AMMA SAYS - STORIES & JOKES

[Guest guest]

OM AMRITESWARYAI NAMAH

 

AMMA SAYS - STORY

 

Never delay in giving

 

Karna was revered by everyone for his kindness and his great

generousity. One day he was rubbing oil on his hair as he was

preparing for his bath. At that moment, Lord Krishna arrived and

asked for the jewelled oil cup as a gift. Krishna was testing Karna,

for it was reputed that Karna would, without exception, immediately

give away whatever was asked for him He never postponed a chance to

give. When Krishna now asked for the jewelled cup that Karna was

using, Karna was a bit surprised. He said, "Ah my Lord, how strange

that you should want such paltry thing. Yet who am I to judge? Here,

take it." - and because Karna's righ hand was full of oil he placed

the cup in Krishna's hand with his left hand. But the Lord scolded

Karna for offering the gift with his left hand. [in India one would

never offer anything with the left hand, as it is considered to be

improper.]

 

'Forgive me, Lord!' said Karna. "As You can see, my right hand is

covered with oil and I was afraid that during the time it would take

to wash my hand, my untrustworthy mind might change its course and

no longer want to give you the cup. My fickle mind would then

deprive me of the good fortune obtained by providence to offer You

something. This was why I acted that very moment. Please forgive me."

 

"This is a beautiful incident from the Mahabharata in which Karna

describes the negative and fickle nature of the mind."

 

::

AMMA SHARANAM