Conversation

There was a sharp difference of opinion among the inmates of an Ashram. One group emphasized the importance of penance and austerities while the other rebutted stating that life is useless without satisfaction of one's personal desires in full. As there was no agreement either way, they went to the Master sage for arbitration.

The sage received them and without setting the point went on talking on some other subject. Meanwhile a gentleman came and offered fruits and sweets to the saint. The latter accepted the offering and ate up the entire quantity immediately. After a while, another devotee came and offered presents. The saint took the offerings in hand and threw out the stuff through the window. he then inquired of the welfare of the visitor and went on talking softly and sweetly to him. But the guest found it uninteresting and went away after a while.

A third guest came with usual presents. The holy person took something for himself, distributed the rest amongst all those who were present and engaged the visitor in pleasant talk.

After the departure of this guest, the saint sent three inmates to contact the three gentlemen who came that day with present to find out their reaction towards the treatment meted out to them and report to him. Their experience was reported to be as follows: The first gentleman was very much annoyed. He was of the opinion that the saint was utterly selfish.

The second guest felt greatly disappointed that the fruits etc. which he brought with love had been thrown out and did not feel consoled even though the great person talked to him sweetly afterwards.

The third visitor praised the saint profusely adding that he was a real recluse as he had lovingly shared with all what he got.

The master wound up the discussion thus:

"The best way to live in the world is to share amongst one and all what the Lord gives and to deal with everyone in a gentle way. It is not correct to lead either a crassly selfish life or be engaged in pursuit of penance and austerities without any thought for the well-being of the body.