Baba
was sick of all the crimes that he had perpetrated. He went to the stone deity in the thick of
the night and beat his breast crying, “Oh, goddess, I am a sinner. I am a sinner. I have stolen everyone’s wealth to make
parking lots for my devotees. Forgive
me.”
Baba’s
closest disciple, who was always watching his master so that he could sponge up
the lessons directly from personal observations, saw what his master was doing
and decided to imitate.
Imitation
of successful people is the stepping stone to success, says the book, Seven Secrets of Success. The disciple had the bad habit of reading,
you see.
He,
the disciple, went to the stone deity in the broad daylight (so that devotees
could see) and beat his breast saying, “Oh, goddess, I am sinner. I am a sinner. I have been an accomplice in stealing wealth
to make parking lots for my master’s devotees.
Forgive me. Forgive me.” And he
beat his breast many times.
The
cook had seen both of these. He was
moved indeed. He too fell prostrate before
the deity saying, “Oh, goddess, I am a
sinner. I have stolen some food for my
starving children. I am a sinner. Forgive me.
Forgive me.” He wept. He wept.
Baba
happened to come around when the cook was crying inconsolably. Purely by chance he came. Or by the destiny chartered by the
stars. He said, “This is the sin of
pride. See how he is displaying his sin!”
Humans are indeed selfish, arrogant and hypocrite - be it common working man, rich industrialist who doesn't need anything else in life or a "supposed" saint!
ReplyDeleteRight, Pankti. I was thinking the story went straight into the outer space. Thanks for the consolation offered by your comment.
DeleteReligion makes me feel very cynical.
Out political leaders and the hierarchy of political parties too speak about the same story.
ReplyDeleteSuch is life, Namrata!
Delete