Q: How come Krishna gives Sudama all the wealth of the world in return for a handful of rice that he brings as a present?
Osho: It seems to us that giving away all the wealth of the world in return for a handlful of rice is too much. We fail to see that it is more difficult for poor Sudama to bring a handful of rice as a present for his friend, than it is for Krishna to give all the wealth of the world to Sudama. Sudama is so utterly poor, a beggar, that even a handful of rice is too much. Therefore his gift is more important than Krishna's, he is the real giver, not Krishna.
But we see it differently, we look at the quantity and not at the quality of the gift. We are not aware how difficult it was for a beggar like Sudama to collect a handful of rice, it is not that difficult for Krishna to give away lots of wealth, he is a King. He does not do any special favour to Sudama, he only responds. If someone advances the hand of friendship to him, he responds to it with greater love and friendship. He is like a valley which echoes your one call seven times. A valley is not waiting for your call, nor is it committed to respond to you, but it is in its nature to return your call seven times. What Krishna does stems from his nature, he is just responding to Sudama's love which is extraordinary.
It is significant that Sudama comes to Krishna not for any favour, but just to express his friendship, his love to him, and even as a poor man he brings a gift for his old friend. Usually a poor person wants to receuve something, he rarely gives anything. Here Sudama comes with a gift and not for a gift; his affluence of heart is in comparable.
Ordinarily a poor man begs and a rich man gives; there is nothing special about it. But when they reverse their roles, it has immense significance. Sudama is as extraordinary as Buddha; both are rare persons. Sudama has nothing and yet he gives, which is extraordinary. Sudama knows that Krishna lacks nothing, he is a King and yet he is anxious to bring him a gift.
When Sudama meets Krishna he feels very hesitant about his gift; he hides the packet from his friend. That is the way of love; even if it gives a lot it never thinks it is enough. Love does not give with fanfare as ordinary donors do; it likes to give anonymously. So Sudama hesitates, he hides his gift from Krishna. He is hesitant not just because it is a poor gift of rice; he would have hesitated even if he had rare diamonds. Love does not proclaim its gifts; proclamation is the way of the ego.
It is because love has become so scarce for us that we are surprised about it, otherwise there is nothing special about Krishna's response.
Excerpt from 'Krishna: The Man and his Philosophy' by Osho.
Osho: It seems to us that giving away all the wealth of the world in return for a handlful of rice is too much. We fail to see that it is more difficult for poor Sudama to bring a handful of rice as a present for his friend, than it is for Krishna to give all the wealth of the world to Sudama. Sudama is so utterly poor, a beggar, that even a handful of rice is too much. Therefore his gift is more important than Krishna's, he is the real giver, not Krishna.
But we see it differently, we look at the quantity and not at the quality of the gift. We are not aware how difficult it was for a beggar like Sudama to collect a handful of rice, it is not that difficult for Krishna to give away lots of wealth, he is a King. He does not do any special favour to Sudama, he only responds. If someone advances the hand of friendship to him, he responds to it with greater love and friendship. He is like a valley which echoes your one call seven times. A valley is not waiting for your call, nor is it committed to respond to you, but it is in its nature to return your call seven times. What Krishna does stems from his nature, he is just responding to Sudama's love which is extraordinary.
It is significant that Sudama comes to Krishna not for any favour, but just to express his friendship, his love to him, and even as a poor man he brings a gift for his old friend. Usually a poor person wants to receuve something, he rarely gives anything. Here Sudama comes with a gift and not for a gift; his affluence of heart is in comparable.
Ordinarily a poor man begs and a rich man gives; there is nothing special about it. But when they reverse their roles, it has immense significance. Sudama is as extraordinary as Buddha; both are rare persons. Sudama has nothing and yet he gives, which is extraordinary. Sudama knows that Krishna lacks nothing, he is a King and yet he is anxious to bring him a gift.
When Sudama meets Krishna he feels very hesitant about his gift; he hides the packet from his friend. That is the way of love; even if it gives a lot it never thinks it is enough. Love does not give with fanfare as ordinary donors do; it likes to give anonymously. So Sudama hesitates, he hides his gift from Krishna. He is hesitant not just because it is a poor gift of rice; he would have hesitated even if he had rare diamonds. Love does not proclaim its gifts; proclamation is the way of the ego.
It is because love has become so scarce for us that we are surprised about it, otherwise there is nothing special about Krishna's response.
Excerpt from 'Krishna: The Man and his Philosophy' by Osho.
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