There was once a great Yogi who lived in the caves of the Himalayas near Vasishta Guha. The Mahatma was a Jnani. He used to remain in trance (Samadhi) for days together. Once in four days he used to come down to Rishikesh town for alms. He would go from door to door begging. Some would give him Bhiksha; some others would refuse and send him away; yet some others would even abuse him.
One day he thought: “Had there not been this stomach it would have been very good. I would have worshipped God all the time and would have been saved from the trouble of going from door to door for Bhiksha and bearing such insults.” He, therefore, determined to complain to God and protest against the creation of his stomach. One day he prayed to God and God appeared before him.
The Yogi said, “My Lord, I have a complaint to make.” The Lord urged him to tell Him what he had in his mind. He then poured forth his heart – mentioning how unkind it was of God to have created the stomach alongwith man; how he, for instance, could have prayed to Him all day and night but for this part of the body; and how, in wandering for food, men have to suffer various hardships and bear innumerable insults from others. God said: “It is all true; but I have created the stomach for the good of humanity.” He was surprised at this answer, “How could that be?” was his doubt.
The Lord explained: “It is only because of your stomach you go out of your cave for taking Bhiksha. Otherwise, you would have remained completely in solitude. When you go out, you help innumerable men and women, by your Darshan , by your conversation, by accepting prostrations and blessing people, and by providing an opportunity for men to offer you alms and thus purifying themselves. Further you sanctify the place you visit, by the very dust of your feet; and such a place becomes “punya-kshetra” (sacred place). But for these, how can a householder get Atma Suddhi (self-purification)?” The Lord continued: “Your good, my child, lies in doing good to others. Your happiness lies in others’ happiness. Your salvation lies in bringing salvation to others. Do not be selfish. By interrupting your meditation for a few hours, you are able to uplift hundreds of your brethren. Helping others is the best of virtues. See, I Myself abandon My Vaikuntha often, undergo the hardships that beset the mortals, merely to save the universe from vice. Follow Me in this respect.If, in the course of performing actions for the good of others, you are insulted, you should bear it coolly. Be above insult and praise. By serving your fellow-creatures with Atma Bhav you are to Me a thousandfold more dear.” The Lord then disappeared, making the Yogi more wise.
We should all serve humanity with Prem and Bhav, with the feeling: “The Supreme Lord is manifest in all beings. We should be thankful to the Lord for so mercifully giving us the chance of serving Him through His glorious creation.
One day he thought: “Had there not been this stomach it would have been very good. I would have worshipped God all the time and would have been saved from the trouble of going from door to door for Bhiksha and bearing such insults.” He, therefore, determined to complain to God and protest against the creation of his stomach. One day he prayed to God and God appeared before him.
The Yogi said, “My Lord, I have a complaint to make.” The Lord urged him to tell Him what he had in his mind. He then poured forth his heart – mentioning how unkind it was of God to have created the stomach alongwith man; how he, for instance, could have prayed to Him all day and night but for this part of the body; and how, in wandering for food, men have to suffer various hardships and bear innumerable insults from others. God said: “It is all true; but I have created the stomach for the good of humanity.” He was surprised at this answer, “How could that be?” was his doubt.
The Lord explained: “It is only because of your stomach you go out of your cave for taking Bhiksha. Otherwise, you would have remained completely in solitude. When you go out, you help innumerable men and women, by your Darshan , by your conversation, by accepting prostrations and blessing people, and by providing an opportunity for men to offer you alms and thus purifying themselves. Further you sanctify the place you visit, by the very dust of your feet; and such a place becomes “punya-kshetra” (sacred place). But for these, how can a householder get Atma Suddhi (self-purification)?” The Lord continued: “Your good, my child, lies in doing good to others. Your happiness lies in others’ happiness. Your salvation lies in bringing salvation to others. Do not be selfish. By interrupting your meditation for a few hours, you are able to uplift hundreds of your brethren. Helping others is the best of virtues. See, I Myself abandon My Vaikuntha often, undergo the hardships that beset the mortals, merely to save the universe from vice. Follow Me in this respect.If, in the course of performing actions for the good of others, you are insulted, you should bear it coolly. Be above insult and praise. By serving your fellow-creatures with Atma Bhav you are to Me a thousandfold more dear.” The Lord then disappeared, making the Yogi more wise.
We should all serve humanity with Prem and Bhav, with the feeling: “The Supreme Lord is manifest in all beings. We should be thankful to the Lord for so mercifully giving us the chance of serving Him through His glorious creation.
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