In 18th century
India, there lived a Saint called Eknāth. Saint Eknāth was the disciple
of Janārdan Swami. (A disciple is one who does spiritual practice
under the guidance of a Guru; he has complete obedience and faith in
the love of God and his Guru and serves them accordingly.) Janārdan
Swami looked after the fort that guarded the city of Devgad in
Maharashtra. An enemy would have to capture the fort before they could
take over the city. Hence, Swami Janārdan 's army was always prepared
for battle.
Daily, Swami Janārdan would meditate (meditation is when one sits in one place and completely focuses on God or on one's chanting) for a few hours. During His meditation time, no one used to disturb Him.
Once, Janārdan Swami was in deep meditation (samādh), when a soldier rushed in. He said that he needed to meet the Swami urgently. Disciple Eknāth inquired about the purpose of the meeting. The solider informed Him that he needed to speak to the Swami because enemy forces had gathered near the city. Saint Eknāth wondered what to do. He did not want to disturb the Guru during His meditation but the situation was urgent. Quickly, he thought up a plan and rushed to the room where the battle armour was kept. He prayed intensely to the Guru, put on His Guru's battle armour and rushed to where the soldiers were waiting. Praying to the Guru, He went to battle.
Seeing Eknāth clad in Swami Janārdan's armour, the soldiers thought He was Swami Janārdan and went to battle with Him. They fought hard under Eknāth's brave leadership and soon, the enemy forces were destroyed. Eknāth returned to the fort, victorious. As soon as He returned, Eknāth changed back into His usual clothes, put the Guru's battle armour back in its place and went back to daily satseva (service unto God), as if nothing had happened.
Soon, Swami Janārdan got up from meditation and heard the victory cries of the soldiers gathered in the fort, 'Janārdan Swami ki Jai (Victory to Swami Janārdan)!' He could not understand why they were celebrating. On hearing the story of the battle, He realised that it had been His disciple Eknāth, who had led the army bravely against the enemy. He asked Eknāth, "Dear Eknāth, how did you manage to lead the army?" Eknāth replied, "Swamiji, before going to battle, I just prayed to You. And You did the rest!"
Janārdan Swami was pleased with His brave and devoted disciple.
Moral: This story shows Saint Eknāth's love for and faith in, His Guru; so much so that He even went to battle, to avoid disturbing His Guru's meditation. It also shows that when we have such faith, the Guru or God Himself gets everything done, just as He brought victory to Eknāth. We too, can develop such faith and devotion by praying sincerely to God in everything we do and chanting (repeating) God's Name as much as possible.
Daily, Swami Janārdan would meditate (meditation is when one sits in one place and completely focuses on God or on one's chanting) for a few hours. During His meditation time, no one used to disturb Him.
Once, Janārdan Swami was in deep meditation (samādh), when a soldier rushed in. He said that he needed to meet the Swami urgently. Disciple Eknāth inquired about the purpose of the meeting. The solider informed Him that he needed to speak to the Swami because enemy forces had gathered near the city. Saint Eknāth wondered what to do. He did not want to disturb the Guru during His meditation but the situation was urgent. Quickly, he thought up a plan and rushed to the room where the battle armour was kept. He prayed intensely to the Guru, put on His Guru's battle armour and rushed to where the soldiers were waiting. Praying to the Guru, He went to battle.
Seeing Eknāth clad in Swami Janārdan's armour, the soldiers thought He was Swami Janārdan and went to battle with Him. They fought hard under Eknāth's brave leadership and soon, the enemy forces were destroyed. Eknāth returned to the fort, victorious. As soon as He returned, Eknāth changed back into His usual clothes, put the Guru's battle armour back in its place and went back to daily satseva (service unto God), as if nothing had happened.
Soon, Swami Janārdan got up from meditation and heard the victory cries of the soldiers gathered in the fort, 'Janārdan Swami ki Jai (Victory to Swami Janārdan)!' He could not understand why they were celebrating. On hearing the story of the battle, He realised that it had been His disciple Eknāth, who had led the army bravely against the enemy. He asked Eknāth, "Dear Eknāth, how did you manage to lead the army?" Eknāth replied, "Swamiji, before going to battle, I just prayed to You. And You did the rest!"
Janārdan Swami was pleased with His brave and devoted disciple.
Moral: This story shows Saint Eknāth's love for and faith in, His Guru; so much so that He even went to battle, to avoid disturbing His Guru's meditation. It also shows that when we have such faith, the Guru or God Himself gets everything done, just as He brought victory to Eknāth. We too, can develop such faith and devotion by praying sincerely to God in everything we do and chanting (repeating) God's Name as much as possible.
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