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Ghanshyam
and the Barber |
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| In the Sanatan
Dharma there is the tradition of 16 sanskars. Sanskar here means sacrament,
a type of ritual. From before birth till death, a total of 16 sacraments
are performed on a person. The eighth is known as Chaul Sanskar. This
is the first shaving of a boy's hair, at the age of one, two, three or
five. It varies in different communities. After shaving, the boy has a
bath, His parents arrange a special dinner for relatives and friends.
When Ghanshyam was three years old, Dharmadev arranged the Chaul Sanskar. After deciding an auspicious day and time, he invited a barber named Amai. Little Ghanshyam sat obediently in Bhaktimata's lap. After wetting the hair, Amai, began shaving with a razor. Ghanshyam did not cry. Bhaktimata's relatives sat nearby, humbly doing darshan of the divine child. When the hair was half shaved, Amai suddenly stopped. He just stared blankly, with his mouth half open. "What's the matter Amai!" asked Bhaktimata. "Finish the shaving." "Um..." he mumbled with fright. "Mother, I... I can't see your little prince. How can I finish shaving? I am afraid." His face looked a little horrified. Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. Poor Amai ! Bhaktimata smiled and realized that Ghanshyam had made Himself invisible to Amai. One of His miracles again. She then whispered in His ears, "Ghanshyam, please let Amai finish shaving. A half-shaven head will not look good, will it?" Ghanshyam looked up at her innocently with a slight grin on His face. "Go on, make yourself visible," pleaded Bhaktimata. Instantly, Amai could see Him. He let out a sigh of relief and then carefully finished shaving. Thereafter Amai gently massaged a fragrant oil on Ghanshyam's head. Then he prostrated to Ghanshyam, realizing that the little child was God Himself. Who else could perform such a miracle? Dharmadev then offered him dakshina, but he refused. He was fortunate enough to have received the seva of such a divine child. Bhaktimata and the other women lovingly stroked Ghanshyam's gleaming head. Now, He seemed to radiate even a greater divine aura. He then went off with his friends to bathe in Narayan Sarovar. Dharmadev offered dakshina to the Brahmins. Bhaktimata and the other women began preparing food for everyone. |
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