Kumbha - A Story

 Kumbha - A Story

Vimala and Sumala were neighbours. Vimala was a devout housewife – a pativrata. She served her husband and her old in-laws. She did her prayers regularly and read bhagavadgita when she found time. She took care of her four children and gave them samskara. Sumala was a rich lady. She pretended to be a little religious despite going for parties, clubs etc. She took pride in discussing spirituality in addition to cricket, movies etc. She had only one pampered daughter.

One day Sumala went to Vimala and said: “Vimala, I am going for Maha Kumbh. I have very good connections in the government. So, I will make VIP arrangement for both of us. Would you like to accompany me?”

Vimala: “Dear Friend, I would have loved to go for the event. It is very sacred. But I have no time. I have my duties. I have to take care of my family. So please pray for me when you take a dip at sangam.”

Then Sumala went for Maha Kumbha Mela with four other high profile society ladies. They used their money and political connects to get luxury accommodation and access to the bathing place. They shared their images in social medias. Meanwhile, Vimala was praying as follows: “He Bhagavan, I am not capable of Going for Tirtha Yatras. You have given me duties. I am doing my duties as an offering to you. Through this, may I get Chitta Shuddhi and Moksha. It is my only prayer. I do not want anything else.”

After 40 Years:

Both Vimala and Sumala left this world on the same day. Their Jivatmas were presented in front of Yama Dhramaraja.

Yama: Vimala, you have lived as a devout Pativrata. You have done your duties to your husband and in-laws. You have brought up your children properly. You have done all your duties as an offering to Bhagavan. Also, you have spent your last days in nama-smaranam with utmost Bhakti. So, you deserve to go to Brahmaloka. Brahmadeva will bless you with jnana and then you will get Moksha.

Jivatma of Vimala did namaskara to Yama and went away. She was taken to Brahmaloka by the divine beings.

Then Yama looked at Sumala and said: “Sumala, you have to go to Naraka. Sorry for the inconvenience.”

Sumala: How can you say so? I did many good deeds.

Yama: What good deed you have done?

Sumala: I took bath at Mahakumbh.

Yama: It was at the cost of your duties. You ignored your ailing in-laws and parents. Also, you used political connections to surpass the other poor devotees waiting there. You did not do any charity there. You did not have proper attitude of Shraddha and Bhakti while doing snana. You were busy in taking selfies and sharing in social media. Also you told lies and behaved badly with the staff and poor devotees during kumbha mela. So you have only done paapa and not punya during Mahakumbha.

Sumala: Yamji, I have studied Vedanta. So, I have jnana. So, I should get moksha.

Yama: You have not studied Vedanta properly with chitta Shuddhi. You attended spiritual discourses as a fashion, just to take pride in such discussion. In the name of spirituality, you ignored your duties and fought with your husband and in-laws. You have not served your guru also. You listened to many orators casually, sitting at your own comfort zone. So, your jnana lacks in clarity and depth. Also, it is not assimilated.

Sumala: I have done many social service activities. What about them?

Yama: none of your service activities were done as an offering to Bhagavan. You led a self-centred life. All your charities were just a show-off. You gave a very small proportion of your wealth to the needy. You spent major part of your money in travelling abroad for holidays and other luxuries. Hence, I do not see any considerable punya in your account. Do not argue with me anymore. Now go to Naraka and exhaust your papas there. Then you will have another human birth. Then you should do your svadharma like your friend. Then you will get Sadgati. All best wishes. Om Tat Sat.