The sacred power of Goddess

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Light and Love

 

Here is the story by Swami from the life of Aadhi Shankara.

He was born in Kaaladi in Kerala. When he was a six year old, his mother,

Aaryaambha, told him: "Son, your father was a very pious person worshipping God

according to the prescribed rituals. You must follow his example. I am too

always devoted to God. Having taken birth as my son, you should conduct

yourself in such a way that you achieve great name and fame and bring a good

name to me."

The father of Shankara was a regular worshipper of Dhevi Raaja-raajeshvari

for many years. He used to offer milk every day to the goddess. Every day

after finishing his puuja and offering milk to the goddess, he used to

distribute the remaining milk to his wife, son and others as prasaadham. One

day, when Shankara was barely four years old, the father had to leave his home

to visit a neighbouring village. He told the boy: "Son, your mother cannot

perform the worship which I do. You better do the worship today." After the

father left, the boy followed the father's instructions. He filled a tumbler

with milk, placed it before the image of the goddess Raaja-raajeshvari and

prayed, "Mother! Accept this offering of milk." He went on praying to the

goddess. When he found that the milk remained untouched, he was in great

anguish. He cried: "Oh Mother! When my father offered the milk you used to

take it. Why are you not taking it when I am offering it?"He declared in agony:

"Mother! If you don't take the milk I shall end my life. I would have

dishonoured my father. I would also be guilty of failing to fulfil my mother's

command. If I cannot please my parents, what use is there in my living?" He

prayed intensely to the Goddess in great agony Moved by the naive entreaties of

the boy, Raaja-raajeshvari appeared before him. She told him: "Child! Be happy.

I am immensely pleased with your devotion. I shall drink the milk." So saying,

she drank all the milk offered in the tumbler. The boy was aghast to see that

the whole tumbler was empty. "Oh mother!" he cried. "If you drink all the

milk, what is left for distributing as prasaadham? My mother will think I have

drank all the milk. I have to give praasadham to her. My father used to give

some milk as prasaadham to others also. Therefore please restore some of the

milk in the tumbler." The Goddess told the boy that it is impossible to bring

back the milk that had been consumed and vanished. Can an apple that has been

digested be brought back?

The boy was in deep distress again. He thought within himself, "I will get

a bad name from my mother." He prayed: "Mother! Please give at least a little

quantity of milk." Responding to the prayers of the young boy the goddess drew

milk from her breast and gave it to the boy It was the sacred power of the milk

which enabled Shankara in later years to master all the scriptures and earn

lasting fame as a great spiritual teacher, revered by all. Knowledge of all the

Vedhas came to him effortlessly: It was due to the grace of the Divine Mother

and the love and blessings of his own mother. When one is blessed with Prema

and Anugraha (love and grace) he is transformed from the human to the Divine.

(Excerpts from, Sathya Sai Speaks. Vol. 30. "Mother's Love and Divine Grace, Chapter 12).

 

Namaste - Reet