The Inspiration Behind Becoming Swami Vivekananda – The Homa Bird
Sri Ramakrishna used the analogy of the mythical Homa Bird to explain the intense renunciation of certain special class of people. According to him, the Veda mentions about the Homa Bird. This bird lives quite high in the sky and at that height the mother bird lays her egg. Because of the height the egg keeps falling for many days. While falling, it is hatched and the chick continues to fall. While this goes on for many days, in the meantime the chick opens its eyes and coming near the earth it becomes aware of the world. It realizes about the impending death if it hits the ground. Then it gives a shrill cry and shoots up towards its mother. It keeps going in the upward direction and does not look behind. Explaining this story, Sri Ramakrishna used to say that rare individuals who are born with God-consciousness realize the danger of coming into contact with the world. From their very childhood they are extremely apprehensi...