Indian Antiquary Vol 35

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 63

FEPRUARY, 1906.]
TALES OF THE TELUGU VAISHNAVAS.
57
Then the Rishis Angirasa and Narada came near, and began exborting the King in the teachings of Krishna as follows: "In a former birth yon did not know wbose son this was, nor whose father you were. Who can understand the mysterious connection ? Our meetings are like the meetiags of grains of sand in a flowing stream. You must not grieve for wbat you cannot help. There is no death, and no life. Separation is a mirage, and it is through ignorance that one soul appears to be many. When you cast away the cover of ignorance, you will realize the truth, as a mail wakes up from a dream."
Hearing these words, the King recovered himself, and asked who they were. They replied, "We come to comfort and instruct you in wisdom. We are the Rishis who gave you your son, if now we restore you your son, you will again have the same sorrow as those who have children. All the pleasures of this world are transitory and through them come misery, fear and anxiety. It is all máyd, like a fortune found in a dream. Man, by his thonghts and actions, unknowingly creates transitory misery and happiness, and reels in it. There is only the one true path of the pure mind to reach the everlasting life."
Then Narada began to say, "I will give you a mantra. If you repeat it for seven days without interruption, you will see God, who is the cause of all, so, you will obtain the highest happiness. I will now raise up your son, and you can then see if there is any true connection between you and him." Then Närada looked at the dead boy, and called him by name, "Come back into your body again and comfort your parents. You can then be happy and enjoy your father's kingdom!" Upon this the boy's soul replied as follows: "I am revolving by my own karma through the bodies of gods, men, and animals; how am I to know who are my parents ? All are like actors in a drama: there is not any real relationship between man and man. Åtma is one, eternal, has no end or beginning, is in all, and all is in him, is the shelter of all, is the smallest and the greatest, is equal to both, shines with his own light, and sees all. By his mdya he creates all. He is Narayana, the Soul of All. I feel neither pleasure nor pain, I am that Great Soul! I am God himself! How then can you speak of fathers and sons? There is no real connection between you and me. You have nothing to sorrow for." So saying, he abruptly ended.
Then Chitraketu and his relatives were amazed and felt relieved of their sorrow and attachment towards the boy, and proceeded to perform the funeral obsequies. After a few days Chitrakétu left bis kingdoin, like a big elephant who had been caught in a bog and was escaping from it, went to the Jamna and bathed there, in accordance with the ordinances, and afterwards went and saluted Narada, who was pleased with him, and gave him the mantra formerly promised.
Then Chitrskátu, following Narada's instructions, fasted and sat in samadhi for seven days, meditating upon that knowledge which is Narayana itself. At the end of seven days, he found himself to be the chief of the Vidyadharis, and that he possessed a flying car, ornamented with precious stones, and by the grace of God he could move about in the airy regions with the quickness of mind. Soon he met the King of Serpents, Adisesha, who had a body as white as snow, and was clothed in black garments, and wore a crown shining with precious stones and bracelets and shoulder ornaments. He had a zone of gold and the white sacred thread. His face was very beautiful: his eyes were round and bright. He is the bed of Vishņu, and also his foot-stool. Many Siddhas followed him. When Chitrakêtu saw him, he became free from sin, his love to God increased, his body thrilled with bliss, tears of joy fell from his eyes, and in his extasy be could not speak, bat fell down before the King.
Aiter a while he calmed himself, and drew in his senses from the outer world and concentrated his thoughts on the Reality, and put together his mind and speech, and began to praise that Eternal Being of perfect equanimity, and the gurú of the whole world, in these words: “ Thou art the Unconquerable One! Yet the devotion of thy worshippers can conquer thee! It is through thee that these worlds come into existence, remain for a time, and then dissolve. Those