The Unfortunate Encounter
Once, a poor butcher purchased a cow to sell her meat and support his family. While taking her to slaughter, the cow managed to escape. The butcher, wearing ordinary clothes and not recognizable as a butcher, chased the cow until she was out of sight. Exhausted, he took a rest at a junction where he encountered a Brahmana named Sadan. The butcher asked Sadan if he had seen a runaway cow and, if so, which direction she went.
The Truthful Guidance
Sadan, being a truthful person, pointed in the direction the cow went without considering the butcher’s intentions. Following the Brahmana’s guidance, the butcher found the cow, butchered her, and sold her meat. Consequently, Sadan became implicated in the sin of the cow’s death because he unknowingly aided the butcher.
The Consequences
After his death, the Brahmana was punished in hell and reincarnated as a butcher named Sadan, as retribution for his previous actions. In this life, his hands were cut off while performing his butchery work because he had used them to point out the cow’s direction.
Moral of the Story
The Brahmana Sadan, despite being learned and regularly chanting the Lord’s names, faced severe consequences due to one unintentional mistake. This highlights the importance of being cautious about whom we help and for what purpose.
Lessons to Learn
- Consider the Consequences: Helping someone without understanding their motives can lead to unintended negative outcomes. Always consider the broader consequences of your actions.
- Discriminate in Giving Charity: Charity should be given thoughtfully and to worthy causes. Blindly giving help or donations can lead to suffering and sin.
- Act with Caution: Even good intentions need to be executed with awareness and caution to avoid negative repercussions.
Scriptural Reference
Lord Krishna’s guidance in the Bhagavad-gītā emphasizes the importance of giving charity in the right way:
Bhagavad-gītā As It Is 17.20: “Charity given out of duty, without expectation of return, at the proper time and place, and to a worthy person is considered to be in the mode of goodness.”
Bhagavad-gītā As It Is 17.21: “But charity performed with the expectation of some return, or with a desire for fruitive results, or in a grudging mood, is said to be charity in the mode of passion.”
Bhagavad-gītā As It Is 17.22: “And charity performed at an impure place, at an improper time, to unworthy persons, or without proper attention and respect is said to be in the mode of ignorance.”
Conclusion
Charity and help should be extended with careful consideration and to those who are deserving. Being mindful of the consequences and ensuring that actions align with righteous principles will prevent the repercussions of unintended sins.
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
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