A true Brahman used live a sacred life in a small hut along with his family. One day a cow entered his house and was about spoil his Puja. In an attempt to stop the Brahman threw a few water drops and gestured the cow to go away. To his surprise the cow died on the spot. The Brahman was stunned and realized that he made a sin. He went to his Guru and asked him on how he will relieved from the impact of sin he committed. the Guru said, the Brahman needed to have Holy-bath in the river Ganga for an year. The Brahman informed his family and walked to reach the river Ganga. He went for a few months and crossed forests and mountains but could not find the river. When inquired, one Sadhu directed him towards the river but didn't tell how far was the river. After a few miles the Brahman reached a lake and believed that it might be Ganga. He started doing holy-bath and continued his sacred life the same way. One day another Sadhu saw him asked what was he doing. After hearing the reply from the Brahman he laughed and told that the Brahman has been having bath in a dirty lake and asked him to go to the REAL Ganga. Brahman was disappointed and went in the directions given by Sadhu. He came across another small water fall and again believed that it might be the Ganga river. He continued the same life for 100 years till another local met him and clarified that the waterfall is not Ganga. The Brahman continued his journey and met with many small rivers, lakes and others but every time he was told by someone that he was having holy-bath in wrong place. Brahman became old but he continued to walk to reach the REAL Ganga. He saw the river where many devotees were doing rituals and immersions in the river. Excited with the devotion and Brahman tried to reach the river but before he touched the waters he died.
The messengers of Lord Yama came down to take the Brahman to hell for the sin he committed through killing a holy cow. However they found the messengers from the Heaven taking his soul already. Surprised the lord Yama asked them on how the Brahman can go to the hell without completing the sentence for the sin he committed. the messengers of the Heaven clarified that on the virtue of holy bath for 100 years in the river Ganga, the Brahman earned the permanent place in Heaven.
The moral of this story is that it is the feeling that matters more than the real action.
I saw your other post. You said feeling mattered. Same point is here. Brahmin did puja with a feeling. But the river was not Ganga. Still It was feeling. and he got to heaven. very good point
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