Ganesh and the goddess Pârvatî

searchforlight.org — One day, the child Ganesh diverted himself in tormenting a cat, pulling his tail and rolling him on the ground. All of us know that children are able to injure animals but are not aware to act badly. Just a moment after, he left the cat peaceful and went away. He even did not think about what he had done. He arrived at mount Kailash to meet again his mother Pârvatî. He found her badly suffering, covered with wounds and dust. read more...

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HIMA -- THE WHITE SQUIRREL OF KRISHNA

searchforlight.org — One day some cowherds brought dry firewood and stacked it in front of the kitchen of Ma Yasoda because her stock of firewood was exhausted. By chance a small white squirrel had got trapped in the dry boughs and thus arrived at the kitchen courtyard of Chief Nanda. Afraid of her new surroundings, she ran nervously first to one side, then to another. Suddenly Krishna came and stood before her. He bent down on his knees and gently spread out his hand towards the lovely visitor and said, "Come, little squirrel, sweet squirrel come to me." read more...

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Belling the Cat

searchforlight.org — Long ago, the mice had a general council to consider what measures they could take to outwit their common enemy, the Cat. Some said this, and some said that; but at last a young mouse got up and said he had a proposal to make, which he thought would meet the case. You will all agree," said he, "that our chief danger consists in the sly and treacherous manner in which the enemy approaches us. Now, if we could receive some signal of her approach, we could easily escape from her. I venture, therefore, to propose that a small bell be procured, and attached by a ribbon round the neck of the Cat. By this means we should always know when she was about, and could easily retire while she was in the neighbourhood. This proposal met with general applause, until an old mouse got up and said: "That is all very well, but who is to bell the The mice looked at one another and nobody spoke. Then the old mouse said:"It is easy to propose impossible remedies." read more...

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The Lion and the Statue

searchforlight.org — A Man and a Lion were discussing the relative strength of men and lions in general. The Man contended that he and his fellows were stronger than lions by reason of their greater intelligence. Come now with me," he cried, and I will soon prove that I am right." So he took him into the public gardens and showed him a statue of Hercules overcoming the Lion and tearing his mouth in two. "That is all very well," said the Lion, "but proves nothing, for it was a man who made the statue." read more...

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RAMESH AND THE PARROT FEATHERS

yogastories.wordpress.com — When I was a child of about eight my father said to me, ”Ramesh, why do you have such a long face?’ He was always aware of my feelings, always observing and commenting on these things. “Ramesh, why on this beautiful day, with the birds singing and the river running do you look sad? What could you have to feel sad about? The world is a beautiful place. Be happy.” read more...

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Mother’s Quiet Time

yogastories.wordpress.com — When I was a child and my father worked in the temple, my mother, my brother, my sister and I would be at home. Mother had several servants who helped with the work in the house and garden, and who looked after the animals. Every day mother would have a meeting with the servants before they started their work. We children would still be in bed, but sometimes if I got up early I would see them all sitting down outside in our courtyard. read more...

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KRISHNA NARASIMHA

searchforlight.org — It was spring in Vrindavan. There was a freshness in the atmosphere. One day a formation of white swans was floating in the air above. They looked like beautiful sky-boats. Beating their graceful wings in the air, the swans were sailing to their far-away home in Europe, after passing wintertime in the warmth of Central India. One pair of young swan-mates, Shipra -- the Swift One -- and Sundari -- the Beautiful One -- had fallen behind the others. They were so happy frolicking with each other that they forgot to keep their proper places in the swan group-formation. Their cries of joy and fun could be heard even from a far distance. Upon hearing their joyous calls to each other, many animals in the forest below and travellers on the road looked skyward and were charmed by their lovely play. But this peaceful scene changed in a flash. Out of the only dark cloud in the sky, suddenly swooped a terrible flying demon with red eyes and fierce claws. King Kamsa had sent him to find and kill Krishna. But when he saw the flock of swans he decided to have a tasty swan breakfast. He saw the two swans who had lagged behind the main swan flock. With greedy glee he pounced upon Shipra and said, "Ha, ha, ha, my little swan, now I have got you." He began drooling at the very thought of this delicious meal. The rest of the swan flock began to fly away as fast as they could, sounding the alarm cry, "Danger, danger." Soon the swan leader noticed that Sundari was lagging behind. She was looking first at the retreating flock and then looking back at the demon clutching her beloved Shipra. read more...

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The Young Monk Sticks to His Plan

yogastories.co.uk — After several years as a monk, I did decide to return to everyday life. However, this story happened in the earlier days of my time as a sadhaka. As a young man, sometimes I found the choice I had made to remain single and study ancient scriptures rather a difficult one to stick to. I saw my guru regularly and I travelled to different towns and villages on foot, reliant upon my good health and the generosity of other people for my survival. Even as a monk I was called upon to perform religious rites for people. They expected me to know all about the various ceremonies that a normal family might participate in. These would include ceremonies around the birth of a child, betrothal and marriage, and illness and death. I was very happy to perform these ceremonies. I took care to look tidy and to be very clean all the time. Amongst my small collection of possessions I had a comb, a file for my nails and a toothpick. I would use certain wild plants to chew to keep my mouth feeling fresh and my teeth clean. People always appreciated and even admired my appearance and this gave me confidence to perform my religious duties, even at quite a young age. However, my looks did cause me a certain amount of difficulty. I would find that women would react towards me in different ways. Some, usually the younger ones, were very shy and embarrassed in my presence. With them I had to be very reserved and respectful. Others became giggly and would nudge each other and flutter their eyelashes, tilting their heads so that I could only see the lower parts of their eyes, hidden beneath their eyebrows. Towards these ladies I had to be somewhat aloof, but also respectful of course. Still others would try to mother me. They would advise me about matters of health and keeping warm at night and regarding my diet, what I should and should not eat. With these ladies I would quietly listen to what they had to say. I would not agree or disagree, but would merely nod my head to show that I was listening and that I had heard their advice. I think I reminded them of their sons, perhaps, but I had to maintain my position of authority, so I would not encourage their helpful counsel. All these minor problems of human relationships would colour my days. I have not mentioned the attitude of the men-folk yet. They might be friendly, respectful, aloof, suspicious, or even slightly disdainful. However, most of them were glad to have me around to officiate at the ceremonies for them, a read more...

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