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The Potter Kuba
The staunch devotees of God never once deviate from their devotion. They
forget all about their caste, creed, material comforts or personal desires.
All the 24 hours, whether they are wide awake or fast asleep they concentrate
only on God. All other things are trivial for them. Such people make their
lives blessed and also of those who come in contact with them.
Once upon a time there lived a man called Kuba in Rajput. He was a potter
but a great bhakta. His wife was Puri and they were made for each other.
They made 30 pots per month and lead a humble life with their meagre earnings.
The rest of the time they spent in prayer of God. They were known for
truthfulness, forgiveness and peacefulness. They lead a life of equanimity.
They served the guests with what little they had. They strongly believed
in the fact that happiness, and misery are caused due to the ‘Karmas’
done by the human beings and that the ‘Atma’ has nothing to
do with these ups and downs in life. So they were unperturbed by the changes
in their life. Since they made a limited number of pots, it was not sufficient
for their life and for their generosity. But they changed neither their
decision nor their life style. Blessed were his guests since they ate
food served by a pious family.
Bhagavan did not like his devotee to go unnoticed. He created a situation.
200 sadhus came to his village in the course of their pilgrimage. They
requested the villagers to provide them with cooking utensils and provisions.
There were many rich people no doubt but they were not kind enough. They
directed them to Kuba’s house. They did not know that their money
was not a permanent affair. They were not aware of the fact that material
comforts don’t go with them to Heaven and that only spiritual gains
accompany them.
The Sadhus reached Kuba’s house and sang melodiously ‘Jaya
Jaya Seetharam.’ Their voice echoed into the sky and Kuba’s
joy knew no bounds. He fell to their feet with delight and said. ‘Oh
Sadhus! I am thrilled at your sight. What can I do for you ? They repeated
their request. Kuba promised to fulfil their desire, though he did not
know how! In his poverty, how could he provide provisions for 200 people
? Where there is God on your side, there is a way out ! He took a deep
breath, thought of God and went to a rich man. He requested him to provide
the material and offered to pay as much as he demanded. The zamindar knew
Kuba could not afford to pay the amount but he also knew Kuba was a man
of his word. If he promised something, he never went back on it, come
what may ! So he laid a condition ‘I am planning to dig a well.
If you promise to dig it for me, I will do what you want.’ Without
any second thought, Kuba agreed and the rich many gave him rice, cereal,
atta, ghee etc. Kuba happily handed them over to the sadhus. The chief
of the sadhus, was God himself. He blessed him and left him.
As promised, Kuba came to dig the well. His wife Puri also accompanied
him. He dug the mud and his wife threw the mud out. All through their
work, they were chanting the name of God. Finally, after a few days, water
sprang out. It was very sweet, but deep down there was lots of sand since
the sand above was falling down for want of a proper wall. So once when
Kuba was working deep inside, the piles of sand outside fell over him.
Puri above was safe, but Kuba was hidden under the sand. Puri cried bitterly.
All the villagers including the rich man came running to her. They heard
the sad tale and felt sorry for him. It would take atleast one whole day
to clear the mud, but there was no guarantee that Kuba would be alive
till then. So some of them tried to console Puri. They said, ‘We
will try our level best to save your husband. The rest lies in God’s
hands. So go home and pray to God. If it is bound to happen, we cannot
avert our fate.’ Some kind people even offered to look after her
material needs. but will these words put an end to her sorrow for her
husband ?’
It is but natural to question God’s ways with our limited knowledge.
One of the crowd dared to raise a question. ‘He is such a pious
man. Why did God get angry on him?’That gave rise to many comments.
One answered, ‘This is written on his skull. ‘Fate, destiny
and death are unavoidable. He is destined to suffer, but still God should
have saved him. Another stupid person commented, ‘You people are
mad after dharma and now see the fate of this truthful man. Had he not
thought of his dharma, he would not have been under the sand thus.’
Another fool added, ‘This is the fate of a bhakta. What good will
bhakti fetch you ?’ While such discussions were going on, some good
people escorted Puri to her home.’
Time is the best healer. Days rolled on to months and months rolled on
to a year. In the meanwhile the villagers forgot all about the bhakta
Kuba and the well he dug. There was no trace of well then, since the rain
had closed down the pit dug. One night a few travellers came across that
place. Since it became dark, they stood there for the night. Surprisingly
they heard a chanting of Lord Hari to the accompaniment of tala, veena
and mrudang. This sons continued the whole night. They also joined their
voices and they spent the night happily. The next morning, they went into
the village and informed them of their experience. The villagers laughed
it away but when the travellers insisted, they reached the spot and heard
keenly with their ears to the ground. Yes! they were very much correct
! They couldn’t believe their own ears ! The news spread like a
wild fire. People from the neighbouring villages rushed to hear the bhajan.
Slowly the news reached the ears of the king and he rushed there with
his ministers. The king is all powerful. At once he employed hundreds
of people to dig out the mud. The well proped up within a few hours. And
Lo ! what an unbelievable sight it was !
On one side of the well, there was a pure flow of water. On the other
side was a magnificant personality in sky blue colour with four hands,
decked with Sankhu, Chakra, Gada and Padmam and with a pleasing smile.
He was no other than Lord Sri Hari himself! Before him was the great devotee
Kuba, dancing away in ecstatic joy with tears rolling down his cheeks.
Divine musical instruments were heard in the background.
That miraculous scene spread a wave of bhakti, faith, joy and love all
over their hearts. Those who criticized God’s ways and commented
on devotees were immersed in the path of devotion. The Maharaja himself
prostrated before God. The next minute God vanished. The king saw to it
that Kuba was brought out He announced to the public. ‘This Kuba
is not an ordinary man. Pray to him as God.’ All the people had
the same feeling. So they dutifully obeyed him.
Kuba reached his home and his wife was delighted to see him. His name
and fame spread far and wide and people all over the country came in search
of him and were blessed in turn by his teachings. When people made the
darshan of the king, the king came down personally to have the darshan
of Kuba.
There were many stories about Kuba’s miraculous powers. When there
was severe famine, rice overflowed in the village. This is just an example.
Many people who came in touch with him were realized souls.
God speaks to us in many ways. He sends us his disciples to vouchsafe.
His powers, His omnipresence and His immense blessings. |
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