Empowering One's Husband - The Choodala Way (contd) Part -2
He kept his myriad spermatozoa in a pot and filled it up
with milk! The sperm started growing and it took the shape of human embryo.
Eventually it emerged out as a baby boy. Kumbhan ,that was his name. A very apt
one, since he took birth from a pot! The
Brahmarshi was so pleased that he started transferring knowledge to the little
one. One day he took the small boy to his grandfather, Brahmadeva. The idea was
to give the final touch and make him complete and full.The boy too had the
right kind of attitude and he became a balayogi in due-course.
Now it was time for the Balayogi to give a surprise. He said
to his new-found disciple.
Lo, Kumbhan, the balayogi is standing right in front of you
here.
Sikhidhwajan was astounded to no end.He was overwhelmed by
the boy’s presence. Praises were showered on Kumbhan without a break.
“Wait”, the Balayogi said,” I have already given you my side
of life. Its your turn now”
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| gopikrishna-innocents and apparition of a running man- 2000 |
Mahatman, mine is a sad story. In real life, I’m a king. I
left the kingdom out of boredom and landed up in this forest for hard tapas.
Somehow, I ’m not taking off. Oh Lord! I’m quite fed up. I want to put an end to
my sorrows….
Relax, said Kumbhan.
It can be done.
Rajan, just clean up your mind. Let it be devoid of hatred. I would advise you to approach a
genuine Guru for guidance. You can as well leave your life with him.
Start with satsangs. The first step.
King Sikhidwaja thought for a while. His wife Choodala had
also uttered the same thing!
Save me, dear child, by all means..I shall obey you
verbatim…no mater how difficult it is…
The balayogi nodded in agreement.
Mahatman, I’m taking you to my fold.
Prior to that, have an idea of the stage you’re in. The sasthras are under your grip, the tatwas
too. .Still, you haven’t taken off! You
have never experienced fulfillment yourself. Why?
You are under the impression that chucking away your
kingdom, kith and kin will do you good. Listen, you have relinquished
everything except your ego. The “great act” is thus incomplete. Relinquishment should
not be forced on anyone. It is not a barter in which one trades relinquishment
with spirituality.
Oh King, the things you’ve relinquished…, your wealth, your wife,
your palace, your land, your relatives…. are not owned by you at any point of
time. How can you relinquish a property which
is not owned by you? It is impossible.
They are transient in nature and quite unstable. One cannot own anything having
such characteristics. You are attached to them and that’s the reason why you
think you are the owner. Try to relinquish attachment. The ego part, the
feeling of I-ness.That would be a farewell to all your sorrows.
The advice sank down on Sikhidhwajan.
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| gopikrishna-man with a club-oil on canvas |
The King- turned- apprentice withdrew himself from all the
turbulence of the world, into a state of Mauna!
He steered clear of controversies but missed no chance for action. He took
care never to get entangled with any issues.He worked his ways towards the
infinite, pure, soft and complete experience. The illusions were slowly coming
to an end.
Kumbhan was all happy to see the progress of his
disciple.
Rajan, you’re moving in the right direction. At one point,
you’ll reach a stage called “upasama” where nothing really matters. Not even
the desire for “feeling good”! Your antakarana
(mind and intellect) would be pure in every way. This is the right moment when Truth
dawns inside. You get a pair of brand new eyes with which you see through
illusions. The world no longer exists. In its place you see only Consciousness
(i.e., Sat, Chit or Brahma) everywhere. You have become one with it.
Maharaj, I have already given you the guidelines. It is upto
you to work it out. Use your power of discrimination and decide for yourself
what’s ideally suited. Till then, lead an austere life with no ambitions. Stay
away from sankalpaas too.
I’ve to go back since the deva-sabha is in attendance. Today
is a full-moon day and Narada Brahmarshi is expected to attend. He’ll get angry
if I’m found missing.
Kumbhan made a graceful exit, changed back into Choodala ,
took the sky-route and reached the palace.
She took the reigns as usual.
Three days after, Choodala felt like visiting her husband.
She was there in the forest, in a moments notice, right in front of
Sikhidhwajan. Alas! He was in Nirvikalpa Samadhi, quite unaware of the
surroundings! His body remained stationary. Choodala decided to wake
him up and called out his name. Seeing no response, she roared like a lion. Then
she shook him up, turned him around….all to no effect.
This is dangerous, Choodala thought, he is in a point of
no-return. Luckily, his anthakarana is active.
A come-back is possible.
She activated the life-force in him, singing sama-gana all
the way. The music too kindled the vital-element. Slowly Sikhadhwaja opened his eyes. He was
pleased to see Kumbhan at an arms-length. The battered King did Pushpanjaly to Kumbhan to pay respects.
Bhagwan, I’m so lucky that I've met you again. You’re the
only reason behind all my well-being.
Kumbhan reciprocated in equal measures.
Oh King, I couldn’t take my mind off from you. I was feeling
deserted ..You’re my scholar –friend, benefactor, comrade, loyalist and
disciple…
“I’m elated” It was Sikhidhwajan’s turn now “Even a detached
person like you enjoys my company…I’m honoured”.
The two friends spent days in the forest together.They were
not bound by any kind of rules which segregate right from wrong. In fact, they
had ascended to such levels where happiness as well as sorrow was alike and immaterial.
One day Kumbhan said to Sikhadhwajan
Today is very auspicious. The first day of Suklapaksha. Indramahasabha
is having its annual meeting on this day. I’ve got to go..I
shall be back this evening itself.
Kumbhan , back to original as Choodala, went straight to
the palace. Routine administration affairs were to be settled. She finished all
her work by the evening and changed into Kumbhan to reach the forest.
Sikhidhwajan
was surprised to see his young guru crest-fallen. Dejection writ all over the
face.
What’s the matter, dear friend?
Kumbhan started unbundling the reasons of despair.
See, I was attending the Devasabha with my father,
NaradaBrahmarshi and seeing my impatience, he gave me permission to leave. I
was in a hurry to reach beside you and was travelling pretty fast….The sun was
setting…the sun-rays made me high …but it got vanished suddenly…I descended to
reach the sea-level …The visibility was poor and I got entwined in a rain
cloud…As I was steering clear of the heavy cloud, I saw Muni Durvasav
approaching…He was enjoying one of his digambar rides (travelling in full nude).
I stalled to pay respect and greeted him …
"Oh Muni, Instead of a sky-walker, you look like a
street-walker".
Muni Durvasav got terribly furious and cursed me with all
his might.
You have let me down with your arrogance. You must pay the
price. You’ll become a woman during the night time with boobs, bums and hair in
full groom!
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| gopikrishna - monument for a sculptor - oil on canvas |
He vanished into clouds without giving me time to ask for a
reprieve.
Sikhidhwajan consoled his friend.
Please don’t worry. You’re a scholar and you know fully well
that the soul has got nothing to do with the body. I don’t know why you’re giving so much
importance to it. If the guru himself is subjected to these kinds of mood-swings,
what would be the fate of disciples?
Anyway you are welcome to stay with me, if you’re so inclined.
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| gopikrishna - man riding...-oil on canvas - 2000 |
(continued...)