Stories Pragya Puran Part01 Ch02 File01

8/14/2019 Stories Pragya Puran Part01 Ch02 File01

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Translating Pragya Puran Stories into English

The link to the pdf file from which the stories have been translated

http://www.awgp.org/books/hindi/pragyapuran/02pragyaa_puraana01.pdf

Page 2/17 of pdf

Cost of body parts

A person went to a saint. I am unlucky. I dont have anything. Its better to die than to

live such a life. The saint said, Do you have any idea of the things you have? If not

then Ill give you. What are you willing to take in return of your one arm, one leg and one

eye? I am ready to give 100 gold coins for each of the parts. The person said, I cant

give them, how will I live without them? The saint said, Fool, you already have

property worth crores, then also you are crying for having nothing.

There are many such people who dont recognize their true worth and consider

themselves unlucky. They realize when some enlightened one teaches them lesson.

Whatever we have, is it less ?

A person went to a Mahatma and said, Life is short. What all activities to do in such

duration? You dont have knowledge in childhood, old age is worse. You dont get

proper sleep and the diseases also bother. In the youth, we have to look after the family

then how do we get the real knowledge? When do we do social service? Getting time in

this life doesnt seem happening. Saying this he gets depressed and starts crying.

Seeing him, the Mahatma also starts crying. The man asked, Why are you crying? The

Mahatma said, Son, what to do, I need food grains to eat. But I dont have the land to

grow grains. I am dying of hunger. One part of God isMaya (illusion). One part of Maya

has three qualities. One part of the qualities is the sky. Sky has air and the air has fire.

One part of the fire has water. One hundredth of water is earth. Mountains cover half of

the earth. Then there are so many rivers and forests here and there. God has not even left

a small piece of land for me. Different people have already occupied whatever little land

was there. Tell me will I not starve then?

The person said to him,In spite of all this you are alive, right? Then why do you cry?

The Mahatma said instantaneously, You also have time and this invaluable life then why

are you complaining that you dont have enough time and life is getting spent away.

From now on dont complain about lack of time. At least use whatever you have.

It doesnt suit human being, the prince of Gods kingdom, to complain about lack of

resources. The desire of converting ones incompleteness into the complete is only

acceptable and desirable if it pertains to the inner spiritual space. But such a complaint is

uncalled for when the external resources are in plenty.


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Page 4/17 of pdf

Due to bad karma, fallen ascetic became demonsRavana was a wise man. Through his austerities he had acquired great capabilities. In

spite of all this, due to his abominable behavior, God himself had to take birth on the

planet to kill him. Example of Bhasmasur, illustrates that even after having reached a

high spiritual state, without any compellations, due to ill state of mind one digs a hole for

himself. Similarly, great powerful fighters like Hiranyaksh and Hiranyakashyapu had to

die due to evil state of mind and behavior. Durga killed Shumbh-Nishumbh,

Madhukaitabh and Mahishasur. Parshuramji killed Sahasrabahu and Shri Krishna killed

Vanasur. Bhim killed Jarasandh. Shoorpnakha used to tease Rishis performing austerities

in Khardooshan forest. Tadka used to disturb the yagyas. Bali had out thrown his younger

brother and kept his wife with him. Ram and Lakshman killed all of them and ended their

tyranny.

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Heard the Bhagwat four times

Parikshit Maharaj heard Bhagwat Puran from Shukdeo and attained salvation. A rich man

on hearing this, developed great respect for the Bhagwat, and got eager to listen to it from

a Brahmin to get liberated.

He searched and found a profound priest of Bhagwat. He told him his intention of hearing

the Bhagwat. The priest told him that this is Kaliyug, all the pious activitiesin this age is

reduced four times, thus he had to listen to it for four times. The reason behind the

priests proposition was to get enough money out of the deal. He gave the fees to the

priest and heard four Bhagwat lectures but it was of no use. The man then met a higher

level of saint. He asked him, how Parikshit could get and he didnt after listening to the

Bhagwat.

The saint told him, that Parikshit Maharaj had known the death to be imminent and was

completely detached from the world while hearing and Shukdeo Muni was narrating

without the feeling of any kind of greed.

Whoever has got the knowledge in the form of an advice, free of any kind of self vested

interests, that has produced desired results.

Realization of Valmiki

The seven Rishis only asked dacoit Valmiki who was blocking their way,Will your

relatives be there with you in your sins as they are in good and prosperous times? .

When wife and children reacted in negative, he realized his path. Getting the right

direction from the Rishis, he became saint Valmiki. Going towards hell, Valmiki using

the guidance from Rishis and his own intellect got the right vision and became very

famous poet and became immortal in history.


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Dacoit changes after hearing story

A saint was explaining with intense feelings, the results of taking the shelter of God and

consequences of performing bad karma. Among the audience was a dacoit who had

planned to rob the saint and other prosperous listeners after the lecture was over. But he

got shaken from inside when he heard the life transforming stories of Ajamil, Ganika,

Tulsidas and Bilva mangal. The way the stories were narrated forced him to think overhis own deeds and do self-introspection. After the lecture ended, the dacoit fell into the

feet of the saint and told him all his pervious sins and asked how to correct his behavior

and follow the right path. Those instructions changed his life. From then he started living

a life centered on God, and the hole he had dug up with his sins, he started covering it

with selfless social service.

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Mahatma Gandhi and Harishchandra Play

Mohandas saw the play of the truthful king Harishchandra, and truth sunk deep into his

inner self. Many people would have seen it for entertainment and the players also wouldhave performed it so many times but when these teachings seep into the heart then only

they guide a person in the right direction. Its well known how Mohandas took the shelter

of truth and became Mahatma Gandhi.

Human, greater than demi gods or worse than animals

A debate was going on in a meeting. One side said,Humans are greatest living beings

because they can control all other living beings, other side said, Other living beings are

greater as they serve humans all their lives without asking for anything. It was not

getting decided who was right. A wise man was passing by. Everyone sought his opinion.

He listened to both views and said that there was a limit to the human freedom. Not

everyone knows the reason for living life. Till one performs good virtuous actions, he can

be considered great but once his actions degrade he becomes worse than animals.

Whenever such conditions of choosing between the two came, it has thoroughly test

human intelligence.

Could have done, but didnt

Ravan and Vibhishan were real brothers born in the same family; both of them were wise

and brave fighters. One chose his path different and the other chose to fight against

lawlessness and the wrong. God has given humans the power to change the direction of

the tide so that he can become his assistant.

God has also given the will of asking boons. Ravan was Shivas devotee. He asked that

he become powerful but also that he would die from the hands of a man. To end his

tyranny, God himself had to take birth in the form of Ram. Shiva worshiped Ram. If the

master of unusual powers and a wise man such as Ravan did not want to take the right

guidance from Shiva, then his end is imminent. God has given the free will to humans.

Living beings come on earth as pure water drops. On coming to earth, the water drop

becomes mud; likewise the humans become disillusioned byMaya. It is up to the human

to either lie in the mud or be in the ocean and expanding his consciousness become the

clouds and showers his services over the society.


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God wouldnt have even thought that human will chose the wrong path due to his free

will. As far as other living beings are concerned they just follow the discipline laid out by

God and live a natural life style. They are just confined to activities of eating, sleeping

and mating. But most people are seen to follow such lifestyles, exhibit short sightedness

and ultimately suffer and repent. This can be compared to a fly jumping into sweet syrup.

A fly jumps into a bowl of sweet syrup to finish it off at once and gets trapped and killsitself. Whereas a wise fly sits at the corner, tastes it, fills its stomach and flies into the air.

This restlessness causes man to go for quick results and doesnt let him wait for the right

duration, which if he had otherwise waited for, would have easily got the results.

A fish only sees the bait. It doesnt have the patience to find out whether there is some

danger in it. The allurement of getting the food without any effort is so strong that it can

hardly resist. The result doesnt take long to come. The pin sticks in its intestines and

finally gets removed after taking its life.

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Freedom of choosing KrishnaDuryodhan and Arjun both went to Shree Krishna. Prior to the Mahabharata war both

Kauravas and Pandavas wanted to keep Krishna on their side. Duryodhan went first and

due to his ego sat near his head. Then came Arjun and because of his humbleness, sat

near his feet. Shree Krishna woke up and saw Arjun. After greeting him, He was about to

ask the reason for his visit, but Duryodhan spoke in between, I have come first so I

should have the first say. Shree Krishna was in two minds, he said Arjun is younger of

you two so he will get the priority, but Ill fulfill your demand also. On one end I am

there and on the other my huge army. Say Arjun what do you want? . There was

freedom of choice, it depended on the intelligence as to who asks what Gods grace or

His opulence. Arjun said, Ill choose you, even if you dont fight and just remain with

me. Duryodhan was too happy to hear this foolish decision of Arjun and his joy knew

no bounds after getting Shree Krishnas army.

Not only did immoral Duryodhan lost the battle of Mahabharata to Arjun who had Gods

support and weaponless Lord Shri Krishna but was also killed along with his brothers and

friends. Qualities of those like Duryodhan who chose the wrong path and like Arjun who

chose to be on Gods side are both present in a human being- one can be called vivekor

righteous intellect and the other can be called immoral intelligence. To choose among

them is ones freedom.

Third boon of Nachiketa

Yamraj got please by the sincerity of Nachiketa and gave him three boons. He asked to

pacify his fathers anger, instead of asking to overcome the fear of death. He asked about

the process of getting to heaven as the second boon. The third thing he asked was the real

form of soul and the knowledge how to attain that. Since he had promised to give three

boons, so he tried to elude him from this third boon on considering him unworthy for

such knowledge and told him to ask anything else. But he had to know only the science

of soul and the knowledge of state of soul after death. Having the freedom of choice, in

spite of having options to get other happiness, liberation, rebirth etc. he preferred self-


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knowledge and knowledge of the supreme. He mastered the Panchagni Sadhna and

guided mankind successfully. Very few people are so lucky.

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Shrutayudh and BhasmasurBoth the devils had got boons due to their austerities. It was their immoral intelligence,

which made them to choose such things that ultimately became the cause of their deaths.

Shrutayudh had got a Gada, which he had got by the boon from Lord Shiva on the

condition that he would not misuse it. If he did then it would in turn destroy him. In the

battle of Mahabharata, in a fit of anger he used it on Shri Krishna who was charioteer of

Arjun. The Gada returned from midway and tore him apart. Bhasmasur had asked for a

boon that the person would be destroyed if he places his hand on his head. When he

started misusing this power, God created illusion and made him keep his hand on his own

head, which resulted in his death.

It is the direction of choice that decides our destiny and future.

Properly plan where you have to go

There was a rule on a land in which a person who was chosen as king from among

common people, would have to go to a lone and barren island after serving the term for

ten years. So many kings had lost their lives in this manner. Those who ruled became

concerned at the end of their terms but then it would be too late for them.

Once, a wise man became king when no one else was willing to do so. He had future at

the back of his mind. He examined the island and started planting trees, making ponds

and populating with people. In ten years, that barren island had become a very beautiful

place. After his term as the king, he went there and started living happily.

Every one gets some days in life for free choice. In this one who plans his present and

future well lives life satisfactorily and happily as the wise king.

Cub between wolves

A wolf found a lions child in a very infant stage and kept it with his own children. The

cub never recognized himself growing in the community of wolves. Once this family

went for hunting. As they pounced over a dead elephant, a lion appeared. The lion asked

the cub the reason for him being with the wolves and why was he getting afraid of him.

The cub was not able to understand what was going on. The lion understood the situation

looking at the situation. He showed him his image in water and then again his face. Then

he roared and asked him to do so. Then he realized of his original self and went back to

his community and roamed fearlessly.

There are a large number of people who forget their self and wander in dreams.

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Cat sees a dream

A cat dreams that she has become a tiger and is hunting a fat goat. Barely had she tasted

it when a fat dog came pouncing on her. She left the goat and ran and hid near her owner.


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In the second dream she saw that she was a dog and has entered into her owners kitchen

to taste the dishes kept there. Just then the owner came and started beating it black and

blue. The owner came and woke up the crying cat. The cat woke up and realized that it

was a dream. She said to her owner, Ill be what I am. Changing identity is full of

dangers.

We should always remember our original identity.

King in Dreams

A young man dreamt that he was the king of a big empire. His joy knew no bounds after

getting such a prized position instantaneously in the dream. In the morning father told

him to go to work, mother asked him to go and bring the wood after cutting. Wife asked

to bring something from the market but the man didnt do any work and told that, I am

the king, how can I do any work?.

Everyone at home was bewildered at his behavior. Then her little sister took charge of

situation. She fed everyone in the house except her brother. When he couldnt bear the

hunger, he asked his sister, Wont she serve him the food? , to which she replied, O

king, let the night come, angels will descend here and server you food according to yourstatus. You wont get satisfaction from our simple food.

He finally accepted the truth and stopped wandering in useless thoughts and got food

only after he promised that he would work towards attaining the real and eternal truth and

will from now on work industriously.


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Page 9/17 of pdf

Intelligent hard work of Kuber

An ugly child was born to Vishrawa of Pulasti. Everyone used to make fun of him for his

unshapely body. He used to be very upset at this foolishness of people. Seeing his fun

being made even at home, he decided to teach everyone a lesson of how one can achieveheights of greatness after getting the gift of human life. Good qualities are more

important and not physical beauty and only those should be aspired. He performed

serious austerities to increase his worthiness. He involved his father in his endeavor with

his dedication. Demi gods made him their treasurer and he started ruling over Alakapuri.

Story of Kalidas

Kalidas was a big zero in terms of mental ability and was unattractive physically too.

Once he was cutting the very branch he was sitting on.

Seeing him in this position, the pundits (priests) from the palace thought him to be the

right candidate for marrying him off to Vidyotama, who had insulted them. They

projected Kalidas as a silent wise person and made him participate in a debate with herover the scriptures. Cunningly they somehow explained his reactions as replies to all her

questions in such a manner that she accepted him as husband. But on the very first day,

truth came out and she threw him out of the house. The sentences she spoke while

pushing him out of the house, hurt Kalidas deep within. With great determination he

started acquiring knowledge. In the end, that fool with his efforts became the great poet

Kalidas and got reunited with Vidyotama.

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Picture of opportunity

Once an artist displayed his paintings. Several rich and famous people of the town came

to see it. A girl also came to see the paintings. She saw a man portrayed in the last

painting whose face was covered with hairs and who had wings attached to his legs.

Under the painting was written in big letters opportunity. The painting was not very

attractive so most people would move on without noticing it.

The girls attention was there on the painting from the beginning. The girl went near the

artist and asked, Why are the hairs covering the persons face and the wings attached to

his feet in the painting? To this the painter replied,Daughter, this is painting of

opportunity. Since normally people cant recognize it so I have covered its face so that at

least people become curious to know who he is. Wings are attached to his feet because

opportunity which is there today wont be there tomorrow and thus it should be grabbed

before it flies off and utilized to maximum. The girl got the message and got engaged in

making her destiny.

Time is life. Nobody has control over time.

Yudhishthir wins time

Once a Brahmin went to Yudhishthir and asked for donation. He was busy in his work so

he asked the Brahmin to come the next day. This incident didnt please Bhim much. He

called some servant and asked them to play victorious music and he himself started


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playing an instrument. Hearing this Yudhishthir came running and asked the reason for

the celebration. Bhim told him, Maharaj, we are happy that you have conquered time so

we are playing the instruments. Calling the Brahmin tomorrow means that you have

control over time till tomorrow. Yudhishthir understood his intent and said, Really

Bhim, we shouldnt delay in doing good work.

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Couldnt touch Paras to iron

A man got paras stone (which supposedly converts iron to gold on contact) for 7 days as

blessing from a mahatma but then he started searching for cheap iron from city to city.

He went to different places in search of it and lost all the time like this. At the end of 7

days he couldnt make even small amount of gold from it and the Mahatma took the stone

back from him.

This life is also like a paras stone. Those who want to convert it into spiritual wealth

dont miss the opportunity by wasting time in attractions. The wealth acquired bydepending and believing on ones soul is much more satisfying and rewarding than the all

the material opulence of the world.

Sandalwood converted into coal

A king went to the forest for walking. He lost his way and out of hunger and thirst he

went to a hut. He was satisfied with the timely albeit normal food. As he was going he

said to the owner of the hut, I am the king of this province, I am impressed by your kind

heartedness. I am giving you a garden of sandalwood; you will live your rest of life

happily.

Although he got the garden but because he didnt knew the importance of sandalwood, he

started cutting the trees and converting them into coal and selling it. Somehow he could

run his living in this way.

Soon all the trees were cut. One last was left; due to rains he couldnt make coal out of it

so he decided to sell the wood in the market. As he reached he market buyers impressed

by its smell, paid good price for it. This man got amazed then people told him,This is

sandalwood, which is very costly. If you have more such wood then youll get good

money for it.

The man was heavily repenting on his ignorance that he sold such a fortune for peanuts.

As he was feeling sorry for himself, another man told, Dont repent, the whole world is

ignorant like you. Every moment of this life is precious, but people waste it in lust and

other attractions. At least utilize the one tree left with you. Even after loosing most of

the things if someone wakes up in the end then also he would be said as intelligent.

Majority of the people wake up when all is lost.

Its meaningful if lifes instrument is played

A beautiful veena (musical instrument) was placed in front of Lord Subrahmaniyams

deity in a temple. Many people used to see the veena and moved on but some were

interested in playing it. The guard of the temple would discourage them so they also went


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away. This way the veena was never played and its melodious sound never came out; it

was kept it there as it is.

One day a person came and showed interest in playing the veena, but the guard as usual

told him not to do so. He stood there silently. After everyone left the temple he picked up

the veena and started playing it beautifully. Hearing it people returned backwards and

started enjoying the music. He played it for hours and people heard it with full attentionand devotion. Even after it stopped, people were experiencing the divine pleasure and

they said, It was meaningful to have the veena.

The point here is that God has given the body to all but some due to ignorance and others

due to ego cannot use this instrument properly. If he stays away from these two bad

points then he can play beautiful tunes from the instrument of this body and in that not

only he but also many others around him will experience the bliss of the divine. Everyone

could play this lifes instrument; this has been the message of great and self realized

people. But the other aspect of life is such stubborn and rigid that to overcome that and to

fight internal bad habits is not at all an easy job, which very few can accomplish.

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Use of Suryakant Mani

A mahatma had a Suryakant Mani (a precious stone). When his end was nearing he gave

this hard earned mani to his son Saumanas and said, Take care of it, it will fulfill all

your desires and you will not face any shortage in life.

Saumanas took the mani, but didnt pay any attention to what he said. He used it in the

night as a lamp. One day his lover, a prostitute asked it as a gift, he gave it easily without

giving it a thought.

The prostitute then sold it off to a jeweler bought many ornaments from the money

received. The jeweler tested the mani and made lot of gold by chemical experiments. In

this way he became very rich and used to lead the lifestyle of a king. He helped a lot of

needy and poor from his fortune.

Anand narrated this story to his disciple, Bidruth and said, This life is precious like the

mani. Only good jewelers know its worth and use. Otherwise most of the people are like

Saumanas and Ganika who dont know its worth waste it.

Documents

Stories Pragya Puran Part01 Ch02 File01