After Suddhadvaitam process in Kumbh Mela, I was wondering with so many of us who had been initiated into over 70 yogic powers, how many will truly express the powers? What are the key factors influencing the expression of extraordinary powers (siddhis)?
Then I am reminded of a beautiful story from the book ‘108 New-Clear bombs from Nithya Satsang’ by Paramahamsa Nithyananda (fondly known as Swamiji). The story was about the holy city of Kashi, Varanasi. This city is considered to be a living intelligence, a goddess. She is worshiped as Kashika Devi, the living energy of the city. It is said that Kashika Devi once asked Lord Shiva (also known as Mahadeva) for a boon, “O Shiva, Mahadeva, please bless me that whoever enters into me should be liberated.’
So Mahadeva gave Kashika Devi 3 boons:
- Whoever enters into Kashi and takes a dip in the river Ganga, their sins will be washed away.
- Whoever dies in Kashi, they will be liberated.
- Anyone whose body is brought into Kashi and cremated in Manikarnika Ghat or Harischandra Ghat, they will be liberated.’
Kashika Devi was so happy to receive the boons! But Devi Parvathi (consort of Lord Shiva) interfered and said, ‘Mahadeva, don’t you feel you made enlightenment too easy, liberation too cheap?’
Mahadeva replied, ‘Don’t worry, I will take you to Kashi and show you something. Come with me.’
When they reached Kashi, they found that the boon which Mahadeva gave to Kashika Devi had become very popular. Thousands had gathered to take a bath in the Ganga at Kashi. Mahadeva said to Devi, ‘Now let us both become human beings, I will lie down as a dead husband. You sit down here as the widow and cry. If anyone approaches you, tell them that if a person without sin touches me, I will come back to life. And if somebody with sin touches me and tries to bring me back to life, his head will burst and he will die.’
So Mahadeva lay down as a dead body and Devi sat down next to him and started crying really loudly. All the people who had come to take a bath in the Ganga came and asked Devi, ‘What happened? Why are you crying? Why is such a beautiful lady sitting and crying in front of such a beautiful man?’
Devi said, ‘My young husband has died. If anybody without sin touches my husband’s body, he will come back to life. But if you have committed some sin and you touch him, your head will burst and you will die! Can somebody please bring my husband back to life?’
From morning till night, millions of people took a bath in the Ganga, but not a single one dared to touch the body of Mahadeva!
Late at night, a drunkard came by and asked Devi, ‘What happened?’
Devi said, ‘This is the story. If anybody with sin touches my husband, he will come back to life. But if a person with sin touches him, that person will die!’
Devi thought that this guy will start running away like all the others. But instead this drunkard looked at Devi and said, ‘Wait, wait, wait – I heard that Shiva has given a boon.’ So he got into the Ganga and took a bath and came out, saying, “I have committed all types of sins, but now, after taking a bath in the Ganga, I am free of all sins because Shiva has given this boon.’ And he touched the body of the dead man. Naturally, Shiva came back to life and gave him darshan (divine sight) and liberated him.
Then Mahadeva asked Devi, ‘Do you see now? Millions may take bath in the Ganga but how many of them really believe in my boon?’
Through this story, Swamiji explained, ‘Millions may visit temples and perform religious rituals, but how many of them understand the context of what they are doing? So don’t worry, even if I shower everyone with boons, only those who are worthy, who are already in the space of completion and a feeling-connection, will even be ready to receive them.’ From this story, I clearly understand the same truth applies to the over 70 Yogic powers which many were initiated at Kumbh Mela in Ujjain.
In essence, when a Guru’s grace is showered upon you, don’t forget to make the self-effort to remain in the space of completion and a strong feeling-connection. Everything is a gift because man can’t make it on his own. Just make yourself worthy and ready to receive the gifts whenever Existence showers. Namaste. 😀
Note: The next Inner Awakening starts on 26th June – 16 July in the holy city of Varanasi. If you are interested to experience this gift of life, contact me via [email protected]