Karma is the most powerful yoga
Change in our attitude towards Karma leads to the divine.
Friday was Rukmini Haran Ekadashi, a very holy day celebrated in a grand way at Lord Jagannath Temple, Puri attracting thousands of devotees. The festival showcases the wedding ceremony of Lord Krishna (Lord Jagannath is considered as the living incarnation of Lord Krishna in this era) and Goddess Rukmani is considered to be the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. The temple gets decorated in a very grand way, full of natural flowers and decorative and like our marriage ceremony, people are given free food by the Lord, more than fifty thousand people eating there . Mobiles and Cameras are not allowed inside, otherwise, I could have shown you how grand a marriage can be - on this occasion, everything gifted by devotees - after all it's the Lord's marriage.
We never visited the temple on this occasion, to avoid huge crowd, but Mom wanted to go and see this occasion once in her life time. I always have considered my duty towards my parents as my first priority - they are my living God. But this was something beyond duty - I was concerned about her safety, because the inside is always a stampede like situation in such days. There were more than hundred thousand people on that day and the temple got closed for five hours for preparation for the celebration, so that made the situation even worse. Finally I surrendered against her desire and decided to do my duty accepting any challenge that would come, leaving everything to the divine. We have a very strong belief about the Lord Jagannath Temple - unless he calls, one can never go and meet him. Probably this was his call to her - oh Lord, I am taking her, you will have to take care of the rest.
Called one of my friend, who works inside the temple, and after hearing Mom's strong desire, he advised to go late in the night - the rituals were running late by 4 hrs. But how do we manage to go to the temple ? It's far from the parking place, and she can't walk that much as public vehicles won't be available late night. Roaming around the temple itself is a big challenge, as its a huge place. The Lord reminded me about another friend who could help and what happened next was beyond my imagination.
He extended all kind of help - come and park in the protocol parking, an electric vehicle will directly take you near the temple. the driver will wait for you. And from there another person guided us taking inside the temple. The queue inside the temple had more than five thousand people, so we requested the police in another exit path to allow her, considering her age. That was also granted and finally we were in front of the Lord - I was impressed how the Lord made everything possible - all I did was my duty and he really took care of the rest.
The place where the marriage ceremony was being celebrated, was severely crowded with a very small entrance. On the first occasion we waited for more than a hour but still could not dare to go in. However, second time, the Lord seemed to listen to her prayers - Lord Krishna and Goddess Rukmini's appearance in small deities was, in fact once in a life time view, with Goddess Rukmini's face intentionally hidden behind the saree - like a newly wedded bride in our marriage. Mom was overwhelmed to experience this rare event - once in life time.
Coming back another incidence happened in Goddess Laxmi's temple that I will remember forever. For the very first time in life, I lost the car key and I realized only after coming out, as we thought about our return. I felt very desperate as finding the key was almost impossible in such crowd, and I went back to the temple, asking the security person if anyone given him a car key. To my surprise, he pointed me to the place where the key was kept - is this the one ? There cannot be anything more that we could have asked that day - these incidences let us feel the divine presence. I wished him Jay Jagannath and extended my gratitude to the Lord - so you want me to realize your presence - I know as I am seeing your magic since evening!!
It was 1 pm when we came out of the temple after eating Mahaprasad, and there was no means of going back to the parking area other than walking. People were sleeping on the road, some waiting to return, some waiting to see the grand wedding procession that would happen at the end - their devotion towards the Lord is commendable. Mom was very exhausted already, so I called my friend, if he could arrange any help and to my surprise, he was standing nearby - wait I am coming, I was just about to leave. I usually leave before 11 pm, but due to some situations I had to stay.
I was feeling like this also was scripted by the Lord - he arranged the means to send us to the parking area. We enjoyed the long drive back as the road was almost empty - this will be a memorable day of life.
Before wrapping up this post, I must mention how Bhagavad Gita also gives priority to Karma, to perform our duties without getting attached to the results, leading to the way to achieve self-realization and feel the Divine.
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन |
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ||
BG 2.47: You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.
Remember, if you do good, then Good is going to come back to you - serve with a selfless attitude, it will purify your heart and help you find inner peace and freedom from sufferings.
This post in in response to this week's creative nonfiction prompt
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Good morning, dear friend @sanjeevm
I'm so glad you and your mother finally visited this beautiful temple on this special day. You have many important friends who have been instrumental in making everything go smoothly.
I'm sorry you lost the key, but I'm glad you got it back. It was just a setback.
I appreciate you sharing these traditions and this memorable day.
Happy new week! Enjoy it.
Yes, that's very true, our friend circle is always available, if needed.
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Your mom has been a devotee. I can understand you though avoiding the crowd. Safety nowadays is not guaranteed.
What a good friend, you could grant your mother's wish, of course with the necessary care to avoid any setbacks because, as you did, approximately 100,000 people in a single place is something to take into account regarding security.
Your mother is beautiful, and she seems to be enjoying this visit to this beautiful temple.
I'm so glad you fulfilled her dream of attending the celebration today.
What beautiful photographs you're showing us, Mr. @sanjeevm.
It's right that we should change our attitude if it's questionable.
Anyway, you're so kind to your mom.
https://x.com/lee19389/status/1931696733421019240
#hive #posh
Jai shree krishna , we all been a situation like yours when we don't see any kind of path but suddenly all of the things are correct and we to find the solution or some way we do find it. See your story is a clear representation of divine power and I also hurt that jab tak Bhagwan ka bulava nahin aata tab tak koi bhi unke Mantra nahin Ja sakta hai. Thanks for sharing your experience sir you did had a lot of trouble but at the end everything was good because when we are with her family we do have a sense of responsibility if you are alone we do manage anything ourself but if you are with our family then thinks are not easy as we think thanks for sharing.
I felt the power that day, was very grateful for everything.
We all do feel the devine power someday.
Ah another fine celebration by a devoted and connected people. Love all of your holidays and how people so happily crowd together the celebrate.
I love the karma notion of doing what is right for the sake of it and not being hung up on the results. I try and do that on my small scale and in business as well. Some of the projects we take on don’t have any profit in them but lead to good things later on. Maybe that is karma!
Yes, doing some good will definitely bring good back to us, it may take some time, but it sure will come back.
You have done a good job bringing her there, I think too at least once in a life it's worth to see it
Glad everything went well, as you said all was like planned already
Very inspirational..Jai Jagannath..🙏🙏
Jai Jagannath
You and grandma at a great time at the temple and from the picture, I know it was huge event. Something to witness in a lifetime like Grandma said, my greetings to her.
This is nothing short of a wonderful culture. I actually only knew about Lord Krishna, never about a living incarnation. Indian temples are in my opinion some of the most beautifully designed, they stand the test of time and regardless of how modern things get, they'll always be a sight to behold
Modern architecture even cannot understand how this temple was built, at times, stones weighing thousands of kgs fall down and they can't even find out from where it fell. Interestingly, it never hurts anyone - they are symbols of bad times.
this is truly magnificent and a mystery for me
Since cameras are not allowed in the holy place, might I ask if non worshipers are allowed to enter so I'll visit there myself because I would love to see the experience for myself one day 🙏🙏
Yes, its a Hindu temple so Hindus are allowed.
oh ok this is splendid
Wow, that must have been an amazing experience for you and your mom! I'm so glad everything was perfect for both of you :)
It was indeed a life time experience - we felt the divine at every step.
That's how things always are, my friend, when things are done with FAITH, everything always turns out in the best possible way. GOD arranged for everything to turn out in the best possible way, and very well for wanting his mother to fulfill his wish.
Me alegra que compartieras con tu madre esa actividad sagrada , admiro mucho tu cultura .
This story about fulfilling your mother's dream is lovely. Her once-in-a-lifetime wish was realized, and it was accomplished with the help of many kind people. We note, however, that you have not engaged with other authors in the community. The Inkwell requires that writers comment on two stories for each story published here.
Thank you for sharing this lovely piece with us.
Thank you so much, I have engaged with some other authors.
It's wonderful that he had fulfilled his mother's dream of going to the temple, and God never abandons us just to give us the opportunity to achieve what we so deeply desire
This is really beautiful and I am really so sure that you must have really been spend quality time together
Now that does seem like a divine planned day😂😂
Glad she got to witness the Marriage...😂✨
That makes your persona great Sir. Duty to parents is a cornerstone of moral life. Honoring parents is not merely an obligation but a spiritual act of gratitude and interconnectedness.
This prioritization results in the tangible bonds of family.
I am equally firm in that conviction including my family.
Wow, that's kind of a miracle. Jai Jagannath.
When you render it as duty, then things always start automatically falling into place and in perfect sequences. Lord Jagannath has a blessed duty-bound son and a loving mother.
Thank you.
Jai Jagannath
🙏🙏🙏