Spiritual India-Noble deed
>> Monday, July 5, 2010
Once upon a time there lived a sage in a little prosperous town. There was a rich land lord in that town who owned many farms, shops and houses. This landlord was very much respected because every once in a week he used to distribute food to the poor and needy of the nearby areas. On the day of food distribution, there would be an unending line outside his gate and the landlord never let anyone go without food.
Whenever there was any function in the town, like public gathering, somebody’s marriage, or program of Bhajans (devotional songs) in the temple, the landlord was given prime of a place. Where other people sat on the carpets or on the floor, there was always a chair for the landlord and that too near the stage. He was used to this and people also thought nothing wrong in it. Every one accepted that he should be given a place of honor.
The sage was a simple person and never gave discourses. Individually, people came to him for advice and he helped and advised them wherever he could. One day, people of the town thought that the sage should give a sermon and preach for the benefit of the town. The sage, being a simple man, first hesitated. People insisted on his blessings and the sage relented. Arrangements like mike, carpets, a small platform etc. were made in compound of the temple. People stared gathering at the stipulated time. As usual, a chair was arranged for the landlord near the stage. It was customary for the speaker or the orator to invite the guest of honor (normally the landlord) to occupy the chair.
The sage invited a man with torn clothes, appearance of a beggar who was squatting on the ground. Everyone was aghast at this deliberate insult of the landlord. There was an awkward silence. The sage explained: “Our good landlord here is rich and generous, no doubt about that. He has never turned away anyone with an empty stomach. That speaks a lot for his generosity. But, he is a rich man, has hundreds of Rotis (Indian bread), plenty of food out of which he distributes some to the poor. This morning I saw that this poor beggar had only one Roti in his hand and he shared half of that with a hungry dog. A noble act indeed. There is a principle in Sanskrit: “Ten Tyakten Bhunjitha”. Share with the hungry. Now tell me who deserves the chair?”
Even landlord had the grace to agree.
Whenever there was any function in the town, like public gathering, somebody’s marriage, or program of Bhajans (devotional songs) in the temple, the landlord was given prime of a place. Where other people sat on the carpets or on the floor, there was always a chair for the landlord and that too near the stage. He was used to this and people also thought nothing wrong in it. Every one accepted that he should be given a place of honor.
The sage was a simple person and never gave discourses. Individually, people came to him for advice and he helped and advised them wherever he could. One day, people of the town thought that the sage should give a sermon and preach for the benefit of the town. The sage, being a simple man, first hesitated. People insisted on his blessings and the sage relented. Arrangements like mike, carpets, a small platform etc. were made in compound of the temple. People stared gathering at the stipulated time. As usual, a chair was arranged for the landlord near the stage. It was customary for the speaker or the orator to invite the guest of honor (normally the landlord) to occupy the chair.
The sage invited a man with torn clothes, appearance of a beggar who was squatting on the ground. Everyone was aghast at this deliberate insult of the landlord. There was an awkward silence. The sage explained: “Our good landlord here is rich and generous, no doubt about that. He has never turned away anyone with an empty stomach. That speaks a lot for his generosity. But, he is a rich man, has hundreds of Rotis (Indian bread), plenty of food out of which he distributes some to the poor. This morning I saw that this poor beggar had only one Roti in his hand and he shared half of that with a hungry dog. A noble act indeed. There is a principle in Sanskrit: “Ten Tyakten Bhunjitha”. Share with the hungry. Now tell me who deserves the chair?”
Even landlord had the grace to agree.
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