The Value Of Devotion

The outskirts of Govardhan village are beautiful with fertile plains. The flowing rivers added to the beauty of the land and the fragrance of the wild flowers filled the air.

The sun peeped out from the clouds. A sage once lived in these outskirts. He was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, the supreme reality. The sage would perform poojas and also do severe ‘Tapas’.

Once the sage went to the top of a hill and started to perform a yagna. Soon Lord Vishnu appeared. “My dear son sage Asvathama, I am immensely moved and pleased with your high devotion. Ask for a boon and I shall grant it for you”.

The sage got up and fell at the feet of the lord with tears of joy rolling down his cheeks. “My lord, your presence is like a blessing. I don’t want any wish my lord!”

The lord was touched by the sage’s words and said- “My son, you will always stay with me after your life on Earth, you will also meet one of my well-known incarnations today”.

The sage thanked the lord any started off to the Govardhan village. He was soon feeling careworn and found a tall tree standing near a pond. “Let me take some rest under the shade of this tree”. He found a group of boys playing near the pond. From the group a cowherd boy came to the sage. He greeted the sage and inquired him all the details. He immediately rushed through a pathway and returned with a pot of milk. “Dear sage, please take this small gift, I would be happy if you accept this.

The sage asked- “Dear boy, how do you know that I was hungry?” The boy smiled and said “if someone is tired, hungry and helpless one will have the heart to give one’s possessions”.

The sage was amazed, wondered and surprised to hear the reply and gladly accepted the gift. “My son, who are you?” asked the sage. The boy smiled and said – “Don’t you remember the boon granted by Lord Vishnu?” he asked. The sage shook his head. “Now close your eyes and think of me”. The sage did as he was told. He could see Lord Vishnu, the supreme reality; followed by Lord Krishna. The sage was surprised. He opened his eyes and fell at the feet of the lord. Krishna smiles and gifts him a bag containing golden fruits. He thanks the lord as he disappears and walks back home.

When he returned, he opened the bag. To his surprise, there were gemstones and gold jewels in the bag. Two big rocks were shining more brightly than the others. He took the first rock which was painted gold. It resembled lord Vishnu himself.

The second rock which was painted silver resembled the mighty lord Krishna. The sage was surprised and his heart filled with overwhelming surprise; he had the most wonderful experience of all.

VALUE: IF ONE WALKS IN THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, DEDICATION, DEVOTION AND DETERMINATION ONE WILL FIND LOVE AND THE FRUIT OF HARD WORK