CHINNA KATHA FROM BHAGAVAN’S DISCOURSE. No. 19.

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19 - True devotion will surely win

 

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, " Bhramaramba 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 Bhramaramba, your sister and that is Lord Mallikarjuna. "

Balaram at once ran to the idol of Bhramaramba, 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 Bhramaramba 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 away

 

True devotion will surely win. "