Asteya – Sharing

The Joy of Sharing

Rama never accepted expensive gifts from anyone. He was blessed with the wealth of contentment. He adjusted to every circumstance with a smile of contentment.  He was never unhappy.

Once, King Asoka sent Rama some expensive utensils. Rama was not present in his cottage so his mother received them. When he came back, his mother told him that King Asoka had sent some very beautiful utensils. She also said that she had kept them in the cottage and distributed the old earthenware ones.

Rama said. “That is all right. Now we shall distribute the new utensils as well.”

And, carrying the basket of utensils on his head, he went out to distribute them. He was very happy after distributing them. The people of his village came to know that Rama had distributed all his utensils so they gave him new earthenwares.

The moral of the story is:

Whatever we have, belongs to everyone. How nice if everybody can use it! That was the way Rama thought.

Dear children, try to think like him and translate his thoughts into your behaviour and actions. Feel happy, like Rama, to find your things are being utilised by others. May you understand what the joy of sharing is!

More examples of sharing:

1. Sometimes it’s letting your little brother sleep in bed with you.
2. Sharing half your cookie with your friend – even if it’s your favourite, chocolate chips.
3. Sharing is telling your dad and mum about your school trip to the petting zoo.
4. Your friend forgot to bring his pencil case, you may share some of your pencils with him.
5. When your classmate doesn’t understand how to solve a math problem, you share with him the method to solve it.

Sharing makes others feel good, and it makes you feel good too.

Sharing is the giving of yourself to others. Sharing is a good thing to do!

Can you think of other ways to share?

This article was featured in YogaMail Jan-Mac 2010 issue.

Satya – Being Truthful

Here is a story on Being Truthful or “Satya” (Sanskrit) – The 2^nd Yama

Being Truthful All the Time

Once there was a shepherd boy who had to look after a flock of sheep. One day, he felt very free and decided to play a trick on the villagers. He shouted,” Help! Wolf! Wolf!” The villagers heard his cries and rushed out of the village to help the shepherd boy. When they reached him, they asked, “Where is the wolf?”

The shepherd boy laughed loudly, “Ha, ha, ha! I fooled all of you. I was only playing a trick on you.”

A few days later, the shepherd boy played the same trick again.

Again he cried,” Help! Help! Wolf! Wolf!” Again, the villagers rushed up the hill to help him and again they found that the boy had tricked them. They were very angry with him for being so naughty.

Then, one night he dreamt , a wolf went into the field. The wolf attacked one sheep, and then another and another. The shepherd boy ran towards the village shouting,” Help! Help! Wolf! Help! somebody!”

The villagers heard his cries but they laughed because they thought it was another trick.  He woke up from his sleep and first thing in the morning he went to a for forgiveness from the villagers for being untruthful to all of them and he regretted what he had done. He promised them he would never lie again. All the villagers forgave him and were proud of him for admitting his mistakes.

After sometime a wolf went into the field and started to attack the sheep. The shepherd boy shouted “Help! Wolf! Wolf!” The villagers heard his cries and rushed out to help. They managed to chase the wolf and saved all his sheep. The shepherd boy was very happy that his sheep were saved because of his truthfulness.

The moral of the story is:

Thus you see, there is great harm by being untruthful. We have to admit our faults so that we become bold, have a pure and clear heart. All will admire and love us.

Always speak the truth in words and thoughts. Saying what is beneficial with honesty in a pleasant way is truthfulness.

This article was featured in YogaMail Oct-Dec 2009 issue.