As the saying goes, as we sow, so shall we reap. And yet we forget this principle time and again. Very often we think of our own selves first, even claiming undue favours at the cost of others. Nature is great that she keeps guiding us, and yet we ignore her warnings. It is only when it is too late that we realise our follies, but of what use then?
A learned Brahmin was giving this kind of sermon to his followers. He told them whatever we do for others’ benefit, the same would return to us manifold. Everyone praised the Guru for providing them such a profound wisdom.
One day, the same Guru disguised himself as an astrologer who would give amulets for wish fulfillment, and went to the house of one of the followers. The follower posed to be a religious- minded person, and fell flat at the feet of the astrologer to seek his blessings. The astrologer felt pleased and asked the fulfillment of whatever he wanted.
The astrologer could understand how the follower hated his brother who was his neighbour. So, the astrologer smiled and said: “You would be blessed with whatever you desire to have, but you would have to ask in just three installments one by one, and don’t forget that your neighbour would get double of what you get. So ask with due care.”
After sufficient thinking, the follower said, “Great gracious Sir, why should I envy my neighbour who is my brother? Grant us a big bungalow.” A furnished bungalow stood there. Secondly, he asked for a well in his bungalow’s compound. And finally, he asked for losing his one eye.
While the neighbours had two bungalows, they managed to enjoy living in the one having no wells. The follower’s whole family fell into the well one by one leaving their own bungalow too for the neighbours.
Moral of the story: Greed and jealousy are our worst vices. We must try our best to free ourselves from them for our own good.
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