Dare to throw what's Precious

Young Bhola an illiterate but a Biophillic person, an innate being with affinity to the natural world. His daily routine is to walk early morning to a nearby lake becoming part of nature watching the changing colors of the sky, the rising sun, hearing the leaves fluttering as cool breeze tickles them and listening to the tweet, twitter, chirp, cheep, and warble of birds. He selects well his stones to use as sling shots in water and today while walking finds a pouch containing colored stones. Keeping it to his side he picks one stone at a time and sling shoots them into the water at intervals. A man on horseback stops by to let his horse drink water and watches this young teenager throw stones in water.

He noticed the boy’s collection of stones and with curiosity goes closer asking him to show the 2 colored stones among them. On examination he asked give me these two stones, but the boy replied no. The man said how it matters to you as in any case you are throwing it into the water, better give it to me. The boy said I must get something in return, as when I throw in water I enjoy, it pleases me, great joy in teasing the birds fly and watch the ripples in water, it is so much fun. The man from his pocket removes two pouches. He tells the boy that he is a jeweler and these 2 stones are very precious stones for which I am giving you money, here take this and give me the stones. Neither the boy nor his family had ever seen so much money, this exchange and learning got him excited. The man asks the boy if you have more such stones I’ll give you more money. In a fraction all excitement and smiling dies and sadness takes over, as the boy realizes he had more but threw what’s precious.

The kid’s situation is a reflection of many a human lives. Often realized late, the human life treasure goes unnoticed, cared less, used less and often lost to or exchanged for worldly temporary things.

Gurbani knocks at us saying the world has gone astray but also guides us to get our worth, least we listen.

dulabh janam punn fal paa-i-o birthaa jaat abibaykai….SGGS658 “I obtained this precious human life as a reward for my past actions, but without discriminating wisdom, it is wasted in vain”.

sarpar uthee chalnaa chhad jaasee lakh karorh…. SGGS50

“It is certain that you must arise and depart, and leave behind your hundreds of thousands and millions. Through 8.4 million incarnations you have wandered, to obtain this rare and precious human life. O Nanak, remember the Naam, the Name of the Lord; the day of departure is drawing near!”

kaa-i-aa andar ratan padaarath bhagat bharay bhandaaraa…..SGGS754.

“Within the body there are jewels and precious treasures, the over-flowing treasure of devotion. Within this body are the nine continents of the earth, its markets, cities and streets. Within this body are the nine treasures of the Naam; contemplating the Word of the Guru's Shabad, it is obtained. Within the body, the Lord estimates the weight; He Himself is the weigher. This mind is the jewel, the gem, the diamond; it is absolutely priceless. The Naam, the Name of the Lord, cannot be purchased at any price; the Naam is obtained by contemplating the Guru. One who becomes Gurmukh searches this body; all others just wander around in confusion.”

This human birth is so precious; one must earn the right to come into the world.