Sadhvi Vishrut Vibha
False Pride
Long ago, there lived a king who was very proud. He however realized that this was an obstacle that had to be overcome. So, one day he went to his Guru and said, “Gurudev, my pride is a very big obstacle in the path of spiritual practice. Please tell me a way to get rid of it.” The guru replied, “O king! It is very difficult to get rid of pride.”
The king did not lose heart and requested his guru to guide him. So finally, the guru said, “Go out, and collect alms from each house of your city for seven days and survive on that food.” The king was surprised at this advice and said, “Gurudev, it will be very difficult task for me to do and that too in my own kingdom. Isn’t there any other option?” The guru said’ “there is no other alternative.”
The king was in a dilemma, but his pride was haunting him so decided to follow the advice and went out with a bowl in his hand to beg for alms in his own kingdom. The people were shocked as well as started to see the king. The king tolerated the reaction of the people with calmness. He realized that begging was not an easy task. One can bow before others only when he has no pride.
At the end of the seventh day, the king went to his Guru and said, “Gurudev, I have realized that my pride was false and baseless. I am very thankful to you for guiding me and reliving me from this vice.”
