Chinna Katha - 01 (Vinayaka - The Leader of All) (Small Story: As told by Sri Satya Sai Baba)

[Guest guest]

VINAYAKA -- THE LEADER OF ALL

On one occasion, a competition was arranged among the gods for selecting the

leader of the games (troops of demigods who are attendants of Siva).

Participants had to go round the world quick and come back to the feet of Lord Siva.

The gods started off on their own vehicles; the elder son of Siva also

enthusiastically entered the competition. He had an elephantine head; his

vehicle was a mouse! Therefore, his progress was severely handicapped: He had

not proceeded far, when Narada appeared before him and asked him, “Whither are

you bound?”

The son was very much annoyed; he fell into a rage.

For, what happened was a bad omen, doubly un propitious for those going on a journey.

It is inauspicious if the first person you come across when you are on a journey

is lone Brahmin.

Though the foremost among the Brahmins (He was the son of Brahma Himself),

Narada was a bad omen!

Again it is a bad omen if you are going somewhere and someone asked, “Whither

are you bound?” Narada put him that very question!

Nevertheless, Narada was able to assuage his anger.

He drew forth from Siva’s son the cause of his predicament and his desire to win.

 

Narada consoled him, exhorted him not to yield to despair, and advised him thus:

 

Rama –the name—is the seed from which the gigantic tree called the universe has

emanated. So, write the name on the ground, go round it once, and hurry back

to Siva, claiming the prize.”

 

He did so and returned to his father. When asked how he returned so soon, he

related the story of Narada and his advice.

 

Siva appreciated the validity of Narada’s counsel; the prize was awarded to the

son, who was acclaimed as Gana-pati (Master of the Ganas) and Vinaayaka (Leader

of all).

(from the book: "Chinna Katha")

Abt "Chinna Katha" (in Kasturi words)

"Oka Chinna Katha" - When Bhagawan intercepts the speeding current of His

Discourse with these three Telugu words, meanings, "One little story" all ears

are alert, all hearts are quite.

For, the story that follows is a flash that illumines:

-> A shower that cools, -> A joke that tickles, -> A "tablet" that alleviates,

-> A peep into epic grandeur or pompous absurdity, -> A poetic parenthesis, ->

An exhilarating prick, -> A lilt that enlightens, -> A sugar-coated pill of

profundity, -> A disarming repartee, -> A volley of raillery on religious

rigmarole!

It may be a tonic tale of the past or the report of a contemporary comedy;

It may be a thrust on theological disputation or a dear little dig at some egoistic dignitary.

The Chinna Katha, if only we ponder over its relevance, is an effective

instrument in Bhagawan’s educational process.

When He is discoursing, these parables and stories, ever on the wing, hover in

flocks in the firmament of His Love; He lets a few fly into our hearts and

nestle there, until we fondle and foster them and make them part of our thought

and behavior patterns.

Here is a charming, fragrant bouquet of these multicolored Kathas for our

delectation, meditation and inspiration.

(from the book: "Chinna Katha")

Attachment: (application/octet-stream) GANESHA.jpg [not stored]