The Test of Devotion

A Tale of Persistence against 'Kaal'

🏃 The Obstacle (बाधा)

A Shravak (devotee) woke up early, wore clean clothes, and headed towards the temple for Jin Darshan. However, on the way, in a dark spot, he stumbled and fell into the mud.

His clothes were ruined. He went back home, changed, and started again. Surprisingly, he fell at the exact same spot again.

"वह वापस घर आया, कपड़े बदलकर वापस मन्दिर की तरफ रवाना हुआ। फिर ठीक उसी जगह ठोकर खाकर गिर पड़ा... लेकिन उसने हार नहीं मानी।"

When he reached that spot for the third time, he saw a man standing there with a lamp (Deepak), lighting his path all the way to the temple door.

🕰️ The Revelation of Kaal (काल का रहस्य)

The devotee asked the man, "Why did you help me?" The man replied, "I am Kaal (Time/Destiny)."

The devotee was shocked. Kaal explained:

"I was the one who made you fall twice. When you went back and changed clothes to return for Darshan, your determination washed away the sins of 1 Life (Bhav)."

"When you fell the second time and still returned, the sins of 10 Lives were washed away."

Why did Kaal help the third time?
"मैं डर गया कि अगर अबकी बार आप गिरकर फिर वापस आए, तो कहीं ऐसा न हो कि आपके सारे पाप धुल जाएँ और आप मुक्त हो जाएं। इसलिए मैं स्वयं आपको पहुँचाने आया हूँ।"

💡 Moral of the Story (शिक्षा)

The Shravak didn't give up despite falling into the mud twice. Yet, today, we skip the temple for small reasons like guests or minor work.

"जब हम पूजन-दर्शन के लिए जाएं, चाहे मन कितना भी बाधित करे, हमें हार नहीं माननी चाहिए।
निरंतर अभ्यास ही हमारे भावों को शुद्ध करेगा।"