10 - Significance Of Kanthi

Devba was very fond of her son Abjibhai. She used to pamper him. One day she felt like seeing her son wearing a necklace. She called Abjibhai and put on a necklace.

Abjibhai asked, ‘Ma, What is this?’ Devba explained, ‘This is necklace. It should be worn in the neck. Everyone wears a necklace, you too wear it.’ Abjibhai did not like it. He wanted to remove the necklace somehow. He asked Devba, ‘Why do you make me wear this?’

Devba tried to explain, ‘This is an ornament. It looks beautiful on you. Please, wear it.’ Abjibhai inquired, ‘Ma, What happens if we wear this?’ Devba couldn’t answer. Abjibhai complained, ‘I feel it heavy. It is chocking me.’ Devba tried to convince, ‘But everyone wears it.’ Abjibhai protested, ‘Let them wear. I want Kanthi in my neck. Necklace is like a noose. If we don’t wear Kanthi, how would people know that we are Satsangi?’

Devba listened attentively. Abjibhai continued, ‘We are known as Satsangi by wearing Kanthi. It pleases God. What could we achieve by wearing a necklace? It is just to show off. But God is pleased only if we wear His Kanthi in our neck.’

Devba agreed, ‘Son! you are right I made you wear necklace because all were wearing.’ Abjibhai said, ‘Kanthi is the real ornament for a Satsangi.’ Devba was pleased to hear the views of her son. She was proud of her son. She realized that her son had such deep understanding.

Difficult words:
Significance - Importance
Pamper - To treat with excessive care
Ornament - Decorative object
Noose - Rope used to tie an animal or to hang people

Points to ponder:
- Double folded string of Tulsi beads in the neck is the symbol of a Satsangi.
- The real ornament for a Satsangi is Kanthi.

Exercise

Answer the following questions:
1. What did Devba put on her son’s neck?
2. How did Abjibhai feel about it?
3. What does Abjibhai call a Kanthi?
4. What is a person wearing a Kanthi called?

Fill in the blanks:
1. Mother put on a _________ in Abjibhai’s neck.
2. Necklace is like a ____________in the neck.
3. I prefer _____________ in my neck.
4. ________ is pleased, if we wear __________.

Arrange in proper sequence:
1. Satsangi ornament for a real is the Kanthi.
2. A noose necklace is like.