Prakruthiya paata - Part 3

The Moon and The Sun

The two celestial objects in the sky, the moon and the sun, visible to everyone on earth, are two of the avadhuta’s teachers.

The avadhuta noticed that the moon was constantly waxing till it became full, round and bright; and then began waning till it became invisible, and the cycle repeated endlessly. Then the avadhuta realised that the observation was flawed. The moon is always as it is, full and round. It is our vision that makes it wax, wane, disappear.
I learnt that “I” (my soul) too, like the moon, remain the same forever, it is my body that undergoes changes- growth, deterioration and eventually death, said the avadhuta. The tribulations I face are not ‘mine’!

The sun, through its rays, evaporates the waters of the earth and then causes it to pour back as rain. The sun does not hold back what belongs to it, but unconditionally provides light, heat and energy.
I learnt that man is merely a medium and when granted prosperity, he should use it for the benefit of others. Like the sun,I should neither feel a sense of ownership (of possessions) nor pride (while giving), said the avadhuta.

The pigeon and the python

During his wanderings, the avadhuta came across a family of pigeons (kapotha). As he watched the parent birds fly in towards the nest to feed the fledglings, a net to capture the birds was spread on the ground. The unsuspecting bird and the fledglings became ensnared. Even as the avadhuta watched the other bird which was free, expecting it to fly away to safety, he witnessed a strange sight. The free bird flew towards the net and intentionally gave up its freedom and its life.
I learnt that to remain free, I must not get ensnared in the web of relationships. Only by remaining unattached can I prevent myself from getting caught in the net (of worldly life), said the avadhuta.

A python (ajagara) appears to be lethargic, usually lying motionless. Even when it feels hungry, the python makes no attempt to seek out prey. If and when a prey passes by, it ambushes it and captures it in its coils.
I learnt that quest for food should not become an all-consuming activity. Like the python, I too should display indifference to hunger. And just as the python does not select its prey, I too must not be selective and fussy about the food that I get to eat, said the avadhuta.

To be continued...