The Priest and the Cobbler

A SHORT GOODMORNING STORY THAT TELLS US ABOUT THE POWER OF FAITH😊

Once MAHARSHI NARADA was walking in the forest singing praises of Narayana. He met A Brahmin who was astute, and devoted to rituals and scriptures, and the Brahmin asked him if we was heading to VAIKUNTHA.

When NARADA said yes, he requested him to ask NARAYANA, when he would attain moksha and reach his lotus feet and told him he lives all his life dedicated to NARAYANA BHAKTI. NARADA agreed and moved on. On the way, he met a Cobbler, and he asked the same question.

NARADA reached VAIKUNTHA, paid obeisance to BHAGAWAN VISHNU, and after a while asked the questions the Brahmin and the Cobbler asked. NARAYANA said that for the Cobbler, it is his last Janma, and he will attain moksha and reach VAIKUNTHA after his death. And for the Brahmin, it takes another million birth times to attain moksha.

This surprised NARADA, and he asked the Brahmin was learned, and he led a life every second in your devotion and also stuck to all rituals that were prescribed in Sanatana Dharma. BHAGAWAN said when they ask you what I'm doing, tell them I am threading an Elephant through a needle's eye, and let me know their answers.

Narada went back to the forest, and met the Brahmin, and when he told him that it would take a million years to attain moksha, he got angry and said that NARADA is jealous and lying. He, who was so astute will attain moksha this janma only. When NARADA remained silent, he asked ok if you really visited VAIKUNTHA, tell me what BHAGAWAN was doing.

And Narada said , he was threading an Elephant into a needle's eye. The Brahmin laughed and left saying he was a liar. NARADA moved ahead and met the cobbler and conveyed what Bhagawan had told him. Elated and happy, he asked NARADA to describe the lord and VAIKUNTHA, and what BHAGAWAN was doing at that time. Narada said he was threading an Elephant into a needle's eye. The Cobbler with total bhakti closed his eyes, lifted his hands up in a namaskaara, and said the lord is capable of all miracles.

NARADA went to VAIKUNTHA, and conveyed the answers, and VISHNU smiled and spoke "Now do you understand my answer? Without Faith, Bhakti is of no use. No amount of knowledge, that begets pride, enlightens you. What I look for, and what moves me and enlightens you, is FAITH"🙏

🕉️ SHUBHODAYAM 🕉️