PARABLES OF RAMA | CHAPTER II | 007 | | RAMA राम

|| DIFFUSION OF GOOD SPONTANEOUSLY | THE HOLY SHADOW ||

Long , long ago , there lived a saint so good that the astonished angels came down from the Heaven to see how a mortal could be so GODly . The saint simply went about daily life , diffusing virtue , as the star diffuses light and the flower perfume , without even being aware of it .

Two words summed up the saint's day :— one gave , one forgave . Yet these words never fell from the lips . They were expressed in the ready smile , the kindness , forbearance , and charity .

The angels said to GOD : " O Lord , grant the saint the gift of miracles " .

GOD replied : " I consent ; ask what is wished . "

So they said to the saint : " Should you like the touch of your hands to heal the sick ? "

" No , " answered the saint '' , I would like rather GOD should do that . "

" Should you like to convert guilty souls and bring back wandering hearts to the right path ? "

" No : that is the mission of angels . I pray , I do not convert . "

'' Should you like to become a model of patience attracting people by the lustre of your virtues , and thus glorifying GOD ? "

" No " replied the saint , " if people should be attracted to me , they would become estranged from GOD . The Lord has other means of glorifying Itself " .

" What do you desire then ? " cried the angels .

" What can I wish for ? " asked the saint smiling , " That GOD gives me Its grace ; with that , should I not have everything ? "

But the angels wished : " You must ask for a miracle , or one will be forced upon you " .

" Very well " , said the saint , " that I may do a great deal of good without ever knowing it " .

The angels were greatly perplexed . They took counsel together and resolved upon the following plan :

Every time the saint's shadow should fall behind , or at either side , so that the saint could not see it , it should have the power to cure disease , soothe pain , and comfort sorrow .

And so it came to pass : when the saint walked along , the shadow , thrown on the ground on either-side or behind , made arid paths green , caused withered plants to bloom , give clear water to dried up brooks , fresh colour to pale little children , and joy to unhappy parents .

But the saint simply went about daily life , diffusing virtue as the star diffuses light and the flower perfume , without even being aware of it . And the people respecting the humility , followed the saint silently , never speaking to the saint about the miracles .

Little by little , they came even to forget the saint's name , and referred to only " The Holy Shadow " .

MORAL : One who rises above all desires is always diffusing good as spontaneously and naturally as a flower gives perfume , or a star diffuses light , without even being aware of it .

SOURCE | SATYAVEDISM.ORG