Based on The Faith Book by Kadamba Kanana Swami
The Temple Mouse and the Lamp
In a grand temple where Lord Śiva was worshipped, the devotees kept a row of ghee lamps glowing before the deity day and night. The fragrance of camphor, sandalwood, and burning ghee filled the air like waves of sacred wind.
Among the temple’s unnoticed visitors was a tiny mouse who had made his home near the altar. At night, when the lamps flickered and shadows danced, the mouse would scurry near to sniff at the ghee and nibble any offerings that had fallen.
But one night, something happened that changed the course of that mouse’s soul forever.
A Simple Act of Devotion
Drawn by the warmth and aroma of the lamps, the mouse leapt onto the altar to approach a ghee wick. But the heat startled him. Reflexively, he jumped back—and in doing so, began to dance. His feet tapped around the lamp as he tried to cool them. The flame flickered, and the lamp seemed to shine even brighter.
Unknown to him, a divine observer was watching.
The Lord’s Delight
Lord Śiva, the compassionate bhakta-vatsala (lover of His devotees), smiled from His eternal vision. “This little creature, though ignorant and untrained, danced before Me in front of My lamp. That was his offering. And I accept it.”
A Surprising Rebirth
In time, the mouse died—his simple animal life complete. But he did not enter another body of fur and fear. By the grace of Lord Śiva, he was reborn as a royal prince, surrounded by opulence and privilege. Yet, strangely, from a young age, he had a deep longing for temples, incense, and lamps.
Eventually, he renounced his kingdom and became a great devotee of the Lord.
The Power of a Moment
One moment of unconscious, innocent devotion became the seed of lifetimes of bhakti. Though the mouse had no knowledge, no mantra, and no intention, the Lord saw the sincerity—however hidden—and gave him the opportunity to blossom.
A Lesson in Hidden Bhakti
This story reminds us that no act of devotion is ever lost. Even the smallest movement—if connected to the Lord—can become the beginning of perfection. Sometimes, we don’t even know the value of what we’re doing, but the Lord does.
He never forgets.
A Verse to Remember
nehābhikrama-nāśo ’sti
pratyavāyo na vidyate
svalpam apy asya dharmasya
trāyate mahato bhayāt“In this endeavor, there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.”
— Bhagavad-gītā 2.40
