Post by jksivan on Sept 29, 2013 7:21:09 GMT 5.5
Dear Children
87 "TRIAL OF STRENGTH''
So far you have read 86 stories told by me. This story in fact was originally my fiftieth story and I prayed at that time ''Lord Krishna, by your grace, I began writing these stories for children and I surrender myself as a tool of yours to enable you make this tool complete its task of completing the remaining fifty stories to make it a book'' Krishna would never turn down any prayer and would be the first to fulfill the devotee's wish, is n't it ? He made me write the 100 stories initially in tamil. It had come in the form of a book '' VISWA ROOPANIN VAAMANA KATHAIGAL'' and is being distributed to children. All these stories are dedicated to his lotus feet only and distributed as ''Krishna prasadh''.
The stories at the request of many are being written in english and first circulated by mail to friends and while rearranging the stories the initial 50th story in tamil is appearing now as my 87th story.
Arjuna committed a sin and in order to purify himself once again, he proceeded on a '' Theerththa Yaathra'' (visit to holy temples and bathing in holy rivers) to many kshethras.
He happened to be on his pilgrimage down South of our country. He reached the south eastern tip where Rameswaram and Dhanushkoti are now and prayed at the temples there. He was thrilled to see the bridge on the sea constructed by the Vanara sainya (the monkeys under the guidance of Sugriva) to connect Sethu to Srilanka. He was watching the stone bridge and lost himself in multifarious thoughts. How much love and affection those Vanaras had for Sri Rama and how efficiently they performed in unity for the sake of their beloved Rama's journey to Lanka to wage war with demon king Ravana.
It also struck suddenly to him that why Sri Rama had to seek the assistance and help from the monkeys of monkey king Sugriva. Sri Rama was known to be a great warrior and a specialist archer like Arjun. He could have constructed the bridge to cross the sea using his strong arrows.It would have been a simple and quick alternative, is n't it? If I were in the place of Sri Rama I could have easily made an arrow bridge connecting the Sethu and Lanka. It would have been more stronger also. When I could do it why Sri Rama did not? Was it because Sri Rama was not much confident of his ability and skill?
When Arjuna was pondering over this though musing on it deep his estimation of Sri Rama's ability and efficiency in handling and bow and arrow seemed to be lesser than his own !!
He continued his walk weighing the above thoughts in his mind when he observed a small cave temple in the forest nearby. He was attracted by the chanting of 'Jay Ram Seetha Ram '' emanating from the small cave temple. There was no one in the nearby vicinity and so Arjuna decided to walk towards the cave temple. Who lives in this desolate place?''
The cave temple was housing an idol of Sri Rama and Arjun was surprised to find Hanuman sitting there chanting the name of Sri Ram very happily. He sat before the greatg Hanuman and listened to the chanting of Ram Nam. After some time Hanuman opened his eyes and saw someone sitting before him.
''Who are you?'' asked Hanuman.
Arjun prostrated before the great Hanuman and introduced himself. Hanuman was happy to see Arjun. He had already heard about the Pandavas and in particular Arjuna's mastery of martial arts.
During the course of his conversation with Hanuman, suddenly Arjun asked Anjaneya, '' Why Sri Rama did not think of building a bridge using his own arrows?
Anjaneya laughed at Arjun's question. He said ''Not that my lord Sri Rama did not know how to make an arrow bridge. But he knew the strength of the Vanara forces and thought the bridge made by them would be stronger than his arrow bridge because they made the bridge on their own with pure love and devotion for Rama'' .
“If Rama felt so it is strange. An arrow bridge can be made stronger than any other bridge. In fact I can build a bridge of arrows which can withstand any weight and stress. It will endure and sustain any amount of weight placed on it, including the weight of your Vanara forces.''
Hanuman did not answer but simply laughed.
''Why do you laugh Anjaneya?''
''Your talk is childish and I cannot believe it''
When Hanuman under estimated his ability and efficiency in handling his Gandeevam, the great bow, Arjun got veryangry. He cannot tolerate anyone thinking cheap of his great bow's efficiency. He roared.
“I challenge now. I can immediately now construct a bridge for you to test the strength. If it fails and breaks, I shall die on this spot self immolating in fire. If you fail to break it the same punishment for you also. Do you agree?''
''I dont mind '' said Anjaneya and agreed to the challenge thrown by Arjuna. Arjuna took his bow and selected the right type of arrows and constructed a bridge in the open place ahead. Within moments, there appeared a beautiful strong ''arrow bridge''
''Try its strength'' said Arjuna
''No need at all because it appears it is made of cards. It will not bear even a single person's weight , say even my weight not to speak of the weight of entire Vaanara sainyam of Sri Rama ''
''Try first and dont waste time talking empty words'' said Arjun.
''Jay Sri Ram'' uttered Hanuman and tapped the bridge with the tip of his long tail. As if caught in a Tsunami, the arrow bridge made by Arjun demolished to bits and pieces.!! Arjun was shocked and was straight forward to accept defeat. He immediately began collecting dry woods to make fire and burn himself to death. The fire was soon ready and before plunging into the fire he thought of Krishna his dear friend '' For the first time in my life I failed and my archery skill had been proved a disaster and I have no face to see you again. Perhaps in my next birth I may see you ''
An old Rishi happened to pass by when Arjuna was circling around the fire worshipping the Lord of fire, before burning himself. Hanuman was watching from a distance.
The rishi found the situation quite strange there and asked Hanuman ''What is happening here and why that man is trying to enter the fire pit?''
Hanuman narrated everything for which the old Rishi replied ''It is completely wrong. Who is the witness to the challenge between you both?''
''No one"'
''Any dispute or challenge has to be witnessed by a third party who alone should judge and decide on the result. If you both wish I shall be the judge to decide who was right or wrong'' The Rishi stopped Arjun from dying in fire.
He asked Arjun and Hanuman to start from the beginning under my supervision. He asked Arjun ''now you build afresh an arrow bridge using your bow and let Hanuman try its strength in my presence ''
What the Rishi said was appealing to both and so they agreed to his plan. Arjun once again prepared himself to build an arrow bridge. The previous failure was still disturbing his mind and he was diffident. He just prayed ''Hare Krishna, I bow to you before taking out my bow. As I said, if I fail this time also, my death will separate us in this birth“
Arjun selected the right type of arrows and went on his job in all sincerety. A beautiful bridge was there in a few moments. He looked at Hanuman and bowed to him to try its strength.
''You cannot escape death"" laughed Anjaneya and again tapped the bridge with the tip of his tail. The bridge did not move an inch. He looked surprised and gave it a kick with his leg. He only felt the pain in the leg which kicked. The bridge remained as such. With both hands Hanuman pushed the bridge. No effect. He became furious. He jumped on the bridge and applied his full force. The surprise and shock of Anjaneya is inexplicable. Hanuman felt defeated and wondered what happened to him? He admitted his defeat. Arjuna was also flabbergasted. He did not expect this result. He thought his arrow bridge would once again collapse. Both looked at the Rishi who was watching all these.
The Rishi announced his judgment.
''Arjuna was able to construct the strong arrow bridge now but Hanuman could not break it, why because when initially Arjuna made the arrow bridge, Anjaneya broke it within moments because Arjuna relied toooo much on his ability and pride of skill but Anjaneya broke it with a tap of his tail to pieces because he thought of his Lord Rama before doing so?. This Arjuna did not completely rely on his ability but prayed to Lord Krishna before constructing the arrow bridge but Hanuman relied on his ability and power. He could not therefore break it and failed. His power could not match the strength derived by Arjuna''s prayer to Krishna.”
Dear children, it must be remembered that at any time, the pride, haughtiness, arrogance and too much self reliance cannot match and stand before the power of one's prayer to god''
Both Hanuman and Arjuna were completely satisfied with the judgment of the Rishi and prostrated before him. When they got up to receive his blessing there was no Rishi there. Krishna stood before Arjuna and he appeared as Sri Rama for Hanuman. They heard him saying '' You are both my eyes. Let there be no ego in you both at any time Being humble and modest is the evidence of one's strength.''
Whatever Krishna said to Hanuman and Arjuna is not for them alone. It is very much for us also.
87 "TRIAL OF STRENGTH''
So far you have read 86 stories told by me. This story in fact was originally my fiftieth story and I prayed at that time ''Lord Krishna, by your grace, I began writing these stories for children and I surrender myself as a tool of yours to enable you make this tool complete its task of completing the remaining fifty stories to make it a book'' Krishna would never turn down any prayer and would be the first to fulfill the devotee's wish, is n't it ? He made me write the 100 stories initially in tamil. It had come in the form of a book '' VISWA ROOPANIN VAAMANA KATHAIGAL'' and is being distributed to children. All these stories are dedicated to his lotus feet only and distributed as ''Krishna prasadh''.
The stories at the request of many are being written in english and first circulated by mail to friends and while rearranging the stories the initial 50th story in tamil is appearing now as my 87th story.
Arjuna committed a sin and in order to purify himself once again, he proceeded on a '' Theerththa Yaathra'' (visit to holy temples and bathing in holy rivers) to many kshethras.
He happened to be on his pilgrimage down South of our country. He reached the south eastern tip where Rameswaram and Dhanushkoti are now and prayed at the temples there. He was thrilled to see the bridge on the sea constructed by the Vanara sainya (the monkeys under the guidance of Sugriva) to connect Sethu to Srilanka. He was watching the stone bridge and lost himself in multifarious thoughts. How much love and affection those Vanaras had for Sri Rama and how efficiently they performed in unity for the sake of their beloved Rama's journey to Lanka to wage war with demon king Ravana.
It also struck suddenly to him that why Sri Rama had to seek the assistance and help from the monkeys of monkey king Sugriva. Sri Rama was known to be a great warrior and a specialist archer like Arjun. He could have constructed the bridge to cross the sea using his strong arrows.It would have been a simple and quick alternative, is n't it? If I were in the place of Sri Rama I could have easily made an arrow bridge connecting the Sethu and Lanka. It would have been more stronger also. When I could do it why Sri Rama did not? Was it because Sri Rama was not much confident of his ability and skill?
When Arjuna was pondering over this though musing on it deep his estimation of Sri Rama's ability and efficiency in handling and bow and arrow seemed to be lesser than his own !!
He continued his walk weighing the above thoughts in his mind when he observed a small cave temple in the forest nearby. He was attracted by the chanting of 'Jay Ram Seetha Ram '' emanating from the small cave temple. There was no one in the nearby vicinity and so Arjuna decided to walk towards the cave temple. Who lives in this desolate place?''
The cave temple was housing an idol of Sri Rama and Arjun was surprised to find Hanuman sitting there chanting the name of Sri Ram very happily. He sat before the greatg Hanuman and listened to the chanting of Ram Nam. After some time Hanuman opened his eyes and saw someone sitting before him.
''Who are you?'' asked Hanuman.
Arjun prostrated before the great Hanuman and introduced himself. Hanuman was happy to see Arjun. He had already heard about the Pandavas and in particular Arjuna's mastery of martial arts.
During the course of his conversation with Hanuman, suddenly Arjun asked Anjaneya, '' Why Sri Rama did not think of building a bridge using his own arrows?
Anjaneya laughed at Arjun's question. He said ''Not that my lord Sri Rama did not know how to make an arrow bridge. But he knew the strength of the Vanara forces and thought the bridge made by them would be stronger than his arrow bridge because they made the bridge on their own with pure love and devotion for Rama'' .
“If Rama felt so it is strange. An arrow bridge can be made stronger than any other bridge. In fact I can build a bridge of arrows which can withstand any weight and stress. It will endure and sustain any amount of weight placed on it, including the weight of your Vanara forces.''
Hanuman did not answer but simply laughed.
''Why do you laugh Anjaneya?''
''Your talk is childish and I cannot believe it''
When Hanuman under estimated his ability and efficiency in handling his Gandeevam, the great bow, Arjun got veryangry. He cannot tolerate anyone thinking cheap of his great bow's efficiency. He roared.
“I challenge now. I can immediately now construct a bridge for you to test the strength. If it fails and breaks, I shall die on this spot self immolating in fire. If you fail to break it the same punishment for you also. Do you agree?''
''I dont mind '' said Anjaneya and agreed to the challenge thrown by Arjuna. Arjuna took his bow and selected the right type of arrows and constructed a bridge in the open place ahead. Within moments, there appeared a beautiful strong ''arrow bridge''
''Try its strength'' said Arjuna
''No need at all because it appears it is made of cards. It will not bear even a single person's weight , say even my weight not to speak of the weight of entire Vaanara sainyam of Sri Rama ''
''Try first and dont waste time talking empty words'' said Arjun.
''Jay Sri Ram'' uttered Hanuman and tapped the bridge with the tip of his long tail. As if caught in a Tsunami, the arrow bridge made by Arjun demolished to bits and pieces.!! Arjun was shocked and was straight forward to accept defeat. He immediately began collecting dry woods to make fire and burn himself to death. The fire was soon ready and before plunging into the fire he thought of Krishna his dear friend '' For the first time in my life I failed and my archery skill had been proved a disaster and I have no face to see you again. Perhaps in my next birth I may see you ''
An old Rishi happened to pass by when Arjuna was circling around the fire worshipping the Lord of fire, before burning himself. Hanuman was watching from a distance.
The rishi found the situation quite strange there and asked Hanuman ''What is happening here and why that man is trying to enter the fire pit?''
Hanuman narrated everything for which the old Rishi replied ''It is completely wrong. Who is the witness to the challenge between you both?''
''No one"'
''Any dispute or challenge has to be witnessed by a third party who alone should judge and decide on the result. If you both wish I shall be the judge to decide who was right or wrong'' The Rishi stopped Arjun from dying in fire.
He asked Arjun and Hanuman to start from the beginning under my supervision. He asked Arjun ''now you build afresh an arrow bridge using your bow and let Hanuman try its strength in my presence ''
What the Rishi said was appealing to both and so they agreed to his plan. Arjun once again prepared himself to build an arrow bridge. The previous failure was still disturbing his mind and he was diffident. He just prayed ''Hare Krishna, I bow to you before taking out my bow. As I said, if I fail this time also, my death will separate us in this birth“
Arjun selected the right type of arrows and went on his job in all sincerety. A beautiful bridge was there in a few moments. He looked at Hanuman and bowed to him to try its strength.
''You cannot escape death"" laughed Anjaneya and again tapped the bridge with the tip of his tail. The bridge did not move an inch. He looked surprised and gave it a kick with his leg. He only felt the pain in the leg which kicked. The bridge remained as such. With both hands Hanuman pushed the bridge. No effect. He became furious. He jumped on the bridge and applied his full force. The surprise and shock of Anjaneya is inexplicable. Hanuman felt defeated and wondered what happened to him? He admitted his defeat. Arjuna was also flabbergasted. He did not expect this result. He thought his arrow bridge would once again collapse. Both looked at the Rishi who was watching all these.
The Rishi announced his judgment.
''Arjuna was able to construct the strong arrow bridge now but Hanuman could not break it, why because when initially Arjuna made the arrow bridge, Anjaneya broke it within moments because Arjuna relied toooo much on his ability and pride of skill but Anjaneya broke it with a tap of his tail to pieces because he thought of his Lord Rama before doing so?. This Arjuna did not completely rely on his ability but prayed to Lord Krishna before constructing the arrow bridge but Hanuman relied on his ability and power. He could not therefore break it and failed. His power could not match the strength derived by Arjuna''s prayer to Krishna.”
Dear children, it must be remembered that at any time, the pride, haughtiness, arrogance and too much self reliance cannot match and stand before the power of one's prayer to god''
Both Hanuman and Arjuna were completely satisfied with the judgment of the Rishi and prostrated before him. When they got up to receive his blessing there was no Rishi there. Krishna stood before Arjuna and he appeared as Sri Rama for Hanuman. They heard him saying '' You are both my eyes. Let there be no ego in you both at any time Being humble and modest is the evidence of one's strength.''
Whatever Krishna said to Hanuman and Arjuna is not for them alone. It is very much for us also.