CHINNA KATHA FROM BHAGAVAN’S DISCOURSE. No. 7

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7 - Put into practice?

 

One day, an old lady came to Ramakrishna Paramahamsa with her 10 year old

grandson. She prostrated before him and said: " Master! I have come to seek your

advice. This boy is my grandson. He lost his father and mother when he was just

a child of five. I have been taking care of him. He is very fond of sweets. He

eats so much that his health is deteriorating day by day. The doctors have

advised him not to eat sweets but this fellow does not pay any heed to their

advice. However, he has great respect and admiration for you.. So I have come to

request you to stop the boy from eating sweets. I am sure, you alone can do

this " . Ramakrishna said: " Mother, don't worry, come with your grandson after a

month. In the meanwhile I shall think of a plan to convince the boy that one's

health is very important, more important even than wealth " . The old woman

thanked him and took leave of him.

 

She came with her grandson exactly after a month. Both of them paid their

salutations to the master. Ramakrishna made the boy sit beside him and said: " My

dear boy! Remember, one's real wealth is health. Unless you take proper care of

your health, you will not be able to grow into a strong and healthy young man.

You will not be able to do anything great in life if you are weak. When

something that we eat does not suit our constitution, we should give up eating

that item. From tomorrow you should not eat sweets. After some time you may eat

moderately. You are a nice boy and will listen to me, will you not?†The boy

nodded his head and promised that he would not eat sweets.

 

The old woman sent the boy on some errand just to have confidential talk with

the master. " Master! May I ask you a question? " said the old woman. " Certainly

mother " , replied Ramakrishna. " Master! This advice which you have given today to

my grandson, you could have given last month itself. Why did you ask me to come

again after a month? I don't understand " . Ramakrishna replied with an

understanding smile: " Mother! I myself eat lot of sweets. How can I advise the

boy to do something that I am not doing myself? One has no right to preach

anything to others before practicing it himself. So I asked for some time. This

one month I did not eat sweets. So I have earned the right to advise your

grandson. " The old woman marveled at the righteous conduct of Ramakrishna. She

fell at his feet and took leave of him.

 

We should never advise anyone about anything which we ourselves have not put

into practice.