Previously:
Dharam Raj was unhappy with his consorts because Nachiketa
had to stay at the doorsteps for three days; unattended.
Nevertheless, he was a guest. He should have been treated
well. He should have been offered some food and place to stay.
What happens next is truly amazing; something that we don’t
see very often. A rare phenomenon that is hard to find in the history of Guru
and Shishya (disciple) – Gyani (Enlightened) and Jigyaasu (seeker) or the king
and beggar.
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Part
10
Dharam Raj had quickly realized that his guest is not just an
ordinary young boy. He recognized the commitment and steadfast determination in
young Nachiketa who waited for him for three days and nights outside the house
without any kind of hospitality or food.
Therefore, Dharam Raj apologizes to him and asks for
forgiveness for negligence and the mistake made by his family and servants.
He bows his head down and says to Nachiketa:
“O’ Brahmin (wise person) My prostrations to you.”
Imagine… a highly revered and powerful Guru as Dharam Raj -
so powerful to be known as the ‘Lord of Death’ - doing prostrations and asking
for forgiveness from an unknown young boy who has come to him as a disciple. And
that too for something which is not even his fault. Remember - he was not even
at home.
It would be extremely hard to find such an example of
humility and righteousness in the history of religions where a Guru so powerful
as the ‘Lord of Death’ - doing prostrations and asking for forgiveness from an
ordinary, unknown disciple.
Usually, leaders of any political or religious organizations
tend to think that they are above the law; that they do not need to apologize
from anyone. However, to get applaud from the audiences, sometimes they may say
some hefty words during the public lectures that they are servants of all – but
usually they are quite opposite in their personal life; in their day to day
dealings with others.
And here, a great and so powerful Guru Dharam Raj is personally
bowing down - rather prostrating in front of a disciple and profoundly asking
for forgiveness. He feels personally responsible for the actions of his people. He says “May
good befall me”- implying that even he is not above the law – that even he may
receive some unpleasant rewards for the wrong karmas done by his family and
servants.
At the same time, he also sets an example for the future leaders
and other people in power, that in order to teach their followers and
subordinates, leaders and teachers must also obey the law - that the upright karmas
and virtuous traditions should be taught by doing the righteous actions themselves.
As Lord Krishna said:
Yad-yad Aacharti Shrestas, Tad-tadaiv Taro janah
Sa yat Pramaanam kurute, lokas tad Anuvartatay
“Whatever a great man does, the same is done by others as
well.
Whatever standard he
sets, the world follows”
(Bhagavad Gita 3: 21)
This is exactly what Dharam Raj did. He was not giving a lecture
to an audience.
He was sincerely and honestly asking for forgiveness from a
disciple - with genuine humility.
In order to repay – to somehow compensate for his discomforts
and unfriendly experience - he offered to grant three boons to Nachiketa.
He says:
Trisro Raatri Yad Avatsir grahe may,
Anashnan Brahmin Atithir namasyah
Namahstestu Brahmin, Swasti mayastu,
Tasmaat Prati trin VraanVraneeshva
“You have remained outside my house for three days and
nights without any food. O’ venerable guest, my prostrations to you. And now,
in return, you choose three boons. May good befall me.”
(Kathopanishad 1 – 9)
'Rajan Sachdeva'
To be Continued
Very nice - thank you for sharing this Ji!
ReplyDeleteVery Nice!!!
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