There was a flowe
The Fisherman and the Florist
There was a flower seller whose great friend was a fisherman. One day, the flower seller invited the fisherman to come to dinner and to spend the night at his home. The florist had decorated his home with hundreds of fragrant flowers, and especially the room where the fisherman was going to sleep was full of sweet-smelling blossoms.
After a good meal, both of them retired to their respective rooms for the night. The florist was soon snoring happily, but the fisherman could not sleep a wink. The next morning, when the florist asked his friend why he was looking so tired, the fisherman said, “All these flowers—they are just too fragrant. They have blocked up my sinuses. I couldn’t breathe all night. Now I want to go to the fish market where a man can breathe.”
The florist understood and immediately brought the fisherman’s fish basket close to his face. The fisherman, breathing a big sigh of relief, thanked the florist for reviving him and went back to the fish market. The florist considered the smell of the fish to be abominable, but the fisherman found it to be supremely sweet.
Moral of the Story
This story illustrates how different individuals find comfort and satisfaction in various environments, depending on their conditioning and preferences.
In Srimad Bhagavatam 3.30.4, it is said:
jantur vai bhava etasmin yaam yaam yonim anuvrajet
tasyaam tasyaam sa labhate nirvrtim na virajyate
Translation: The living entity, in whatever species of life he appears, finds a particular type of satisfaction in that species, and he is never averse to being situated in such a condition.
Srila Prabhupada explains in the purport that, “A man in a higher position may feel dissatisfaction with the standard of life of a lower grade man, but the lower grade man is satisfied in that position because of the spell of maya, the external energy.”
Lessons to be Learned
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Conditioning and Satisfaction: Every living being finds a particular type of satisfaction in its conditioned state. What seems abominable to one may be supremely satisfying to another due to their different conditions and experiences.
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Maya’s Spell: The material energy (maya) keeps individuals satisfied in their specific conditions, making them averse to higher consciousness or better conditions.
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Compassion of Pure Devotees: The pure devotees of the Lord are extremely compassionate. They come to us seeing our abominable condition and lift us out of it through their instructions and guidance based on the scriptures.
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Human Form of Life: With the human form of life and developed consciousness, we should take the opportunity to listen to the pure devotees and relish the transcendental talks about Krishna (Krishna-katha) instead of running after materialistic talks (ku-katha).
Reflection and Prayer
The story emphasizes the need for gratitude and appreciation for the higher knowledge and guidance provided by pure devotees. When the pure devotees bring the aroma of the saffron dust of Krishna’s lotus feet in the form of Krishna-katha, let us relish it and transform our lives.
Prayer:
“I pray at the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada and Gurudev that when the pure devotees bring to me the aroma of the saffron dust of Krishna’s lotus feet in the form of Krishna-katha, let me relish them instead of running for the abominable smell of the fish basket in the form of ku-katha (materialistic talks).”
Sharing the Wisdom
Please share this moral and instructive story with others so that everyone can benefit from hearing about Krishna and His dear devotees.
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
