Hare Krishna!
This is a parable of the young gentleman who found Aladdin's Lamp while he was walking along the beach. When he accidentally rubbed the lamp, out popped the Genie.
Your wish is my command, sir!
Kindly produce a mountain of cash and jewelry for me.
And Poof! In an instant a pile of what he desired was in front of him.
You wish is my command, sir! -
Get me a big house to stay and store this wealth.
And Poof! A big palatial home with special rooms for wealth appeared before him. See illustrated photos in comments also, pls.;
Your wish is my command, sir!
Now I need someone to enjoy my wealth and home with. Get me a beautiful maiden and assistants to take care of the house.
And Poof! One one the most beautiful of Apsaras (heavenly angel) was present before him with her trail of daasis (female servants).
Your wish is my command, sir! Now you go and let me enjoy my life.
I think you did not read the fine print on the lamp, sir! It says that if you don't keep me occupied, I shall eat you up.
The boy panicked. But immediately thought of something novel to keep the Genie occupied.
Bring a long ladder and lean it against the outer wall of the palace fence.
And Poof! the ladder was resting against the wall of the palace.
Now climb up the ladder and when you reach up climb down again. Continue doing this till I think of something more for you to do. And thus he kept the Genie occupied.
And the young gentleman lived with his maiden happily ever after...
We are that young gentleman and our mind is our Genie. It has the capacity to do wonders if we put it to good use. But the moment we keep it idle, it eats us up by wallowing in the things of the past or the anxiety about the future. And if by chance it is sometimes in the present moment, it keeps thinking of I, Me and Myself.
The ladder is the Jap Mala (the Rosary). Whenever our mind is not gainfully occupied (that is adding value to the world), then it must put to chanting of the Holy Name.
Similarly, when the car is moving it is put in manual shift according to speed which it is moving. But when it is standing idle at the signal, it has to be moved to neutral gear.
So Chanting whenever we are idle and not connected to the Supreme Lord through our work (Karmayog) is the only way to keep the mind silent and occupied.
And live Blissfully ever after... Hare Krishna
Comments