A Timeless Tale from Kashi
Long ago, in the serene heights of the Himalayan mountains, there lived a humble Chakravaka bird. Each morning, it would leave its nest in search of food, soaring across vast skies and distant lands. After traveling great distances, it would eventually reach the sacred city of Kashi.
By the time it arrived, the sun would be high, and hunger would press upon it. In its search for sustenance, the little bird would gather scattered grains around the temple of Goddess Annapurna. As it hopped from place to place picking up morsels, it unknowingly circled the temple again and again.
Day after day, this simple act continued. The bird knew nothing of ritual, nothing of devotion, nothing of merit. It was only seeking food. Yet in its innocent wandering, it performed countless pradakshinas around the sacred shrine.
In time, the bird’s life came to an end. But unlike other creatures who undergo suffering after death, this Chakravaka bird rose directly to the heavenly realms. There, it enjoyed celestial pleasures for two entire kalpas.
When the merit of that heavenly life was fulfilled, it was reborn on earth — this time as a prince in a royal household. The child was named Brihadratha. As he grew, his brilliance became evident. Eventually, he was crowned king.
Brihadratha possessed extraordinary gifts. He had knowledge of the three dimensions of time — past, present, and future. He governed with wisdom, compassion, and righteousness. He performed sacred rituals and upheld dharma. His fame spread far and wide.
What astonished people even more was that he retained memories of his previous birth. News of his tri-kala jnana and past-life awareness reached sages and scholars across the land. Many great rishis wondered how such rare powers had manifested in him.
One day, a group of venerable sages came to his court to seek answers. Seeing them approach, King Brihadratha set aside all royal pride. He personally walked forward, bowed before them, welcomed them with reverence, and offered them due hospitality.
After exchanging courtesies, the sages asked, “O King, how did you obtain such divine powers — knowledge of time and memory of past births?”
The king replied with humility, “There is no great secret. I did not perform extraordinary sacrifices nor undertake severe austerities for these powers.”
The sages were surprised.
Then Brihadratha continued, “In my previous birth, I was a simple Chakravaka bird living in the Himalayas. In search of food, I would travel daily to Kashi. There, while picking grains around the temple of Goddess Annapurna, I unknowingly performed circumambulations of the sacred shrine. Those unintentional pradakshinas brought me immense merit. As a result, I enjoyed heavenly pleasures for two kalpas and was later blessed with royal birth and spiritual insight in this life.”
He concluded, “All the powers and blessings I possess are the fruits of those simple circumambulations around the temple of Goddess Annapurna. Such is Her boundless grace.”
This story reveals a profound spiritual truth. Even an act performed unknowingly, when done in the presence of the Divine, can transform destiny.
A single step around a sacred space.
A single unconscious act of reverence.
A single moment near the Divine.
It can echo across lifetimes.
When one visits Kashi, one must not miss the darshan of Lord Vishwanatha and Goddess Annapurna. A humble circumambulation may become the turning point of existence itself
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