Story of the three robbers

[Guest guest]

Story of the three robbers:

 

A traveller passing through a forest was captured by three robbers.

They robbed him of all his possessions.

Then one bound him with a rope.

The second took out a knife to kill him.

The third pleaded with the comrades not to kill him but to set him

free, as they had already taken his possessions.

Sense prevailed and he managed to get the man freed and then guided

him towards the road to the nearest town. Despite the pleadings

of the man to accompany him to the town the third robber declined

saying that if he went any closer he will get arrested.

 

This story illustrates the roles of various qualities we possess.

Tamas - is the first robber. This is inertia and has the ability

to delude and bind us to the world.

Rajas - is the second robber. These are desires that make us take

drastic steps that can drain and even damage us.

Sattva - the third robber represents the quality that removes our

sufferings; that points towards joy in contentment rather than in the

pursuit of sense pleasures. This is the quality (the robber) that

unbinds. Even though he sets us free, and points out a direction

for us to follow; he lives in the company of the other two

(Philosophically speaking he is qualified by the other two)

hence he too is classed a robber : )