Madhurlal was an honest businessman. He sold carpets in the local market. He had a daughter Latha whom he loved the most. When it was time for her marriage, he found the most suitable groom for her in the town,the son of another trader. But things didn't go according to plan. Two years after the marriage, Latha was divorced and had to return to her parents home. Madhur was heartbroken to see the love of his life abandoned like a street puppy. It made him question the meaning of life. He used to have sleepless nights in prayer asking for liberation/moksha. One night God Almighty who was very much disturbed by Madhur's constant appeals for moksha appeared before him.
God-"What do you want?"
Madhur-" I have gone through enough grief in my life. Iam tired of the cycle of births and rebirths. I want liberation"
God-" An application for liberation requires huge paperwork.After that it has to pass through different levels of heavenly bureaucracy. Are you sure you want it?
Madhur-" I have made up my mind. There is no turning back. Iam willing to undergo the procedure".
God-"Well, the whole process requires atleast 6 months. Why don't you get yourself ready?"
Madhur slept peacefully that night.The thought of liberation made his mind calm and serene.
After a week, Latha who usually does the household chores approached him with a strange request, that she wanted to learn dance. Madhur always fulfilled his daughter's wishes. He found a dance teacher nearby and arranged an evening class for Latha with him. When Latha went for the first class, she was quite surprised at the fact that the dance teacher was a young man named Raghu. She absorbed the dance lessons very quickly which surprised Raghu. He found that Latha was an exceptional student which sowed in his mind admiration and love for her. What Raghu didn't know was that Latha's hardwork in learning the art was motivated by her love for Raghu.
Meanwhile Madhur was going through all the procedures required for liberation as advised by God. He went through all kinds of meditation and self torture. The imagination of the plight of his daughter motivated him in this process. After a few months Latha approached him revealing her feelings for Raghu. Madhur decided to discuss the proposal with Raghu who happily agreed to it and their marriage was fixed. On the night of the marriage day, when Madhur was sleeping God appeared before him.
God-" Your application for moksha was resolved earlier than expected. As the procedures on your side was earnestly completed,you can enter into liberation here and now. You will no longer be subjected to births and deaths. This will be your last life.
Madhur-"But I do not wish to attain moksha. I love life as it is. Please cancel my application.Give me more lives, I will happily accept it"
God-"I can see why you changed your mind. Madhur , I gave you this life so that you can experience all its shades both dark and bright. If you are only willing to accept the bright sides and seek for liberation rather than going through the dark part then you are not living this life. There are no applications or procedures for liberation. Moksha is for those who happily accept their present life with all its duality, both joy and grief and everything in between.
Tears of joy flowed from Madhur's eyes. He slept peacefully and never again thought of liberation.
