Post by J.K. SIVAN on Aug 9, 2013 11:40:15 GMT 5.5
VITOBA THE NECTAR 8
Dear Children,
8. "RAGA & BAGA KUMBAR"
We all live the way we want to live in this world. Everyone therefore shapes up his life pattern. God gives us full freedom to choose the way and He is happy when we we follow the right path. To him there is no difference. It is only we who compare ourselves with others and end up in misery. "As you sow, so you reap" is the result of our chasing and toiling towards our target in life. If our target and aim is good we are the beneficiaries.
This story will clearly tell you that HE treats each and every one of his devotee alike. without any partiality. Pandurangan had so many devotees and even today, there are many who have unshaken faith in him.
Both Raga Kumbar and his wife Baga were ardent Vittal devotees. In fact compared to Baga, Raga was much more devoted to Vittalan. They decided to leave their present life and go to the forest, spend their time in Vittal Dhyanam and finally when time comes, leave the physical body. So they started walking to the forest.
As the couple were walking their way to the forest, there was an interesting conversation between Vittal and Rukmani Rukmani said "I have not seen a sincere devotee more than Namadevar".
"why do you say that? There may be many who are equally or more devoted also. ".
"Why dont you name one?" for which Vittal replied "Why not ! Just see these Raga and Baga Kumbars. They are ardent devotees to us. Aren’t they?
You are already aware saint Namadev had the privilege of talking directly to Vittal and they were so intimate and loved each other very much. . So that day, when he went to Pandaripuram temple, he heard Vittal and Rukmani's above conversation and he heard his name being mentioned as well. He asked Vitta "Swami! just now I heard you mention my name. May I know why?" When Vittal explained, Namadevar said "Swami, there are ever so many Mahans who are Vittal Devotees. So how can I get the first place?"
Vittal laughed and said to Namadev "anyway, come let us all follow Raga and Baga Kumbar, " and went into the forest.
Earlier we saw that Raga and Baga were walking into the forest, didn’t we? On the way Raga saw a shining stone. He understood it to be a diamond. He thought of Baga and felt that she might be tempted by the diamond. So he dug a hole in the ground, put the diamond and covered it with soil.
Raga was following him behind. She saw him digging and burying something and as she reached the place, she cleared the soil and saw the shining diamond. She took it in hand and threw it in the nearby pond which was filled with mud.
Witnessing this, Vittal pointed out to Rukmani "can you see how detached Raga Kumbar is, when compared to normal men who are fond of wealth and wish to become rich. "
Rukmani answered "Swami! Raga felt that the stone may tempt his wife and so he hid it away from his wife's sight and buried it in a pit. But look at his wife Baga Kumbar ! she dug up and took out the big diamond looked at it without any greed, liking or intention to possess unlike any normal worldly woman. Instead you observed her thinking that it should not tempt anyone and threw it in away into the distant pond. Hence she is better than him".
Dear Children,
8. "RAGA & BAGA KUMBAR"
We all live the way we want to live in this world. Everyone therefore shapes up his life pattern. God gives us full freedom to choose the way and He is happy when we we follow the right path. To him there is no difference. It is only we who compare ourselves with others and end up in misery. "As you sow, so you reap" is the result of our chasing and toiling towards our target in life. If our target and aim is good we are the beneficiaries.
This story will clearly tell you that HE treats each and every one of his devotee alike. without any partiality. Pandurangan had so many devotees and even today, there are many who have unshaken faith in him.
Both Raga Kumbar and his wife Baga were ardent Vittal devotees. In fact compared to Baga, Raga was much more devoted to Vittalan. They decided to leave their present life and go to the forest, spend their time in Vittal Dhyanam and finally when time comes, leave the physical body. So they started walking to the forest.
As the couple were walking their way to the forest, there was an interesting conversation between Vittal and Rukmani Rukmani said "I have not seen a sincere devotee more than Namadevar".
"why do you say that? There may be many who are equally or more devoted also. ".
"Why dont you name one?" for which Vittal replied "Why not ! Just see these Raga and Baga Kumbars. They are ardent devotees to us. Aren’t they?
You are already aware saint Namadev had the privilege of talking directly to Vittal and they were so intimate and loved each other very much. . So that day, when he went to Pandaripuram temple, he heard Vittal and Rukmani's above conversation and he heard his name being mentioned as well. He asked Vitta "Swami! just now I heard you mention my name. May I know why?" When Vittal explained, Namadevar said "Swami, there are ever so many Mahans who are Vittal Devotees. So how can I get the first place?"
Vittal laughed and said to Namadev "anyway, come let us all follow Raga and Baga Kumbar, " and went into the forest.
Earlier we saw that Raga and Baga were walking into the forest, didn’t we? On the way Raga saw a shining stone. He understood it to be a diamond. He thought of Baga and felt that she might be tempted by the diamond. So he dug a hole in the ground, put the diamond and covered it with soil.
Raga was following him behind. She saw him digging and burying something and as she reached the place, she cleared the soil and saw the shining diamond. She took it in hand and threw it in the nearby pond which was filled with mud.
Witnessing this, Vittal pointed out to Rukmani "can you see how detached Raga Kumbar is, when compared to normal men who are fond of wealth and wish to become rich. "
Rukmani answered "Swami! Raga felt that the stone may tempt his wife and so he hid it away from his wife's sight and buried it in a pit. But look at his wife Baga Kumbar ! she dug up and took out the big diamond looked at it without any greed, liking or intention to possess unlike any normal worldly woman. Instead you observed her thinking that it should not tempt anyone and threw it in away into the distant pond. Hence she is better than him".