Yudhishthira was the king of Hastinapur. One day he was sitting in his royal court. He was discussing some matter with one of his ministers. His younger brother Bhimasena was present nearby.
At this moment a poor Brahmin appeared at the entrance of the court. The Brahmin wanted audience with the King Yudhishthira. But the doorkeeper thwarted his entry saying that the king was busy.
Somehow, Yudhishthira happened to glance at the entrance. Out of curiosity he asked the doorkeeper what the matter was. The doorkeeper said, ?A poor Brahmin wants to see you sir. He is in dire need of money for his livelihood.?
?Ask him to come tomorrow as I am busy today,? said Yudhishthira to the doorkeeper.
So the doorkeeper disposed off the poor Brahmin. The Brahmin left the place with a sullen face.
Bhimasena was watching the incident. He left his seat and proceeded to the grand entrance of the court. He climbed the footsteps and went to the platform meant for drummers and musicians. He pulled the stick and started beating the drum with full force at his command for a while. He then quietly returned to his seat.
Yudhishthira was surprised over the strange action of his younger brother Bhimasena. So he asked him, ?What is it that made you suddenly to beat the drum loudly at this odd hour??
?It is the surge of extreme joy that impelled me to beat the drum,? replied Bhimasena. Yudhishthira was taken aback. He asked Bhimasena, ?What is the cause of your extreme joy??
Raising three fingers of his right hand, Bhimasena said, ?Three miracles have happened.?
Yudhishthira was further surprised. He said, ?Miracles? Which miracles??
Bhimasena said, ?Sir, just now there was a poor Brahmin beseeching money from you for his livelihood. You have sent him back asking him to come tomorrow.?
?Nobody can guarantee that he will be alive the next day, what to say even the next moment! In promising to help the poor Brahmin the next day, you have presumed that you yourself will be alive tomorrow. This is miracle number one.?
?You have further assumed that the poor and needy Brahmin too will be alive the next day. That is miracle number two.? Bhimasena further said, ?Nobody can say with certainity that the desire to part with money and offer monetary help last for a moment. You have taken for granted that your desire will last for twenty four hours. That is miracle number three.?
?In the assurance to the Brahmin you have guaranteed three things, which nobody on earth can ever guarantee. This has come from your mouth. I was overjoyed with the happening of three mysterious things and I beat the drum to celebrate my joy.?
With these words, Yudhishthira understood what needs to be understood.
Little friends, will to help is a great virtue. Such will is very fickle. It will never last for a moment. So act on the spur of the moment when such will crops up in your mind.
Will to help is a great virtue. Such will is very fickle. It will never last for a moment. So act on the spur of the moment when such will crops up in your mind.
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