Previously:
O’ venerable guest - my prostrations to you.
May good befalls me.
And now, in return, you choose three boons".
(Kathopanishad 1 – 9)
Dharam Raj bows his head down and says to Nachiketa:
“O’, Brahmin (Wise). My prostrations to you.
Please accept my apologies on behalf of my family and consorts for not treating you well - For not providing you food and shelter for the night. May good befall me."
Dharam Raj had 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 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 knows that even he or his family are not exempt from the rules of nature and society.
That they also have to face the consequences of the mistakes they make.
So, He bows his head down and says to Nachiketa:
“O’ Brahmin boy (wise person) My prostrations to you.
May good befalls me - and my family - that nothing bad happens because of this mistake.
And as a sincere gesture of his apology, he offered him three boons.”
Just imagine - A highly revered and influential Guru - 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 to learn - to become his disciple.
And that too for something which was not even his fault.
Remember - he was not even at home for three days.
It would be 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 visitor wanting to be a 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 to anyone. However, to get applause and praise 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 the 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 family and his people.
He says, “May good befalls 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 future leaders and other people in power.
To teach their followers and subordinates - leaders and teachers must also obey the law themselves - that the righteous karmas and virtuous traditions need to be taught, not verbally but by doing the right 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)
And 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.
And in return – to somehow compensate for the discomforts caused by the unfriendly experience - and as an honest gesture of his own regrets, Dharam Raj offered to grant three boons to Nachiketa.
Beautiful. Lot to learn 🙏🙏
ReplyDeleteBeautiful lessons of life
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