Banyan Tree

Banyan Tree

Teaching story

Narada and Durvasa

Once, various illustrious sages and brahmarishis were gathered in the court of Lord Shiva on Mount Kailash. Among the rishis was sage Narada.

Sage Narada was a Maharishi, a renowned teacher, counsellor of kings, a divine messenger, and also a notorious ‘mischief-maker’. 

The gathering was soon joined by the great sage Durvasa who was revered by humans and gods alike and respected for his knowledge and wisdom. However, he was also known for his bad temper.

He entered the assembly carrying a huge bundle of books with him. Ignoring all the wise men in the assembly, he went and sat by the side of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva asked him, “Sir, how are your studies progressing?” The sage proudly displayed his bundle of books and replied, “I have thoroughly studied all these volumes and know them by heart!”

Upon hearing this, Narada stood up and boldly called Durvasa a donkey that was carrying a burden of books on his back. Hearing Narada’s comment, Durvasa thundered in wrath. Seeing the sage’s anger, Narada retorted, “Oh wise sage! Ignoring this august assembly, you went ahead and sat next to Shiva! You have not been able to conquer your anger in spite of being a learned sage. What good is this knowledge if it is without patience, modesty, and forgiveness? In your case, these books are nothing but a burden on your back.”

Narada’s words made Durvasa realise his folly. He bowed in front of Narada and asked for forgiveness. He threw his books into the sea and carried out a long penance to seek atonement and self-realisation.

Anandmurti Gurumaa

This, I know

Thoughts are like clouds. Watch them with dispassion and it becomes a wondrous experience.

Be a creative person. Create love, beauty, and laughter around you. Do not wait for great things to happen to you—create great things.

Smile like flowers and give fragrance to one and all. In one is all.

Enjoying success is easy but enjoying failure requires wisdom.

The ability to know the mind comes only with wisdom.

Life gives you situations, not solutions. Solutions are always created by your own wisdom.

To be successful in relationships, we must learn to blend our differences.

There are two ways to practise silence. One is through absence of thought and the other is through fullness of thought.

Don’t seek happiness outside. You will fail. Just look within.

just for laughs

Upside down yoga

A group of bats, hanging from the ceiling of a cave, discovered a single bat standing upright below them on the floor of the cave. Surprised by this unusual behavior, they asked, “What’s wrong with you? What are you doing down there?” The standing bat answered, “Yoga!” 

God’s comedy

“God writes a lot of comedy. The trouble is, he’s stuck with so many bad actors who don't know how to play funny.”

—Garrison Keillor

inspiration

The small beatitudes

Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves;

they will have no end of fun.

Blessed are those who can tell a mountain from a molehill;

they will be saved a lot of bother.

Blessed are those who know how to relax without looking for excuses;

they are on their way to becoming wise.

Blessed are those who are sane enough not to take themselves too seriously;

they will be valued most by those around them.

Blessed are those who think before acting and pray before thinking;

they will avoid many blunders.

Happy are you if you know how to hold your tongue and smile, even when people interrupt and contradict you or tread on your toes;

the Gospel has begun to seep into your heart.

Above all,

blessed are you who recognise the Lord in all whom you meet;

the light of truth shines in your life for you have found true wisdom.

—Joseph Folliet

one-minute wisdom

Incompetence

The Master would insist that the final barrier to our attaining God was the word and concept ‘God’. This so infuriated the local priest that he came in a huff to argue the matter out with the Master. “But surely the word ‘God’ can lead us to God?” retorted the priest. “It can,” said the Master calmly. “How can something help and be a barrier?” Said the Master, “The horse that brings you to the door is not the means by which you enter the house.”

—Anthony de Mello

quote

Some people say there is a God; others say there is no God. The truth probably lies somewhere in between. —W B Yeats