I was talking to my mom and aunt yesterday. They were recounting their experiences from the spiritual discourses they have been attending.
To illustrate how "Punya" or good deeds works was the story of Akrura (from Mahabharata).
One of Akrura's ancestor was King Suphala and Queen Satyavathy (the same sathyavathy, who gives birth to Vyasa Maharshi, Bheeshma's Step-mother). King Suphala had earned so many merits that which ever land he stepped into never knew draught. The land would always be green with all seasons adhering to their timings and courses through the year. Queen Sathyavathy was a celestial damsel who earns a curse to be born as a human princess. However, her merits are so powerful that she plays a key role in creating Mahabharata by pushing Bheeshma out as heir-apparent.
Mahabharata is a story that we can very well relate to - And needless to say, my favorite among the 2 epics. The story and sub-stories have numerous learnings in them and Bhagavadgita itself is like drinking nector... My heartfelt wish is that some day I quit my job and stay back at home reading these epics along with upanishads. Hope to realize this dream soon!!!
To illustrate how "Punya" or good deeds works was the story of Akrura (from Mahabharata).
One of Akrura's ancestor was King Suphala and Queen Satyavathy (the same sathyavathy, who gives birth to Vyasa Maharshi, Bheeshma's Step-mother). King Suphala had earned so many merits that which ever land he stepped into never knew draught. The land would always be green with all seasons adhering to their timings and courses through the year. Queen Sathyavathy was a celestial damsel who earns a curse to be born as a human princess. However, her merits are so powerful that she plays a key role in creating Mahabharata by pushing Bheeshma out as heir-apparent.
Mahabharata is a story that we can very well relate to - And needless to say, my favorite among the 2 epics. The story and sub-stories have numerous learnings in them and Bhagavadgita itself is like drinking nector... My heartfelt wish is that some day I quit my job and stay back at home reading these epics along with upanishads. Hope to realize this dream soon!!!
