता है।

परन्तु यदि बलपूर्वक हठ करके उसका उपभोग किया जाय, तब तो पूर्वपुरुषों की दस पीढ़ियाँ और आगे की भी दस पीढ़ियाँ नष्ट हो जाती हैं।

जो मूर्ख राजा अपनी राजलक्ष्मी के घमंड से अंधे होकर ब्राह्मणों का धन हड़पना चाहते हैं, समझना चाहिये कि वे जान-बूझकर नरक में जाने का रास्ता साफ कर रहे हैं। वे देखते नहीं कि उन्हें अधःपतन के कैसे गहरे गड्ढ़े में गिरना पड़ेगा।

जिन उदारहृदय और बहु-कुटुम्बी ब्राह्मणों की वृत्ति छीन ली जाती है, उनके रोने पर उनके आँसू की बूँदों से धरती के जितने धूलकण भीगते हैं, उतने वर्षों तक ब्राह्मण के स्वत्व को छीनने वाले उस उच्छ्रंखल राजा और उसके वंशजों को कुम्भी पाक नरक में दुःख भोगना पड़ता है। जो मनुष्य अपनी या दूसरों की दी हुई ब्राह्मणों की वृत्ति, उनकी जीविका के साधन छीन लेते हैं, वे साठ हज़ार वर्ष तक विष्ठा के कीड़े होते हैं।

इसलिये मैं तो यही चाहता हूँ कि ब्राह्मणों का धन कभी भूल से भी मेरे कोष में न आये, क्योंकि जो लोग ब्राह्मणों के धन की इच्छा भी करते हैं, उसे छीनने की बात तो अलग रही, वे इस जन्म में अल्पायु, शत्रुओं से पराजित और राज्यभ्रष्ट हो जाते हैं और मृत्यु के बाद भी दूसरों को कष्ट देने वाले साँप ही होते हैं।

इसलिये मेरे आत्मीयो! यदि ब्राह्मण अपराध करे, तो भी उससे द्वेष मत करो। वह मार ही क्यों न बैठे या बहुत-सी गालियाँ या शाप ही क्यों न दे, उसे तुम लोग सदा नमस्कार ही करो। जिस प्रकार मैं बड़ी सावधानी से तीनों समय ब्राह्मणों को प्रणाम करता हूँ, वैसे ही तुम लोग भी किया करो। जो मेरी इस आज्ञा का उल्लंघन करेगा, उसे मैं क्षमा नहीं करूँगा, दण्ड दूँगा।

यदि ब्राह्मण के धन का अपहरण हो जाय तो वह अपहृत धन उस अपहरण करने वाले को-अनजान में उसके द्वारा यह अपराध हुआ हो तो भी-अधःपतन के गड्ढ़े में डाल देता है। जैसे ब्राह्मण की गाय ने अनजान में उसे लेने वाले राजा नृग को नरक में डाल दिया था।”

परीक्षित! समस्त लोकों को पवित्र करने वाले भगवान श्रीकृष्ण द्वारकावासियों को इस प्रकार उपदेश देकर अपने महल में चले गये।

Courtesy: https://harshad30.wordpress.com/2018/01/28/18267/

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Note in Quora about Raja Nrug

नृग प्राचीन काल के एक ख्याति प्राप्त राजा थे, जो इक्ष्वाकु के पुत्र थे। राजा नृग अपनी दानशीलता के लिए बहुत प्रसिद्ध थे। एक बार भूल से राजा नृग ने पहले दान की हुई गाय को फिर से दूसरे ब्राह्मण को दान दे दिया। यद्यपि इसका ज्ञान राजा नृग को दान देते समय नहीं था, किंतु इसके फलस्वरूप ब्राह्मणों के शाप के कारण राजा नृग को गिरगिट होकर एक सहस्र वर्ष तक कुएँ में रहना पड़ा। अंत में कृष्ण अवतार के समय नृग का उद्धार हुआ।

एक दिन लक्ष्मण ने श्रीराम से कहा, “महाराज! आप राजकाज में इतने व्यस्त रहते हैं कि अपने स्वास्थ्य का भी ध्यान नहीं रखते”। यह सुनकर रामचन्द्रजी बोले, “लक्ष्मण! राजा को राजकाज में पूर्णतया लीन रहना ही चाहिये। तनिक सी असावधानी हो जाने पर उसे राजा नृग की भाँति भयंकर यातना भोगनी पड़ती है।”

लक्ष्मण के जिज्ञासा करने पर उन्होंने राजा नृग की कथा सुनाते हुये कहा- “पहले इस पृथ्वी पर महायशस्वी राजा नृग राज्य करते थे। वे बड़े धर्मात्मा और सत्यवादी थे। एक बार उन्होंने तीर्थराज पुष्कर में जाकर स्वर्ण विभूषित बछड़ों युक्‍त एक करोड़ गौओं का दान किया। उसी समय उन गौओं के साथ एक दरिद्र ब्राह्मण की गाय बछड़े सहित आकर मिल गई और राजा नृग ने संकल्पपूर्वक उसे किसी ब्राह्मण को दान कर दिया। उधर वह दरिद्र ब्राह्मण वर्षों तक स्थान-स्थान पर अपनी गाय को ढूँढता रहा। अन्त में उसने कनखल में एक ब्राह्मण के यहाँ अपनी गाय को पहचान लिया। गाय का नाम ‘शवला’ था। जब उसने गाय को नाम लेकर पुकारा तो वह गाय उस दरिद्र ब्राह्मण के पीछे-पीछी चली आई। इस पर दोनों ब्राह्मणों में विवाद हो गया।

एक कहता था कि गाय मेरी है और दूसरा कहता कि मुझे यह राजा ने दान में दी है। दोनों झगड़ते हुये राजा नृग के यहाँ पहुँचे। राजकाज में व्यस्त रहने के कारण जब कई दिन तक नृग ने उनसे भेंट नहीं की तो उन्होंने शाप दे दिया कि विवाद का निर्णय कराने की इच्छा से आये प्रार्थियों को तुमने कई दिन तक दर्शन नहीं दिये, इसलिये तुम प्राणियों से छिपकर रहने वाले गिरगिट हो जाओगे और सहस्त्रों वर्ष तक गड्ढे में पड़े रहोगे। भगवान विष्णु जब कृष्ण के रूप में अवतार लेंगे, तब वे ही तुम्हारा उद्धार करेंगे। इस प्रकार राजा नृग आज भी अपनी उस भूल का दण्ड भुगत रहे हैं।

श्रीराम ने लक्ष्मण से कहा कि जब भी कोई कार्यार्थी द्वार पर आये, उसे सदा मेरे सामने तत्काल उपस्थित किया करो।” राम का आदेश सुनकर लक्ष्मण बोले, “राघव! ब्राह्मणों का शाप सुनकर राजा नृग ने क्या किया?” इस प्रश्न के उत्तर में श्रीराम ने बताया, “जब दोनों ब्राह्मण शाप देकर चले गये तो राजा ने अपने मन्त्री को भेजकर उन्हें वापिस बुलाया और उनसे क्षमा याचना की। फिर एक सुन्दर सा गड्ढा बनवाकर और अपने पुत्र राजकुमार वसु को अपना राज्य सौंपकर उस गड्ढे में निवास करने लगे।”

By Shiva Shish

समुद्र को “सागर” क्यों कहते है ?

vmission — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 10:49:59 +0000

विभीषणजी ने भगवान् श्री राम को कहा था की सागर आपके कुलगुरु है – सो कैसे? नीचे दी हुई कथा सुनिए :

रावण से पहले किसका था लंका पर आधिपत्य

vmission — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 12:12:08 +0000

लंका पर आधिपत्य का क्रम

लंका पर आधिपत्य का क्रम कुछ इस प्रकार है –

दैत्य राज सुमाली (दैत्य राज सुकेश के पुत्र और रावण के नाना)
कुबेर (रावण के बड़े भाई)
रावण
विभीषण (रावण के छोटे भाई)

लंका का निर्माण और लंका पर आधिपत्य

समुद्रमंथन के दौरान देवताओं के अमृत पान से दैत्य गुरु शुक्राचार्य बहुत क्रोधित हुए। उन्होंने संभरासुर नाम के दैत्य से कहा कि वो दैत्य राज सुकेश के पुत्र सुमाली और उसके रिश्तेदार भाइयों, माली और माल्यवान, से जाकर मिले और देवताओं के विरूद्ध युद्ध की तैयारी करे।

सुमाली द्वारा लंका का निर्माण

सुमाली, माली और माल्यवान अति शक्तिशाली राक्षस थे। उन्होंने देव शिल्पी विश्वकर्मा को धमकाकर एक स्वर्ण नगरी का निर्माण करवाया जो दक्षिण भारत में हिन्द महासागर के तट पर त्रिकूट पर्वत के समीप सुमेरु पर्वत पर थी। विश्वकर्मा ने उस नगरी की रक्षा के लिए लंकनी को नियुक्त किया। लंकनी गन्धर्व की पुत्री थीं जिन्हें एक श्राप के कारण असुरों की द्वाररक्षक बनना पड़ा। परन्तु ब्रह्मा जी ने कहा की एक दिन एक वानर आएगा और इस पूरी नगरी को जला कर नष्ट कर देगा। उस दिन वो श्राप से मुक्त हो जाएगी। सर्वप्रथम सुमाली का लंका पर आधिपत्य था।

सुमाली को लंका से भगाया

सुमाली, माली और माल्यवान का आतंक बहुत बढ़ गया और उन्होंने देवताओं पर आक्रमण कर दिया। विष्णु जी संग देवताओं ने युद्ध किया और सुमाली को हरा दिया। विष्णु जी ने उसे लंका को छोड़ कर पाताल लोक भाग जाने को कहा और उसने वैसा ही किया। बचे उसे राक्षस धरती पर भृगु ऋषि के आश्रम में पहुँच गए। भृगु ऋषि ब्रह्मा जी के मानस पुत्र हैं और सप्त ऋषि में से एक हैं। भृगु ऋषि की अनुपस्तिथि में राक्षसों ने भृगु ऋषि की भार्या, वृंदा से संरक्षण की गुहार की। वृंदा ने उन्हें वचन दे दिया। जब नारायण ने वृंदा से राक्षसों को छोड़ने को कहा तो वृंदा ने मना कर दिया। जब कोई और मार्ग नहीं बचा तो नारायण ने वृंदा का शीश काट दिया। भृगु ऋषि नारायण भक्त थे परन्तु जब उन्होंने वृंदा का कटा शीश देखा तो उन्होंने नारायण को श्राप दिया की त्रेता युग के अवतार में वो अपनी पत्नी के वियोग में तड़पेंगे। विष्णु जी ने श्राप स्वीकार किया और वहां से चले गए। क्रोधित भृगु ऋषि ने राक्षसों को आश्वासन दिया की वो और उनके पुत्र शुक्राचार्य हमेशा दुष्ट देवताओं से दानवों की रक्षा करेंगे। भृगु ऋषि और शुक्राचार्य को संजीवनी विद्या आती थी जिससे वो किसी को भी जीवित कर सकते थे। उन्होंने वृंदा को पुनः जीवित कर दिया।

कुबेर का लंका पर आधिपत्य

जब सुमाली पातळ लोक भाग गया तो लंका नगरी खाली हो गयी। ब्रह्मा से उत्पन्न सप्त ऋषि में से सबसे प्रमुख पुलस्थ ऋषि के पौत्र और विश्रव ऋषि के पुत्र वैश्रव कुबेर ने ब्रह्मा जी का तप करके शक्तियां और पुष्पक विमान प्राप्त किया। कुबेर जो यक्षों के राजा थे उन्होंने लंका पर राज किया और पुलस्थ वंश की स्थापना की।

रावण का कुबेर से लंका छीनना

जब सुमाली को कुबेर के राज्य का पता चला तो वो बहुत क्रोधित हुआ। उसने अपनी पुत्री, केकसी, को विश्रव ऋषि से विवाह करने भेजा ताकि वो एक ऐसे पुत्र जो जन्म दे जो राक्षसों की भांति शक्तिशाली हो और ऋषियों की भांति शास्त्रों का ज्ञाता। केकसी ने विश्रव ऋषि से विवाह कर लिया।

कैकसी ने एक पुत्र को जन्म दिया जो दहाड़ते हुए रोया और फिर हंसा। उसका आकार किसी 10 वर्ष के बालक जितना था। वो बहुत शक्तिशाली था। जन्म से ही उसके 10 शीश थे इसलिए उसका नाम दशानन रखा गया।

दशानन और उसके भाई घोर तपस्या कर रहे थे परन्तु ब्रह्मा जी प्रसन्न नहीं हो रहे थे। क्रोध में दशानन ने अपना शीश अपने ही खडग से काट दिया। शीश काटने पर भी वो मरा नहीं अपितु एक नया शीश आ गया। दशानन अपनी तपस्या करता ही रहा।

दशानन सर काटते-काटते जैसे ही दसवीं बार सर काटता है तभी ब्रह्म देव प्रकट हो जाते हैं। वो दशानन को उसके दासों सर वापस दे देते हैं और वरदान देते हैं कि किसी भी दैत्य, देवता, गन्धर्व, यक्ष के हाथों उसकी मृत्यु नहीं होगी। अपने अहंकार के चलते मनुष्यों को तुच्छ समझ कर उन्हें वरदान में शामिल नहीं किया। इसके साथ ही ब्रह्मा जी ने उसके नाभि में अमृत कुंड दिया।

वरदान पाने के बाद सर्वप्रथम दशानन ने अपने नाना सोमाली के साथ लंका पर आक्रमण किया। कुबेर ने बिना युद्ध किये लंका को अपने छोटे भाई दशानन को सौंप दिया।

राम द्वारा रावण का वध और विभीषण का लंका पर आधिपत्य

अंत में रावण और श्री राम का युद्ध हुआ। रावण अपनी पूरी शक्ति से युद्ध कर रहा था। उसे मारना असंभव हो गया। उसकी बुद्धि, माया, बल और वरदान के आगे सभी के अस्त्र-शस्त्र विफल हो गए। एक शीश कटता तो दूसरा प्रकट हो जाता। तभी विभीषण ने बताया कि रावण की नाभि में अमृत कलश है। जब तक वो नहीं फूटेगा, रावण का अंत असंभव है। श्री राम ने रावण का अमृत कलश तोड़ दिया और रावण आकाश से सीधे ज़मीन पर गिर गया।

विभीषण लंका का राजा बना और सीता जी और श्री राम का मिलन हुआ। परन्तु संसार की संतुष्टि के लिए सीता जी को अग्नि परीक्षा देनी पड़ी।

Story of Vamana Avatar

vmission — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 13:35:39 +0000

The Vamana Avatar starts with Mahabali the Asura King. Mahabali was the grandson of Prahlada and the son of Virochana.

After the churning of the ocean, the Gods became immortal and powerful. Indra’s army defeated Daityaraj Bali and his army of Asuras and Daityas.

One day Daityaraj Bali went to meet Rishi Shukracharya and asked him, “Acharya please show me a way to gain back all my powers and my kingdom.”

Hearing Bali’s words, Acharya replied, “You must perform the Mahabhishek Vishwajeet Yagya, to get back all your powers.”

Bali agreed to do the Yagya under the supervision of Shukracharya. After the yagya, Bali received a golden chariot pulled by four houses that ran at the speed of wind. He also got a quiver with numerous arrows, a flag post with lion’s head and celestial armour. Along with these things Shukracharya gave him a garland of ever blooming flowers and a conch shell whose battle cry was thunderous. Then, Bali went to battle against Indra. This time Daityaraj Bali won the battle and Indra fled from the battlefield. Bali once again asked for Shukracharya’s guidance to maintain his victorious position. Shukracharya said, “If you keep on performing yagyas, you can live a fearless and powerful life. You should also give alms to poor and the Brahmins.“

Bali readily agreed to do so. Meanwhile Indra approached Acharya Brihaspati to learn a way to gain back Gods’ powers. Acharya Brihaspati asked Indra to seek Lord Vishnu’s help. Now Indra started doing penance so as to please Lord Vishnu. Maharishi Kashyap’s wife Aditi, who was Indra’s mother, saw her son in trouble and went to Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu said, “I will help you, Devmata. I will be born as your son in the near future. I will and then kill Bali.”

And so it happened that Aditi gave birth to a boy. She named him Vamana. One day Vamana posed as a Brahmin and went to the spot where Shukracharya and Daityaraj Bali were performing a yagya. Bali welcomed the Brahmin boy and said, “How can I help you young Brahmin?”

The Brahmin said, “I have heard a lot about you give alms to Brahmins. I do not want wealth or luxuries; I just need the land that my three steps cover.”

All the people who were present there were surprised to hear the request of the Brahmin boy. The Asuras laughed at the boy’s request. Daityaraj Bali agreed to grant him what he wanted. Suddenly, to everyone’s surprise, the young Brahmin boy started growing in size. Soon he was larger than planet Earth itself. He took a large step and put it on Earth to claim it and said, “Now the earth is mine.” Then he took the second step and put it on Amravati which was under Bali’s control and said, “Now Amravati is mine.” Amravati was also under the Brahmin boy’s possession. Then he said, “Bali where should I keep my third step? Earth and Heaven are already mine. Now there is no place left.” Shukracharya warned Bali, “Be careful Bali! I am very sure this Brahmin is not an ordinary boy. He is surely Vamana, Lord Vishnu himself. Don’t let him take the third step or you will have to lose everything you have.” But Bali said, “Acharya, I have given him my word. I cannot go back from it. “The Asuras and Daityas heard this and stepped forward to attack Vamana, but they could not harm him at all.

Bali then addressed Vamana and said, “As nothing else is left you may keep your third step on my head.”

Hearing Bali’s words, Lord Vishnu appeared in his true form and said, “I bless you, Bali. From now on, you will rule Pataal Lok forever.”

Thus Bali went away to Pataal Lok. Indra and the other Gods retained Amravati due to Lord Vishnu’s Vamana Avtar.

The Burden

vmission — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 14:53:06 +0000

Two monks were returning to the monastery in the evening. It had rained and there were puddles of water on the road sides. At one place a beautiful young woman was standing unable to walk across because of a puddle of water. The elder of the two monks went up to her lifted her and left her on the other side of the road, and continued his way to the monastery.

In the evening the younger monk came to the elder monk and said, “Sir, as monks, we cannot touch a woman ?”

The elder monk answered “yes, brother”.

Then the younger monk asks again, “but then Sir, how is that you lifted that woman on the roadside ?”

The elder monk smiled at him and told him ” I left her on the other side of the road, but you are still carrying her.”

MORAL: Many a times we keep carrying things which we keep away outside, but keep carrying them in our minds. It is the mind which has to be free.

Lesson in Etiquettes – by Mulla Nasarudin

vmission — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 02:35:01 +0000

Nasrudin was visited by some students, who asked whether they might hear his lessons. He agreed, and they set out towards the lecture-hall, walking behind the Mulla, who had mounted his donkey with his face to its tail.

People began to stare. They thought that the Mulla must be a fool, and the students who followed him even greater fools. Who, after all, walks behind a man who rides a donkey back to front?

After a little while the students began to become uneasy, and said to the Mulla:
‘O Mulla! People are looking at us. Why do you ride in this manner?’

Nasrudin frowned. ‘You are thinking more about what people think than what we are doing,’ he said. ‘I shall explain it to you. If you walk in front, this would show disrespect to me, because you would have your backs to me. If I walked behind, the same would be true. If I ride ahead with my back towards you, this shows disrespect for you. This is the only way of doing it.’

Living as what you are

vmission — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 07:30:17 +0000

There lived a famous sage in a dense forest. Everyday, the animals of the forest came to him to listen to his spiritual preachings. They would gather around the meditating sage and the sage would tell them the good things of life.

There was also a little mouse living in the same forest. He too used to go to the sage daily to listen to his preachings.

One day, while he was roaming in the forest to collect berries for the sage, he was attacked by a big cat, who was watching him from behind the thick bushes.

The mouse was scared. He ran straight to the ashram of the sage. There he lay prostrate before the sage and narrated to him the whole story in a trembling voice. In the meantime, the cat also arrived there and requested the sage to allow him to take his prey.

The sage was in a fix. He thought for a moment and then with his divine powers transformed the mouse into a bigger cat.

Seeing a huge cat before him the other cat ran away.

Now the mouse was carefree. He began to roam about in the forest like a big cat. He meowed loudly to frighten other animals. He fought with other cats to take revenge on them and in this way killed many of them.

The mouse had hardly enjoyed a few carefree days of his life, when one day, a fox pounced upon him. This was a new problem. He had never taken into acount that there were yet bigger animals who could easily maul him and tear him into pieces. He,ran for his life,- He, somehow, saved himself from the fox and ran straight to the sage for help. The fox too was in his hot persuit. Soon both of them stood before the sage.

The sage seeing the plight of the mouse this time, transformed the mouse into a bigger fox. Seeing a big fox before him the other fox ran away.

The mouse became more carefree and began roaming about in the forest more freely with his newly acquired status of a big fox. But, his happiness was short-lived.

One day, while he was moving around in the forest freely, a tiger pounced upon him. The mouse, somehow, managed to save his life and as usual ran to take shelter in the ashram of the sage.

The sage, once again, took pity on the mouse and transformed him into a tiger.

Now, the mouse, after acquiring the. status of a tiger, roamed fearlessly in the forest. He killed many animals in the forest unnecessarily.

After having been transformed into a tiger, the mouse had become all-powerful for the -forest animals. He behaved like a king and commanded his subjects. But one thing always bothered his mind and kept him worried; and that was, the divine powers of the sage. “What, if, one day for some reason or the other, the sage becomes angry with me and brings me back to my original status,” he would think worriedly. Ultimately, he decided something and one day, he came to the sage roaring loudly. He said to the sage, “I’m hungry. I want to eat you, so that I could enjoy all those divine powers, which you do. Allow me to kill you.”

Hearing these words the sage became very angry. Sensing tiger’s evil designs, he immediately transformed the tiger back into the mouse.

The worst had happened. Now the mouse realised his folly. He apologised to the saint for his evil actions and requested him to change him again into a tiger. But the sage drove the mouse away by beating him with a stick.

He was back to his own self, as he was earlier. The life had taken a full circle, and he learnt that it is better to live contended as what one basically is, and make the best of life.

How ‘Hanuman’ got this name

vmission — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 07:23:02 +0000

Lord Shiva was born into this world as Hanuman, the monkey god. His parents were Pawan, the Wind God, and his wife Anjana. Hanuman was a bundle of mischief when he was a child. He was very active. So he had a very healthy appetite too. Most of the time he was hungry. He was ready to eat anything that was tasty and within his reach.

Every day, an hour before dawn, Devi Anjana went out to collect some flowers and fruits. Usually Hanuman was asleep then. So she would leave him at home. And she would return before he woke up.

One day, she was held up on her way back. Hanuman woke up at the usual time. He was terribly hungry. He called out to his mother, “Ma I am hungry”. He waited for his mother to run to him. That did not happen. Where are you, Ma? He said loudly. Still there was no reply. He waited a while; then called again. “Where has Ma gone so early in the morning? I am so hungry,” grumbled Hanuman.

When he found no sign of Anjani he decided to find food on his own. He went into the kitchen. There was nothing there that he could eat. All the pots and pans and baskets were empty. Child Hanuman was getting hungrier and hungrier every minute.

Why should not I go out and get fruits to at?” he thought. He ran down the steps of his home. Then he noticed a red ball to the east. It was at some distance. It was the sun rising.

Hanuman watched the sight. It was beautiful. The whole sky was aglow with morning twilight; the sun looked like a big juicy fruit. Hanuman thought it was a big red ripe watermelon & yumm… I have never eaten this fruit. Ma has never got it for me. I shall get it by myself. It is very big and I am sure it is just what I need now. I can’t stay hungry any more.

Hanuman took a big leap. That took him close to the sun. He reached out for it. He almost had grabbed it. But he missed it.

He looked around. He noticed Rahu. Rahu hated the Sun. And when soever he got a chance, he caught the sun in its shadow. That was what he did now. This was what he had been doing since the time immemorial.

Today, he too reached out to cast his shadow on the sun. But Hanuman beat him to it. He held the son firmly in his hands. Rahu was furious. He tried to snatch the sun from Hanuman. But he failed.

Angrily he ran to Lord Indra the lord of all the Gods and complained, Oh! Lord! You gave me permission to cast shadow on the sun, at will. Today, I wanted to do that. But a young monkey snatched it from under my nose in the nick of the time” Lord Indra thundered, & “who is this rascal? Who is this little monkey that has dared to send you back. I shall teach him a lesson,”

Lord Indira went with Rahu. The two soon came to where Hanuman was holding the sun.

Hanuman was trying to swallow the sun. Indra got enraged. He drew his weapon, the Vajrayudh, and hurled at Hanuman. It hit him below the chin. He blacked out and fell on the ground with a big thud.

Pawan, the wind god, saw him wounded & “Who have done this to my son? ” & he growled and turned. He saw the weapon returning to Lord Indra. He lost his temper. He screamed at Lord Indra, “How dare you hit my son?” He picked up Hanuman and ran into a big cave. He gathered all the wind streams blowing in the universe and kept with him. The universe became empty airless. Not a whiff of wind moved wind anywhere. Soon it was impossible to breathe. All living things started to die. It looked as if all creations would come to an end.

“What brings you to me?” asked Brahma.

“You know Lord,” said the Gods with folded hands.

“Yes I know. Didn’t you know, Indra that Hanuman is none else but Lord Shiva in monkey form? He has gone to the earth to help Lord Rama in the battle against the demon Ravana. How can you hurt him?”

“I dindn’t know, Oh lord. What should we do now?” asked Indra.

“Go to Lord Hanuman and ask for forgiveness. Also grant him some of your divine powers. Then Pawan will be happy,” Lord Brahma suggested.

The Gods realized their folly. “Oh! We were fools to annoy the Lord Shiva and Pawan Dev.” They hurried to the cave where Lord Hanuman and Pawan Dev were.

Lord Indra muttered some mantras and drew back the effect of the Vajrayudh that still held Hanuman unconscious. Hanuman woke up. He found the gods standing with folded arms. They sang his praise. One by one, they gifted immense power to him.

This made Pawan Dev happy. He released the air streams and life returned again on earth. Hanu is chin, which had become a bit bigger because of Vajra hit, and thus he was also called as Hanuman, one with a bigger chin.

Gods returned to Heaven. Lord Hanuman ran back home. He found his mother, holding a basket full of fruits. He enjoyed the fruits while Pawan told Anjani,”Know what? Your son has become very powerful. All the gods came and gifted him some of their secret powers.

Does he need anything from others? Is he not Lord Shiva himself?” Anjani smiled. Pawan Dev bit his tongue and said, & Deva. I forgot. I always forget. I think of Hanuman as our little boy. My mistake.”

Hanuman heard nothing. He was busy eating the last fruit in the basket.

Story of Anjana & Anjaneya

vmission — Sun, 29 Jan 2017 07:08:52 +0000

This is the story of Pawanputra Hanuman, the mighty monkey-god. Do you know how he was born? The story of his birth is as fascinating as his mighty deeds. But to know about Hanuman, we have to go back sometime before his birth. Let us go to the palace of Lord Brahma where it all started.

Do you know who Lord Brahma is? He is the Hindu god of creation. He is believed to live in a beautiful divine palace in his heavenly abode. Such was the beauty of the palace that it was a constant source of amazement for even the deities.

There were a number of attendants in the celestial palace-courts of Lord Brahma. Among them was a beautiful attendant named Anjana. Once, happy with her service, Lord Brahma decided to reward her. He called her and asked what she wanted.

Anjana hesitated at first. Then she replied “Lord, I wish you could remove a curse pronounced on me by a sage,”

“Tell me about it. Maybe I can help you” said Lord Brahma.

Hopeful that her curse may be removed, Anjana continued “When I was playing as a child on earth, once I saw a monkey meditating with its legs folded in a lotus pose, like a human sage. It was a funny sight; so I threw some fruits at it.”

“But here I made a mistake. For it was no ordinary monkey. A powerful sage had taken the form of a monkey to do his tapasya (spiritual practice). My fruits disturbed his penance and he opened his eyes in great indignation.”

“As soon as he saw me, he cursed me that I would become a monkey when I fall in love with anyone. I begged him to forgive me.”

“The sage said that as he had already uttered it, he couldn’t change the curse. But he assured me that the man I fall in love with will love me in spite of my monkey face.”

“Lord Brahma, I was born and brought up here. How can I live with a monkey face among my beautiful sisters? If you kindly grant me a boon to become my usual self, I will be very much obliged,” she said anxiously.

Brahma felt sorry for the unfortunate apsara. He thought for a moment. Then he lifted his eyes towards the anxious Anjana.

“I see a way for removing your curse, Anjana,” he said kindly. “Go to earth and live there for a while. You will meet your husband on earth and your curse will be removed if you – give birth to an incarnation of Lord Shiva,” said Lord Brahma.

Anjana accepted Brahma’s advice. She was born in the earth shortly afterwards. She lived in a forest as a young huntress.

One day she saw a strong man fighting with a lion. “What a brave man!” she thought in wonder. “How I wish he will look at me!”

As Anjana looked at the warrior in admiration, the man turned and saw her. As soon as his eyes fell on her, she turned into a monkey!

With a pathetic cry, Anjana sank to the ground and covered her face with her hands. Seeing her fall to the ground, the man came running towards her.

“Who are you fair maiden? Why do you cry? Uncover your face. Let me see you,” he asked her.

“I cannot, brave man,” Anjana answered gloomily. “I am Anjana, an apsara cursed to become a monkey when I fall in love. I request you to please leave me alone in my sorrow,” she wailed and peeked at the handsome man through her fingers.

To her great astonishment she found a big monkey-faced man standing before her! If she didn’t see his face at first, it was because she couldn’t and because till now she saw him from a distance.

The monkey-faced man understood her surprise. He spoke. “I am not human, though I can take the human form if I want. I am Kesari, the king of Monkeys, blessed by Lord Shiva with magical powers. If you become my wife, I will be honoured. Would you honour me by becoming my wife, dear Anjana?”.

Anjana became very happy. She accepted his proposal.

“Then the sage’s word was indeed true,” thought Anjana, “Kesari didn’t mind my appearance because he himself is a monkey!”

Anjana and Kesari were married in the forests. Being a pious devotee, Anjana performed intense tapasya, worshipping Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva was pleased with her. He appeared before her and asked her what she wanted.

“Lord Shiva, I wish you to be born as my son, so that I can be freed from the sage’s curse,” requested Anjana.

“So be it!”. Lord Shiva gave his consent and disappeared.

Soon after this, one day, as Anjana was worshipping Lord Shiva, in another part of the country, Dasaratha, the king of Ayodhya, was performing a yagna (religious rite) to have children. It was the Putrakama Yagna. As a result, Agni, the Fire-God gave him some sacred payasa (pudding) and asked him to share the payasa among his wives so that they may have divine children.

Here, Lord Shiva’s boon to Anjana started to work. While Dasaratha gave payasa to his elder wife Kausalya, by divine ordinance a kite snatched a portion of that pudding.

Holding the pudding in its tails, the kite-bird flew away from Ayodhya towards the forests Anjana lived. It flew over the dense trees and dropped the payasa where Anjana was engaged in tapasya.

Vayu, the ever-present Wind-God, saw this event. “Go, Vayu!” he heard a silent command in his mind from Lord Shiva. Vayu immediately caught that portion of pudding and placed onto the outstretched hands of Anjana.

Anjana felt something drop in her hand. She opened her eyes and looked at the payasa in her hand. “Is this offering from Lord Shiva?” she wondered and swallowed it.

As the divine pudding went inside her throat, Anjana immediately felt the blessings of Lord Shiva. In due course, she gave birth to a little monkey-faced boy. Kesari was very happy to see his son. The child was called as Anjaneya or the son of Anjana.

Having given birth to Lord Shiva’s incarnation, Anjana was released from the curse of the sage. She began to express her wish to return to Heaven.

When Anjaneya came to know about her mother’s wish, he became sad. “Mother, without you what will be my future? How can I feed myself? How will I live?” he asked.

“Don’t worry, Anjaneya,” said Anjana. “Your father is the brave Kesari. Your guardian spirit is the life-giving Vayu. They’ll always protect you. When you feel hungry, fruits as red and ripe as a rising sun would be your nourishment.”

Saying so, Anjana kissed her son and left her alone. She went back to her heavenly abode.

“Fruits as red and ripe as the sun?” thought Anjaneya. “Is sun such a ripe fruit? Let’s see!”

Thinking that the sun was actually some delicious fruit, the baby Anjaneya wanted to taste the sun. Now, Anjaneya was a divine child. His mother was an apsara and his father was a Monkey-King, so it was natural that little Anjaneya should inherit some magical powers. He was, after all, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. So reaching for the sun was not a tough task for him. He made a giant leap to catch the glowing ball on the sky.

Suryadeva, the Sun-God was glowing peacefully in the sky when he suddenly saw a monkey coming towards him. The monkey grew bigger and bigger as he neared the sun. But the terribly hot rays which made any mortal presence impossible near the sun, had no effect on the creature.

Seeing that, Suryadeva got scared and started calling out for help. “Indra! Indra! Help me!” he shouted.

Indra, king of the gods in heaven, was resting nearby in his heavenly abode. He was surprised to hear the Sun-God pleading for his help.

“Why is Suryadeva yelling for my help?” Indra wondered. “Is he not powerful enough to burn everything that comes near him? Or is it something beyond his control? I have to see what’s happening!”

Indradeva promptly climbed on Airavatha the white elephant, his mount, and left his abode to find the cause of Suryadeva’s fear. Soon he found that a flying monster was trying to catch hold of the sun. “Little wonder then that Suryadeva was so scared!” thought Indra, who had never seen such a creature.

Nearing the sun, Indra was surprised to see that the monster was actually a giant monkey.

“Stop!” he ordered. “Who are you? Why are you trying to catch the sun?”

“I’m Anjaneya, son of Kesari and Anjana.” replied the giant child. “My mother told me that fruits as ripe as the red sun will be my food so I’m going to catch the sun and eat it.”

At first, Indra was amused by the child’s innocence, so he advised him to return to earth. “This is not a fruit, Anjaneya, this is the sun- the source of all light and life.” said he and commanded, “Return whence you came”.

But naughty Anjaneya ignored his commands and continued on his journey to capture the sun.

Now Indra became angry at the child’s impertinence. He warned him several times not to go near the sun, but Anjaneya did not listen to him.

Finally, the King of Devas became so enraged that he struck Anjaneya with his thunderbolt “vajra”.

Kaaabuuuuuuum!!! The thunderbolt hit the child, wounding his chin and causing him to fall down to earth. The “vajra” hit Anjaneya’s face. So his cheeks were swollen twice its size. As the boy fell, his body became smaller and smaller. Finally he became the child-sized monkey he really was and hit the ground.

Vayu, the Wind God, was roaming here and there when he heard a big “thud”. Curious, he went towards the direction of the noise to investigate.

What he saw shocked Vayu. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Anjaneya was lying unconscious on the ground. Who had dared to injure his god-son?

“Who has done this?” he roared but no one answered. Indra had already left for his abode and the sun was once again peacefully glowing in the sky.

The Wind God was terribly angry. “Why should I bother to do my duty when no one answers my question?” he thought.

With great affection, he lifted his godson in his hands and went to the Patalloka, the world below the grounds of the earth.

As Vayu left the earth, there was no air in the world. People, animals and trees struggled to breathe and started to die.

The Sun-God was shocked at the turn of the events and he ran to Brahma, telling Him about the calamity on earth.

Brahma became worried about the situation on Earth. He called Indra and accused him.

“Look what your silly anger has caused!” he thundered. “You have hurt a divine child and now the people on earth are suffering because of your mistake. This is all because of you!”.

Indra hung his head in shame. “I am sorry for my actions” he murmured.

Brahma took him and the other gods to Patalloka and begged Vayu to return to earth.

“I beg pardon on behalf of all men, all creatures and divine beings. Please return to the earth, o gentle Vayu.”

“I’ll not come anywhere without my Anjaneya”, Vayu said firmly. Then, using his powers, Brahma magically cured Anjaneya’s wounds. He also gave him a boon saying, “No weapon will be ever able to have an effect on Anjaneya again.”

To please Vayu further, Indra said to the boy, “You will be a ‘Chiranjeevi’ (immortal). I had taken my aim in your hanu (cheek). So from now, you will be called as the valiant Hanuman!”

Thus Anjaneya came to be known as Hanuman and had many more adventures during his childhood. With the blessings of all the gods,Hanuman became a great warrior later and had helped Lord Rama in his quest to bring back the latter’s wife, Sita. This incident is known to everyone and is recorded in the great epic called Ramyana.

You become what you think

vmission — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 11:01:38 +0000

A thought – is the most important thing, because we become that what we think of.

Once upon a time there lived a Sannyasi – a holy man, sitting by the tree and teaching people. He drank milk, and ate only fruits, endlessly was doing pranayama and thought of himself as a saint. In the same village a poor woman, that was called witch, lived. Everyday Sannyasi went to warn the woman that the black magic she was doing will bring her to hell. The poor woman couldn’t change her lifestyle because her black magic was the only way for her existence. She was strongly impressed by the story of her future that Sannyasi told her. She cried and prayed to God begging to forgive her, because she couldn’t help herself.

And then the saint and the witch died. Angels came and took her soul to heaven, and for the soul of Sannyasi came the devils.

Why is that? – He protested, – didn’t I live a life of a saint? Why are they taking me to hell and the evil witch has gone to heaven?

Because, – the devils responded, – she was forced to commit improper deeds, but her soul was always stretching to God, she prayed for forgiveness and now redemption came to her. And you did opposite, you committed only good deeds, but in your mind you were always concentrated on evil coming from others. You saw only sin, thought only about sin, so now you will go somewhere where there is only sin.