OM SARWA MANTHRA SWARUPINE NAMAHA OPPORTUNITY, A RARE GIFT
In an ashram young men were trained in various courses under the loving care of a Master. One day Gurudev along with senior disciples went to the other corner of the Ashram and sat under a big banyan tree.
Swamiji was talking to them about the intelligence of taking opportunities and utilizing opportunities. He said "Dear Children! Some opportunities are very rare. If you miss rare opportunities you may not get them again in life." He narrated some examples and illustrations.
After the class, one student questioned, pointing towards a hill, "Swamiji! On the top of the hill I found light yesterday. I was confused. What is it?" Swamiji smiled and replied, "My child, I heard that there is a great treasure on the top of the hill. I don't know what it is. If you are interested, you can go and find out what it is." Everyone showed interest and said, "Can all of us go to Swamiji." "Yes! All of you can go and try what it is" replied with a smile.
The whole group moved towards the hill, till the end of the Ashram. They noticed that the hill was five to six kilometers away from the ashram. They didn't find any way to go up the mountain. After a brief discussion among themselves only 20 disciples came out and said "Swamiji, we 20 decided to go, please give us permission."
Swamiji smiled and said, "Yes! Now it self you can go." All the twenty disciples walked up to one kilometer. They started discussing among themselves. "It is a hot sunny day. We didn't come prepared with water and food. It is a mountain and it stays there forever. Before we complete our education we can come one day with prepared minds and go to the top of the mountain. Swamiji also appreciates our systematic and planned programme".
Ten of the 20 students returned and explained the reason to Swamiji. Swamiji smiled and said, "As you like".
After walking for one more kilometer five out of ten disciples started talking among themselves, "We are not able to find any steps or way to go up. We can see from here how people are struggling to go up. We have no experience in climbing hills and mountains. Why to invite troubles unnecessarily. If we fall and get hurt it will be a trouble to our Swamiji. Come! Let us go back. Swamiji will appreciate our decision." They returned to the ashram and explained the reason to Swamiji. Swamiji with an affectionate smile said, "Children! It is O.K. Stay back, no problem."
After walking for one more kilometer, two of the remaining five students started discussion, "Though it looks like five kilometers distance it will be more. My grand Ma told me how much you walk, you cannot reach mountains."
Other boy said, "Yes! My grandmother also said the same. She also told me that poisonous snakes, wild animals and also devils will be there on such mountains. It is not safe to take such a foolish adventure. I am sure we cannot return to the ashram. Swamiji will be worried about us. Let us go back". They returned to the ashram. Swamiji welcomed those two boys with the same affectionate smile.
After walking for one more kilometer, two of the remaining disciples started discussing; One of them said, "Do you believe that there is really a treasure there? If it is true, people are not fools to keep the treasure for us. I think there is something in it".
Other boy immediately reacted and said, "Yes! You are right. I am also thinking the same. Like fools we came. It may be a test for us by Swamiji. When the greatest treasure in the world is at the feet of our Gurudev, like fools we are running behind the mirages. Let us go back and fall at the feet of our Swami and say that we don't want any treasure. We need only your blessings."
Both the disciples were very happy about their decision and went back. They fell at the feet of Swamiji and said, "We don't want any treasure except your blessings." Swamiji welcomed them with the same affectionate smile.
Finally one disciple reached the foot of the hill. He started thinking, "Among hundred, I came alone. Am I a fool? No. When THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM said treasure, there will be something good for us. If it is dangerous, THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM never allows us to go. When he said 'go' it implies it is not dangerous." He again started thinking, "How to go? There is a lamp on the top of the hill. Therefore, people are going up. When someone is able to climb, why can't I."
He decided to climb. He prayed to THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM for his blessings and protection and took a step. One shepherd came and said, "Swamy! On the other side steps are there. You can go. For our sheep we climb this side."
The disciple felt that THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM answered his prayer and walked towards the other side. He was surprised to find very comfortable steps. He easily climbed and reached the top within 15 minutes. On the top there were some monks. They enquired about him and gave him fresh water and fruits. They also told him that a Swamiji from the Himalayas came and stayed here and he is a master in several sciences. The disciple expressed a desire to have Swamiji darshan and they took him to the Swamiji.
He explained everything to Swamiji. He appreciated the boy and said "Child! I will be here for one week. I will teach you some new sciences. You can stay and learn. After one week I will go back to the Himalayas.
He thanked Swamiji and stayed for one week. Meanwhile in the ashram all the students thought that he died in haunting treasure on the hill. Swamiji was angry because he ran behind treasure. Due to this reason Swamiji didn't bother about him. Therefore no body dared to raise this topic in front of Swamiji or never discussed it openly in the ashram.
After one week, the disciple returned to the ashram. His face was bright with a new glow and joy of learning new subjects. He came running to his gurudev, touched his feet and thanked him profoundly with tears. Swamiji hugged him and blessed him. The boy explained everything to Swamiji. Swamiji felt very happy and said, "I am proud of you, my child. You are very lucky to get an opportunity to meet such a saint and got training under him."
Now all the students wanted to go. He said, No chance. '' He had already left for the Himalayas". Swamiji added, "He is one of the greatest masters of the Himalayas. Now he will go to his Thapasya. He may not open his eyes for 10 to 20 years."
All the disciples were disappointed. Their disappointment haunted them throughout their life.