Having Prayers Answered at the Right Time
It’s no good having our prayers answered
If they are not answered at the right time:
Long, long ago, in ancient Vedic India, prayers and Hawan/Homam, one of the Vedic rites, were said to be so scientific in application that when sages and seers prayed for rain, there was never any drought in the region.
Thus, a man named Shukl’ ‘Jigyasu’ set himself to pray, as per these rites, to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, begging her to make him rich.
He prayed to no effect for 10 long years. After that period of time, he suddenly understood the illusory nature of wealth. He then adopted the life of a renunciate in the Himalayas.
One day, Jigyasu was sitting in meditation and when he opened his eyes, saw before him an extraordinarily beautiful lady, all bright and shining as if she was made of gold.
“Who are you? What are you doing here in this mountain alone?” Jigyasu asked.
“I am Lakshmi, the goddess to whom you recited hymns for 12 long years,” said this woman. “I have appeared to grant you your boon.”
“Ah, at last!” exclaimed Jigyasu, “But my dearest goddess, I have since attained the bliss of meditation and lost desire for any wealth. You’ve come too late. Tell me, why did you delay for so long in coming?”
“To tell you the truth,” said goddess Lakshmi, “Given the nature of those prayers and rites you’ve performed so faithfully, you fully deserved and earned that wealth you were seeking. But, because of my love for you and for your own welfare, I held it back.”
Summary
If you were given a chance to choose, what would be your choice: granting of your petition/plea or the grace to be peaceful whether it is granted or not?
—- Shukl ‘Jigyasu’