Spiritual meaning of blessings

Let me write an interesting point of view on blessings today. Many a time, you might have heard people blessing like " May God bless you!". Most of the time, we can take it literally. But sometimes when a highly spiritual person such as Fakir/sadhu, sage, or monk gives this blessing, then it can be cryptic as well.

It can be cryptic in the sense that it might not be for the well-being of a person in the short term but rather in the long term. It might also be not a boon for our material body but the soul, and then we always feel like even blessings are not working. But actually, they might require us to transform before it works. Let me tell you a short story to explain the point.

Once Narada, the great sage, and the son of Brahma performed the highest degree of Tapasya. Even Indra, the king of gods, tried to stop it with the help of Kamadeva, Narada was very much devoted to his prayers, and he didn't get perturbed. When finally his rituals were completed, he became a bit arrogant. Narada went and told his story to Shiva, who also sensed a tone of arrogance. Shiva told him to tell this story to Vishnu. So Narada told his story to Vishnu. Vishnu sensed how his true and pure devotee is on the path of arrogance, and he thought of changing it. So Vishnu created an imaginary kingdom.

Once, while roaming, Narada went to the imaginary kingdom and was attracted by the beauty of princesses. The king welcomed Narada and asked to bless him and his daughter so that she can get the best husband. Narada blessed both and suggested king arrange a "Swamwar." Narada wanted to become the princess husband, and hence he thought he should be the most handsome person in "Swamyar." Narada thought who could be smarter than Lord Vishnu himself and so he went to Lord and asked him that if he could borrow Lord's appearance for some time. Lord Vishnu blessed him. Narada came to Swamwar and was fully confident of getting chosen by the princess. But when he reached the Swamwar couple of kings started laughing at him. Also, when princesses went passed him and put the garland to someone else, Narada realized that something is wrong. He went and saw his reflection in the water, and he realized that his face was of a monkey.

Narada became very angry, and he immediately went to Vishnu. Narada cursed Lord Vishnu that when Vishnu would be born as a human, he would also have to go through "Patni Viyog" and only with help from monkey he could get his wife back.

Lord Vishnu explained Narada that Narada was surrounded by a veil of matter. The princess and "Swamwar" were to make Narada realize the real path of Spirituality. And then Lord Vishnu explained when I give you the blessing of well being it was cryptic. It was not for your short term benefit ( to become most handsome and get chosen in Swamwar), but rather it was for your long term benefit of the path of true Karm Yogi.

So I hope this story might help you understand that when God wants to help us, it won't be in the way we want, always. There might be hidden and long term agendas of the Universe. And hence don't take any blessing literally and also never lose hope. When transformation happens, there will be resistance and change management needed. But these changes are vital for our spiritual growth of the soul, one life after another.

I hope you like this. Stay happy and keep reading.

(Pic Credit : Image by John Hain from Pixabay)