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 246 - The prince and the painted plate
The young child of a king was fond of a small painted plate. Whenever some edible was served, he would insist on taking it in this very plate. Even when food was served in a bigger and more beautiful tray, he would kick it off. He would become wild by crying aloud. If someone asked him as to who else was the owner of the variety of the beautiful dishes of gold and silver, he would not listen to any one and would continue to insist on his demand most obstinately.
Like-wise, O true sons of Almighty, you are the owners of unlimited wealth, but whatever little is contained in your intellect (the small plate, as in the above case) is accepted by you as your own At man - you own self. You spurn it unknowingly. Even when it is suggested that the unbounded and unlimited legacy is all yours, instead of appreciating it, you get annoyed at it.