CHINNA KATHA FROM BHAGAVAN’S DISCOURSE. No. 50.

[Guest guest]

50 - Who is carrying the bag?

 

Once, Iswarachandra Vidya Sagar was proceeding to a neighbouring village

to deliver an address. People used to gather in large numbers to listen

to his lectures. A young officer, who wanted to listen to Iswarachandra

Vidyasagar's lecture, got down from a train with a bag to go to the

Lecture-hall.

 

Iswarachandra Vidyasagar also got down from the same train. The young

officer was calling for a porter to carry his bag. Iswarachandra went to

him and said: " Why do you need a coolly to carry this small bag? Can't

you carry it yourself and save the money? " He replied: " It is not in

keeping with my dignity to carry my bag. I am an educated person. "

Iswarachandra told him: " The hallmark of education is humility, not

pride. If you cannot carry your own bag, how are you carrying your body?

If, however, you cannot carry your own bag, I shall do so. " And

Iswarachandra carried the officer's bag. He acted on the motto: " Plain

living and high thinking. " The young man wanted to offer money to his

'porter'. Iswarachandra told him: " To serve you is my reward " .

 

The young officer left and was later proceeding to the venue of the

meeting. There people were offering garlands to Iswarachandra Vidyasagar

to welcome him to the meeting. The young officer realised that the man

who had offered to carry his bag at the station was none other than the

respected speaker of the evening, Iswarachandra Vidyasagar. He felt

ashamed that he had made such a great man carry his bag. He reflected:

" What is his education and what is mine? I am like a glow worm before

the Sun. "