DoYouWant to be a Dog?

Swami marked the following page in Sathya Sai Speaks volume 2, from His

discourse 19 May 1962. Here is the story.

There is a story of a dog that came to Rama, bleeding from blows.

Laksmana was sent to inquire why it was in such pain. He discovered that a

Brahmin had beaten it with a stick. When asked, the Brahmin could only

give as sufficient cause that the dog was coming across his path.

So Rama asked the dog, "Well, how do you want me punish this

Brahmin?" The dog promptly gave the reply, "Make him the manager of a

temple." "What?" said Rama. "That would be a reward, not a punishment."

The dog said, "No, I was a manager and since it is next to impossible not to

mishandle or misuse or appropriate some fraction of God's money, when he

is the manager, he too will get this canine birth and perhaps get beaten too."

Remember, not only that dog and that Brahmin, but every one of you is

living off the property of God, for does not all this belong to Him? And what

do you do in return for all the benefits you derive from the property of the

Lord? You cannot eat it and sit quiet. You must at least give some physical

labour in return; he who does not work but eats is indeed a cheat. Not that

the Lord wants anything from you, but it will give self-respect and it will

purify your heart.