By : Swami Shanthananda Puri
Sai Baba has taught us that we are all linked with one another. Sai Satcharitra is full of anecdotes which speak of his deep love and connection with nature, animals and birds. Akin to Sai Baba’s kindness, there is a folktale from Hawaii, which teaches us the same thing.
Two large mynah birds spied a ripe mango hanging from a tree; the fruit was perfect, ready to eat. The older bird declared, “I have lived longer than you. I should be the one to eat this luscious fruit!” “You are old and can learn no more,” replied the younger, pulling out his chest. “I will be in charge after you are gone. So, the mango should be mine!”
Rising into the air, they attacked each other again and again. Amidst this, a mother and father sparrow pecked small pieces of the mango to feed their large hungry family. Flying together back and forth from the nest to the fruit, the sparrows carried piece after piece into their fledglings’ open mouths. Finally, the children were full and feel asleep.
After hours of squabbling, the mynahs collapsed, tired and hungry. They turned to look at their prize mango, and much to their surprise saw hardly anything was left.
Sai Baba advised a person desirous of acquiring the great knowledge of ‘Brahma Jnana,’ to strip off the coat of attachments! Attachments cause ego – a desire to possess creates infatuation, greed, lust, anger, pride and jealousy in human beings. These are the six enemies – ‘Ari Shadwargas’ which keep man away from Brahma – to God! With this greed for wealth a man does not recognize a man, father forgets his own son, wife knows not her husband, a brother is not a brother, a friend is not a friend! The only relative man recognizes is money!
Brahma means the understanding of oneness of soul – ‘Aham Brahmasmi,’ which means ‘I am God.’ When we feel connected and supported by each other, we all thrive; but we all lose out when connection and support are not found. (Source – Fragrant Flowers’).
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