nce upon a time, a pregnant eagle was flying over a place where hens and chickens were living. Due to a sudden shock, two eggs fell from her and landed among the chickens. One of the hens, driven by motherly instincts, sat on one of the eagle eggs and started incubating it. Over time, the egg hatched, and a baby eagle emerged. However, the eagle looked very different from the other chickens, appearing ugly to the hen. Initially, the hen considered killing the baby eagle, but a wise hen advised her to wait and see how it grew.
As the days passed, the baby eagle grew wings and became strong, outgrowing the other chickens. The presence of the eagle offered protection to the hens and chickens as no other predators dared to approach.
One day, the eagle expressed a desire to fly in the air, driven by an instinctive craving. The hen, however, discouraged the eagle, saying it was unnatural and that it would fall. Convinced by the hen, the eagle continued to live among the chickens, completely forgetting its natural identity. Sadly, the eagle lived and died among the chickens, never realizing its true potential.
The other egg met a slightly different fate. Like the first eagle, it was raised among chickens. However, one day, a compassionate brahmana visited and saw the eagle living in such a degrading environment, feeding on chicken feed. The brahmana, recognizing the eagle’s potential, took it to the top of a building and threw it off, hoping it would spread its wings and fly.
Initially, the eagle, having forgotten its true nature, fell with a thud. But the brahmana, determined to help the eagle realize its potential, forced it to look at the Sun. Gradually, the eagle began to make the sounds of a real eagle. Though it was painful at first, the eagle slowly gained strength and eventually soared to great heights in the sky. It never returned to its life among the chickens.
Moral of the Story:
This story is a profound analogy for the condition of living entities in the material world. We, like the eagle, have forgotten our true spiritual identity and live under the illusion of material energy. We are meant to soar in the spiritual sky, but we often remain grounded by the constraints of material life, just as the eagle lived among the chickens.
However, by the grace of saints and spiritual guides, we receive an awakening call. They remind us of our true potential and encourage us to look towards the divine. Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, out of great compassion, calls out to the sleeping souls:
“enechi aushadhi maya naasibara lagi, hari naam maha mantra lao tumi maagi” “I have brought the medicine to awaken every living entity from perpetual sleep. Please receive the Holy name of the Lord, the Hare Krishna Maha mantra, and awaken.”
The Katha Upanishad 1.3.14 says: “Uttista, jagrata, praapya varan nibodhata” “O living entity! You are sleeping in this material world. Please get up and take advantage of your human form of life.”
When we heed this call and turn our attention to Krishna, the memory of our original identity as eternal servants of the Lord is revived. This realization brings a deep sense of yearning to be with the Lord, inspired by seeing the deities, hearing the Srimad Bhagavatam, chanting the Holy names, and engaging in devotional service.
As beings endowed with free will, we have the precious opportunity to choose our path each day. Will we chant Krishna’s names with love and attention, or will we remain trapped in the material world’s miseries? Let us not waste this jewel of independence. Let us pray:
Sri Ishopanisad Mantra 18: “Agne naya supathaa raaye asmaan visvaani deva vayunaani vidvaan Yuyodhy asmaj juhuraanam eno bhuyisthaam te nama-uktim vidhema”
“O my Lord, as powerful as fire, O omnipotent one, now I offer You all obeisances, falling on the ground at Your feet. O my Lord, please lead me on the right path to reach You, and since You know all that I have done in the past, please free me from the reactions to my past sins so that there will be no hindrance to my progress.”
Conclusion
The story of the eagle serves as a reminder of our true nature and potential. By turning to spiritual life and heeding the guidance of saints and scriptures, we can awaken from the illusion of material existence and soar to the spiritual heights we are destined for.
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
PS: I humbly request all devotees to forward and share these moral and instructive stories so that everyone can benefit from hearing about Krishna and His dear devotees.
