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Click the chapters to read: [ Satsang Vihar 2 - Chapter 25 ) ]
Prasang Reading (3 mins):
It was the day of Ekadashi. Ghanshyam got up very early, bathed, performed puja and went for darshan to the Hanuman Gadhi mandir. Mohandas, the mahant of the mandir, was narrating the story of Ram from the Ramcharit Manas. In the course of the story, he read the glory of observing Ekadashi, “If we observe one Ekadashi, we obtain merits equal to the merits obtained by performing a thousand Ashwamedh Yagnas.” Hearing this, Ghanshyam asked, “Mahantji if that is so then why is it that so many people do not observe Ekadashi?” Mohandas gave a long explanation, “God has given us this rare human body. Why then should we inflict suffering on this precious body by fasting on Ekadashi? This body has not been given for suffering pain and misery. Since the observance of Ekadashi was given up in Jagannathpuri people have stopped doing it. People believe that to remain hungry is to inflict suffering on one’s atma. So, we should eat and drink to nourish our body. Today only those who do not have anything to eat or drink observe Ekadashi. So little boy, bear this in mind. Don’t make your body suffer by fasting.” Ghanshyam thought, “The bawa is misleading the people by spreading false beliefs. So he should be taught the truth.” So Ghanshyam said to him, “Bawaji, do not preach such wrong talks. It is a sin to talk against the scriptures. There is much glory in the observance of Ekadashi. So, one should observe Ekadashi wholeheartedly.” The bawa was annoyed at Ghanshyam, “You, little one, you have the audacity to teach me my duty? Are you not ashamed of yourself?” Ghanshyam simply fixed his eyes on the bawa, who immediately went into samadhi. He found himself transported to Yampuri. There he was severely beaten by the servants of Yam. They scolded him, “You have never observed Ekadashi, and have fattened yourself by eating and drinking merrily. Also, you have misguided other people. So today we will not let you go.” Thus, they thrashed him even more soundly. In the mandir, the body of the bawa began to toss about, and he screamed, “Save me please, save me. Yam’s servants are beating me. They are punishing me because I do not observe Ekadashi.” The heavy beating made the bawa ache all over. After a while he emerged from samadhi. Immediately, he prostrated himself at the feet of Ghanshyam. The bawa then addressed the assembly, “Listen everyone this Ghanshyam is not just a little boy. He is God supreme! I ignored him. I did not explain the truth, so I had to suffer a beating in Yampuri. My bones and ribs are still aching. I was punished in Yampuri because I have not observed Ekadashi all these years. I, therefore, pledge today before Ghanshyam that I shall from now, regularly observe Ekadashi in the proper way. Also, I shall preach to the people to do the same. And you all should begin observing Ekadashi from today.” Having said this, the bawa prostrated at the feet of Ghanshyam, seated him on his own seat, worshipped him, and begged to be forgiven. All those present also bowed to Ghanshyam, and went home with the resolution that they would fast on Ekadashi. Ghanshyam then blessed the bawa and returned home.
Discussion Points:
- On ekadashi how does Ghanshyam’s routine differ from ours?
- Do we wake up early?
- Do we go to Mandir straight away?
- How much confidence must Ghanshyam had to have to go against the Bawa like that?
- Would you be brave enough to do something like that?
- What are the potential consequences you may suffer with if you were to do that?
- Why do you think Ghanshyam wasn’t scared to do that?
- What understanding did he have that enabled him to be fearless in this scenario?
- What can we learn from Ghanshyam in this prasang?
Family Activity - Confidence Booster [(Optional)]:
- Everyone gather around in a circle
- Someone thinks of a scenario where an untruth could possibly be spread
- Someone else in the circle has to think of a way that this can be combated and how they would go about this
- Keep repeating until you can no longer think of anymore scenarios
- Now you have a big bank of ideas to use if you ever come across a situation where your confidence and understanding is tested!
Moral: If we can gain these small ideas on how to tackle difficult situations, then our confidence will increase and our faith in Maharaj and Swami will also increase!