Joy Of Sharing

SWAMI SUNIRMALANANDA recounts incidents that exalt giving rather than hoarding, whether it is to do with material wealth or power.

A pair of slippers administered a vast kingdom for 14 years! Prince Rama was unjustly exiled to the forest for 14 years. His brother, Bharata, was told to ascend the throne of Ayodhya. Though capable, he refused to do so as it was his older brother Rama, who was meant to take up the responsibility. Bharata went to the forest, begged and pleaded with Rama with tear-filled eyes, to return to Ayodhya and assume charge of the kingdom. However, the steadfast and obedient Rama replied that he had to keep his father’s word and so could not return for 14 years.

Bharata’s Vow

Finally, when nothing would change Rama’s mind, Bharata said that he would function merely as the caretaker of the kingdom upon two conditions: One, Rama should give him his padukas or footwear, and they would be placed on the throne to indicate who the real ruler was. Bharata would only act on Rama’s behalf. Secondly, Rama should return exactly after 14 years and assume kingship. If he delayed his return, Bharata would jump into the fire and end his life. Rama knew his brother’s resolve was firm. So he hurried back to Ayodhya after 14 years, just in time to stop Bharata from entering into a blazing fire. That was Bharata — waiting for so long in silence and ready to sacrifice his life as he had neither greed nor ambition to lure him.

Swami Vivekananda narrated the following story in California in 1900: As a young man, Emperor Ashoka fought with his brother. He got the news that he had taken shelter with a Buddhist monk. Ashoka said, “Deliver the man to me.” The monk said: “Vengeance is bad. Disarm anger with love. Anger is not cured by anger, nor hatred by hatred. Cure hatred with love. Friend, if for one evil thou returnest another, thou curest not the first evil, but only add one evil more to the world.” Ashoka replied: “Are you ready to give your life for that man?” “I am indeed ready, sir.” Ashoka drew his sword, and just as he was about to strike the monk, he looked at the face of the man. There was not a hint of fear in those eyes. The emperor stopped, and he said: “Tell me, monk, where did you learn this — fearlessness — despite having nothing to call your own?” And then the monk imparted to Ashoka, lessons on ahimsa, love and compassion.

Sri Ramakrishna’s father, Kshudiram Chatterjee, was a humble Brahmin living in a remote Bengali village called Dere. He never lied or coveted others’ wealth, and was always eager to serve God. He and his wife spent their time and meagre belongings in the service of God and the people. The chief of the village was a wicked man. He wanted to usurp a villager’s property illegally. So he fabricated a case against the poor man. And the wicked fellow wanted Kshudiram to second him, because a truthful man’s word would definitely be of advantage to help him win the case.

Kshudiram flatly refused: he would never utter a falsehood, and would never harm another person. As a consequence, the village chief snatched Kshudiram’s land, house and possessions. Kshudiram stood on the streets with his children and helpless wife, with nowhere to go. Just one falsehood and he could have lived in peace. But he never compromised. So he lost everything. But a friend who knew his worth welcomed him to Kamarpukur, gave him a hut, some space and a little piece of land for free, and Kshudiram continued to live a dedicated, principled life. Vivekananda said: ‘Everything can be sacrificed for truth, but truth cannot be sacrificed for anything.’

Recently, an onlooker saw a poor worker who was known to him, conversing with a friend. The worker was forcing his friend to come to his house and eat. The onlooker, knowing the poor financial condition of the worker, called him aside and said: “Knowing the state of affairs of your family fully well, why are you forcing your friend to eat?” The worker replied: “We can always share whatever little we have, isn’t it?”

Feeling Content

Yes, we can always share what we have, and that has been part of Indic tradition since ages. Atithi Devo Bhava — Guest is God. As Swami Vivekananda says: ‘In the West, they are trying to figure out how much has to be acquired for one to be able to achieve satisfaction; here we try to figure out how little can we manage with in order to achieve that same feeling.’ As the former king of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, put it so nicely: ‘Gross National Happiness is what matters; not Gross National Product’.

The joy one experiences in sharing and caring can never be matched in just accumulating material wealth.