Obstacles Bhakti - Kunjeshwari Home

Obstacles in Bhakti
had given up all hopes of living. If you can get rid of my disease, I can do
anything for you. What you are asking me to do is a small thing.”
On the next day, the sage went to the forest and collected various herbs,
roots and leaves. He squeezed out the juice. Then he poured it into two gold
goblets – he half-filled one of them and filled the other one up to the rim. He
gave the half-filled vessel to the King and asked him to drink it, while he
gulped down the other one himself. This became a daily routine. After a
month, the King felt completely well. In fact, he felt stronger and healthier
than before the illness. At last, the King was convinced that the sage had
cured him fully. However, the medicine had not stopped. After some time the
King experienced lust. How much ever tried he could not control his mind at
all. At last, the King approached the sage and expressed his condition. He
said, “O great soul, for so many days, I had controlled myself, but since
some days, I am experiencing an outburst of lust. Now I have recovered
completely. I also want to know another thing – you drink twice the quantity
of the medicine you give me. Yet, I don’t think you face any problem. What is
the reason for this? The sage said, “Mahârâj, I will reply tomorrow.”
Next morning the sage told him, “Mahârâj! I came to know that, because you
experienced lust, the medicine has become ineffective. Not only this, you will
live only for one more month. Most certainly, you will die after one month.
However, I shall give you some medicine so that you die in peace. You may
enjoy how much ever you desire for this one month.” As soon as the King
heard this, he felt as if he had already died. The King did not like anything;
he was the least interested in worldly affairs. He lost his appetite. As for
associating with women – he forgot the matter entirely. On the other hand,
the sage continued to give him one glass full of the medicine. The King too
continued to drink it.
The King had changed completely. He neither talked nor met with anyone.
He only thought of death. He thought of all the misdeeds he had committed
in the past. He pondered on what would happen to him when he died. Would
the Yamaduts come with a noose? Would he go to hell? Such questions
troubled him constantly. He only counted the days remaining for his death.
He did not like his home and family any more. He gave up all association and
spent his time in the temple. He would gaze at the Deity and weep. On the
last day of the month, the sage told the King, “Mahârâj, how are you?” The
King replied in piteous voice, “O great soul, only my body is remaining, the
soul is as good as gone.” Again, the sage asked him, “Mahârâj, have you
experienced any lust these few days?” The King said, “O great soul, what do
you mean? I am going to die in a very short while. How can you expect me
to feel lust?”
The sage said with a smile, “Mahârâj, you are completely well. Your lifespan
too has increased. You will not die just now. Nevertheless you had asked me
a question – why do I not experience lust in spite of drinking such a large
amount of medicine? There is only one reason – Mahârâj, I always think that
I may die any moment. Death is the only thing guaranteed to us. I feel this
truth firmly, so material objects do not tempt me. You, on the other hand,
felt you do not have to fear death any more. This is the reason why you felt
the desire for material enjoyment. Mahârâj! This material world is temporary
and so is this body. Even then, we waste this rare and precious human life in
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