The universe is the creation of God and we are all His children. God has provided everything for the survival and progress of his dear children! He has blessed us with the sky, earth, water, air and fire so that we can make use of them for our sustenance! The magnificent mountains, the clear blue sky, the gurgling streams, flowing rivers, green and dense forests, the inexhaustible fauna and flora and the varieties of wild animals that throng the forest are intended for the pleasure and well being of His creation! In spite of these blessings showered on man, he has countless desires and feels disappointed when they are not fulfilled! He prays for silly material pleasures forgetting the very purpose for which God has created him viz to realize himself! In fact he has misused and abused all the natural resources granted by God but is not satisfied! Can there be any other entity that can bless man better than God Himself? There is no point in approaching mortal man for many things that one requires! He who has planted the forests, watered and maintained them and filled the rivers and formed the magnificent mountains shall surely grant whatever we desire!
Believe in God not in man for God shall never dump you as mischievous man! When Man himself is in perennial want, what is it that he can do for others? He has provided for everything that His creatures require. “ He that doth the ravens feed be comfort to my age” says old Adam In Shakespeare's As You like It! A fakir lived in a forest near Delhi. It was the reign of Akbar the Great ! The holy man was popular and many used to visit his cottage. His cottage was small and he had no furniture to make them sit nor did he have the wherewithal to extend his hospitality to his visitors! Hearing that Akbar was kind and compassionate to holy men, he decide to visit and request him for help. He prepared himself to meet the king and went to the palace. He was ushered into the prayer room where the Emperor was offering his prayers. Emperor Akbar was heard saying, “ O Lord, do thou grant me more wealth, more power, more territories!” The Fakir was astounded to hear the king pray like that. He rose immediately from his seat and was about to go when the Emperor signalled and asked him to be seated!
The Emperor asked the Fakir why he rose to depart having come to see him. The Fakir said that he did not want to trouble His Majesty with the object of his visit. The Emperor wasn't satisfied with the answer. He thought that the Fakir was hiding or unwilling to speak openly. The Emperor pressed the Fakir repeatedly to say what he wanted. At length the Fakir said that he was in need of money to see to the comfort of many who come to him for study! He came to the Emperor for help. Akbar was left wondering! He asked the Fakir why he wanted to go away without telling him the object of his visit to the Emperor.
The Fakir replied, “ When I saw that you were yourself a beggar, begging of the Lord for fortune and power and territory, I said to myself, ‘ Why should I go abegging to a person who is himself a beggar? I had better beg of the Lord Himself, if indeed it is not possible for me to do without begging altogether’ The Emperor was shocked and surprised at the attitude and answer of the Fakir! He was ashamed of his own conduct and prayer to God! He was the Emperor of the whole of India and yet he wanted more wealth, power and territory! He was consumed by greed and a never ending desire! The Fakir probably felt that what can a beggar give another beggar!
So praying for grants and awards from ordinary mortals, however great they may be, should be avoided! It depends on their mood and whims and fancies!They may give but can suddenly withdraw what they have given! Man’s mind is subject to vacillation! But when we pray to God sincerely, he grants our request which will be permanent! The incident of the fakir taught Emperor Akbar a very good and valuable lesson!
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