19 - Great Lesson In A Small Incident

Abjibhai’s parents passed away. Abjibhai had to perform all the household formalities. Abjibhai was taking care of all the responsibilities. He used to work in the fields as well as looked after the house.

Years passed by. Abjibhai had four children. The eldest child was daughter. Her name was Vaalba. The second one was Kanjibhai, then Radhaba and Manjibhai was the youngest son. All the four children were well behaved and sensible. They never quarrelled with each other.

One day, Vaalba asked Abjibhai, ‘Father, can I come to the fields with you?’ Abjibhai asked, ‘What will you do?’ Vaalba promised, ‘Father, I will not trouble you. I will play.’ Abjibhai consented, ‘All right. Let us go.’

Vaalba was playing in the fields. She wandered away while playing. All of a sudden Abjibhai heard Vaalba screaming.

Abjibhai sent Jadavji who was working in the fields, ‘Jadavji, run and find out why did Vaalba scream?’ Jadavji went running. Vaalba was crying.

Jadavji asked, ‘What happened, Vaalba? Why are you crying? Let us go to Abjibhai.’ Abjibhai took Vaalba in his lap. he carrased Vaalba lovingly and asked softly, ‘Dear, what happened? Why did you scream?’

Vaalba couldn’t stop crying. Abjibhai said soothingly, ‘Enough Dear, Now stop crying and tell me what happened?’ Abjibhai lovingly wiped the tears of Vaalba.

Vaalba stopped crying and said, ‘Father, I saw an animal which was big, dark, having a long tail and it was looking dangerous.’ Abjibhai asked, ‘Where?’

Vaalba pointed out, ‘Over there. A little away from the fields. I was frightened looking at such a big animal and screamed.’

Abjibhai explained, ‘Dear, we are protected by Lord Swaminarayan. Therefore, nobody can frighten us.’ Vaalba inquired innocently, ‘Father, if we always remember God, do we ever feel scared?’

Abjibhai assured, ‘No, we should always remember God and have courage at all, the occasions. God will always help.’ Vaalba asked again, ‘Father, would God certainly help?’

Abjibhai reassured, ‘Yes, of course. We should always have faith and belief in God. Always remember God while performing any activity. You will never be frightened.’ Vaalba promised, ‘Father, now I will always remember God.’

Abjibhai explained further, ‘Whenever there is Sun, is there any darkness?’ Vaalba replied, ‘No, There is always light.’ Abjibhai said, ‘Similarly wherever there is Lord Swaminarayan, there is no fear. Therefore, always remember God.’

Vaalba understood, ‘Yes father, Now I will never be scared. Whenever I am scared, I will recite the name of God.’ Abjibhai confirmed, ‘Right, now you will never be afraid.’ Vaalba went back to play. Now she was not scared.

Difficult words:
To caress - To touch lovingly
Soothing - Easing pain through kindness

Points to ponder:
- We should not be scared of anyone after having the protection of the Supreme Lord Shree Swaminarayan. - If we have faith in Bhagwan Swaminarayan, He would definitely help us. - Abjibhai teaches us that we should have courage and should never be scared. If we recite the name of God, God makes us feel courageous and the feer vanishes.

Exercise

Answer the following questions:
1. How many children did Abjibhai have? Mention their names in sequence.
2. Why did Vaalba scream?
3. When do we not feel scared?

Fill in the blanks:
1. Abjibhai had _________ sons and ________ daughters.
2. We are __________ by Lord Swaminarayan, therefore nobody can ___________ us.

Arrange in proper sequence:
1. Always God if we do feel ever we scared remember.
2. Lord whenever there no is Swaminarayan is there fear.