Vedantic Tales : The Wayfarer

Then the wayfarer proceeded to instruct Buckshee in truthfulness, non stealing, and non injury. He was to perform worship three times a day (the worship of Shiva, not of Kali) and to procure his food by begging even from the jackals and the rabbits, seeing in them only the Lord and, in their generosity, the grace of the Lord. He was to cast away his knife and with it the memory of the past, and he was to dwell in his mind upon the glory of God who lives equally in the lowliest of worms and the most exalted of monarchs and whose blessings are without end.

Of course, the wayfarer added, it will take some time to nullify all fifty two murders, for fifty two times the knife has plunged deep into your mind and left its scars. But be patient. What is time compared to the Eternity you will gain? A million years is but a fraction of an anna compared to the vast, unlimited treasure of Eternity. Be patient, my son, and do as I say. God will surely see your effort and help you forward.

Buckshee bowed his head low before his teacher. Sir, he said, I have learned that the Self is also an ocean of compassion, for why else would you teach me?

So saying, he threw his knife beyond the banyan tree into the bush.

Well done! the wayfarer said. Now, take this bowl and beg of the first travelers who pass by. He drew from his bundle his earthen begging bowl and presented it to Buckshee.

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