The Truth of Our Hidden Power

Story One evening, after prayers ended in a gurukul, all the students sat around their guru. One by one, the children began asking their teacher questions.

A curious boy asked, “Guruji, who gives me the power to think and speak? Who fills life into my body? Who gives me the ability to see and hear? What is this hidden power?”

The sage smiled and said, “Dear children, all these abilities come from the same power. And that power is our Truth. Because of this power, our eyes see, our ears hear, and our mind thinks. Our eyes cannot see it, and our tongue cannot speak about it, yet it gives us the ability to see, speak, and think.

This power is Brahman, or God. And remember, you are not separate from Brahman. Whoever realises this power experiences true happiness and bliss.”

Some of the children still did not fully understand. So the sage told them a very interesting story.

“Long ago, there was a war between the gods and the demons. The gods won the battle. They became very proud of their victory and loudly proclaimed, ‘We have defeated the demons! The gods are victorious!’

But in reality, their victory had come through the power of Brahman.

Brahman thought, ‘I must show them the truth.’ So Brahman appeared before the gods in a special form. The gods did not recognise who it was.

First, Agni, the god of fire, approached Brahman. Brahman asked, ‘Who are you?’ Agni proudly replied, ‘I am Fire, I can burn everything.’

Brahman placed a tiny straw in front of him and said, ‘Burn this.’

Agni used all his power, but he could not burn the straw. Agnidev accepted his defeat and returned.

Next, Vayu, the god of wind, stepped forward. He said, ‘I am Wind, I can blow anything away.’

Brahman placed the same straw and said, ‘Blow this away.’

Vayu blew with all his might, but the straw did not move. Vayu also left, disappointed.

Finally, Indra, the king of the gods, came. But as soon as he arrived, Brahman disappeared, and a goddess appeared — Goddess Uma, daughter of the Himalayas.

Indra asked Goddess Uma, ‘Who was that?’

She said, ‘That was Brahman Himself, the Truth behind everything in this world. Your victory came from that power, not your own strength.’

The gods realised their mistake and silently bowed to Brahman in respect.

After telling the story, the guru said to the children, “Children, Brahman is the light that shines through our eyes. We think and decide through that same power.

When we control our mind, serve others, and meditate, we can feel Brahman. Whoever realises Brahman always remains happy.”

The children were delighted. They returned to their rooms and happily reflected on this valuable lesson.