yahooyoga: Unselfishness (aparigraha)

Aparigraha (Freedom from hoarding or collecting) is the fifth Yama. Aparigraha means not to grasp or clutch onto things. One should not be greedy and should learn to live with few possessions. Many years ago in south India there lived a pious Brahmin named Vishnu-dasa. His life provides a good example of a man who firmly practiced Aparigraha.

Vishnu-dasa lived during the reign of the devout King Chola of Kanchi. King Chola prided himself on his piety. He offered fresh flowers and pearls to the gods in his daily worship. One day while the king was offering his prayers, the simple Vishnu-dasa arrived at the temple. Unmindful of the king, he sat down to pray. During his worship, Vishnu-dasa offered the gods a few holy basil leaves and some clear, fresh water from an earthen pot.

Seeing this the proud king was offended, "You poor Brahmin, how dare you offer the Lord such meager offerings? You shall never attain the kingdom of heaven." Let us see who attains the kingdom of the gods first," replied Vishnu-dasa. On returning to his palace, the king called his minister and asked, "what shall I do to please the gods?" "Why not make a grand charitable home for the needy and the poor, your Honor?" "That's an excellent idea. Let the work commence immediately commanded the king.

The pious Vishnu-dasa meanwhile continued to live an austere life devoted to prayer and worship. He lived simply and ate only one meal a day. One day after completing his prayers, the poor Brahmin, Vishnu-dasa, cooked his food and left it to cool on the window. He then went out for a short walk. When he returned he found that someone had eaten his food. The next day the same thing happened. The thefts continued daily. Deprived of his daily meal Vishnu-dasa thought, "Perhaps the gods want me to fast."

A few days later, while Vishnu-dasa was walking around as his food cooled, he noticed a ragged beggar creeping up to the window. As Vishnu dasa watched unobserved, he saw a hungry wretch stuffing food into his mouth and then sneaking away. Vishnu-dasa felt very sorry for the starved beggar. Noticing that the beggar had left the butter uneaten, Vishnu-dasa ran after him, "Please wait," shouted Vishnu-dasa, "you have forgotten to eat the butter!" But the beggar ran faster, thinking that Vishnu-dasa wanted to beat him.

At last, Vishnu-dasa caught up with the beggar. "Do eat the butter, too," pleaded the selfless Brahmin. The beggar was astonished to see the thin and frail Brahmin parting happily with his food. In an instant, the beggar changed into his true form. He was none other than the great Lord Vishnu! "My dear devotee, your selflessness is unmatched on earth," said Lord Vishnu. The Lord then took Vishnu-dasa to heaven. Be friendly, kind and compassionate, he taught. Be cheerful. Do not look for faults in others but always try to improve yourself.

The Yogi feels that the collection or hoarding of things implies a lack of faith in God and in himself to provide for his future. He keeps faith by keeping before him the image of the moon. During the dark half of the month, the moon rises late when most people are asleep and so do not appreciate its beauty. Its splendor wanes but it does not starry from its path and is indifferent to man's lack of appreciation. It has faith that it will be full again when it faces the sun and then people will eagerly await its glorious rising.