THE THREE BEST THINGS

[Guest guest]

Source:

http://media.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_03/09SEP01/chinnakatha.htm

 

THE THREE BEST THINGS

 

A king used to ask three questions to all the people who came to

him. The first question was, 'Who is the best person?' The second

was: 'What is the best time?' and the third, 'What is the best of

all actions?'

 

The king was very anxious to know the answers to these questions.

One day, he went to the forest and was moving about the hills and

plains. He saw an ashram (hermitage) and wanted to take some rest

there. By the time the king reached the ashram, a hermit was

watering some plants.

 

The hermit saw that the king was rather tired, stopped watering the

plants, ran up to the king and gave him some fruits and cool water.

 

At that time, a man was brought to the ashram by another hermit with

wounds all over his body. As soon as the hermit saw this, he went to

the man, cleaned his wounds and gave him some herbs which would cure

the wounds. He was also speaking sweet words to console him.

 

The king then wanted to express his gratitude and take leave of him.

The hermit blessed the king, but the king was still troubled by his

three questions and wished to see if the hermit could enlighten him.

 

The hermit stated that the answers to the three questions were

contained in the actions which the king had witnessed in the ashram.

 

 

The hermit said that when the king came to the ashram he was

watering the plants and that was his duty.

 

 

On seeing the king the hermit had given up his duty and had come to

the king, giving him fruit and water. This was in accordance with

correct traditions, as the king was his guest.

 

While relieving the king of his thirst and suffering, another

injured individual had come to the ashram and therefore the hermit

had given up the duty of serving the king and had gone to the other

man and had begun to serve him.

 

Whoever comes seeking service from you is the best individual at

that time.

 

Whatever satisfaction you can give him by serving him will be the

best work you can do.

 

The present, when you can do something, is the most sacred of all

times.

 

- BABA