Guru03 13 15

GURU 3 - PigeonGURU 3 - Pigeon
32
THE LESSON LEARNT BY THE AVADHUTA BRAHMANA
Story of the pigeon.
There was a pigeon that lived in the forest along with his wife. He built
a nest within the tree and lived with her. They were completely bound
to each other and attracted to each to other by the others glance, bodily
features and state of mind. Whatever the she pigeon desired he would faithfully do
even at the cost of great difficulty. He could not control his senses in her association.
Soon they had a number of children and were very happy raising them with love
and affection. One day the two birds went out to find food for the children, at that
a hunter trapped the children in his net. On returning the she pigeon caught sight
of her own children trapped in the net. She cried out and rushed to them as they
too cried out helplessly to her. She also got bound by the ropes of intense material
affection and thus she too was trapped in the net. Seeing his own children and wife
bound in the net practically on the verge of death, the poor male pigeon’s mind
went blank and he himself fell into the hunters net. The hunter carried all of them
home and thus all of them lost their lives due to intense attachment.
This human body is so rare and so special, but if one becomes attached to the things
one possesses like the pigeon, one is compared to a person who has climbed up to
a high place just to fall down again. One should never get excessively attached to
anything; otherwise one will have to experience great suffering, just like the foolish
pigeon.
The Theme - Excessive attachment to things,
always keeps one disturbed.
Experience satisfaction by detachment.
SLOKA RECITATION
Let us learn a sloka from the Srimad Bhagvatam which teaches us something
about the above theme.
Before teaching the present verse, the teacher should begin the class by
chanting all the verses of the 24 Gurus with the children all together.
Chant the third verse of the 24 Gurus again. Tell the children we will learn the
eleventh verse and also understand it.
Learn the third verse. (The teacher recites the sloka line by line and makes the
children repeat and memorize the sloka)
1/2 60 mins 120 mins
Let us learn a sloka from the Srimad Bhagvatam which teaches us something
Before teaching the present verse, the teacher should begin the class by
chanting all the verses of the 24 Gurus with the children all together.
Chant the third verse of the 24 Gurus again. Tell the children we will learn the
Learn the third verse. (The teacher recites the sloka line by line and makes the
GURU 3 - Pigeon

33
GURU 3 - Pigeon
Bandhanani khalu santi bahuni
Prema rajjukrta bandhanam anyat
Darubheda nipuno’pi sadhangri
Niskriyo bhavati pankoykoset
There are many a bondage but that of love (lust) is entire different. Love mellow
down the beloved. Just as a black bee capable of penetrating through as hard a
material as wood; lovingly allows itself to be enclosed in the soft folds of a lotus
(maya) & the powerful soul cannot break the material attachment.
LESSONS FROM GURU – (TB PULLS)
The teacher can explain to the children, the lessons which this Pigeon guru teaches
us. The abbreviation “TB PULLs” makes it convenient for us to remember what the
guru wants to teach us.
The teacher can write down on the board the below abbreviation and
ask the children to note it down and learn it.
In this session, after explaining the meaning of TB PULLs, the teacher
will be able to narrate a maximum of four stories. The remaining stories
can be continued in the next class.
For a spirit soul, Attachment to materialistic pleasures is like TB (disease) against
Spiritual nourishment. It makes you feel weak to achieve Spiritual Progress. TB
pulls you down.
T – Transfer the Attachment
If this Spiritual Tea (T) is not taken,
B - One becomes Blind to civic sense & other’s welfare.
P - Attachment never Perishes on its own, with time.
U - Attachment for something, Unreliable & Undependable.
L - Source of Extreme Lamentation
L - Love for Lord & His service seems Less important.
S – Stops Steady Advancement.

34
SB: 3.25.20
prasaìgam ajaraà päçam
ätmanaù kavayo viduù
sa eva sädhuñu kåto
mokña-dväram apävåtam
TRANSLATION
Every learned man knows very well
that attachment for the material is the
greatest entanglement of the spirit soul.
But that same attachment, when applied
to the self-realized devotees, opens the
door of liberation.
A sadistic hunter
namely Mrgari was
too much attached
to his profession of half-killing animals
& enjoying accordingly with his wife.
Being pained by this, Narada Muni
approached him out of
kindness & explained
him the sinful reactions,
he has to face in future.
Terrified Mrgari begged Narada
Muni for solution. Narada asked
him to break his bow. Mrgari was
astonishedtohearthisinstruction
as he was too much attached to his
occupation, which cannot be possible
without the precious bow. But Narada
Muni assured him of maintenance of
the family. With faith in Narada Muni,
he broke his bow & accepted Narada
Muni as his Spiritual master to follow
his instructions of leading a saintly
devotional life. After some period,
Narada Muni visited Mrgari along with
his friend sage Parvata and greatly
satisfied to see the exemplified saintly
nature of Mrgari.
Earlier, Mrgari was stubbornly attached
to a cruel profession for his maintenance
butthenhejusttransferredhisattachment
from that to Narada Muni, which is the
key for great transformation in his
life.
Muni for solution. Narada asked
him to break his bow. Mrgari was
from that to Narada Muni, which is the
key for great transformation in his
STORIES
STORY 1 - TRANSFORMATION IN MRGARI BY NARADA’S GRACE
{TRANSFER THE ATTACHMENT}
When Duryodhan was born, Vyasdev
seeing the ill omens realised
that this son was going to
create havoc in the world.
Therefore he advised
Dhrtarashtra to abandon this son
in the forest. Because if he is not
raised by a king, then without
kingly power the damage that
he will be able to do will be
minimum. Therefore Vyasdeva
had suggested abandoning him.
But Dhrtarastra always wanted to be a
king. But since he was blind he
could not do so. Thus he wanted
to fulfill his desire through his
STORY 2 - DHRTARASTRA MEANS ONE WHO IS ATTACHED TO
KINGDOM AND FAMILY
{BY EXCESSIVE ATTACHMENT, ONE BECOMES BLIND TO CIVIC SENSE & OTHERS WELFARE}
GURU 3 - Pigeon

35
GURU 3 - Pigeon
son. He wanted his sense gratification at
the cost of damage and distress to the
entire world.
Even after all his sons were killed and
no chance for having the kingdom, he
still continued staying at the Pandavas
palace, even after being the cause of the
bitter fight. Because he was still attached
to the facilities and convenience of the
palace, he did not want to loose it, even
if it means being ready to tolerate insults
and shame.
STORY 3
{ATTACHMENT NEVER PERISHES ON ITS OWN BY TIME}
Once Narada Muni met a man
called Kailas who was so much
attached to sense enjoyment.
Narada Muni wanted to help
him to take up to spiritual life.
But he was not interested. He
told Narada Muni that give me ten
years time, I will earn sufficient
money and settle my family and
come back and travel with you. In
ten years he was the most prosperous
person in his town. Narada Muni came
to him and asked him to come with him
and travel. Kailas told him, “Now I have
enough money and a good wife
and nice children, but how can
I leave these young children
uncared for? Give me ten more
years.”
Then Narada Muni came back after
ten more years and asked him to come
along. By now Kailas was quite old and
his wife had died. Narada Muni called
him to come with him. Kailas said that
“Now, I have fulfilled my duties of
household life, my children have become
prosperous. But they are young and are
enjoying the pleasures of life; they have
no sense of responsibility. They might
just squander their wealth,
for which I have taken so
much effort to earn. So let me
stay here for a few more years till they
become more responsible. Then I shall
come with you to your ashram.
After many more years Narada Muni
returns to his disciple. A
big dog was guarding at the
gate. He recognized it, it
was Kailas. He went into the
house to learn that Kailas had
died a few years back. He was so much
attached to his family and house that he
took birth as a dog in house to guard his
house and wealth.
Now Narada asked Kailas to come back
with him. But still dog-Kailas said, “My
children are now in the peak of their
prosperity, but they have several jealous
enemies. In a few years, they will be free
from fear and worry. Then I will come to
your ashram.”
Ten more years passed.
Narada Muni returned to
Kailas’s house. The dog too had
died. Narada Muni saw that
Kailas had now become a snake and was
guarding the safe in the house.
Narada Muni went and called the
grandsons of Kailas and told them that
there is a snake in the house. And he
asked them to beat up the snake and
bring it to him.
The grandsons beat up the snake badly
Once Narada Muni met a man
Narada Muni wanted to help
him to take up to spiritual life.
But he was not interested. He
told Narada Muni that give me ten
years time, I will earn sufficient
money and settle my family and
just squander their wealth,

36
Once upon a time a
Sage wanted to travel
without the austerity of
walking. He saw people
would easily climb up and down the
mountain sitting on the horse’s back.
So he expressed his desire to have a
horse. He was very much
attached to this desire
of his. So he repeatedly
used to say, “He Ram!
Ghodi di lado!” (O lord
please give me a horse).
His desire was finally
STORY 5
{SOURCE OF EXTREME LAMENTATION}
Once upon a time a
walking. He saw people
Once a guru had many
disciples. One of them was
very attached to family
and parents. Even after
receiving advice from his guru he was
not willing to understand. So the
guru told him one plan, he asked
him to go home and fall down dead. He
did so, after that all the family started
crying. The guru came back, and asked
what had happened. They replied that,
“our son is dead, my husband is
dead” Guru said, “ I can bring
him back to life on one condition, one
of you must be ready to give up your
life. Since all of you love him so much I
know you will certainly give it”. He first
went to the father. On being asked the
father said “you are a learned
man. You know Bhagavad
gita says dehino smin yatha
dehe…. So what has happened
has happened. Now I have so
many things to do. I want to
play with my grandchildren. So
I can’t.” So the guru went to next to the
mother. The mother said, “Oh I am
ardhangini of my husband. If I go,
who will take care of him?” Then
the guru went to the brother. He replied,
“If my old parents are not willing to give
their life, do you think I will give mine?”
Then he went to the wife who
said, “I am so young and I got
married only 6 months ago. I will
go back to my father and get married
to another man.” Upon hearing this,
the dead man suddenly sprung up and
started running to the forest. He realized
that in this world everyone is concerned
only about their own enjoyment. What
is the use of this attachment?
STORY 4 - ATTACHMENT TO FAMILY
{ATTACHMENT FOR SOMETHING, UNRELIABLE & UNDEPENDABLE}
receiving advice from his guru he wasreceiving advice from his guru he was
GURU 3 - Pigeon
and brought the half dead snake to
Narada Muni. Narada Muni then spoke
to snake-Kailas. He said that no one has
been able to give up the attachments to
family so easily. Don’t think that as time
passes you can become detached. Get
detached from sense objects and take up
the practice of devotional service. That
will save you from the repetition of birth
and death.

37
GURU 3 - Pigeon
fulfilled when one of his visitors who
owned a stable of horses wanted to give
away a she horse who was pregnant and
would not run any more. So he gladly
accepted and sat on her and started on
his journey. Along the way the horse
delivered her baby and she would not
budge from the place. He waited for
a week but then thought of an idea.
He carried the pony over his shoulders
and due to the attachment of her child
the mother horse also started walking.
He was relishing his brilliance, but a
few steps taken and he was completely
exhausted. His attachment for comforts
ultimately caused him more lamentation
and misery as it was something that was
unreliable and undependable.

38
The teacher should begin the second session of this Pigeon Guru with the recitation
of slokas first.
SLOKA RECITATION
The teacher should begin the class by chanting all the verses of the 24 Gurus
with the children all together.
Chant the second verse of the 24 Gurus again.
Bandhanani khalu santi bahuni
Prema rajjukrta bandhanam anyat
Darubheda nipuno’pi sadhangri
Niskriyo bhavati pankoykoset
There are many a bondage but that of love (lust) is entire different. Love mellow
down the beloved. Just as a black bee capable of penetrating through as hard a
material as wood; lovingly allows itself to be enclosed in the soft folds of a lotus
(maya) & the powerful soul cannot break the material attachment.
LESSONS FROM GURU – (TB PULLS)
The teacher can revise the previous four lessons, which were learnt in the last
session. In this session the teacher can complete the remaining three lessons and
complete the theme TB PULLs.
T – Transfer the Attachment
If this Spiritual Tea (T) is not taken,
B - One becomes Blind to civic sense & other’s welfare.
P - Attachment never Perishes on its own, with time.
U - Attachment for something, Unreliable & Undependable.
L - Source of Extreme Lamentation
L - Love for Lord & His service seems Less important.
S – Stops Steady Advancement
GURU 3 - Pigeon
2/2 60 mins 120 mins
L - Source of Extreme
T –
B - One becomes
P - Attachment never
U - Attachment for something,
L - Love for Lord & His service seems
S –
The teacher should begin the class by chanting all the verses of the 24 Gurus
Chant the second verse of the 24 Gurus again.
GURU 3 - Pigeon

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GURU 3 - Pigeon
STORY 6 - CITRAKETU’S ATTACHMENT FOR HIS SON
{SOURCE OF EXTREME LAMENTATION}
Citraketu Maharaj was desperate to
have a son. Angira Muni tried to explain
to him the philosophy of Krishna
consciousness that material life will
always be troublesome. The very thing
that you think will give you happiness
will be the cause of your suffering.
But since he did not understand this,
Angira Muni decided to teach him with
a practical experience. He gave
him the benediction of a son
whose name will be Harsha
Shoka. Which means he will be
the source of both his happiness as well
as his sorrow. So Harsha Shoka
was born and he gave a lot of
happiness to Citraketu till one day the
co-wives of the mother poisoned him.
When Citraketu lost his
child, he began to lament
more than the time when
he had no child. This is the nature of
attachment for material things. When
you don’t have it you hanker for it and
when you have it something happens
that you lose it and again lament for it.
STORY 7
{LOVE FOR LORD & HIS SERVICE SEEMS LESS IMPORTANT}
Once upon a time a man was living with
his parents and after he got married he
separated from his parents and lived
abroad. His mother would repeatedly
call him as she was attached
to him. But he was now very
attached to his wife and
would not come to even see
his mother once in a year. After some
years her mother called him up saying
that father was very ill and may leave
his body anytime. But he kept delaying
citing various reasons and ultimately
could not reach for his father’s funeral.
After some years he received a call from
his wife who had gone to India to serve
her mother in law that he should come
soon but again he delayed. Just after that
he got the news of
his wife leaving this
world. Now he was
completely shaken
and the justification about children’s
education and everything else could not
stop him anymore. He decided to shift
base to his native country. He came and
purchaseda3bedroom-hall-kitchenflat.
His children refused to stay
in India so they returned
back. Ultimately he was all
alone and a thought struck
him as to how he had unduly wasted
his time being attached to trivial things
like wealth, property and so on. He was
thinking how his father had a flat too
though it would have been small but it
served the same purpose. Now after he
had slogged for years all he got was a
few more financial benefits maybe but
the cost of it was too high for him to pay
- The separation of his loved ones.
Thus attachment for anything is not
good. It ultimately leads to extreme
lamentation.
Angira Muni decided to teach him with
was born and he gave a lot of

40
A HUMOUROUS STORY TO SUPPORT THE ABOVE...
STORY 9 - EVERY MAN IS TOO ATTACHED
OnceBirbalandAkbarweredoingsikhara
rounds, learning about the condition in
the country and were dressed in civilian
clothing. On their way,
they saw a wife and
husband arguing. At
one point, the wife, who
was considerably shorter than her large
husband, slapped his face while the man
tolerated it and stood there, listening to
the chastisements of his irate
wife.
“Birbal,” asked Akbar, “Why
does he just stand there and
take such abuse?”
Birbal replied, “Sir, this is
because every man is too much
attached to his wife.”
“I don’t believe this!” Akbar scoffed.
“Prove it.”
“Very well, Sir. Let us gather all the
married men in the country and conduct
a survey.”
So all the married men
in Akbar’s kingdom were
brought to the courtyard
of the palace. Birbal addressed them,
“My dear fellows, the great emperor
Akbar wants to know how many of you
follow the commands of your wives. All
STORY 8 - DASRATH MAHARAJ’S ATTACHMENT FOR KAIKEYI
{LOVE FOR LORD & HIS SERVICE SEEMS LESS IMPORTANT}
Keikeyi was the wife of
Dasaratha Maharaj. Due
to bad association, Keikeyi
wanted her son Bharath to
be crowned the king and wanted
Lord Rama to be banished to the
forest. She did not even consider that
she was being ruthless to Lord Rama and
also all the citizens of Ayodhya. Dasarath
did not approve of Keikeyi’s decision at
all and he wanted Lord Rama to rule.
But Dasarath was so much
attached to his wife that he
ordered Lord Rama his dear
most son to go to the forest.
Because he was attached to
his wife and could not go against what
she desired, Lord Rama had to undergo
lot of hardship for the next 14 years.
Sri Vaishnava Acaryas comment that
because Lord Rama had to undergo
so much hardship due to
Dasarath Maharaj, therefore
Dasarath did not return to
the spiritual world at the
time of death, but instead he went to
heavens.
But even worst punishment than going to
heaven was that Lord Rama
was not present to perform
his last rites. Even though
he was the father of Lord Rama, still he
was not fortunate enough to have Lord
Rama perform last rites for him. Instead
an insignificant vulture
like Jatayu was fortunate
enough to have Lord Rama
perform his last rites.
“I don’t believe this!” Akbar scoffed.
GURU 3 - Pigeon

41
GURU 3 - Pigeon
those who obey their wives’ instructions
move to the other side of the courtyard.”
Immediately there was a huge
exodus of men to the other
side of the courtyard.Only one
man remained where he stood.
Akbar expressed his relief at
this. “At least there is one man who does
not obey his wife like a fool.”
Birbalcalledthemanoverandquestioned
him. “When I called for all those who
obey their wife’s command to
move to the other side of the
courtyard, why did you not
move?”
“Because my wife told me to
stay away from crowds,” the man replied.
Akbar expressed his relief at
STORY 6 - ATTACHMENT STOPS STEADY ADVANCEMENT
Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati
Thakura explains this story...
Onceagroupofvillagersdesired
to attend a marriage ceremony
in a neighboring village, which is on
the other side of Ganges. Since
the marriage was scheduled
in morning, they reached the
banks of Ganges the previous night &
boarded a boat in fine cloths
with so many nice gifts,
jewelry etc. The boatmen were
paddling so fast to increase the joy of this
marriage party. Throughout the night,
they were so enthusiastic in dreaming &
discussing about the grand event, they
were going to attend. Cool breezes over
Ganges added to their delight.
The night passed & when they
were about to get down to
reach marriage location, they
were astonished to find themselves on
the same banks, where they got in. They
lamented greatly for their foolishness to
see that the anchor of the boat was not
removed.
Though the marriage party was situated
on RIGHT Boat paddling so FAST for
so much DURATION, the advancement
they made was zero, because of their
ignorance in removing the knot/anchor
to the banks. Similarly if a person is
too much attached to his materialistic
possessions or habits, his spiritual
advancementwillbeminimalirrespective
of his hard labor. In other words, mere
external engagement doesn’t bring
internal nourishment unless efforts are
put to cut the knots.
banks of Ganges the previous night &
Previous week select a group and tell them to perform this
drama.
Perform drama of Narada Muni and Kailas.

42
HOW IS IT RELEVANT IN MY LIFE?
kim ätmanänena jahäti yo ‘ntataù
kià riktha-häraiù svajanäkhya-dasyubhiù
kià jäyayä saàsåti-hetu-bhütayä
martyasya gehaiù kim ihäyuño vyayaù
What is the use of the material body, which automatically leaves its owner at the end
of life? And what is the use of all one’s family members, who are actually plunderers
taking away money that is useful for the service of the Lord in spiritual opulence?
What is the use of a wife? She is only the source of increasing material conditions.
And what is the use of family, home, country and comMunity? Attachment for them
merely wastes the valuable energy of one’s lifetime.
PURPORT
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kåñëa, advises, sarva-dharmän parityajya
mäm ekaà çaraëaà vraja: “Give up all other varieties of religion and just surrender
unto Me.” The common man does not appreciate such a statement by the Supreme
Personality of Godhead because he thinks that during his lifetime his family, society,
country, body and relatives are everything. Why should one give up any one of them
and take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead? But from the behaviour
of great personalities like Prahläda Mahäräja and Bali Mahäräja we understand
that surrendering to the Lord is the right action for an intelligent person. Prahläda
Mahäräja took shelter of Viñëu against the will of his father. Similarly, Bali Mahäräja
took shelter of Vämanadeva against the will of his spiritual master, Çukräcärya,
and all the leading demons. People may be surprised that devotees like Prahläda
Mahäräja and Bali Mahäräja could seek shelter of the side of the enemy, giving up
the natural affinity for family, hearth and home. In this connection, Bali Mahäräja
explains that the body, which is the center of all material activities, is also a foreign
element. Even though we want to keep the body fit and helpful to our activities, the
body cannot continue eternally. Although I am the soul, which is eternal, after using
the body for some time I have to accept another body (tathä dehäntara-präptiù [Bg.
2.13]), according to the laws of nature, unless I render some service with the body
for advancement in devotional service. One should not use the body for any other
purpose. One must know that if he uses the body for any other purpose he is simply
Video of penguin’s attachment for family.
Now teacher may ask the children to relate this video and
the theme story i.e the pigeon
GURU 3 - Pigeon

43
GURU 3 - Pigeon
wasting time, for as soon as the time is ripe, the soul will automatically leave the
body.
We are very interested in society, friendship and love, but what are they? Those
in the garb of friends and relatives merely plunder the hard-earned money of the
bewildered soul.
Revision
Recap the entire session of pigeon and the sloka also.
Now that we have seen how attachment to anything is not very good
try and honestly think for a few minutes some things you may be
attached to and write down at least one thing you like to detach
yourself from.

Guru03 13 15

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