Short Story - The Allegory of The Cave

The Allegory of The Cave

ॐ नमो नारायण ! जय श्री कृष्णा 

While teaching and explaining Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta, Acharya Shri Shivender Nagar Ji tells beautiful and knowledgeable short stories. These short stories are instrumental in explaining a point in the discussion. The following is one such short story.


The Allegory (a story to reveal a hidden meaning) of the cave, or Plato's Cave, was presented by the Greek philosopher Plato in his work Republic (514a–520a). I heard it first from Acharya Ji. Following is a brief summary of my understanding. Reference Content Source: Wikipedia.

Imagine a cave where people have been imprisoned from childhood. These prisoners are chained so that their legs and necks are fixed, forcing them to gaze at the wall in front of them and not look around at the cave, each other, or themselves. Behind the prisoners is a fire, behind which people walk carrying objects or puppets "of men and other living things". The prisoners cannot see any of what is happening behind them, they are only able to see the shadows cast upon the cave wall in front of them. The sounds of the people talking echo off the walls and the prisoners believe these sounds come from the shadows (please refer to the image on top of the page).

The shadows are the reality for the prisoners because they have never seen anything else; they do not realize that what they see are shadows of objects in front of a fire, much less that these objects are inspired by real things outside the cave which they do not see. Because it's was a prison, it was never cleaned, the stink in the cave was so bad that it could kill a rat.

Suppose one prisoner was freed, This prisoner would look around and see the fire. The light would hurt his eyes and make it difficult for him to see the objects casting the shadows. If he was told that what he is seeing is real instead of the other version of reality he sees on the wall, he would not believe it. In his pain, the freed prisoner would turn away and run back to what he is accustomed to (that is, the shadows of the carried objects). 


Now Suppose... that someone should drag him... by force, up the rough ascent, the steep way up, and never stop until he could drag him out into the light of the sun. Slowly, his eyes adjust to the light of the sun. First he can only see shadows. Gradually he can see the reflections of people and things in water and then later see the people and things themselves. Eventually, he is able to look at the stars and moon at night until finally, he can look upon the sun itself.  


The freed prisoner would think that the world outside the cave was superior to the world he experienced in the cave and attempt to share this with the prisoners remaining in the cave attempting to bring them onto the journey he had just endured


The returning prisoner, whose eyes have become accustomed to the sunlight, would be blind when he re-enters the cave, just as he was when he was first exposed to the sun. He almost passed out due to the stink in the cave. The other prisoners would infer from the returning man's blindness that the journey out of the cave had harmed him and that they should not undertake a similar journey. If they were able, they would, reach out and kill anyone who attempted to drag them out of the cave.  This where Plato concludes his story. 


Acharya Ji adds to the story that, returning prisoner persuasion results in one young man decides to endure the journey to the outside world. The returning prisoner and the young prisoner come out of the cave. Eventually the young prisoner witnessed the truth just like the first free prisoner. They both enjoy their freedom for a month and then the first free prisoner decides to continue his endeavors of the new world. In return for the greatest gift of freedom to the young man, he asks for one favor. He asks him to bring one more guy out of the cave, just like he did. Once he succeeds, ask him to do the same thing as he had asked him of. In this way they will be able to free everyone from the prison. Acharya Ji concludes his additions to the story here.




Teachings of the story:

•  Acharya Ji normally uses this story to express the greatness of our teachers. He suggests that teachers first uplift themselves by studying hard and becoming masters something. And then they lower themselves again to their student's level so that they can be uplifted as well. And further encourages others to the same as well.
  Just like, after the prisoner was out of the stinking cave, he went back inside to get the rest of the prisoners out.
   
• Plato suggests that the cave represents superficial physical reality. It also represents ignorance, as those in the cave live accepting what they see at face value. Ignorance is further represented by the darkness that engulfs them because they cannot know the true objects that form the shadows, leading them to believe the shadows are the true forms of the objects. The chains that prevent the prisoners from leaving the cave represent that they are trapped in ignorance, as the chains are stopping them from learning the truth. The shadows cast on the walls of the cave represent the superficial truth, which is the illusion that the prisoners see in the cave. The freed prisoner represents those who understand that the physical world is only a shadow of the truth, and the sun that is glaring the eyes of the prisoners represents the higher truth of ideas. The light further represents wisdom, as even the paltry light that makes it into the cave allows the prisoners to know shapes.

 

Interesting Facts About ShriMad Bhagwat Geeta

ॐ नमो नारायण ! जय श्री कृष्णा 

While teaching and explaining ShriMad Bhagwat Geeta, Acharya Shri Shivender Nagar Ji tells great facts about it. Now when I study my notes I feel there could be a complete section in recording all those facts. And just like any other blog post, this page too is always open for new facts to be added.

So, following is the list:

• There are 18 chapters and 701 verses श्लोक in ShriMad Bhagwat Geeta Ji. Depending on the region (North or South India) the number of verses may vary from 700 to 701. 
  
  
• 18 chapters can be divided into 3 parts of 6 chapters each. Each part is represent by the  MahaVakya #2 उपदेश वाक्य (Updesh Vakya): तत् त्वम् असि (Tat Tvam Asi). Simply which means "You Are That". 
  Ergo, the first section of 6 chapters is about "You". The last 6 chapters are about "That" and the middle 6 chapters is about "Are / How". Read More...
  
  
• Acharya Ji suggests that Geeta Ji is like a beautiful bouquet. Every single verse of it is like a flower of that bouquet. If a साधक (seeker) goes near the flower then he will be able to experience its sweet smell. And if a sadhak goes deep in the verses then he will able to experience the nectar within the flower.
  The sweet smell is the beautiful arrangement of the divine song, which is a great read in itself. And nectar signifies the intended meaning of the verses.
  
  But getting to the nectar is that not easy. A real साधक has to behave like a honey bee. Consistent, Concentrated and driven, only then he can reach the nectar within the flowers.
  
  
• Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi, used to read Geeta Ji. It is said in the time of crises, he used to open any page of Geeta Ji and read the verse. And he would get the guidance that he was seeking.
  
  
• श्रीभगवानुवाच (God says), Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta is not narrated by some man, or some sage, or some messenger of God. भगवान नारायण कृष्णा (Lord Narayan Krishna) himself answered to every query of अर्जुन (Arjuna). So, that makes it very unique. Acharya Ji says that " I do not know if प्रभु श्री कृष्णा (Lord Krishna) has written or said the verses of Geeta Ji or not, but who so ever has said or written the verses must be प्रभु श्री कृष्णा. As no one else can or will have such profound intellect"
  .
• It's a popular belief that by just listening to Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta Ji, unhappiness and grief go away.
  
  
• There are 6 schools of thoughts in Hinduism or six major schools of orthodox(astika) Indian Hindu Philosophy, which are the following:
1. Samkhya Yog (सांख्य योग): Natural ordering of numbers
2. Vedanta(वेदान्त): End of Vedas
3. Nyaya (न्याय): means rules, method, or judgment.
4. Patanjali (पतंजलि): A group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices.
5. Mīmāṃsā (मीमांसा): Reflection
6. Vaisheshika (वैशेषिक): Philosophical Procedures and ethical conclusion
   
   
• It is quite an interesting fact that ShriMad Bhagwat Geeta takes inputs, considers, incorporates and, demonstrates all the learning from all the 6 schools of thought.
  Like, Chapter 2 is also called Samkhya Yog as well.
  
  That's the reason people really love it because a seeker who belongs to any school of thought can read Geeta Ji.
  
  
• From Wikipedia - Swami Vivekanand, the 19th-century Hindu monk, and Vedantist stated that the Bhagavad Gita may be old but it was mostly unknown in Indian history and to Indian people. Until the early 8th century when Adi Shankara (Shankaracharya) made it famous by writing his much-followed commentary on it. Some infer, states Vivekananda, that "Shankaracharya was the author of Gita, and that it was he who foisted it into the body of the Mahabharata." This attribution to Adi Shankara is unlikely in part because Shankara himself refers to the earlier commentaries on the Bhagavad Gita, and because other Hindu texts and traditions that compete with the ideas of Shankara refer to much older literature referencing the Bhagavad Gita, though much of this ancient secondary literature has not survived into the modern era.
  
  In simple words and what, Acharya Ji suggested is, ShriMad Bhagwat Geeta Ji was part of महाभारत भीषम पर्व (Mahabharata's Bheesham Parv), and no one really knows about the divine song as a separate entity. It was Adi Shankracharya's efforts that we know the Geeta Ji in the form we see it today. And even the translations of its verses are what we actually learn from. So, we should all be very thankful to him.
  
  
• Never fall for गीतासार (Geetasaar) or summary of Geeta Ji. Lord Krishna said approximately 450-500 verses in Geeta to explaining the highest knowledge to Arjun. Its illogical to think that all the knowledge can be summarized in 10-15 points.
  
  
• Above point being made still Acharya Ji suggests the very core and basic idea of ShriMad Bhagwat Geeta Ji as follows.
  
  Bhagwan Ji or God is not a person but a position. And we all are entitled to attain that position. Just like The position of Prime Minister of India, which is currently held by Modi Ji and before him Dr. Singh. The person occupying the position will change but the position remains.
  
  It is easier become a Prime Minister, as you have to fight with others and with people you can see. But it is quite difficult to become God as you have fight with yourself and you cannot see your enemy.
  
  
• Geeta Ji was given by भगवन श्री कृष्ण (Lord Krishna) in the middle of a battle ground. कौरव (Korvas) represents all bad in the world. पांडव (Pandvas) represents all good in this world. But भगवन श्री कृष्ण (Lord Krishna) represents someone in middle of it, and someone who is above and beyond it. 
  
  The Great War of Mahabharata is representation of the a daily war with in us. The good and and the Bad. Every morning, our heart wants to sleep and our mind wats to workout. Just Like Pandvas, the one who surrenders to higher intellect like Lord Krishna wins.
  
  
  
• वेद (Vedas) are summarized in उपनिषद (Upanishads) that's why they are also known as वेदांत (Vedant) or end of Vedas. And श्रीमद भगवत गीता (ShriMad Bhagwat Geeta) summarizes the उपनिषद (Upanishads).   
  
  Also, उपनिषद (Upanishads) means to sit in front on the floor.
  
  316 उपनिषद (Upanishads), 108 are the main or important ones. That's why we have 108 beads in a any Hindu जपमाला (Japmala). Out of 108, 11 are the most powerful and carries the highest level of philosophy.
  
  
• Unlike today, Lord Krishna decided to give the highest knowledge of Geeta Ji without thinking about a महूर्त (time & day according to celestial chart), a proper place or direction, without doing any Pooja. There were 5 million people waiting to fight each other in Mahabharat but Lord Krishna gave ShriMad Bhagwat Geeta Ji to only the worthy ONE. 
  
  
  
• More to come...

 

Short Story - The Real Thirst

ॐ नमो नारायण ! जय श्री कृष्णा 

While teaching and explaining Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta, Acharya Shri Shivender Nagar Ji tells beautiful and knowledgeable short stories. These short stories are instrumental in explaining a point in the discussion. The following is one such short story.



This story is by Osho. As I heard it from Acharya Ji, I am not aware of the original title so I named it The Real Thirst. It depicts supreme learning from a simple incident.

It's a 40 - 50 years old story set in India. A Seth Ji सेठ जी  (businessman) was traveling to Rajasthan on a train. On the day of his travel, the weather was extra hot. Due to the Rajasthani desert air and peak summer days of May, the heat was bad. It was a slow-moving train. To make matters worse the train stopped at every random station it can find.

On such a hot day, a glass of cold water was God's blessing and short in supply. Hawkers used to sell water to train passengers on the railway platform for 50 paise a glass. They used to carry a Surahi सुराही (Jug) to keep the water cold.

Seth Ji noticed a young hawker waterboy yelling "Coldwater 50 paise Glass !!". 

Seth Ji waved his hand and the waterboy ran towards him. As he reached towards Seth Ji, the water boy poured water from his Surahi in a glass. And looked towards Seth Ji.

Seth Ji asked him "How much for a glass of water ??"
"50 paise Seth Ji" the waterboy replied politely.
To which Seth Ji said, "Will you give it for 25 paise ??".
The waterboy didn't reply. 

Agitated Seth Ji asked again, "Will you give it for 25 paise or not ??".

For a moment the waterboy looked at Seth Ji with a smirk. Then he poured the water from the glass back in his Surahi. 

While putting the unused glass back in his bag, the waterboy said: "Seth Ji, it seems like you aren't thirsty yet".

He then left the spot to find new customers yelling "Coldwater 50 paise Glass !!". Leaving stunned Seth Ji behind.


Teachings of the Story: Acharya Ji suggests that this story has the highest learnings of Vedanta. He uses this story numerous times to explain the following points.

• The real need isn't high or there yet: If someone isn't paying required attention towards something or missing the real zeal to finish a task. Then we can conclude that the real need for the requirement isn't there yet. The sadhak साधक (seeker) needs to wait for the need to be generated properly
  
  
• The time isn't yet arrived. Adding to the above point may be due to various reasons there is a delay in fulfilling the need. Like, a job seeker needs to wait for the right opportunity. So, the sadhak needs to wait for the right time.
  
  
• One will never bargain if he is really thirsty: If the sadhak (seeker) is really thirsty for knowledge, he will not get into anything else, and ocean of KNowledge like ShriMad Baahgwat Geeta will quench his thirst.
  
• More to come...

Short Stroy - A Letter to God

ॐ नमो नारायण ! जय श्री कृष्णा 

While teaching and explaining Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta, Acharya Shri Shivender Nagar Ji tells beautiful and knowledgeable short stories. These short stories are instrumental in explaining a point in the discussion. The following is one such short story.

The story, A Letter to God by G.L. Fuentes depicts the unwavering faith of a farmer in God. For quick understanding, summarizing the story as follows.

It begins with a farmer, named Lencho expecting for a rain shower to nourish his field of corn. He is confident that his harvest is going to yield him huge profits just like it does every year. To his utmost excitement, rainfall did happen but sooner, it turned into a hailstorm destroying his entire crop field. 

The damage posed a threat to the family's survival as their entire livelihood was dependent on the year's produce. Although disheartened, the family had a robust belief in the almighty. Lencho, despite having worked day and night at the field, knew how to write and thus, decided to write a letter to God explaining his situation and asking for help. I believe he asks for 100 pesos. He went to town to post his letter addressed "To God".

The letter on being noticed by the postmaster, at first amused him, but then motivated him to want to do something for the farmer so as to keep his immense belief intact. He contributes from his salary and collects money from his colleagues and friends who willingly contributed to an act of charity. To his dismay, he could only collect 70 pesos which he wrapped in an envelope to make it seem like a reply from the deity. On having found the letter, the writer (Lencho) is not at all shocked, but instead, he gets angry about finding that the amount is less than what he had expected. He again writes a letter to God conveying his disappointment and distrust in the employees of the post office who he thought had stolen the remaining amount

Teachings of the Story: Acharya Ji, normally uses this story to make point of how ungrateful humans really are and also to teach us about the attitude of gratitude. Now, irrespective fo the fact that Lencho has received a good amount of money as charity from someone, he is sad and complainging about the money that he did not receive.

Rather than to be grateful for the blessing he had received, he is blaming the people who actually had helped him with their hard-earned money.

The final teaching of the story is, We may deserve something or not, but we should always have pay gratitude towards what we have received.