Let the Ganges of Love Flow in Every House

Ramanarayana lived with his brother Jaynarayana in Meerut (U.P.) and they had a younger sister named Prema. Their parents had died. The elder brother Ramanarayana was a landlord while the younger one Jaynarayana had become a lawyer.

Ramanarayana and Prema were inclined towards satsanga, kirtana, and devotion while Jaynarayana was influenced by the western way of life. When Prema came of marriageable age, both the brothers started looking for the suitable match for her. Ramanarayana looked for a righteous and noble bridegroom while Jaynarayana sought one who would have a way of thinking as his own. This led to antagonism between the two brothers and Jaynarayana abandoned home and started living in another locality with his wife. Ramanarayana married Prema off to a youth of noble character.

Time went by. One day Prema had come from her in-law’s house to her brother. One evening she was riding a swing when Jaynarayana who was on his way to work passed by. Thought I cma didn’t notice Jaynarayana as her back was turned towards him, Jaynarayana did see his sister. The lawyer heard Prema singing.

‘The devotional love and
Penance of Bhagiratha
brought the Ganges to the earth.
May the Ganges of love
Flow in every house,
Let no heart be empty.
Every heart will become
A temple of God if the flame
Of Guru’s Knowledge is
kindled therein.
Both my brothers are ‘Narayana’;
I am the beloved of God.’

The lawyer thought, ‘She, whom I had forgotten, remembers me even now!’
He was deeply moved. His heart now longed for his sister and brother. He had the blood of a noble family running in his veins after all! Repenting his mistake, he passed his days in remorse. He stopped paying attention to eating and drinking as well. His restlessness having grown too much, he came down with high fever one day.

A week later Prema came to know that Jaynarayana was seriously ill. She went to her elder brother’s room and said, “Younger brother is seriously ill.”

“I know that you want to see him, but Prema! You will be insulted there for no reason – know this beforehand.”

“Brother! Honor and insult are fleeting but the ethos of magnanimity and living unitedly with good terms taught by our culture are eternal. You always sing:
“May we speak truth,
never tell a lie, and develop harmony.
May we lead life divine;
and sing Thy (God’s) praises.”

“Bravo! Jaynarayana’s house too will become strong with the fragrance of your thoughts.”

On reaching Jaynarayana’s house, Prema saw him lying unconscious on bed. Her sister-in-law Rama, was standing on one side and the doctor on the other.

The doctor said, “There is severe deficiency of blood in his body. The pulse is weak.”

Rama said, “He doesn’t eat or drink anything. At times he just says,
‘Both my brothers are ‘Narayana’;
I am the beloved of God.”

“These are symptoms of delirium caused by fever.”

“Doctor! I am ready to pay all that I have. Please save his life.”

“It is in God’s hands to save a life. A doctor only try. He needs a blood transfusion urgently.”

‘Take my blood.”

“You are pregnant. It would not be advisable to take your blood!” – said Prema who was standing at the door.
Rama said, “No Prema! Leave it.”

“Why Bhabhi?”

“We have been very unfair to you. We didn’t even attend your marriage nor did we spend any money on it. Aren’t you displeased with us?”

“To be ever displeased with her brother for his mistake, is not a sister’s ideal. My Gurudeva says:

‘Let bygones be bygones;
it is not prudent to complain about fate.
Nor does it make sense to chase
the arrow once shot from the bow.’

The doctor checked Prema’s blood group, and the lawyer was given a blood transfusion.

Jaynarayana recovered within a week. He visited Ramanarayana’s house. Prema was present at that time. Jaynarayana bowed at his elder’s brother’s feet and cried bitterly. Ramanarayana lifted him up and embraced him while tears of love flowed through everyone’s eyes.

“Brother! Forgive me. Permit to live in your house.”

“Why do you want permission to live in your house?”

“Brother! You are like my father. You took care of my education and made me competent; and I….”

“Have no regrets. It is never too late to amend. Come to the house today.”

“Prema! I don’t have the courage to look you in the eye. I forgot a brother’s ideal but you did not forget the ideal of a sister.”

“I have only followed as to what should be the ideal of a sister according to Hindu culture and saints. It was my duty anyway. It is our culture and saints, and not me that you should praise.”

The next day Jaynarayana returned to that house along with his wife. The teachings of satsanga and the ideal of culture bonded the broken hearts with the glue of love.

O India! The lands of Rishis! How pious are the traits that still run in your veins! O Indians! The noble sons of divine culture! Do not forget the traits of magnanimity and love as taught by our great men. These traits have the power to manifest the Ganges of love in every heart.