Story of the week - Brother and Sister

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Story of the weekSaturday, May 15, 2004

 

Brother and Sister

Sri Sailam is a great pilgrim center in Andhra Pradesh, and is famous for its

temple of Siva and Parvathi atop a hill. There, Lord Siva is adored as

Mallikarjuna and Goddess Parvathi as Bhramaramba. There is a legend relating to

this sacred shrine and the Divinity that abides there as Siva and Sakthi.

In a hamlet very near Srisailam, there lived a mother and a lad, six years old.

He was called Balaramanna. He was studying in the local elementary school.

Once, on the eve of Sivarathri, all the school boys were returning home eagerly

discussing the festival. One boy said: "My sister and brother-in-law are coming

tonight for Sivarathri. Tomorrow we will all go to the temple on the hill. "Oh!

What fun it is to be with my sister and brother-in-law". Another boy said: "My

sister and brother-in-law have already come. They have brought me new dress to

wear. We are all going to the temple tonight itself." Balaramanna heard this

talk. He wondered whether he too had a sister and brother-in-law. He ran home

and asked his mother: "Mother, do I have a sister?" Where is she? What is my

brother-in-law doing? Why don't they visit us? My friends are all enjoying

themselves in the company of their sisters. I too would like to be with my

sister and brother-in-law." The mother knew the child's heart. In order to

comfort him and sow the seeds of faith in him, she said: "My dear child, you

too have a sister and brother-in-law. They are, "Brahmaramba

and Mallikarjuna". "Is that so? Where are they? I shall go and bring them home

for the festival. Tell me where they are", said the lad. The mother sent her

son along with her neighbours to the temple on the hill. She told them to take

care of their son and gave them some money to buy odd little things for him.

Balaram said: "Mother, should I not take something for my sister?" The mother

replied: "No, my son, since you are a child, they will themselves give you a

lot of gifts."

Balaram was taken into the shrine. The neighbours showed him the two idols,

beautifully decorated with flowers and apparel and said, "Look that is Goddess

Brahmaramba, your sister and that is Lord Mallikarjuna." Balaram at once ran to

the idol of Brahmaramba, caught hold of her hand and said: "Sister, please come

home with me. Mother has sent me to invite you." There was no response. He ran

into the other shrine and loudly said: "Brother-in-law, please come with me

along with my sister. I won't leave the place without you." The temple priests

took him for a mad cap and pushed him out. Balaram's agony knew no bounds. He

was determined to return home with his sister and brother-in-law. He decided to

end his life if his sister and brother-in-law did not appear before him. He ran

and stood on the top of a peak and cried: "Listen, if you won't come with me,

you my sister and you my brother-in-law, I will jump off the peak and end my

life." At once, he heard someone calling: "Brother,

wait!, wait! we are coming, we are coming." Both Lord Mallikarjuna and

Brahmaramba ran towards him and gathered him into their arms. Balaram said:

"You must come with me, mother is expecting you." The all compassionate Lord

and his consort did accompany the lad. They granted to them the vision to see

them as Siva and Sakthi.

"Whatever you hold once, you have held,Hold on to it, till you win.Whatever you

have asked, once you have asked,Ask aloud for it, till you win.Whatever you

wish, once you have wished,wish deeper for it, till you win.Whatever you have

planned, once you have planned,Plan firmer for it, till you win.He must grant

to stop your wail.Wail, weep, pray till you win.Don't lose heart and turn

awayTrue devotion will surely win."

— Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Source: Chinna Katha II, 167 http://beaskund.helloyou.ws/askbaba/stories/s1019.html

 

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