Translating Pragya Puran Stories into English

The link to the pdf file from which the stories have been translated
http://www.awgp.org/books/hindi/pragyapuran/02pragyaa_puraana01.pdf

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Cost of body parts

A person went to a saint. ”I am unlucky. I don’t have anything. It’s better to die than to
live such a life.” The saint said, “Do you have any idea of the things you have? If not
then I’ll give you. What are you willing to take in return of your one arm, one leg and one
eye? I am ready to give 100 gold coins for each of the parts.” The person said, “I can’t
give them, how will I live without them?” The saint said, “Fool, you already have
property worth crores, then also you are crying for having nothing”.
There are many such people who don’t recognize their true worth and consider
themselves unlucky. They realize when some enlightened one teaches them lesson.

Whatever we have, is it less ?

A person went to a Mahatma and said, “Life is short. What all activities to do in such
duration? You don’t have knowledge in childhood, old age is worse. You don’t get
proper sleep and the diseases also bother. In the youth, we have to look after the family
then how do we get the real knowledge? When do we do social service? Getting time in
this life doesn’t seem happening.” Saying this he gets depressed and starts crying.

Seeing him, the Mahatma also starts crying. The man asked, “Why are you crying?” The
Mahatma said, “Son, what to do, I need food grains to eat. But I don’t have the land to
grow grains. I am dying of hunger. One part of God is Maya (illusion). One part of Maya
has three qualities. One part of the qualities is the sky. Sky has air and the air has fire.
One part of the fire has water. One hundredth of water is earth. Mountains cover half of
the earth. Then there are so many rivers and forests here and there. God has not even left
a small piece of land for me. Different people have already occupied whatever little land
was there. Tell me will I not starve then?”
The person said to him,”In spite of all this you are alive, right? Then why do you cry?”
The Mahatma said instantaneously, “You also have time and this invaluable life then why
are you complaining that you don’t have enough time and life is getting spent away.
From now on don’t complain about lack of time. At least use whatever you have.”

It doesn’t suit human being, the prince of God’s kingdom, to complain about lack of
resources. The desire of converting one’s incompleteness into the complete is only
acceptable and desirable if it pertains to the inner spiritual space. But such a complaint is
uncalled for when the external resources are in plenty.
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Due to bad karma, fallen ascetic became demons

Ravana was a wise man. Through his austerities he had acquired great capabilities. In
spite of all this, due to his abominable behavior, God himself had to take birth on the
planet to kill him. Example of Bhasmasur, illustrates that even after having reached a
high spiritual state, without any compellations, due to ill state of mind one digs a hole for
himself. Similarly, great powerful fighters like Hiranyaksh and Hiranyakashyapu had to
die due to evil state of mind and behavior. Durga killed Shumbh-Nishumbh,
Madhukaitabh and Mahishasur. Parshuramji killed Sahasrabahu and Shri Krishna killed
Vanasur. Bhim killed Jarasandh. Shoorpnakha used to tease Rishis performing austerities
in Khardooshan forest. Tadka used to disturb the yagyas. Bali had out thrown his younger
brother and kept his wife with him. Ram and Lakshman killed all of them and ended their
tyranny.

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Heard the Bhagwat four times

Parikshit Maharaj heard Bhagwat Puran from Shukdeo and attained salvation. A rich man
on hearing this, developed great respect for the Bhagwat, and got eager to listen to it from
a Brahmin to get liberated.
He searched and found a profound priest of Bhagwat. He told him his intention of hearing
the Bhagwat. The priest told him that this is Kaliyug, all the pious activities in this age is
reduced four times, thus he had to listen to it for four times. The reason behind the
priest’s proposition was to get enough money out of the deal. He gave the fees to the
priest and heard four Bhagwat lectures but it was of no use. The man then met a higher
level of saint. He asked him, how Parikshit could get and he didn’t after listening to the
Bhagwat.
The saint told him, that Parikshit Maharaj had known the death to be imminent and was
completely detached from the world while hearing and Shukdeo Muni was narrating
without the feeling of any kind of greed.
Whoever has got the knowledge in the form of an advice, free of any kind of self vested
interests, that has produced desired results.

Realization of Valmiki
The seven Rishis only asked dacoit Valmiki who was blocking their way,”Will your
relatives be there with you in your sins as they are in good and prosperous times? ”.
When wife and children reacted in negative, he realized his path. Getting the right
direction from the Rishis, he became saint Valmiki. Going towards hell, Valmiki using
the guidance from Rishis and his own intellect got the right vision and became very
famous poet and became immortal in history.
Dacoit changes after hearing story
A saint was explaining with intense feelings, the results of taking the shelter of God and
consequences of performing bad karma. Among the audience was a dacoit who had
planned to rob the saint and other prosperous listeners after the lecture was over. But he
got shaken from inside when he heard the life transforming stories of Ajamil, Ganika,
Tulsidas and Bilva mangal. The way the stories were narrated forced him to think over
his own deeds and do self-introspection. After the lecture ended, the dacoit fell into the
feet of the saint and told him all his pervious sins and asked how to correct his behavior
and follow the right path. Those instructions changed his life. From then he started living
a life centered on God, and the hole he had dug up with his sins, he started covering it
with selfless social service.

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Mahatma Gandhi and Harishchandra Play

Mohandas saw the play of the truthful king Harishchandra, and truth sunk deep into his
inner self. Many people would have seen it for entertainment and the players also would
have performed it so many times but when these teachings seep into the heart then only
they guide a person in the right direction. It’s well known how Mohandas took the shelter
of truth and became Mahatma Gandhi.

Human, greater than demi gods or worse than animals

A debate was going on in a meeting. One side said,”Humans are greatest living beings
because they can control all other living beings”, other side said, “Other living beings are
greater as they serve humans all their lives without asking for anything”. It was not
getting decided who was right. A wise man was passing by. Everyone sought his opinion.
He listened to both views and said that there was a limit to the human freedom. Not
everyone knows the reason for living life. Till one performs good virtuous actions, he can
be considered great but once his actions degrade he becomes worse than animals.
Whenever such conditions of choosing between the two came, it has thoroughly test
human intelligence.

Could have done, but didn’t

Ravan and Vibhishan were real brothers born in the same family; both of them were wise
and brave fighters. One chose his path different and the other chose to fight against
lawlessness and the wrong. God has given humans the power to change the direction of
the tide so that he can become his assistant.
God has also given the will of asking boons. Ravan was Shiva’s devotee. He asked that
he become powerful but also that he would die from the hands of a man. To end his
tyranny, God himself had to take birth in the form of Ram. Shiva worshiped Ram. If the
master of unusual powers and a wise man such as Ravan did not want to take the right
guidance from Shiva, then his end is imminent. God has given the free will to humans.
Living beings come on earth as pure water drops. On coming to earth, the water drop
becomes mud; likewise the humans become disillusioned by Maya. It is up to the human
to either lie in the mud or be in the ocean and expanding his consciousness become the
clouds and showers his services over the society.
God wouldn’t have even thought that human will chose the wrong path due to his free
will. As far as other living beings are concerned they just follow the discipline laid out by
God and live a natural life style. They are just confined to activities of eating, sleeping
and mating. But most people are seen to follow such lifestyles, exhibit short sightedness
and ultimately suffer and repent. This can be compared to a fly jumping into sweet syrup.
A fly jumps into a bowl of sweet syrup to finish it off at once and gets trapped and kills
itself. Whereas a wise fly sits at the corner, tastes it, fills its stomach and flies into the air.
This restlessness causes man to go for quick results and doesn’t let him wait for the right
duration, which if he had otherwise waited for, would have easily got the results.
A fish only sees the bait. It doesn’t have the patience to find out whether there is some
danger in it. The allurement of getting the food without any effort is so strong that it can
hardly resist. The result doesn’t take long to come. The pin sticks in its intestines and
finally gets removed after taking its life.

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Freedom of choosing Krishna

Duryodhan and Arjun both went to Shree Krishna. Prior to the Mahabharata war both
Kauravas and Pandavas wanted to keep Krishna on their side. Duryodhan went first and
due to his ego sat near his head. Then came Arjun and because of his humbleness, sat
near his feet. Shree Krishna woke up and saw Arjun. After greeting him, He was about to
ask the reason for his visit, but Duryodhan spoke in between,” I have come first so I
should have the first say”. Shree Krishna was in two minds, he said “Arjun is younger of
you two so he will get the priority, but I’ll fulfill your demand also. On one end I am
there and on the other my huge army. Say Arjun what do you want? ”. There was
freedom of choice, it depended on the intelligence as to who asks what – God’s grace or
His opulence. Arjun said, “I’ll choose you, even if you don’t fight and just remain with
me.” Duryodhan was too happy to hear this ‘foolish’ decision of Arjun and his joy knew
no bounds after getting Shree Krishna’s army.
Not only did immoral Duryodhan lost the battle of Mahabharata to Arjun who had Gods
support and weaponless Lord Shri Krishna but was also killed along with his brothers and
friends. Qualities of those like Duryodhan who chose the wrong path and like Arjun who
chose to be on God’s side are both present in a human being- one can be called vivek or
righteous intellect and the other can be called immoral intelligence. To choose among
them is one’s freedom.

Third boon of Nachiketa

Yamraj got please by the sincerity of Nachiketa and gave him three boons. He asked to
pacify his father’s anger, instead of asking to overcome the fear of death. He asked about
the process of getting to heaven as the second boon. The third thing he asked was the real
form of soul and the knowledge how to attain that. Since he had promised to give three
boons, so he tried to elude him from this third boon on considering him unworthy for
such knowledge and told him to ask anything else. But he had to know only the science
of soul and the knowledge of state of soul after death. Having the freedom of choice, in
spite of having options to get other happiness, liberation, rebirth etc. he preferred self-
knowledge and knowledge of the supreme. He mastered the Panchagni Sadhna and
guided mankind successfully. Very few people are so lucky.

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Shrutayudh and Bhasmasur

Both the devils had got boons due to their austerities. It was their immoral intelligence,
which made them to choose such things that ultimately became the cause of their deaths.
Shrutayudh had got a Gada, which he had got by the boon from Lord Shiva on the
condition that he would not misuse it. If he did then it would in turn destroy him. In the
battle of Mahabharata, in a fit of anger he used it on Shri Krishna who was charioteer of
Arjun. The Gada returned from midway and tore him apart. Bhasmasur had asked for a
boon that the person would be destroyed if he places his hand on his head. When he
started misusing this power, God created illusion and made him keep his hand on his own
head, which resulted in his death.
It is the direction of choice that decides our destiny and future.

Properly plan where you have to go

There was a rule on a land in which a person who was chosen as king from among
common people, would have to go to a lone and barren island after serving the term for
ten years. So many kings had lost their lives in this manner. Those who ruled became
concerned at the end of their terms but then it would be too late for them.
Once, a wise man became king when no one else was willing to do so. He had future at
the back of his mind. He examined the island and started planting trees, making ponds
and populating with people. In ten years, that barren island had become a very beautiful
place. After his term as the king, he went there and started living happily.
Every one gets some days in life for free choice. In this one who plans his present and
future well lives life satisfactorily and happily as the wise king.

Cub between wolves

A wolf found a lion’s child in a very infant stage and kept it with his own children. The
cub never recognized himself growing in the community of wolves. Once this family
went for hunting. As they pounced over a dead elephant, a lion appeared. The lion asked
the cub the reason for him being with the wolves and why was he getting afraid of him.
The cub was not able to understand what was going on. The lion understood the situation
looking at the situation. He showed him his image in water and then again his face. Then
he roared and asked him to do so. Then he realized of his original self and went back to
his community and roamed fearlessly.
There are a large number of people who forget their self and wander in dreams.

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Cat sees a dream

A cat dreams that she has become a tiger and is hunting a fat goat. Barely had she tasted
it when a fat dog came pouncing on her. She left the goat and ran and hid near her owner.
In the second dream she saw that she was a dog and has entered into her owner’s kitchen
to taste the dishes kept there. Just then the owner came and started beating it black and
blue. The owner came and woke up the crying cat. The cat woke up and realized that it
was a dream. She said to her owner, “I’ll be what I am. Changing identity is full of
dangers.”
We should always remember our original identity.

King in Dreams
A young man dreamt that he was the king of a big empire. His joy knew no bounds after
getting such a prized position instantaneously in the dream. In the morning father told
him to go to work, mother asked him to go and bring the wood after cutting. Wife asked
to bring something from the market but the man didn’t do any work and told that,” I am
the king, how can I do any work?”.
Everyone at home was bewildered at his behavior. Then her little sister took charge of
situation. She fed everyone in the house except her brother. When he couldn’t bear the
hunger, he asked his sister, “Wont she serve him the food? “, to which she replied, “O
king, let the night come, angels will descend here and server you food according to your
status. You won’t get satisfaction from our simple food.”
He finally accepted the truth and stopped wandering in useless thoughts and got food
only after he promised that he would work towards attaining the real and eternal truth and
will from now on work industriously.
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Intelligent hard work of Kuber

An ugly child was born to Vishrawa of Pulasti. Everyone used to make fun of him for his
unshapely body. He used to be very upset at this foolishness of people. Seeing his fun
being made even at home, he decided to teach everyone a lesson of how one can achieve
heights of greatness after getting the gift of human life. Good qualities are more
important and not physical beauty and only those should be aspired. He performed
serious austerities to increase his worthiness. He involved his father in his endeavor with
his dedication. Demi gods made him their treasurer and he started ruling over Alakapuri.

Story of Kalidas
Kalidas was a big zero in terms of mental ability and was unattractive physically too.
Once he was cutting the very branch he was sitting on.
Seeing him in this position, the pundits (priests) from the palace thought him to be the
right candidate for marrying him off to Vidyotama, who had insulted them. They
projected Kalidas as a silent wise person and made him participate in a debate with her
over the scriptures. Cunningly they somehow explained his reactions as replies to all her
questions in such a manner that she accepted him as husband. But on the very first day,
truth came out and she threw him out of the house. The sentences she spoke while
pushing him out of the house, hurt Kalidas deep within. With great determination he
started acquiring knowledge. In the end, that fool with his efforts became the great poet
Kalidas and got reunited with Vidyotama.

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Picture of opportunity
Once an artist displayed his paintings. Several rich and famous people of the town came
to see it. A girl also came to see the paintings. She saw a man portrayed in the last
painting whose face was covered with hairs and who had wings attached to his legs.
Under the painting was written in big letters “opportunity”. The painting was not very
attractive so most people would move on without noticing it.
The girl’s attention was there on the painting from the beginning. The girl went near the
artist and asked, “Why are the hairs covering the person’s face and the wings attached to
his feet in the painting?” To this the painter replied,”Daughter, this is painting of
opportunity. Since normally people can’t recognize it so I have covered its face so that at
least people become curious to know who he is. Wings are attached to his feet because
opportunity which is there today won’t be there tomorrow and thus it should be grabbed
before it flies off and utilized to maximum”. The girl got the message and got engaged in
making her destiny.
Time is life. Nobody has control over time.

Yudhishthir wins time

Once a Brahmin went to Yudhishthir and asked for donation. He was busy in his work so
he asked the Brahmin to come the next day. This incident didn’t please Bhim much. He
called some servant and asked them to play victorious music and he himself started
playing an instrument. Hearing this Yudhishthir came running and asked the reason for
the celebration. Bhim told him, “Maharaj, we are happy that you have conquered time so
we are playing the instruments. Calling the Brahmin tomorrow means that you have
control over time till tomorrow.” Yudhishthir understood his intent and said, “Really
Bhim, we shouldn’t delay in doing good work.”

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Couldn’t touch Paras to iron

A man got paras stone (which supposedly converts iron to gold on contact) for 7 days as
blessing from a mahatma but then he started searching for cheap iron from city to city.
He went to different places in search of it and lost all the time like this. At the end of 7
days he couldn’t make even small amount of gold from it and the Mahatma took the stone
back from him.
This life is also like a paras stone. Those who want to convert it into spiritual wealth
don’t miss the opportunity by wasting time in attractions. The wealth acquired by
depending and believing on one’s soul is much more satisfying and rewarding than the all
the material opulence of the world.

Sandalwood converted into coal

A king went to the forest for walking. He lost his way and out of hunger and thirst he
went to a hut. He was satisfied with the timely albeit normal food. As he was going he
said to the owner of the hut, “ I am the king of this province, I am impressed by your kind
heartedness. I am giving you a garden of sandalwood; you will live your rest of life
happily.
Although he got the garden but because he didn’t knew the importance of sandalwood, he
started cutting the trees and converting them into coal and selling it. Somehow he could
run his living in this way.
Soon all the trees were cut. One last was left; due to rains he couldn’t make coal out of it
so he decided to sell the wood in the market. As he reached he market buyers impressed
by its smell, paid good price for it. This man got amazed then people told him,”This is
sandalwood, which is very costly. If you have more such wood then you’ll get good
money for it.
The man was heavily repenting on his ignorance that he sold such a fortune for peanuts.
As he was feeling sorry for himself, another man told, “Don’t repent, the whole world is
ignorant like you. Every moment of this life is precious, but people waste it in lust and
other attractions. At least utilize the one tree left with you.” Even after loosing most of
the things if someone wakes up in the end then also he would be said as intelligent.
Majority of the people wake up when all is lost.

Its meaningful if life’s instrument is played

A beautiful veena (musical instrument) was placed in front of Lord Subrahmaniyam’s
deity in a temple. Many people used to see the veena and moved on but some were
interested in playing it. The guard of the temple would discourage them so they also went
away. This way the veena was never played and its melodious sound never came out; it
was kept it there as it is.
One day a person came and showed interest in playing the veena, but the guard as usual
told him not to do so. He stood there silently. After everyone left the temple he picked up
the veena and started playing it beautifully. Hearing it people returned backwards and
started enjoying the music. He played it for hours and people heard it with full attention
and devotion. Even after it stopped, people were experiencing the divine pleasure and
they said, “It was meaningful to have the veena.”
The point here is that God has given the body to all but some due to ignorance and others
due to ego cannot use this instrument properly. If he stays away from these two bad
points then he can play beautiful tunes from the instrument of this body and in that not
only he but also many others around him will experience the bliss of the divine. Everyone
could play this life’s instrument; this has been the message of great and self realized
people. But the other aspect of life is such stubborn and rigid that to overcome that and to
fight internal bad habits is not at all an easy job, which very few can accomplish.

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Use of Suryakant Mani

A mahatma had a Suryakant Mani (a precious stone). When his end was nearing he gave
this hard earned mani to his son Saumanas and said, “Take care of it, it will fulfill all
your desires and you will not face any shortage in life.“
Saumanas took the mani, but didn’t pay any attention to what he said. He used it in the
night as a lamp. One day his lover, a prostitute asked it as a gift, he gave it easily without
giving it a thought.
The prostitute then sold it off to a jeweler bought many ornaments from the money
received. The jeweler tested the mani and made lot of gold by chemical experiments. In
this way he became very rich and used to lead the lifestyle of a king. He helped a lot of
needy and poor from his fortune.
Anand narrated this story to his disciple, Bidruth and said, “This life is precious like the
mani. Only good jewelers know its worth and use. Otherwise most of the people are like
Saumanas and Ganika who don’t know its worth waste it.