Story of Jatila

The story of Jatila is a parable told by Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.

'Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna'
Swami Nikhilananda's translation of 'Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna' by M. has the following text:

Friday, December 14, 1883

"Let me tell you the story of a boy named Jatila. He used to walk to school through the woods, and the journey frightened him; One day he told his mother of his fear. She replied: 'Why should you be afraid? Call Madhusudana.' 'Mother,' asked the boy, 'who is Madhusudana?' The mother said, 'He is your Elder Brother.' One day after this, when the boy again felt afraid in the woods, he cried out, 'O Brother Madhusudana!' But there was no response. He began to weep aloud: 'Where are You, Brother Madhusudana? Come to me. I am afraid.' Then God could no longer stay away. He appeared before the boy and said: 'Here I am. Why are you frightened?' And so, saying He took the boy out of the woods and showed him the way to school. When He took leave of the boy, God said: 'I will come whenever you call Me. Do not be afraid.' One must have this faith of a child, this yearning."

'Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna'
'Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna', one of the earliest publications of Ramakrishna Math, Chennai has the following text:

There was a boy named Jatila. He used to go to school alone through the woods. Often he felt lonely and afraid. He told his mother about it and she said to him, "Why are you afraid, my child? You call aloud for Krishna when you get frightened," "Who is Krishna, mother?" the boy asked. The mother answered, "Krishna is your brother." After than, when Jatila was passing through the woods alone and felt frightened, he called aloud, "Brother Krishna !" When no one came, he called again, "O brother Krishna, where are you? Come to me and protect me. I am frightened." Hearing the call of the child, so full of faith, Krishna could no longer remain away. He appeared in the form of a young boy and said, "Here am I, your brother! Why are you frightened? Come, I will take you to school." Then having escorted him to school Lord Krishna said to him, "I will come to you whenever you call me. Do not be afraid."
Such is the power of true faith in the Lord and of real longing for Him.

Trivia
* The videography of song "Janam safal hoga re bande" in music album "Man Mein Ram Basale" by Jagjit Singh is based on this story.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu