HARD-EARNT MONEY IS THE MOST PRECIOUS.

HARD-EARNT MONEY IS THE MOST PRECIOUS.

Sunday (Dec-19—2010).

Once there lived a business man (1920—2006) in Krishnapatnam on the sea-shore on east of India. His name was Lakshmipathy. He was doing export business and possessed properties worth 25 crores and monthly income of Rs.3 to 5 lakhs. His wife was a good and noble lady, named Savithri; they had two daughters and one son. They lived happily. The two daughters were married and well-settled.

The youngest was the son; his name was Gunanidhi. He was a good natured and well behaved youth.

He completed his education in a nearby city college and eanred a B.Com. degree. After his studies, he was leading a go-easy-take-easy life; whenever he wanted money he asked his mother. She gave him whatever amount he asked and he was spending lavishly and enjoying life. He felt there was no need for him to work and earn. His father was looking after his business. Luckily the youth had no bad

habits and is well behaved.

Lakshmipathy completed 55 years age; he wanted to train his son in his business. He knew his son is callous in spending money; he had no experience in earning money and has no idea how precious the money was. So the young man should be taught the value of money; experience is the best teacher. So one morning after break-fast Lakshmipathy asked his son to get him ten rupees and give him at dinner time. That night Gunanidhi gave a ten rupees note to his father. His father tore it to pieces and threw it into the fire-place nearby. The youth saw it; he did not mind; he left the room silently to his bed room. Again next morning Lakshmipathy asked the boy to get him ten rupees and give it to him at dinner time. That night Gunanidhi gave a ten rupees note to his father. He tore it to pieces and threw it into the fire-place nearby. Then also the youth was not perturbed; he simply retired to his bed room.

That next morning Lakshmipathy asked his son how he got the ten rupees during the past two days. His son replied that he went and asked his mother; she gave the ten rupee notes; he gave those notes to his father at dinner time. Lakshmipathy understood the situation. He told his son what he

actually meant; he wanted Gunanidhi to earn the ten rupees by himself with his own effort and give itto his father at dinner time. The son was good natured; he agreed. Lakshmiparthy asked his wife not to give any money to their son next day. She agreed.

Next morning, after breakfast, Gunanidhi left his home and wandered about the town; he came home and took noon-lunch. He did not know how to earn money. He again started from home after lunch to earn ten rupees. He had no idea what to do. He saw an ironsmith shop by the road-side one mile from his home. He went and asked the owner to tell him how to earn ten rupees; the ironsmith was surprised at this question. He answered if the youth did any work he could get payment. So he asked the smith to show him work and pay ten rupees. The smith was surprised; he told to work is hard. Gunanidhi told he can work if work is shown and if he is paid ten rupees. The iron smith asked him to take the heavy hammer and hammer the red hot-iron pole into sheets. The youth agreed and took the heavy hammer and started the work; it was very hard work; he perspired, there was hot fire

before him; he worked for one hour; he was tired and fainted. The iron smith threw cool water on his face and gave him a glass of hot tea to drink. After ten minutes Gunanidhi recovered slowly. He felt very weak and intolerable pain in his shoulders and legs; his head was breaking with head-ache.

He was new to such hard work. He received the payment of rupees ten from the iron-smith. He reached home and slept in his room. At dinner time, he gave the ten rupees note to his father. Lakshmikanth repeated the old practice; he tore the note and threw it into the fire-place.

This act of his father irritated Gunanidhi; we became furious; he held the had of his father tightly and shouted “Oh! ------------ ! What is it you did? I toiled for two hour, near blazing flame and pounded the hot iron with heavy hammer to earn these ten rupees; I fainted; even now my limbs and head are aching with severe pain. You do not want that note, you could have given it to me again.” Gunanidhi

was shivering with anger. Then Lakshipathy embraced his son affectionately and pacified him.

After half an hour, Gunanidhi regained calmness and composure. He expressed his regrets for the fury he exhibited. Then Lakshmipathy explained his son and wife; “ I have no bad intentions; I wanted my son to know the value of money out of his own experience. He was not at all bothered when I tore the currency note of ten rupees twice, because he never earned it; he did not know how difficult it is to earn money by right means. When he was sincere and worked hard to earn the same

ten rupees, he could not tolerate to lose his precious earning. He was irritated when his hard-earnt money was destroyed. Now I am sure my son knows fully the value of money and how difficult it is to earn money by fair means. I can now safely hand over my entire business worth several crores of rupees to my son. I guide and advise him often. But he can manage it wisely.” He handed over his

entire business to his son on his 56^th birthday and led a happy retired life. Gunanidhi managed the business efficiently and shrewdly and increased it worth five times in ten years. His parents were very glad and expressed their approbation.

SO WE LEARN NOW AN VERY IMPORTANT MORAL: “HARD-EARNT MONEY IS MOST PRECIOUS; EASY MONEY HAS NO VALUE AT ALL.”

* * * * * * * * *

Author: Prof. Komaragiri Venkata Ramana Rao. Ph.D., (Retired Professor; Andhra University College of Engineering); Astrologer-Scienitst. Durham. NC; U.S.A.: (Tatayya = Grand-father). My e-mail address : pandit@jyothishi.com---------- I dedicate all these stories in the blog to Sri Parama Paalakas (Supreme Rulers of this entire Universe): Bhagavan Sri Siddhi Vinayaka, Sri Lakshmi Narayana and Sri Gouri Sankara and Sri Saraswathi and Bhagavan Sri Venkateswara !

GOD’S ABODE.

GOD’S ABODE.

There was a small village Pandurangapurm on the banks of the river Chandravathi. Once there lived a sweeper by name Chokkanatham; his wife Satyavathi was a pious lady. Chokkayya belonged to a low caste by birth. But he was a noble person and a great devotee of Bhagavan (Lord) Sri Krishna.

He got his yearly salary from the king for sweeping the temple premises and roads around the temple.

Chokkayya, popularly called by the villagers, was docile and lived a devotee’s life; he woke up before sunrise, took bath in the river; prayed Sun-god at dawn. Then he came home, had his pooja worship) to Bhagavan (Lord) Sri Krihna, take his breakfast and go to the temple premises to do his duties.

In spite of his great devotion to God, the priests never permitted Chokkayya to enter the inner temple and to have darshan (sight) of the main idol Bhagavan (Lord) Sri Krishna, because they believed allowing a low-caste person into the sanctum-sanctorum was a sin and the temple’s piety would be ruined.

But Chokkayya had a great desire to see the Bhagavan (Lord)’s main idol in the temple & prayed Sri Krishna to grant that boon; once Bhagavan (Lord) asked Chokkayya to follow the band of pilgrims from Chandrapuram and enter the temple an have darshan of the Bhagavan (Lord)’s idol. He followed Bhagavan (Lord)’s advice; but one of the priests recognized Chikkayya as the sweeper and shouted at him to go away; in the mean time, other

priests also came running there; they drove Chokkayya out of the temple beating him with lathis (thick sticks). He was wounded and bleeding all over his body; a complaint was lodged against him in the village-court (grama-pancnayat) against Chokkayya for his attempt to enter the inner temple.

He was sentenced to leave that village and shift to the other bank of the river and stay near the forest.

Chikkayya built a hut there on the river bank at the boarder of the forest. There was no village there.

Bhagavan (Lord) Sri Krishna once came to his hut; he pacified Chokkayya and his wife; he prmised that would visit them often and be with them. They were very happy and prayed the Bhagavan (Lord) with ecstatic devotion. Chokkayya resumed his normal life of sweeping the village roads crossing the river in the morning; and returned to his hut in the evening crossing then river; he made a small crude boat with wood in the forest for crossing the river. Once Bhagavan (Lord) Sri Krishna told Chokkayya that He would visit his hut on Vaikuntha Ekadasi, pious festival noon, and would have dinner in his house. That day, Chokkayya finished his road-cleaning duties early and returned to his hut by boat in the noon. Some villagers saw this; they felt curiosity and followed him secretly; they crossed the river in a regular ferry-boat; they hid behind the trees in the forest and listened the talk in the hut. They over-heard Chokkayya and his

wife talking and praising Sri Krishna as if conversing with Sri Krishna and serving him many delicious food items. They felt Chokkayya is a cheat. They thought they could get him greater punishment, if they complained against him to the king. Two person hastened to the king and reported many bad things to him to prove Chikkayya was cheating people; he talked as if was conversing with the Bhagavan (Lord) Sri Krishna directly; also today he is playing a drama of offering noon dinner to Bhagavan (Lord) himself. The king was annoyed; he sent some armed soldiers to arrest Chikkayya and bring him to royal court. When the soldiers and villagers arrived, they shouted Chokkayya to come out

of the hut; then he was serving curd to Bhagavan (Lord). When he heard loud shouts he was perplexed and his hand shivered and some curd spilled over the yellow silk garment of Bhagavan (Lord). Both wife and husband came out to see what those shouts were. Immediately the soldiers tied Chikkayya’s hands with ropes and led him to the royal court; his wife ran after him; they left Bhagavan (Lord) Sri Krishna behind in the hut.

They had no time to take leave of Him or to clean the garment Sri Krishna wore.

The king then ordered Chokkayya to be tied to a bullock cart and drag him on stony hills till he bleeded to death. Satyavathi explained what happened in the hut; nobody believed her. When all was ready and the bullocks were provoked to run; they did not run; the cart also did not move. All were

surprised; nobody know what happened. Only Satyavathi saw a surprise; Bhagavan (Lord) Sri Krishna sat on the cart and held the ropes tight so that the bullocks do not move. She praised the Bhagavan (Lord) with folded hands. Then an old Brahmin in the gathering told the king to go to the temple of Sri Krishna and find out the truth. The king and his followers and the soldiers with Chokkayya tied by hands with ropes and his wife all went to the temple. Chokkayya and his wife and the soldiers stayed out while the king and his followers went in.

The priests welcome the king with temple-honours; the king ad the darshan of the main idol of Sri Krishna; then words came from the idol; “Oh! King! Chokkayya is a true devotee; what all he and his wife told was true; when he was beaten and chased out of the temple for trying to enter and have darshan, I left the temple and stayed with him in his hut. It was true, I had my noon-dinner in his home. You see the spilled curd still on my garment. I love my devotees; his caste, birth and such others do not count at all. I always stay in the heart of my true devotee.” The king and all others there saw the curd-stain on the garment tied to the idol of Deity. All were surprised and awed at these words of Bhagavan (Lord), coming from the idol. Chokkayya was set free; the king honoured him and his wife.

Then Chokkayya and his wife lived happily for many years, totally dedicating their lives in the service of Bhagavan (Lord) Sri Krishna. At the end they merged into Bhagavan (Lord) Sri Krishna & attained Kaivalyam (union with God). The caste system was originally started in India with a social purpose, based on the professions. The aim was to ensure smooth running of social life in the country. All professions were then treated equally with equal respect; the professions were passed on in the families, generation to generation. But slowly evil practices percolated into the caste system; some were treated well; some were ill-treated; untouchability is the worst of the evils. Even now this cruel practice is not totally eradicated. A person is to be deemed respectable by his nature, behaviour & character but not by his / her birth or caste or social status. Then only the society progresses and human welfare is achieved. Compiler : Prof. Komaragiri Venkata Ramana Rao. Ph.D., (Retired Professor; Andhra University College of Engineering); Astrologer-Scienitst. Durham. NC; U.S.A.: (Tatayya = Grand-father). My e-mail address : pandit@jyothishi.com---------- I dedicate all these stories in the blog to Sri Parama Paalakas (Supreme Rulers of this entire Universe): Bhagavan Sri Siddhi Vinayaka, Sri Lakshmi Narayana and Sri Gouri Sankara and Sri Saraswathi and Bhagavan Sri Venkateswara !

The Story of Dhruva; Paer--2

The Story of Dhruva

Published on Dec—16—2010 (Friday) Sri Vaikuntha Eakadasi in Indian continent (all countries to the east of eastern longitude 50* and in all latitudes). Part-2

Bhagavan Sri Vishnu was astonished at this amazing wisdom of such a young child, patted him on his cheek and asked him to say what boon he wanted. Dhruva said, "Oh Bhagavan (Bhagavan (Lord))Sri Narayana, after having Your Darshan and getting Your Grace, I don’t want anything else." The Bhagavan (Bhagavan (Lord)) replied, "Dhruva, you undertook this penance with one thought, namely to sit on your father’s lap, but now you speak differently. Your words and action are contrary to your thought. You must go back to your father with My divine blessings. He will receive you with full affection. You must rule the kingdom and then come to Me." The Bhagavan (Bhagavan (Lord)) Sri Maha Vishnu also assured Dhruva that after ruling the kingdom for a long time he would occupy a most exalted position in the firmament as a star around whom the constellation of the Seven Rishis and other galaxies would revolve. Dhruva is the Pole / guiding star for all mariners for the past several millions of years; and even now during night times. (Recently powerful Radar / Geo-positioning Satellite Guiding systems are used to navigate ships, aero-planes or even cars during day and night). Dhruva, on his return to the kingdom was received with ceremonial honours by his penitent and joyous father. Dhruva consoled his father by reminding him that all are forms of Narayana. Uthaanapaada entrusted the kingdom to the six-year old Dhruva, saying that a boy who could get the Divine vision and Grace at that tender age, could rule the kingdom. He retired to Skanda Ashrama, seeking realisation of the Divine.

Dhruva ruled for a long time of 1008 years, very wisely and well, maintaining justice and peace. When his sojourn in the world came to an end, a celestial chariot came to take him to ‘God’s Abode’. He told the charioteer that God was everywhere and so the question of taking him to god’s place did not arise. So saying, he sat down closing his eyes in meditation and merged in Bhagavan Sri Narayana.

The infinite power of Bhakthi (true devotion to the Bhagavan (Bhagavan (Lord))) must be understood by all. It contains all the six qualities, namely, Bhukthi(Food), Rakthi (Desire), Yukthi (Knowledge of how to love all), Anurakthi (detachment), Virakthi (cessation of desires), and Mukthi (Liberation). When from the root word Bhagawan the root word, "Bhag", is taken and combined with "Kthi" which is common in all the six qualities it becomes "Bhakthi" The story of Dhruva must teach the student the value of firm determination and devotion to God. Compiler : Prof. Komaragiri Venkata Ramana Rao. Ph.D., (Retired Professor; Andhra University College of Engineering); Astrologer-Scienitst. Durham. NC; U.S.A.: (Tatayya = Grand-father). My e-mail address : pandit@jyothishi.com ----------------- I dedicate all these stories in the blog to Sri Parama Paalakas (Supreme Rulers of this entire Universe): Bhagavan Sri Siddhi Vinayaka, Sri Lakshmi Narayana and Sri Gouri Sankara and Sri Saraswathi and Bhagavan Sri Venkateswara !

Dhruva--Part-1

The Story of Dhruva

Published on Dec—16—2010 (Thursday) Sri Vaikuntha Eakadasi in American continent (both north and south American countires). Part-1

Uthaanapaada is the the elder of the two sons of Manu. He gave to mankind the Dharma Sasthra, (the code of Righteousness) had two wives, Suruchi and Suneethi. Uthama was the son of Suruchi, the younger queen while Dhruva was born to Suneethi.

One day, both the boys were playing in the garden. Spotting their doting father sitting on the throne, they rushed forward to sit on their father’s (king’s) lap. While Uthama (seven years old son) sat on his father’s lap, the five-year son Dhruva was prevented by Suruchi; she said harshly that only her son had the right to sit on the king’s lap and pushed Dhruva out. The king watched this injustice silently. Dhruva went to straight to his mother Suneethi and sat in her lap weeping. When he started criticising his step-mother for her rude action, his mother silenced him and said, "Desist from criticising anyone. If you criticise others the defects pointed out by you will come to you. Accept everything as something good." So saying she advised Dhruva to go to the forest and do penance to secure the Grace of Bhagavan (Bhagavan (Lord)) Sri Narayana (Sri Maha Vishnu), who was the only divine Saviour of the helpless. Dhruva obeyed his mother implicitly and proceeded to the forest without any fear and with full faith in his mother’s words that God was the only refuge for the forlorn. Having noticed this wonderful determination of the young boy who was ready to brave the perils of the forest with firm determination grear divine sage Narada appeared before him and tried to dissuade him from undertaking a severe penance to earn the Bhagavan (Bhagavan (Lord))’s Grace. But Dhruva refused to go back and expressed his full confidence that he would surely succeed in winning the Bhagavan Sri Narayana’s (Bhagavan (Lord)’s) Grace with his mother’s blessings and his unshakable faith. This is the ideal that today’s students should learn and practise . Narada was pleased with the young Dhruva’s firm faith and initiated him in the chanting of the eight-lettered (Ashta-akshari) highly sacred mantra, "Aum Namo Narayanaya". Dhruva did intense (tapas) penance, giving up food and drink, and was reduced to a skeleton. He transcended his Food Sheath (Annamaya Kosa) and his Pranamaya Kosa (Vital Sheath). He was saturated with the Bhagavan Sri Narayayana’s (Bhagavan (Lord))’s name, which he chanted with each breath ceaselessly. His mind sheath (Manomaya Kosa) was also dedicated to the Bhagavan (Bhagavan (Lord)), driving away all other thoughts. His entire being was filled with bliss in the contemplation of the Bhagavan (Bhagavan (Lord)). This is another ideal taught by Dhruva to students that meditation must be with total concentration on the Divine Form. Bhagavan (Bhagavan (Lord)) Narayana appeared before Dhruva, whose radiance went on intensifying as the Bhagavan (Bhagavan (Lord)) was approaching him. Looking at the majestic form of the Cosmic Bhagavan Sri Maha Vishnu (Bhagavan (Lord)), Dhruva burst into ecstatic praise. He exclaimed and prayed emotionally :

y'ontaH praviSya mama vAcaM imAm prasuptAM
sanjIvayaty-akhila-Sakti-dharas svadhAmnA /
anyAMSca hasta caraNa-SravaNa-tvagAdhIn
prANAn-namo bhagavate purushAya tubhyaM //

My Lord, I make my prostrations to You. You are the One who has entered into me as my inner soul making me speak. My speech has been dormant all along. You are the One who makes my ears hear, my hands work, my feet walk, my tactile senses to feel, my life to vibrate - all by your Glory, my Lord, who wields Infinite Power.

"O Bhagavan (Bhagavan (Lord))! Till now You were in me and You have come out to Grace me. Are You going to leave me?" Dhruva who entered the forest for tapas in order to bring God before him, so that he could win from him a status for his mother and himself equal to that of the chief queen and her son, realised that it was too unworthy a boon to demand from the almighty. He therefore asked for liberation from birth and death and external company of the Bhagavan Sri Maha Vishnu (Bhagavan (Lord)).----(to be continued tomorrow). Published on Dec—16—2010 (Thursday) Sri Vaikuntha Eakadasi in American continent (both north and south American countires, west of western longitude 50* and all lattitudes). Compiler : Prof. Komaragiri Venkata Ramana Rao. Ph.D., (Retired Professor; Andhra University College of Engineering); Astrologer-Scienitst. Durham. NC; U.S.A.: (Tatayya = Grand-father). My e-mail address : pandit@jyothishi.com---------- I dedicate all these stories in the blog to Sri Parama Paalakas (Supreme Rulers of this entire Universe): Bhagavan Sri Siddhi Vinayaka, Sri Lakshmi Narayana and Sri Gouri Sankara and Sri Saraswathi and Bhagavan Sri Venkateswara !

HAPPY INFORMATION TO ALL READERS OF MY BLOGS.

Wednesday; Dec--15--2010. Durham; NC;U.S.A.

Dec-16-2010 is an auspicious day for the Hindus in the great American continent. It is the holy day of Sri VAIKUNTHA EAKADASI ! Bhagavan Sri Vishnu showers his blessings munificiently to all his Devotees on that day. In U.S.A., Dec-16-2010 is observed as that holy day! In India, Dec-17-2010 is observed as Vaikuntha Eakadasi ! I plan to re-start my blog of Children’s stories which I started during June—2008. I am not the original author of those stories. I am only the compiler. I convey my respects and thanks to all the original authors and translators. This is a purely children—service venture. I gain nothing and nothing personally by publication of this blog. So I hope I will not be bound by any copy-right and such restrictions. I dedicate all these stories in the blog to Sri Parama VISVA-Paalakas (Supreme Rulers of this entire Universe): Bhagavan Sri Siddhi Vinayaka, Sri Lakshmi Narayana and Sri Gouri Sankara and Sri Saraswathi and Bhagavan Sri Venkateswara ! I ask them only one boon / blessing from Them in return. Aayu. Aarogya, Aiswaryam and Happiness and the most important Boon of Sri Kaivalayapadam for me (liberation from the cycle of birth and death and oneness with Parama-atma!). I firmly believe They grant me this Boon, because I led a pious life all these years! I also pray Bhagavan: Sarva Janah Sukhino-bhavanthu! (May He / She bestow Peace and Happiness to All the persons in this world) !

HAPPY INFORMATION TO ALL READERS OF MY BLOGS.

HAPPY INFORMATION TO ALL READERS OF MY BLOGS.

Dec-16-2010 is an auspicious day for the Hindus in the great American continent. It is the holy day of Sri VAIKUNTHA EAKADASI ! Bhagavan Sri Vishnu showers his blessings munificiently to all his Devotees on that day. In U.S.A., Dec-16-2010 is observed as that holy day! I plan to re-start my blog of Children’s stories which I started during June—2008. I am not the original author of those stories. I am only the compiler. I convey my respects and thanks to all the original authors and translators. This is a purely children—service venture. I gain nothing and nothing personally by publication of this blog. So I hope I will not be bound by any copy-right and such restrictions. I dedicate all these stories in the blog to Sri Parama VISVA-Paalakas (Supreme Rulers of this entire Universe): Bhagavan Sri Siddhi Vinayaka, Sri Lakshmi Narayana and Sri Gouri Sankara and Sri Saraswathi and Bhagavan Sri Venkateswara ! I ask them only one boon / blessing from Them in return. Aayu. Aarogya, Aiswaryam and Happiness and the most important Boon of Sri Kaivalayapadam for me (liberation from the cycle of birth and death and oneness with Parama-atma!). I firmly believe They grant me this Boon, because I led a pious life all these years! I also pray Bhagavan: Sarva Janah Sukhino-bhavanthu! (May He / She bestow Peace and Happiness to All the persons in this world) !

HAPPY INFORMATION TO ALL READERS OF MY BLOGS.

HAPPY INFORMATION TO ALL READERS OF MY BLOGS.

Dec-16-2010 is an auspicious day for the Hindus in the great American continent. It is the holy day of Sri VAIKUNTHA EAKADASI ! Bhagavan Sri Vishnu showers his blessings munificiently to all his Devotees on that day. In U.S.A. Dec-16-2010 is observed as that holy day! I plan to re-start my blog of Children’s stories which I started during June—2008. I am not the original author of those stories. I am only the compiler. I convey my respects and thanks to all the original authors and translators. This is a purely children—service venture. I gain nothing and nothing personally by publication of this blog. So I hope I will not be bound by any copy-right and such restrictions. I dedicate all these stories in the blog to Sri Parama Paalakas (Supreme Rulers of this entire Universe): Bhagavan Sri Siddhi Vinayaka, Sri Lakshmi Narayana and Sri Gouri Sankara and Sri Saraswathi and Bhagavan Sri Venkateswara ! I ask them only one boon / blessing from Them in return. Aayu. Aarogya, Aiswaryam and Happiness and the most important Boon of Sri Kaivlayapadam for me (liberation from the cycle of birth and death and oneness with Parama-atma!). I firmly believe They grant me this Boon, because I led a pious life all these years! I also pray Them Sarva Jana Sukhinobhavanthu! (May They bestow Peace and Happiness to All persons in this world) !