Soul

Once Sri Sankara was returning from Viswanatha Temple at Varanasi with his disciples, after a bath in the Ganges. At that time casteism and untouchability was very prominent. A Chandala followed by four dogs appeared before Sankara. Sankara asked him to clear away from the path. The Chandala with a smile asked, “Whom are you asking to move away? The soul or the body? Your soul, my soul and every other soul in the world are one and the same. There is no impurity in the soul. It is just like the moon reflected in a pot of Ganga water or in a can of liquor. The moon will not become impure by its reflection. Or do you want the body to move? Without the soul the mere body is inert. It cannot move. And moreover for a sanyasin what are caste, purity and impurity?”

Sankara was taken aback by the amazing facts from the Chandala. He prostrated himself at the feet of the Chandala for teaching him such a great truth. Then the Chandala disclosed the truth about himself. It was Lord Viswanatha himself who had come in the form of a Chandala to teach Sankara that distinctions like Brahmin, Chandala etc. are only for the narrow minded. The Lord blessed Sankara and disappeared.

The Ferry Man

Lord Rama and Lakshmana went to Midhila along with sage Viswamithra to attend a yaga. On the way they had to cross the river Ganges. The ferry man was ready on the shore with the boat. When they were about to get into the boat, the ferry man stopped Rama respectfully. He said,

“Oh! Lord, please don’t get me into trouble, wait for a moment.”

Both Rama and Lakshmana wondered what could be the reason!

The ferry man came with a bowl of water and told Rama,

“Let me wash your feet, otherwise there will be great trouble”

Rama asked, “What trouble?”

The ferry man replied, “When you touched a stone with your feet at Gowthamashram the stone changed into a beautiful lady. What difference is there between stone and wood, Lord? If my boat change into a lady what will happen to my life? Not only my daily earnings will be stopped but will bring full of chaos in my family.”

Hearing his sincere words all laughed. Knowing it was Lord himself the ferry man took advantage of the situation to serve the Lord.