24 - Great Reward For A Small Favour

It so happened one day. It was a quiet afternoon. Everybody was relaxing in the orchard. Bhaishri went for a round in the orchard. Bhaishri noticed that a small girl was playing in a corner. Bhaishri went closer. The girl was fully absorbed in her play. Bhaishri was right behind the girl.

The girl had collected dry sticks and she was trying to make a cot out of them. Bhaishri slowly pushed from behind and the cot was broken. The girl did not bother to look behind and started to grumble, ‘Who is that? I have been working for such a long time. Why did you break it like this?’

Bhaishri started laughing and said, ‘First look behind and see who is here?’ The girl was fond of Bhaishri. She turned back and found Bhaishri. She was ashamed and pulled herself back. Bhaishri called her, ‘Come here.’ The girl regretted, ‘I did not know it was you.’

Bhaishri called her again, ‘Come on here!’ The girl apologized again, ‘Without seeing you, I spoke to you harshly. Please, forgive me.’ Bhaishri was pleased as the girl had realized her mistake and apologized.

He went to the girl and consoled her, ‘It does not matter. Take this sweet. You have regretted your mistake and apologized. Therefore, I am pleased. Always remember that Bhaishri had broken your cot and offered you sweet.’

The girl bowed down to Bhaishri. Bhaishri reminded again, ‘If you remember this incident, I will take you to God’s abode.’ Years passed by. The girl grew up. She had full faith in the promise of Bhaishri. She always remember the incident of her childhood and the promise of Bhaishri. She served Bhaishri and performed other works also.

Days passed by. One day she fell ill. She informed everybody, ‘Bhaishri has promised me. So he will take me to the abode of God.’ Everyone tried to explain, ‘He must have said it to consol you as a child. By now Bhaishri must have forgotten it.’

The girl said firmly, ‘Others may forget, but Bhaishri never forgets. I have full faith.’ And Bhaishri did not forget his promise. Along with Maharaj he appeared in front of the girl.

The girl was blissful. She told everyone, ‘I told you! Isn’t it? Here is Bhaishri accompanied by Maharaj. He has come to take me to God’s abode.’ With this words she left her body.

Difficult words:
To grumble - To complain in nagging way
Harshly - In hurting way
Abode - One’s home

Points to ponder:
- Anadimukta is a door leading towards salvation.
- If we can repent our mistakes in front of a Mukta like that girl, we can reach closer to God.
- If we keep faith and belief in the statements of a Mukta, he always keeps his words.

Exercise

Answer the following questions:
1. What was the girl doing?
2. What did Bhaishri do from behind her back?
3. Why was Bhaishri pleased?
4. What did Bhaishri promise to the girl?

Fill in the blanks:
1. The girl had gathered ____________ and she was trying to make a ___________.
2. Without seeing you, I spoke harshly. That is my ___________ Please _________ me.
3. She had full ______ in Bhaishri’s _______.

Arrange in proper sequenc:
1. Remember incident this take you will I to God’s you if abode.