Humble


King Janmejaya said to Vaisampayana-You’ve explained to me how Asvasena & Maya Dānava survived burning in Khāndava forest but those 4 birds also escaped harm is surprising. Kindly narrate their story to me


Vaisampayana said-There was once a sage named Mandapāla, who attained Pitrloka after executing great austerities. However, upon his arrival he was denied entrance to his surprise. The pitrs (forefathers) explained-Everyone is born a debtor to his forefathers. Because you were lifelong Brahmachari (celibate), you didn’t get any children to repay debt. It’s for this reason you’ve been denied entrance here. We advise you to beget children & you’ll be able to enjoy your ample rewards


Mandapāla thought how he could produce maximum no. of children in minimum time & took form of a bird. He accepted body of Sārngaka bird & with a female Jaritā begot 4 sons, which were in fact sages. Mandapāla left Jaritā for another female named Lapitā even before offsprings hatched from eggs & thus Jaritā was left alone to take care of eggs. One day while roaming Khāndava forest, Madapāla saw Agni devouring everything in his fiery mouth


Mandapāla became very afraid for safety of his 4 infant sons & managed to gratify Agni by offering him nice prayers. When Agni asked, the sage said-O lord of fire! Please spare my 4 sons as you continue to consume forest. Agni consented. At this time sage’s 4 sons had already hatched from their eggs & became terrified upon seeing raging fire. Jaritā was also mortified for her sons hadn’t learned how to fly & she couldn’t carry them all to safety


Baby birds advised Jaritā repeatedly to leave & escape with her life. Later she can always produce children to perpetuate family. Jaritā advised her sons to enter empty hole in ground belonging to a mouse, to save themselves from inferno, but the sons said not to fear for them & leave as they can save themselves. Mother bird flew to safety as Agni approached her sons. The sons who were sages spoke words of wisdom to Agni & prayed in glorification of lord of fire


As Agni heard prayers of 4 baby birds, he remembered his promise to Mandapāla. He thus spared them & also gave benediction. Mandapāla finally returned to spot after fire receded & found that tiny birds were unharmed. He also left Lapitā & asked forgives from Jaritā. After reconciliation, whole family was united again & went to reside in another land


In Bhagvad Gita, Krsna enlists humility (amānitvam) as the first item of knowledge. Without humility we cannot gain knowledge. Until we know that we don’t know, why we should want to learn? Yet we fear humility feeling we will be treated as victims if we are humble. If humility invites humiliation, why our scriptures extoll it as a virtue?


Humility is when we focus on the bigger picture & let go of immediate scenery. Only then we can feel that humility is a virtue which is honest, joyful & grateful. After all nothing belongs to us, even this body


Thoughts? #gameoflife

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