No Begging Outside
3 May, Ernakulam
Swami Amritatmananda Puri gave a beautiful speech before Amma arrived for the evening program. He mainly talked about innocence, and how people tend to use temples as places to give their lists of complaints to God. He told one story.
Once there was a man begging outside a temple. He was seated underneath a sign that read, ‘no begging allowed.’ When the authority in charge of the temple heard about the man, he came near him, and said, ‘no begging outside the temple.’
Hearing this, the beggar simply got up and went inside the temple. Sitting there, he again began to ask for alms. At this, the authority was really mad. Normally, it should be understood that there is no begging inside the temple, so he asked the man, ‘what are you doing? Don’t you know there’s no begging allowed here?’
The beggar said, ‘I don’t see what the problem is. All that I see here is people begging. They say, ‘give me money, give me money.” I am also saying the same thing, so what’s the difference?’
So, the meaning is that we shouldn’t use God as a means to fulfill our desires. We should try to develop selfless devotion.
Amma sang the following bhajans during the morning program;
1. Dayakaro Tum (Hindi)
2. Sundar Hai Nayana Tere (Hindi)
3. Vilicchall Vili Kelkan (Malayalam)
4. Vilvattal Arccitom (Tamil)
5. Manasa Vacha Karmana (Malayalam)
6. Jai Jai Janani (Hindi)
Here is the list of the bhajans Amma sang on the first night of programs in Ernakulam.
1. He Gananayaka (Hindi)
2. Kucha Na Le (Hindi)
3. Kalpantarangalkku (Malayalam)
4. Kannunir Kondu Nyan (Malayalam)
5. Om Namah Shivaya
6. Collu sakhi nammal (Malayalam)
7. Meri Jhoppidi De (Punjabi)
8. Albuta Caritre (Malayalam)
9. Sarvavyapiye
10. Mata Bhavani Maheshi Ambe (Hindi)
I am new to this site… This post is wonderful – I love the story about the begger. Your message is so true too. Thank you for sharing.
“No Begging Outside” is a very touching story with strong and true message for us.
We are also compelled to do begging inside where AMMA is. We beg for Love, the true coin, from AMMA as outside in this modern world we are getting momentary love, the counterfiet coin only.
AMMA is the Love Incarnation and reservoir of true Love. Let it flow to us to do more and more selfless service.
If we can’t beg from our Mother whom else can we ask?
This is a very powerful story.
I can not find God within, if I am desirous of things outside of me.
The begger noticed quite correctly that most of the others in the temple were doing exactly what he does every day, and they were no different than him.
Everyone was begging God for some boon in the Temple.
This is exactly what a begger does, to people who walk by him or her each day on the outside of the temple.
Wow, great story!!!
Really sweet narration of how human beings see god…Do not ask for alms…Those will be available when we are in need. Ask to give strength and courage to reach goal…!!! Good Story.
I am glad that you shared these valuable moments with us, who unfortunately could not attend this blessed occation.
As i am in a bed rest, i sadly can’t attend any of the programs for a couple of months, which is unbearable, for sure.
Please do provide updates of Trichur and Palakkad programs also. With lots of love and thanks.