Tears that Heal

Once upon a time, Sage Durvasa visited the heavenly city of Amravati (capital of Swarga). As he entered, he saw the whole city glowing with grand celebrations, and his curiosity was piqued. The streets were decorated, and a festive air filled every corner. Wondering what was happening, he approached Narada, who stood nearby, and asked, 'Narada, what is the cause of all this festivity?'

Narada replied, 'Today is Purnima, the full moon day. Indra, the king of the gods, is leading a worship ceremony for Devamata Aditi, the divine mother.'

Intrigued, Durvasa observed the grand preparations. Hundreds of golden plates overflowed with flowers, arranged with utmost care to honor the goddess. However, Durvasa felt something was amiss and wished to speak with Aditi herself. He made his way to her chambers, but the gatekeepers stopped him, saying, 'O Sage, Devamata is unwell and cannot meet anyone at the moment.'

Durvasa, however, would not be dissuaded and entered her room. There, he found Aditi lying on her bed, her face pale and filled with sorrow. Concerned, Durvasa asked, 'Mother, how have you fallen ill? You are beyond  ailments. What has caused this suffering?'

With a heavy heart, Aditi explained, 'This suffering is because of Indra. He worships me with lavish displays of gold and wealth, but his offerings are mere show. Each golden flower he offered has left a wound on my body and spirit.'

Shocked by her words, Durvasa asked, 'What must be done to heal you, Mother?'

Aditi replied, 'Go to the Vishalakshi temple in Varanasi. There, you will find someone who has the power to heal me.'

Without delay, Durvasa set out for Varanasi. Upon reaching the temple, he searched for this mysterious healer. In the temple’s inner sanctum, he saw a man weeping at the feet of the deity, his face streaked with tears. Durvasa was puzzled. 'Where is the healer?' he wondered, as he approached the man, who was so absorbed in his prayer that he did not respond to Durvasa’s questions.

Durvasa returned to Aditi, still perplexed. But when he entered her room again, he found her dancing with joy, her face glowing with a divine radiance.

Aditi smiled at the sage and asked, 'Did you find the healer?'

Durvasa replied, 'I found no healer, Mother. I only saw a man crying at your feet.'

Aditi’s smile deepened as she said, 'That weeping man is indeed my healer. His tears, shed with pure love, have healed every wound inflicted by Indra’s empty offerings.'

At that moment, Durvasa understood a profound truth. Gods are not pleased by wealth or grandeur. They are moved by genuine love and devotion. Only sincere, heartfelt emotions - like the tears of a true devotee - can bring true happiness to the gods.

Knowledge Bank

Which are some of the most important holy teerthas?

Kashi (Varanasi), Mathura, Vrindavan, Ayodhya, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dwarka, Puri, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Rameswaram.

Who captured Drupada?

Dronacharya asked the Pandavas and Kauravas to capture King Drupada in the form of his guru-dakshina. This was their first real battle. They set out to Panchala. In the battle that ensued, initially, the Pandavas did not enter the city; they waited outside. The Kauravas went in alone and were badly defeated. Then the Pandavas went in. After causing great damage to Drupada's army, the Pandavas captured Drupada.