Teaching Story - The grateful sanyasi

by Life Positive

Is there any message you would like me to give him?” The old sanyasi replied, “Please ask Him how much longer I shall have to wait for liberation. I have been a sanyasi since the last three births.” Narada agreed. He went a little further and found another sanyasi sitting under a tree.

Narada asked him, “Well, brother, have you any message for Him? I’m on my way to Vishnu’s abode.” He answered, “No, brother. He has given me all that I need. If possible, just convey my gratitude to Him.” When Narada returned and met the old sanyasi, he told him, “Forgive me, brother, but Vishnu said, ‘As many leaves as there are on this tree, so many births will this man have before attaining liberation.’” The old sanyasi shouted, “What injustice! For three births I have done penances, tortured myself, and still so many births to go!

	Life is truly known only to those who suffer, lose, endure adversity and stumble from defeat to defeat. - Anais Nin

It cannot be!” Narada then approached the young man under the second tree. “You didn’t request it, but I asked God on your behalf how long it will be before you attain liberation, and He said, ‘As many leaves as there are on the tree where he sits, so many births must he take before attaining.’” The young man began dancing. “So soon? Look at the other trees covered by leaves, but He has counted only the leaves of this tree. How wonderful! And how will I express my gratitude to Him?” He was mad with joy and danced round and round the tree, and danced around Narada. The story goes that thus dancing, he attained samadhi.

Source: "The True Name, Vol 2 "
- Osho