Datta Maata 216: Never show off in front of elders.

It is wrong to show off pride in front of elders. If we observe carefully, we will understand that for any loss, the feeling of pride is the main reason. Few show their egoistic nature in front of parents, few others near Gurus, some show off their attitude in front of elders and some others near mahātmas and great seekers. Whoever shows their ego towards any of the above, downfall is certain to happen. There are so many stories that warn that feeling of pride is not good. In this regard, the Markandeya Purāna, in it's very beginning has told about a story.

Once, Narada wanted to see how the gathering of demigods happens. So, he appeared right over there. Indra looked at Narada, stood up, invited reverentially and made him sit on a special seat and asked, "O sage! You have come to our place after a long time. I feel great to do all services to you. I have a desire since a long time to show you the dance performances of our lōka (the world of demigods). If you agree, we shall arrange for the same." Even before Indra finished his words, Rambha and other celestial women reached the place hurriedly since it is very rare to win a chance to dance in front of Narada. All the celestial women were fighting amongst themselves. Each and every one including Rambha and Urvasi wanted to dance. Seeing these fights, Narada felt it to be very humorous. He wanted to test them. He said to them "Do not fight amongst yourselves. Those who feel themselves to be the most beautiful can dance in front of me." All the celestial women ended up in confusion. Each and everyone started debating that they are most beautiful compared to others. Finally, the situation became so worse that it ended up in tearing one other's hair out which resulted in a big quarrel. The sad Indra looking at Narada prayed thus, "O sage! We wanted you to see the dance performance and instead you have done something else. Kindly stop this quarrel." Then, Narada himself came in between and said, "Celestial Women! Stop quarrelling. This does not bestow good upon you. There is a way out to determine who is the most beautiful among you all. I will tell you that." He continued, "In Himalayas, sage Dūrvāsa is doing penance. The one who successfully deviates him from his penance is the greatest one of all. You decide amongst yourselves - who has to take up this brave act." Listening to the name of Dūrvāsa, their hearts almost stopped beating because everyone knows about the sage. However, one woman named Opuvu came forward out of great pride that she would disrupt the penance of Dūrvāsa. She then left for Himalayas. She landed in the place where the sage was performing penance. The sage, who was in penance could identify that the atmosphere over there suddenly changed. This is Maya (illusion)! He felt that he would lose control over his mind. He immediately opened his eyes and found the beautiful Opuvu right in front of him. Seeing her, in great fury, he roared, "Since you have disturbed my penance, may you be born as a bird falling off from the Dēva lōka! You will give birth to four young ones. Without even receiving their love, you will die with the strike of an arrow and leave the body of the bird. You will later get back your celestial form. This is my curse for you."

The purpose of Narada coming to Dēva lōka was achieved. So, he left. Dūrvāsa left that place and went to some other place for penance. Opuvu, out of repentance for her ego, took the form of a bird and lost in the Himalayas itself. What happened to the celestial woman who got the birth of a bird? How did the sage's curse occur? Let us discuss these later. Ego must always be given up. Anyone, including the powerful women near Indra had to suffer because of the ego that they are most beautiful. The celestial women reside in Dēva lōka. They had the ego that they can disturb any sage. We realize that Narada had done all this only to destroy their ego.

Hence, one has to be very careful in front of Mahātmas, great seekers and sages. We cannot estimate their power just like we do not know which snake resides in which

ant-hill. We do not know who has got which power and we do not know what their controlling capacity is. Hence, we must not talk according to our whims and fancies like a chatter box. This is what will happen if we talk unnecessarily.

Jaya Guru Datta! Sri Guru Datta!