TOUCH OF MASTER
In the heart of a tourist town there was a famous musical instruments shop. Tourists used to visit the town to buy some instruments from this shop.
One day, the owner opened the shop as usual in the morning and a senior worker started dusting the instruments carefully. He decorated them all over the shop. There were violins, veenas, sitaras, tabla, mrudangam, flutes and many such varieties. All were beautiful, new, fresh and attractive. All the instruments were happy and proud that they were placed in a very prominent position in the shop.
The worker took an old veena from a corner of the shop and started dusting it. The commercial owner shouted at the worker, "Why do you waste your time and energy on that old and useless instrument? I told you to throw it into the store room. It is spoiling the beauty of my shop".
The worker felt sorry for veena and he did not want to throw it into the dark room. He said obediently, "Sir! Let it be in this corner. We can sell it at half rate or less to any innocent customer". The business man agreed with an unpleasant face.
The veena heard the conversation and felt very sad. Tears started rolling uncontrollably. A tabala near veena asked her the reasons for her sadness.
Veena said, "Dear friend! When I was created, I thought I would be decorating the hands of scholars and masters. Later it was noticed that I was handicapped. My creator forgot to put one step on me. So I was rejected and became a burden to all. Now I am waiting for my death". Veena cried uncontrollably.
Very much touched by her story, Tabla also felt sad and said, "Dear friend! Don't cry. God has a purpose in creating you. He will show you a way. Have trust on him".
Veena replied, "I have no hopes. But I have only one desire to tell God. I wanted to die in the hands of a master after giving some joy to him. I have plenty of talent and skill. But I don't want to die in the dark room."
Meanwhile, the shop was filled with customers. All were selecting different musical instruments but no one looked at this handicapped, old veena.
During that time a group of tourists under the leadership of a Brahma Rishi were passing through the street. Suddenly the Master stopped and said "Let us go to the shop and buy a musical instrument".
All entered the shop and started searching for the best. But Master went directly to veena and took it into his hands. The shop owner rushed in a hurry and objected to the Master, "Master don't touch it. It is a defective and old Veena. I will give you a new and the best veena".
Master replied firmly, "No! I want this veena only". The worker came running and cleaned the veena as best as possible. Master tied strings and adjusted sruthi. Veena was very happy and excited with His touch.
Master started playing veena and veena gave excellent ragas. All its suppressed talents and skills were rejuvenated. Now floodgates were opened at once for veena's talents. Understanding the desires and skills of veena, Master was playing wonderful ragas. Suddenly the shop was filled with divine music. Not only people in the shop, all those passing through the street stood still and were involved in the music. All forgot that they were on the earth. They were so much immersed in the divine music that time also forgot to run.
Master stopped playing veena. Now people started competing to buy veena. In the auction, its price was inflating to an unexpected level. Owner was looking at all this with wide opened eyes and mouth.
Master asked the owner, "I want to buy this veena. How much do I have to pay?"
The owner fell at the feet of the Master and said with tears, "Master! You are none other than God. Please take this veena and bless me". He handed over the veena carefully to the Master.
This is the mystery of touch of Master. His touch can give life to lifeless.