Simplicity is the first path of devotion

Simplicity is the first path of devotion

Simplicity is the first path of devotion. Anand was a lazy but innocent young man. Nobody works all day, just eats and sleeps. The family fired him and asked him to do some work. Anand got out of the house and wandered like this and reached an ashram. There he saw that there is a Guru ji, his disciples do no work but just worship in the temple. He thought that this is a good place for him, there is no work and only worship. He took orders from the Guru and started living there.

Anand was happily staying in the ashram, neither do any work nor any pilgrimage, just eat and sing hymns in devotion to the Lord. Gradually the month passed and Ekadashi arrived. Anand noticed that the food was not ready in the kitchen. When he asked Guruji, he told that everyone is fasting on Ekadashi in the ashram. Anand said, Guru ji, without food he will die.

On this, Guruji said, fasting depends on the mind, there is no inevitability. Therefore, he should prepare and eat his own food but he will have to do this by crossing the river. Anand took wood, cooking items etc. and walked across the river. In the meantime, Guruji said that when you are ready to cook, first of all offer Lord Ram ji.

Anand prepared the food and sat down to eat. Meanwhile, he remembered that Guruji had also asked God to offer Bhoga. He started singing bhajans but he did not know that Bhola Manas would not come, but it was also necessary for him to obey Garu ji’s order. After a long time he said that look Lord Ram, I understood why you are not coming because I have cooked dry and dry food and you have a habit of eating sweets. He said, tell me one more thing, God has not made anything in the ashram today, so if you want to eat, then enjoy it.

Shriram smiled at the simplicity of his devotee and appeared with Mother Sita. Anand got confused that Guruji had spoken about Ram Ji but Sita Mata has also come here. Anand said, Prabhu, I had prepared food for two people but it was very nice to see you.

Bhola Manas forgot everything till the next Ekadashi. He felt that the Lord must have come and received the offerings. Then came Ekadashi. Guruji said, I went to cook my food, this time Guruji will take a little more grain, two people come there. Guruji smiled and thought that if he worked hard, he might be hungry, so he is making excuses.

The Guru gave permission to carry more food. Anand cooked three people this time and remembered Prabhu. This time Lord Rama, Lakshmana and Sita Mata reached all three. Anand then fed food to Prabhu and starved himself. Unknowingly, he too fasted for Ekadashi.

On the next Ekadashi, he asked, Guruji, why doesn’t your Lord Ram, come alone, how many people bring each time? Give the grain a little more this time. This time Guruji felt that if he sells food grains, he decided to hide and see Anand.

On the other hand, Anand thought, this time I will not make food first, I do not know how many people come. First I call and then I make. When Bhole Anand remembered the Lord, God appeared with his court. He said to Anand, is this Prasad not ready at this time? Devotee, Bhola Bhala, said – I thought that how many people will come, so what is the benefit of making it first. Do this yourself and feed me as well.

Seeing the simplicity of the disciple, Lord Rama smiled and said that the wish of the devotee has to be fulfilled. Let’s get back to work. Laxman ji picked up wood, Mother Sita started kneading flour. The devotee sat on one side and watched. Seeing this, sage-monks, Yakshas, ​​Gandharvas started coming to take prasad. Here, Guruji saw that the devotee was not cooking but was sitting in a corner.

The purpose of lighting the lamp

They reached there and asked, son, what is the matter, why didn’t you cook? Anand said, well done Guruji, you have come to see how many people come with the Lord. Guruji said, I do not see anything except you and grains. Hearing this, Anand caught his head and said to Lord Rama, Lord, you make me work so hard every time, keep me hungry and now Guruji is not even visible.

Hearing this the Lord said: I cannot see them. On this the disciple said that he is my guru, he is a great scholar, he is a scholar, he knows a lot, why don’t you see him?

Lord said, that your Guruji knows everything but he is not as simple as you, therefore he cannot see it. Anand said to Guruji, Guruji Prabhu is saying you are not simple therefore you will not see. Guruji started crying and said, I found everything but could not get it easily, whereas God meets only with ease of mind. Hearing this, Lord Rama appeared and appeared to Guruji also.