36 - Virtue Of Forgiveness

Mama was sitting in his room. A young man entered the room with a sad face. He bowed down to Mama. Mama said, ‘Please, have your seat. What is the matter? Why do you look depressed?' The young man replied, ‘I have not got good result.' Mama asked, ‘What is the result? ’ The young man answered with a weepy face, ‘Mama, I have got A.T.K.T. My year would be spoiled. Now what should I do? What shall I inform at home?' Mama looked at the young man and asked, ‘This was your final year, isn’t it?' The young man answered, ‘Yes, Mama, I have passed final year exams. I have got first class.' Mama asked, ‘In which subjects have you got A.T.K.T.?' The young man informed, ‘I had to clear last year’s exams. I have not been able to clear them.’ The young man looked down. Mama asked, ‘Tell me the truth, did you prepare the subject properly?' The young man replied, ‘Mama, I will never tell lie in front of you. Last year subjects I couldn't prepare properly.' Mama said, ‘If you did not prepare properly, how could you pass the exams? You must work hard. Otherwise God does not help.' The young man broke down. He appealed Mama, ‘I have committed mistake. I will not repeat it. Please, save me.' Mama pacified him and asked, ‘Now, what is the alternative?' The young man replied, ‘We can apply for rechecking.' Mama asked, ‘is it possible that your marks would be increased during rechecking? How many marks are required?' The young man replied, ‘only seven marks are less. Should I fill up the form for rechecking! If you bless me, I could pass and my year would be saved.' Mama thought for a few seconds. Then replied, ‘All right, fill up the form. I will pray to God.' Mama gave him sugar offered to God. The young man bowed down to Mama and left.

After a month or so, the young man went for the Darshan of Mama. The moment he entered the room, Mama spoke, ‘God forgives the mistake only once. If you commit mistakes in life again and again. God wouldn't forgive.' The young man was surprised. He thought, Mama knows everything. He knows about me. He bowed down to Mama. He was looking happy. Mama asked innocently, ‘What happened?' The young man chuckled and said, ‘Mama, you know everything. Your comment when I entered the room was most appropriate.' Mama inquired, ‘Have you passed? ’ The young man replied, ‘Mama, it has happened due to your blessings. I needed seven more marks to pass. During rechecking only seven marks are increased.' Mama explained, ‘That day you repented with true feelings. And you did not lie. Therefore, God is pleased. God does not like liers. Do not repeat such mistake in life. We should not do anything for which we have to regret later. We must always remember God while performing any act. Therefore, God makes it successful.’ The young man bowed down to Mama with great reverence and promised, ‘Mama, I will try to follow your advice wholeheartedly. Please, bless me.' Mama was pleased and he blessed the young man.

(Later on the young man worked hard in his life. He tried to avoid committing mistakes as per Mama’s advice. These days he is working in a reputed company on a good post.)

Difficult words:
To repent - To feel sorry
Comment - Remark

Points to ponder:
- By repenting our mistakes with real and true feelings in front of Anadimuktas, they forgive our mistakes.
- In front of Maharaj and His Anadimuktas we must behave truthfully. We should not lie in front of them.

Exercise

Answer the following questions:
1. Why was the young man looking sad?
2. What reason was given by the young man for failing the exams?
3. How did the young man get passing marks?
4. What did Mama ask the young man not to repeat?
5. Why was Mama pleased by the young man?

Fill in the blanks:
1. If you do not _____________ hard, how could you pass the exams?
2. Mama, it has happened due to your _______.
3. You had _____________ with true feelings.
4. We must remember ______ while performing any act.