Story 239 - The example of serving others through self-help

Sir Isaac Newton never thought that he would be serving the world. He was running in pursuit of knowledge, as the moths run towards the burning candle. Because he was doing his duty properly, or say, because he tried to help himself, he ultimately proved himself the benefactor of the world. If a man stands in a field, he can see or make his voice heard up to a limited distance only. But if the same man stands at top of a high tower or a mountain, he can do so up to a far greater area. Rama was once going with a few companions to Gangotri on the Himalayas and lost the way. Their bodies were scratched and bruised by thorns and shrubs. They were all scattered and no one could hear the call of the other. When with difficulty Rama reached the top, he raised his voice, to call them and, as a result of it, they could hear him, and assembled together. Similarly, so long as we are fallen, nobody will hear us, but when we speak from a higher level, all will be able to listen to us.

Now take this small wooden table placed in front of Rama. It cannot be moved, if we try to do so from the farther side or from the centre. But, if we do so from the nearest point, we can pull it to our side very easily. Similar is the relation of the world with a man. A poet says:

"The descendants of Adam are organs of each other, because they are born of the same source". If you want to move the whole world, you should do so by moving the nearest part of it, i. e. by mov¬ing your own self. If you can uplift yourself, the whole world will be lifted up. I dare say tbat you can move the world to the extent you can move your own self.

Vol. 4 (172-173)