Swami once told Narrated a most wonderful story on Buddha :
Buddha used to keep with him always a rattle-drum. His disciples once
asked him: "Master!Why are you always keeping this rattle-drum by your side?"
Buddha replied: "I shall play on this drum the day a person who has made
the greatest sacrifice approaches me." Everyone was eager to know who this
person would be. Wishing to attain this distinction, a Maharaja loaded his
elephants with considerable treasure and went to Buddha. He hoped to offer the
treasure to Buddha and earn his praise.
On the way, an old woman greeted the Maharaja and pleaded: "I am hungry.
Will you give me some food?" The Maharaja took out a pomegranate fruit from his
palanquin and gave it to the old woman. The old woman came to Buddha with the
fruit.
By then, the Maharaja had also come to Buddha and was eagerly waiting to
see when Buddha would sound the rattle-drum. For a long time Buddha did not use
it. The Maharaja stayed on. The old woman approached Buddha staggering on her
legs, and offered
him the pomegranate fruit. Buddha took it immediately and sounded the
little drum.
The Maharaja asked Buddha: "I offered so much wealth to you. You did not
sound the drum. But you rattled it after receiving a small fruit. Is this a
great sacrifice. Buddha replied: "Maharaja! In sacrifice, it is not quantity
that counts. It is the quality of sacrifice that matters. It is natural for a
Maharaja to offer gold. But what great sacrifice is made when a hungry old
women offers the pomegranate fruit to the Guru despite her hunger. She did not
care even for her life and gave the fruit. What greater sacrifice can there be?
It is not sacrifice to offer what is superfluous for you. True sacrifice means
giving up that which is most dear to you, that which you value most."
OUR LIFE IS HIS MESSAGE
Sai Ram
