SOME PARABLES USED BY BABA JI
The True Master holds the treasure trove of divine wisdom. He is Ocean of Divinity and dispenses Divine Knowledge to the people all over the world.
The present preceptor Nirankari Baba Hardev Ji Manaraj, in his sermons and discourses often cites parables from everyday life to illustrate and bring home the exposition of truth in a simple and easily understandable manner.
We have attempted to collect some parables and present them in this booklet which are intended to convey the Truth and truthful teachings by Baba Ji to every human being, to every seeker of truth:
Man is stuck in the deep ditch of muddy materialism. He cannot come out of this dungeon on his own unless the True Master (Satguru) throws a rope down and extricates him.
In villages, women fetch water from the well. They walk with the pitchers on their heads. They go on talking among themselves and yet they keep their mind focused on the pitchers. They walk so carefully that they do not allow the pitchers to fall down and get broken. Likewise, and enlightened person, even while performing normal vocations of life, keeps his mind focused on the formless omnipresent God.
As one climbs up the mountain, he is seen bending forward in order to keep the body's balance, but as one descends, he keeps his body straight in erect posture. It shows that if a person is humble and polite, he soars higher and higher in life, particularly in the spiritual field but if he is arrogant, he is bound to descend or climb down.
A king ordered his minister that all jewellery, gems, and other valuables be displayed in a show room and all the queens be asked to pick up any one of the articles of their choice. The minister complied with the orders. Each queen went around and got one or the other gift. But one wise queen asked the king who was also sitting in the room, "O' Lord! Are you also included among the gifts displayed?" The king replied,"Yes, I am." She at once said, "I ask for Thee." And it was granted. The king was over - pleased with her wisdom and she was made the prime queen. Thus she become the owner of all the treasures and bounties in the kingdom by opting for the king instead of his precious gifts. Likewise, saints opt for God and all material gifts automatically fall to their feet.
It takes lot of time to weave a cloth and prepare a garment, but it takes only a second to tear it off. Likewise, it takes several months to construct a house, and hardly any time to pull it down. Similarly, it takes a very long time to create a deep and lasting relationship, but it takes only a few seconds to break the bonds of love and friendship.
A glass is half filled with water. The sage questions a layman as to how much water is contained in the glass. The worldly person answers that it is half empty. The wise man, however, looks at it in a different way and says that the glass is half filled with water. Thus a saint looks at every object with a positive outlook.
Suppose some filth is lying at a busy place. A wise man will try to cover it or put a lid on it so that the stink does not spread and pollute the air around. Similarly, saints do not highlight the faults of others, they always try to cover them. They look towards others' virtues and their own faults and infirmities and try to make amends for the future.
The fuel is important for starting the engine as well as for keeping it moving. Similarly, receiving the Divine Knowledge is just a beginning. In order to ensure that the bliss continues, one must keep on doing Satsang, Simran and Sewa on regular basis.
A renowned athlete takes part in the world Olympics. He runs fast and competes with several others to win the race. However, if he steps out of his lane, even at the fag end, he is disqualified. So, saints always observe discipline in their dealings and do not cross the parameters of Guru’s word.
There is utter darkness everywhere during "Amavasya", the darkest night of the month. A person who is moving about forlorn sees a ray of light at a remote distance in a cottage. Although the light is dim, it has lot of value in terms of guiding the person to proceed in the right direction. Similarly, an enlightened person may illuminate the path of several others. He should never consider his contribution as insignificant.
‘Sandal wood’ transmits its fragrance to all trees and shrubs growing near it. However, a bamboo tree is an exception. It does not take in and assimilate the fragrance of ‘sandal wood’. Thus, mere being near a saint is not sufficient. One must take and adopt his qualities.
A rose gives fragrance to everyone. It does not care for the thorns nearby. Likewise, saints keep on transmitting spiritual radiance, unmindful of the disfavourable environment of hatred and hostility around.
On television screen, one watches all kinds of programmes. Sometimes we see violence or some shots of war and sometimes there are scene of love and affection. The screen, however, remains unaffected and there is no change in it. Similarly, saints remain blissfully indifferent in all situations.
As the wind blows, we cover a burning flame with our palms around it so that it does not get extinguished. Those are the lucky ones who got the lamp of divine knowledge lit in their minds. In order to keep the light aglow in the face of the wind of materialism, one must go in for the cover of Simran, Satsang and Sewa.
We see a balloon filled with hydrogen gas soaring high in the sky. It will, however, not go beyond a certain height if it is obstructed by a ceiling, a tree or any other object. Likewise, the spiritual development of a devotee also gets receded if his thought, speech and action are obstructed by pride, prejudice and narrow-mindedness.
Two goats were coming from opposite directions, wanting to cross a stream by walking over a fallen tree connecting the two banks. As they moved and faced each other in the middle of the stream, both quarrelled and stuck their horns at each other. Eventually both fell into the stream and died. Both were adamant to cross the stream first, but they lost their lives.
After a few days another two goats came to cross the stream at the same point. As they approached and confronted each other, one goat yielded and sat down allowing the other to pass over. Thereafter, the other goat could also cross the stream unhindered. In this way, both were saved. Saints do not suffer from ego or arrogance like the first two goats did. They follow the second example and try to accommodate others even at the cost of their own comfort.
When someone is driving a vehicle on high speed, he looks forward and proceeds on the path to the destination. If the driver looks right or left, he may get involved in an accident. Likewise, saints keep on following the path of truth unmindful of what is happening around pr what the world says.
It is said that while walking during their exile, Lord Rama used to lead, while Sita Ji would follow immediately after him. Laxmana, the Lord’s younger brother would follow only next to Sita Ji. It is further said that while Sita Ji would walk exactly behind the Lord, Laxmana would take a little side. He did not want to lose sight of the Lord even thought he followed Sita Ji and watched her feet as she walked. Like this, whiole performing his normal pursuits in life, a devotee would keep his or her mind concentrated on God, the Supreme Giver.
The light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, fans, radio and TV sets, VCR’s etc. work as long as they have connection with the Main. If there is a slight disconnection somewhere, one of these electrical appliances would work and everything would become non-functional. Similarly, the saints would not like to be disunited from the Almighty even for a moment.
The best way to overcome the thorns in one’s way is not to remove them one by one, but to put on shoes with strong soles. This is exactly what the saints do. They walk over the thorns of the worldly life with the most durable shoes of God Knowledge on.
In a sawmill, we see logs of wood being pierced through by the saw blade causing lot of sawdust to accumulate. The saw blade indeed is acting as an instrument to produce the sawdust. It will not be correct if the sawblade feels that the sawdust is being produced by it. The main source is wood only. Similarly, a devotee feels that all his noble deeds and accomplishments are the result of God’s grace, and not his own effort.
There are two trains at the railway station. The one in which we are sitting is stationary while the other on the second track is moving. If we look towards the moving train we feel as if the train in which we are sitting is moving, but if we look towards the stationary platform of the railway station, we find that our train is not moving. Likewise, those who worship and rely upon the visible and the moving (Maya), do not find stability and keep on shaking, but those who focus their mind on the eternal omnipresent spirit of God remain firm and unshaken in life.
When the sun rises, there is broad day-light and the sky is clear. When clouds appear, they eclipse the sun and obscure its light. Although the clouds have created the darkness temporarily preventing the rays of light emitted by the sun, the sun continues to glow and its potential to create day-night remains intact. Likewise, the clouds of hatred, jealousy and ill will seem to shroud the light of divine knowledge, but the True Master continues spreading the celestial light unabated.
A blacksmith uses bellows which provide air to the furnace as he polishes the utensils. As the blacksmith blows the bellows, they sound as if they are breathing, but in reality there is no life-breath within them. Similarly, we see men moving about breathing but the wise men think that they are floating lifeless bodies if they are bereft of the eternal Truth.
We find a big stone which has been lying in deep water for a pretty long time. Yet it has not lost the quality of igniting fire. Likewise, a saint does not give up his divine nature despite being surrounded by disfavourable environment for long.
Water in a shallow stream in mountains makes lot of noise. As the water moves to the plains and attains depth, it becomes calm and tranquil. Likewise, a saint who is imbued with rich qualities of the mind and heart becomes calm and serene in thought, words and action. But one who is devoid of these virtues, talks meaninglessly and is rash and arrogant in his behaviour.
The sun gives light to everyone alike. Sunlight is, however, more prevalent in the outer room of a big building, while there is correspondingly less light in the rooms situated in the interior, because of the walls in between. Likewise, a saint gives light to every seeker/disciple alike but those who keep confined to themselves because of the narrow-minded walls of caste, community, etc. are unable to enjoy the bliss of divine light.
Pure gold is the same internally and externally. Likewise, the life of a saint is true and pure both intrinsically and externally. Saints are true at heart and their dealings with others are also truthful.
Light and darkness do exit at all times but the two cannot co-exist. Where there is light, the darkness gets automatically dispelled. But the moment the light is gone or switched off, the darkness makes its appearance in no time. Likewise, the saints who have been enlightened remain in tune with divine light all the time and do not allow the darkness of ignorance to appear again.
We use clean and pure water, which is good for health. But if one uses contaminate or polluted water, he or she shall be afflicted with water borne diseases, which may cause even death. Water is the common factor in both cases, but while clean water gives life, polluted water may take it. Likewise, saints and worldly persons look alike, but they are recognized from their deeds and dealings. Saints live for others, not for themselves, while others are selfish and narrow-minded. So the noble company of saints makes one spiritually illuminated and elevated, while the company of evil-minded persons may lead to one's downfall.
There are two fields, one has wheat and the other opium. Hard work is needed in growing both the crops. Opium perhaps needs more effort than wheat. But if we see the result, wheat fills the empty stomachs and satiates hunger, while opium is an intoxicant, which is harmful for human body and may cause even death. Hence, the saints always prefer the actions that may produce good for all.
Criminals commit murders during broad day light. This, of course, symbolizes displaying courage and valiance. But nobody will approve of the purpose. In another case, also a man exhibits courage and conviction and stakes his life in order to save some one. Here again, the courage and bravery are being used, but in order to do good to others and not for any negative purpose. The latter course of action is admired, while the latter is deplored.
A stream always has two banks; there is no stream with one blank. What matters most is not the banks but the kind of water that flows in between them. Is it filthy water or the stream contains neat and clean water? In case the water in the stream is dirty and polluted, giving foul smell, nobody would like to go near it, but if the water is clean and clear, it is useful for various purposes. Likewise, birth and death are two vital edges of life. The one who is born must die on the appointed day. But here also what matters most is not the kind of birth or death one may find, but the kind of life one leads. We go by the fact whether the journey of life was pleasant, giving comfort and solace to others or it was full of ego, sin and suffering, giving pain and misery to others. The former is the ideal life, which the saints live, and the latter is the cursed life of the wayward perverts.
We see a moth sitting on the chimney of a lamp and its shadow on the wall opposite. If we want to remove the moth, we must remove it from the chimney. It will be no use attacking its shadow on the wall. Similarly, all our negative thoughts and feelings like jealousy, hatred and violence originate from the mind. So they have to be attacked and tackled in the mind itself. No efforts elsewhere will be of any use. For this let the Almighty dwell in the mind. Since God is the supreme source of all that is good and noble, once the Almighty dwells in the mind, all that the mind producers will be good and noble only.
A bird must have two wings to fly. It cannot fly without wings or even with one single wing. Similarly, man does need God-Knowledge and good actions to soar in the skies of spirituality. God-Knowledge unaccompanied by righteous actions will not suffice. If both are absent, man's life is just meaningless.
Suppose a bottle contains poison. The stuff just cannot change its character, if we merely paint the bottle from outside or decorate it. Similarly, not amount of cosmetics can change the heart within, which is filled with the poison of hatred and animosity. This can be done only by changing the stuff inside. We must replace the feeling of hatred with love and that of animosity with cordiality. This, of course, can come by uniting with God.
A frog in a well moves about in a limited circle. It cannot realise the vastness of the ocean, until it leaves the well and starts living in the ocean. Similarly, man will continue to be narrow-minded unless his mind is united with the vastness of the Almighty. And once man is united with God, he will automatically start thinking of the whole mankind or service to humanity.
Quite often, the human mind is likened with a temple. The mind can, however, become a temple only if God dwells in it.
God is to man what ocean is to fish, but with a difference. No doubt, the ocean or water is everything to fish; it just cannot live without it. But the fish cannot realise this while living inside the water. It realises the importance of water only when it is taken out of it. It realises the importance of water only when it is taken out of it. It struggles to go back and dies within moments if it fails to do so. The position of a human being is slightly different. No doubt, he does stay like a fish in this Ocean of God who is everything to him or her. But he or she need not be taken out for realising this truth. A human being can realise the presence of God and his or her own relationship with the Almighty during life-time itself.
If a particular part of the body is diseased, we go for the best available medical treatment to cure it. We do not chop it off or throw it away. Similarly, saints do not shun others on account of their faults. They own them not withstanding the same. In fact, they help them to overcome their shortcomings.
*****