The Timeless Wisdom of Eknath Easwaran

Thought for the Day

June 20

Heaven lies about us in our infancy.
   – William Wordsworth

In India, stories about Sri Krishna as a little boy remind us of the divinity of children. In one such story, Krishna’s mother, Yashoda, was churning curds to make butter in an earthen pot, using a wooden pestle which she moved round and round by means of a rope. Little Krishna was playing nearby but, as usual, he was soon up to mischief.

When his mother tried to get him to obey her, he was defiant. She took the rope she was using and said, “If you don’t stop your mischief, I’m going to tie you up.” Little Krishna silently put out his arms.

Yashoda tried to tie his hands, but the rope would not reach around his wrists. She got another rope. It, too, was not long enough. Soon everybody on the street had become interested. They all brought ropes and tied them together until the rope was very, very long, yet it would still not reach because of the infinity of the Lord present in baby Krishna. How could anyone tie up those slender hands that held the whole cosmos?

Consciousness of the divinity of children can inspire parents – and all caring adults – to lead more selfless lives.

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