Shrikant Prasoon - 50 Soul Stirring Stories

Prof. Shrikant Prasoon

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E-mail: info@pustakmahal.com Website: www.pustakmahal.com

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Pustak Mahal

ISBN 978-81-223-1273-7

Edition: 2012

The Copyright of this book, as well as all matter contained herein (including illustrations) rests with the Publishers. No person shall copy the name of the book, its title design, matter and illustrations in any form and in any language, totally or partially or in any distorted form. Anybody doing so shall face legal action and will be responsible for damages.

Printed at : Param Offsetters, Okhla, New Delhi-110020

Publishers

Pustak Mahal

Dedicated

To All Human Beings:
Men and Women;
Old, Young and Children;

And to

My Dear Friend

Vijoy Kumar Sinha

Preface

A story, with many layers of meaning and possibilities of different interpretations; communicates its message in a roundabout, oblique manner, indirectly and yet in a familiar way; and clears dilemmas and bewildering situations.

It may convey spirituality or increase religiosity or provide moral support or enhance ethical values. In all, it gives immense pleasure and invaluable wisdom.

A true story is the food for reasoning and intellectual analysis with spirituality as its aim in the language of heart.

These marvelous and fabulous stories have been taken from Indian history, myths, culture, epics, dramas, folklore, fairy-tales, saints and from Buddha, Zen, Sufi, Sikh traditions; and also from European spirituality.

These are soul stirring tales. Each one will touch, smoothly and definitely the heart, mind and thus the soul. Powerful, positive, creative and effective moments have been depicted with bare minimum words and the details are left for the imagination and attitude of the individual reader to create and colour.

These short and delightful stories are designed to develop the mind, free it from distortions and connect with the inner spirit. They are truly inspiring and enlightening stories. They stir the soul and force the mind to think deeply in order to assimilate the ideas and meaning. The beauty, directness and simplicity of the messages get through to us one way or the other.

They deal mostly with life in the present moment; its upheaval; continual distractions; different perspectives; overwhelming desires; deep attachment; strong resistance; unprejudiced judgments; instant delusions; mundane beliefs and transcendental thoughts as mental concepts and modifications.

They are well supported with meaningful illustrations in abstract art which are suggestive, ambiguous and non defined.

These stories are bound to enrich our minds and keep the path and vision lighted. So read them with an open mind, relate with them and assimilate the wisdom they impart.

Prof. Shrikant Prasoon

Opp. Town Police Station,

Motihari 845401

Chaparan East: Bihar, India

Mobile 09868082133

Website: www.shrikantprasoon.com

E-mail: shrikantprasoon@yahoo.co.in

skprasoon@yahoo.com

info@shrikantprasoon.com

Prayers

Shnt-kram bhujag-shayanam padma-nbham suresham;

Vishwa-dhram gagan-sadrisham megha-varnam subhngam.

Lakshmi-kntam kamal-nayanam yogibhih-gynag-gamyam;

Vande Vishnu bhava-bhaya-haram sarva-lokaika-ntham.

(He, whose whole form is the embodiment of peace; who sleeps on a python; a lotus has bloomed from whose navel; is the God of Gods; is the very basis of the Universe; is like the sky, handsome in appearance and of the clouds colour; the spouse of Lakshmi; who takes away the worldly fears; that God is the master of all the Lokas.)

Shriy shlishto vishnuh sthir-char-vapuh-veda-vishayo;

Dhiym skshi shuddho harih-asur-hantbja-nayan.

Gadi shankhi chakri vimal-vanmli sthir-ruchih;

Sharanyo lokesho mam bhavatu krisno-akshi-vishayah.

(He, who is always seen with Lakshmi; is very attractive; the whole Universe is whose body; who is the subject of the Vedas; who is a witness to all knowledge and wisdom; is pure; has lotus eyes; who hold a conch, mace, wheel and wears a garland made of lotus flowers; has stable brightness and glow; and the saviour of all who seek shelter; that God of the Universe be before my eyes.)

Spiritual Quadruplets

One

We have a body with systems,
organs and a living spirit within;

The body is alive, moves and acts for the Prna, life element, is in,

We need a body healthy and active and a spirited spirit spiritual;

For fruition, prosperity, to bloom with boughs, flowers, leaves green.

Two

One must foster well and take care of the two in manner proper;

Their needs are different, opposite, one to cover, the other discover;

Provide food fresh, healthier, and ideas moral and benevolent;

Exquisite balance is to be maintained for ascending steadily higher.

Three

Body is the infrastructure while spirit
is the prudent Proctor;

One is the ship essential, the other is
the sailor, the navigator;

One cant be sacrificed for the other, as the twins make the whole;

Body needs a soul to be alive, the spirit needs a body to prosper.

Four

Out of the four common pursuits,
for progress and elevation;

Two, Artha and Kma are for the body,
physical attainments;

The other two, Dharma and Moksha , are for the soul, the spirit,

To perform pious deeds and strengthen the claim for salvation.

Five

They get infinite prosperity that live in harmony with Prakriti , the Nature;

Strive hard, incessantly to become sublime, with steady steps, feature;

They listen to conscience and sincerely follow its pious, intuitive dictates;

And maintain a balance in ethical earning and wise, frugal expenditure.

Six

Real prosperity is both the
spiritual and material richness;

To be larger, higher, and to possess
greater scope, wideness;

To feel the importance and need of
all living and non-living;

To exhibit for all: love, sympathy,
compassion and kindness.

From Spiritual Quadruplets

1. Proper Lesson

A wealthy man requested an old scholar to cure his son of his bad habits.

The scholar took the youth for a stroll in a garden. Stopping suddenly, he asked the boy to pull out a tiny plant growing there. The youth held the plant between his thumb and forefinger and pulled it out.

The old man then asked him to pull out a slightly bigger plant. The youth pulled hard and the plant came out, roots and all.