THE PHILOSOPHER
A philosopher engaged in research :
A philosopher was doing research on the earning styles of priests of temples. Three particular priests struck his mind prominently.
The first priest used a square :
The philosopher met a priest and asked him "Sir, You are busy the whole day in worshipping. How do you earn your livelihood?"
"I take a small portion of the offerings of the devotees."
"What portion?" asked the philosopher.
"See, Sir," replied the priest, "I draw out an accurately measured 50 cms square on the ground. Standing near the square I hold the day's offerings and throw it upwards i.e. towards the heaven where the God resides. I take whatever money falls inside the square and rest I use for the purpose of the deity."
"What a complex method of sharing the offerings with God!" the philosopher thought.
The second priest used a circle :
The Philosopher went to the priest of another temple and asked the same question. "How do you earn your livelihood?"
This priest said that he too followed a similar method except that he used a circle of 50 cms diameter in place of a square.
"Why cannot these priests think of a simpler method of sharing the offerings with God?" the philosopher thought.
The third priest uses a 'simple method'! :
The Philosopher went to the third priest and asked the same question, "How do you earn your livelihood?"
The priest answered, "God is not a complex personality. Therefore, I do not use complex figures. I believe in simplicity" .
The philosopher was happy. "Then, what simple method do you use?"
"I just throw the offerings upwards i.e. towards the heaven where the God resides." the priest said. "Whatever share the God wants to take. He takes from the heaven. I take whatever, he allows to fall down."
The philosopher burst into laughter! !
MORAL OF THE STORY
- Whatever we offer goes to the priests and never to the gods.
- Since your offerings go to the priest and not to God, they cannot help you in real-life situations.
In studies :
- God takes only one offering which the priest cannot take away i.e., your hard work.
- Hard work helps you more than any amount of 'offerings' to God.