By Almost all the major religions of the world have an element of pilgrimage in it. It is usually for the search of the Supreme One and seeking of a divine connection for its followers. Do we really require a ‘search’? Here are two beautiful stories that I wish to present before sharing my thoughts:
- STORY I – Lord Vithoba and Pundalik
Lord Vithoba is the Maharashtrian word for Lord Krishna (deity in Hinduism). This is a story of how Krishna became known as Vithoba. (apologies in advance if any part of the mythology is incorrect). Pundalik was a big devotee of Krishna. He was poor but he diligently looked after his parents. One day, Pundalik’s mother became very ill and he was busy attending to her. Watching all this, Krishna decides to visit Pundalik and console him and say that Krishna will always be there with him.
However, when Krishna came and was waiting at his doorstep, Pundalik was still attending to his sick mother. Without looking up, Pundalik gave a brick to the visitor and asked him to stand on it and wait. That’s how people came to know Krishna as ‘Vithoba’ meaning ‘the one who stands on a brick’. There are many temples in parts of Maharashtra which depict Krishna as standing on a brick. The story ends with Pundalik apologizing to Krishna, who of course was not displeased with him at all.
- STORY 2: Mahavir delays renunciation
(Mahavir is the last Tirthankara of the Jainism religion and my sincere apologies if any part of the story is wrongly portrayed)
Mahavir lived in a palatial house and had all the luxuries that life could offer. One day, he told his mother that he wants to renounce everything and attain diksha (sanyas or saint, i.e., renounce all the worldly luxuries), she did not agree and asked to wait till her death. He continued his life as if he had never told her his wish at all. Even Mahavir’s mother must have thought – what kind of an urge for renunciation is this that is dropped the moment I express my displeasure!
Life continued and one day Mahavir’s mother passed away. While returning from the crematorium, he told his elder brother that he wishes to proceed on sanyas. His brother looked angry and said that the family has just suffered such a huge loss, and he must not think of it now. Mahavir continued to live his life as if he never expressed his wish. Slowly his family realised that Mahavir was living in the house as if he was not there – despite being present, he was absent – like a ghost or a shadow. Finally, his family conceded in his wish for sanyas/ diksha.
At the core of both these stories, it is, ‘asking the Supreme One to wait’. In the first story the devotee is so engrossed in life and service that he asks Him to wait. In the second story, Mahavir truly displays the true meaning of ‘ahimsa paramo dharma’ meaning ‘ahimsa is the first tenet of religion’. Even if the thought of his sanyas/diksha stirred an iota of displeasure to his family, he did not argue because even that displeasure stirs violence and that would defeat the basic tenet of his dharma. In both the stories, it is the Supreme One who has waited.
Perhaps, it is never about seeking for the Supreme One through pilgrimages – He is always there- smiling and looking at you – until you give Him the nod. But, before that, can you whole-heartedly become so involved in your life and beliefs and say:
‘WAIT PLEASE – I AM BUSY LIVING’
(The content is inspired from Rajneesh Osho’s discources titles ‘Mahavir Vani’ and ‘from Personality to Individuality’)
