1 - Boon Of Shreeji

A beautiful village called Baladiya lay in the region of Kutch. Panchabhai and Devba lived in this village. Though they were poor, they were not unhappy. They worked hard to earn their livelihood and readily accepted the earning as God’s will and lived contentedly.

Devba was a great devotee of God. Firm faith and strong belief, she had in God. They had four daughters, but no son. Everyday Devba worshipped and prayed to God.

‘O God! with Your blessings I have four daughters, but no son. Have mercy and grant me a boon of a son. Years passed in worshipping God. But Devba was not disheartened. Her faith in God was also not shakened.

Everyday with new hope she would pray to God. Devba was fully confident that one day God would definitely listen to her prayers.

Everyday Devba used to go to a lake called ‘Kali Talawadi’ to have bath. This Talawadi was blessed by Maharaj. Small hills surrounded the Talawadi. A lot of birds lived in fully bloomed trees. Every morning the atmosphere would be humming with sweet songs of the birds.

At this place Devba used to meditate God after having bath. As usual, one beautiful morning Devba went to Talawadi to have bath. Anyhow her mind was full of joy. The atmosphere also felt cheerful to her. Devba could not realize the reason behind her ecstacy.

She sat down to meditate after having bath. A beautiful vision of God appeared in her heart. ‘Lady! open your eyes,’ she heard a voice. Whose voice was that? She opened her eyes and behold! She found Shreeji Maharaj in person, standing in front of her smiling sweetly.

Devba (cried out), ‘Maharaj! Is that you!’ Maharaj replied, ‘Lady! I am pleased by your devotion. Ask for a boon.’ With deep reverence, Devba replied, ‘God! I had full faith that one day you would definitely bless me with your Darshan.’ Maharaj chuckled and said, ‘I am pleased by those who have full faith and strong belief in Me.’

Devba was enchanted by the sight of divine form of God and she almost forgot to ask for a boon. Maharaj reminded her, ‘Devba, ask for a boon.’ Devba was delighted. She thought, ‘I wish I had a son as handsome as God.’ God asked, ‘Devba, what are you thinking? Tell me which boon would you like Me to grant?’

Devba pleaded, ‘Maharaj! Please grant me a son like You.’

Maharaj replied smilingly, ‘Devba! God is unique! I am one and only of My kind.’ Devba was disappointed and asked, ‘O God! O Lord! Will I never be blessed by a son like You? Alas! would my wish never be fulfilled?’ Maharaj replied happily, ‘Devba, don’t feel disheartened. My Anadimukta is similar to Me. He would appear as your son. He would bring a lot of people in My abode.’ God disappeared.

Devba was spellbound. She looked here and there but could not find Maharaj. She was puzzled. She thought, ‘Indeed! Has God really granted me a boon?’ Hurriedly she proceeded towards her house, immersed in thoughts. To convince Devba God through His inspiration, showed Devba a series of saints on both the sides of the path.

Throughout they repeated, ‘Lady! You will be blessed by a son!’ Now Devba was convinced. She narrated the incident to Panchabhai. Panchabhai was also delighted. The couple prayed to God whole heartedly.

Difficult words:
Boon - Blessings
Ecstacy - A state of extreme delight
Behold - Look
Chuckle - To laugh softly
Enchanted - Delighted
Unique - Only one of its kind
Disheartened - Disapponinted

Points to ponder:
- Devba had worshipped God for years with strong belief and full faith, therefore God pleased upon her.
- Similarly, we should strengthen our faith and belief in God and God will fulfill our heartfelt desires.

Exercise

Answer the following questions:
1. What was Devba's heartfelt desire?
2. What did Devba pray to God everyday?
3. Which boon was granted by God to Devba?
4. How was Devba convinced about the boon?

Fill in the blanks:
1. Devba and Panchabhai lived in a place called _________.
2. Devba used to go to _________ to have bath everyday.
3. Devba worshipped God with._________.

Complete the following sentences:
1. My Anadimukta _________ to my abode.

Make sentences using the following words:
unique, firm, wish, faith.