The Woodcutter’s Delusion
This is a story that Bhagavan Baba has narrated to illustrate how we have ignored spiritual teachings while leading a mundane life.
A king was out hunting in the forest. Pursuing deer, he went too far and left his retinue behind. He lost his way and was overcome by hunger and thirst. At last he saw a tiny hut in which lived a poor woodcutter and his wife. The wood-cutter eked out a livelihood by selling fuel in distant villages. Their larder was almost empty, but the wife managed to find a piece of bread, which the king ate avidly. He had never tasted any-thing so good, as he had never been as hungry as he was then.
He went to sleep at noon and slept soundly, for he had never been as tired as he was then. By that time the courtiers and soldiers had tracked the king to the hut, and the woodcutter was astounded to learn that his guest was the monarch of the realm.
He apologized profusely for the poor fare he had offered, although the king had never uttered a word of complaint.
The next day when men came from the capitol to take him to court, the poor fellow was certain that he was going to be punished for insulting the ruler. His wife accompanied him, for she felt that she should share the misery of her husband. Upon their arrival at the court, the king provided a seat for the woodcutter and insisted that he sit. The poor man was sure that this was an honor reserved for animals to be sacrificed. He and his wife were fed well, also an honor usually given to sacrificial animals.
Then the king asked him what boon he would like from him. The terrified man could only ask, ‘Please let me go home with my wife, and do not cut off my head.’ The king answered, ‘I am not such an ungrateful wretch that I would treat you so cruelly. If I give you an estate, you will only ruin it. You do not understand agriculture. If I give you riches, thieves will only steal them, as you live alone in the jungle. So I shall give you a 30-acre sandalwood plantation in that forest. Make good use of it and prosper.’ The woodcutter was very relieved, and he and his wife returned to the forest.
About six months later, the king went hunting in the forest again, and he went in search of the woodcutter. He found him quite happy, for, as he told the king, he was now selling charcoal for fuel. The sandalwood trees were being reduced to charcoal by the woodcutter because he did not know the value of the gift he had received. He frittered them away for temporary and trivial benefits. That is the tragedy of man everywhere.
Bhagavan says that, “The ancient wisdom, reflected in the moral laws of all religions, has laid down rules and regulations for the best possible utilization of human life. But for lack of teaching, exposition and example, they have been neglected. This neglect of the rules is like inflicting injuries on oneself… Reform the body, reconstruct the mind, and regulate the way of living. Dedicate all tasks as offerings to the Lord.”
Source: Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 4
