Jaya Jaya Shankaraa , Hara Hara Shankaraa.............
The Gift of a Lotus........by Dr.D.P............
It was a warm day, with the sun scorching down on the dry planes of a small village. The soft gentle breeze helped to cool down the surroundings, of this beautiful place.
In the distance a frail old woman was slowly walking across the cobbled streets, her feet were digging into the stones with every step, but she still carried the most pleasant smile on her face. The heat did not bother her, her soft linen robes allowed her skin to breathe through the warmth. She carried nothing with her, except for a small cloth bag which she hung over her shoulder.
As the old woman was walking, a young boy noticed her and ran up to her and asked, “Hey old lady! Where are you going? What do you have in your bag?”
The old woman just smiled, and said, “Little boy, I have nothing to give you but you may check my bag if you wish.”
The boy rummaged through the bag and found a small bell. “May I have this bell!” he shouted in excitement.
The old woman replied, “Of course my child, it’s yours. Take it.” And with a simple smile she continued on her way.
A few moments later a young woman saw this old lady and approached her hoping that she may have some food.
“Old lady, would you happen to have any food for me?” asked the young woman.
The old lady looked at the woman lovingly and said, “My dear, I have nothing to give you but you may check my bag if you wish.”
The young woman opened the bag and to her surprise found a crimson coloured apple. “May I have this apple please?” excitedly asked the young lady.
The old lady replied, “Of course my child, it’s yours. Take it.” And with that she continued walking down the cobbled street.
Shortly after, a man working on the street side noticed the old woman. He called out to her asking, “My dear old lady, what have you there in your bag?”
The old woman calmly responded, “Young man, I have nothing to give you but you may check my bag if you wish.”
The man grabbed the bag and looked inside to find sheets of iron. “Wow! Could I take these metal sheets, they would come in really handy at my workshop!”, he said with delight.
The old lady replied, “Of course my child, it’s yours. Take it” and carried on her path.
Some hours later, an elderly man who was lying outside his hut spots the old lady walking under the hot sun. He runs to her, even though he can barely keep his balance himself, and shouts out saying “My dear Amma please stop!” The old woman stopped in her path and turned to see who called her with such endearment.
The elderly man tells her, “Amma, I have nothing to give you, but I can offer you some shade outside my hut, please come and rest for some time”
The old lady was taken back by the kindness of this man who had nothing himself. She took her cloth bag, and offered it herself to the man and told him, “Have a look in the bag and take what you see.”
The old man was surprised, what could this lady possibly have to offer him. “Amma”, he said, “I do not require anything, I am happy with what I have at my old age”.
The old woman explained to him, “My dear, I know you do not want, but this is what you have earned. Take it”
The old man hesitantly looked inside the bag and to his astonishment, there lay at the bottom, the most beautiful, enchanting, pink Lotus Flower he had ever seen!
The man exclaimed, “Oh my! I have never seen a flower look so graceful! But what use do I have with this ‘Ma?”
The old woman looked at him and simply answered “You have been given the greatest gift of all, take it, after all it was meant for you, you will come to know in time.”
The old man was left in bewilderment, as this gentle soul walked away into the distance with nothing but her smile.
Sahasra Koti PadaNamaskarams to JagathGuru Sri AdiShankaracharaya BhagavadPada for Amma’s Presence in my life.
Jaya Jaya Shankara Hara Hara Shankara