Parables of Rama

by Swami Rama Tirtha | 102,836 words

Stories in English used by Swami Rama to illustrate the highest teaching of Vedanta. The most difficult and intricate problems of philosophy and abstract truths, which may very well tax the brains of the most intellectual, are thus made not only simple and easy to understand but also brought home to us in a concrete form in such an interesting and ...

Story 157 - The Companion's Effect on Transmigration

A Sage Questioned by a Cat and a Bog

There came two men to a sage in India, one of them with the temper of a dog and other with the temper of a cat, or it might be said, a cat and a dog came to the sage. The dog put this question to the sage, "Sir, sir, here is this cat or this catlike man. He is very wicked and sly, he is very bad. What will become of him in the next birth?'* Afterwards that cat-like man came to the sage and put the same question, "Sir, sir, here is the dog, or doggish fellow. He is very bad; he is snarling, barking. What will become of him after death in the next birth?" The sage kept quiet but after the questions had been repeated very often, he said, "Brothers it would have been better if you had not put these questions." But they insisted upon a reply.

The sage said, "Well, here is this cat; the cat keeps company with you, O dog, and he or she is imbibing your habits, is living with you, and is all the time partaking of your character. Well, in his or her next birth, this cat will become a dog. What else can it become?' And as to the dog, "Well, it is keeping company with you, O cat, and is all the time imbibing your characteristics and is sharing your habits; well, in his next birth, he must become a cat."

MORAL: Just as you imbibe the qualities of your companion in this life, so you are bound to become in the next.

Vol. 3 (138)

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: