Legends and Parables of India: The Lesson for the Hermit
The Young Hermit
A young hermit had practiced severe yogic discipline, resulting in surprising powers. He sat under a tree in a forest, engrossed in meditation. However, his peace was suddenly disrupted by a crow cawing from a branch above his head. Overcome with anger, the hermit looked up and, using the power he had amassed, reduced the bird to ashes.
Seeking Alms
The following day, at noon, the hermit approached a villager’s house to ask for alms from the lady of the house. She was about to oblige him when her husband returned, looking tired, from the fields.
An Indignant Hermit
“Wait a little!” the lady told the hermit, attending first to her husband. Once she had ensured his comfort, she turned to the hermit. “How dare you ignore a holy guest?” shouted the angry hermit.
The Lady’s Wisdom
“Excuse me and calm down, hermit. My husband was tired and deserved my immediate attention. I see no reason for you to be in a hurry,” replied the lady calmly.
“You have the audacity to belittle me! Do you know what I can do?” shouted the hermit, filled with fury.
“I know. You can burn down a poor bird, but you cannot harm me. Once again, I ask you to excuse me and calm down, and please accept the alms,” said the lady with a kind smile.
Astonishment and Realization
The hermit stood stunned. How did the lady know about him burning the crow? She must possess even greater powers than he! Bowing to the lady, he said, “Your vision is amazing, revealing what I had done yesterday. Though you appear to be a worldly woman, you must be a saint at heart. Please, pass on some of your power and wisdom to me.”
The Search for a Guru
“I have little worth to offer. If you seek wisdom, go meet my guru, whom you can find in the bazaar in the town,” the lady replied.
The hermit promptly made his way to the town, clutching the address given by the woman. However, upon reaching the specified location, he found no guru, only a meat-seller occupied with customers.
The Encounter with the Meat-Seller
The hermit contemplated asking the meat-seller about the guru, but he was too busy and paid him no attention until the customers had left.
“Come closer and take a seat. You are perhaps directed to me by one of my disciples— the woman with whom you initially got angry,” said the meat-seller, gazing at the hermit.
Questioning the Seer
The hermit was perplexed. “You are a great seer, but why have you chosen such a despicable vocation? If you knew I was here to meet you, why didn’t you speak to me sooner?” he asked.
The meat-seller offered the hermit a seat with a smile. “Let me answer your last question first. I was attending to my customers; I had a duty to ensure they received the right measure of meat for their price. Regarding my spiritual capacity, I keep that to myself and do not like boasting about it. I am merely continuing the trade of my forefathers. I am not greedy for profit nor disheartened by loss, as I have old parents to support. As long as they live, I must carry on this trade, and then I will decide my path.”
Lessons in Humility
“Are you saying that leaving the world, as I have done, holds no particular benefit?” asked the hermit.
“That depends! You may leave the world, but you could not even conquer your anger, reducing an innocent bird to ashes. What matters is conquering your passions, whether you are part of society or withdrawn from it,” replied the meat-seller.
Final Advice
The hermit sat silent, his head bowed in contemplation. After a while, he asked, “What is your advice for me?”
“Go home and take care of your old parents. Leaving the world may be beneficial for others, but not for you. You are steeped in ambition, which has granted you some powers. However, this is no guaranteed path to God. Perform your duty and conquer your passions,” said the meat-seller.
A Grateful Departure
The hermit prostrated himself before the meat-seller and left for home, enlightened by the wisdom he had received.