Sri Maharaj's Pravachan in Marathi-July30

Reminiscences

‘Self-Earned Wealth  too is a result of the Grace of Rama’

A couple was visiting ShriMaharaj. The husband said, 'Maharaj, I am well settled, and I have a very good monthly income.' ShriMaharaj said to him, 'Whatever one obtains is by the will of Rama. We are mere figureheads. No matter how much wealth comes your way, do not cease remembering Rama.' After this he turned to the wife and said, 'Do you wish to ask about anything ?' The woman moved forward and made two or three attempts to speak, but her eyes were filled with tears, and words failed her. Then ShriMaharaj said to her in a reassuring voice, 'Does .your husband beat you ?' On hearing this she began nobbing freely. ShriMaharaj said to the husband, 'Remember, your prosperity is not because of your capa­bilities but because of the luck that appertains to this girl. Remember for all time that she has entered your home as the goddess Lakshmi* herself. If you so much as lay a finger on her hereafter, the wrath of Laxmi will be upon you. And if that happens, all your wealth will go away. Do not come weeping to me when you have reached such a miserable state.' ShriMaharaj said this in a voice of warning. To the lady he said, 'My child, whatever prob­lem existed has been fully taken care of. Now you can continue to practice chanting of Nama and live a happy domestic life.'

Sri Maharaj's Pravachan in Marathi-July29

Reminiscences

One believes that the Food  one eats is of one’s own earning, but in reality even that is the Fruit of God’s Grace.

ShriMaharaj said to one, 'Do partake of Rama's Prasad today before you leave.' He said, 'I cannot do so, for it is an observance of mine not to eat during the four monsoon months food of another person's earning. ShriMaharaj asked him, 'What notion do you carry when you eat at home every day ?' He replied, 'I feel that I am eating food earned by me.' Upon this ShriMaharaj said, "If it is with this notion that you eat at home every day, then it is far better to eat food of another. It is very harmful to have a notion in one's mind that one eats from one's own earn­ings, and that there is no element of the grace of God in it. A Sadhaka must bear the notion that whatever food he consumes every day is only because of His grace and wish. It is for this notion to develop that such observances are to be followed. There is another aim of this obser­vance: if food from a house with evil ways were to be consumed, there is a possibility that it may defile one's mental attitude; this observance is proper in order to avoid such a risk. The food here is owed entirely to Rama's grace, and because of that it is exceedingly holy. Your observance will not be broken if you were to partake of it." The gentleman then partook of prasad before he left.

Reminiscences

A Sadhaka should cast off such Feelings as Envy, Hate, Enmity.

There was a devoted disciple of ShriMaharaj. A trivial cause had resulted in hostility developing between him and his brother-in-law. ShriMaharaj did not like it and sO, one day, he said to the disciple, " Have you seen a puppet show ? Supposing the puppets were to decide not to dance, the whole show will be spoiled. Likewise, we are puppets in God's theatre. If we, through our own think­ing or stubbornness, were to decide not to dance in accor­dance with His wish, His whole show will be spoiled; besides, it will militate against our interest. Your inner mind has repeatedly been urging you to talk with the person towards whom you bear hostility, and cleanse your mind, for you have now surrendered to Rama. It is not proper that you ignore the inner voice and retain feelings of hostility. You must not have feelings of hostility towards anyone." He took the suggestion of ShriMaharaj to heart and went, of his own accord, to meet his brother-in-law. An open- hearted talk ensued between them. As it chanced, only eight days later the brother-in-law suffered a heart attack and died.

Reminiscences

 A Husband and Wife should adjust with each other and lead Domestic life in Contentment

A couple was well - educated, so they would often ar­gue on equal footing. Occasionally, argument led to alter­cation between them, and the dispute ended in mutual exasperation. Some days passed tolerably well, but one day a dispute ran wild. The husband lost his temper and slapped the wife. The lady could not stand it. The same night she left by train for her parental home. After this some days passed, and then she learned that the hus­band was down with typhoid. She felt natural anxiety, but could not take a decision about what to do. So she went to ShriMaharaj. ShriMaharaj said, "If one wheel of a two-wheeled vehicle goes one way and the other goes another way, the vehicle cannot run. It is obvious that there is difference between man and woman; it is neces­sary for nature's course to proceed well. The qualities of bravery and generosity in a man, and those of forbearance and unswerving submissiveness in a woman, are natural. Accepting defeat in clashes in domestic life be­comes forbearance; besides, doing so will show large -heartedness. This world is nothing but a big play staged by God. It is one's duty to perform in the best possible manner whatever part falls to one's lot. Even if one gets a lowly part, one should play it in the best possible man­ner; then one gets as much credit as for playing an impor­tant part. You alone can claim the honour of motherhood by bearing a son, your husband can never have it. So give up the idea of insisting on equality of rights. In being loved and cherished by one another lies true happiness and fulfilment," When the woman asked, *What shall I do now ?' ShriMaharaj said, "Take the first train and go to your husband. Tend to him as if nothing untoward had intervened. Bow to him in homage once every morning. He will recover." Accordingly the woman went to her hus­band, and began conducting herself as she had been told. After some days the husband's fever abated. One morn­ing, as she bowed to him, he began to sob. The lady was alarmed. He said, 'I am all right. But I realize that I behaved like a beast with you, and I am suffering from a frightful remorse. You rushed for my sake without mind­ing my behaviour with you. I promise you that I will not commit such a mistake again,'

A son was born to them after some time, and the couple visited ShriMaharaj with him.

Shree Gurpournami Pravachan (Kannada)

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