The Devil’s Sale
Introduction: It was advertised that the devil was going to put his tools up for sale.
Public Inspection: On the date of the sale, the tools were placed for public inspection, each tool being marked with its sale price. They were a treacherous lot of implements…Hatred, Envy, Jealousy, Deceit, Lying, Pride and so on.
The Most Expensive Tool: Laid apart from the rest was a harmless looking tool that appeared to have been heavily used and was priced very high.
Curiosity of a Purchaser: “What is the name of this tool?” asked one of the purchasers, pointing to it.
Devil’s Reply: “That is ‘depression’,” replied the devil.
Reason for the High Price: “Why have you priced it so high?” the purchaser asked.
Devil’s Explanation: “Because it is most useful to me than all the others. I can pry open and get inside people’s hearts with that when I cannot get near them with my other tools. Once I get inside, I can make them do what I choose. It is badly worn because I use it on almost everyone, since very few people know that it belongs to me.”
Moral of the Story:
Whatever is destined for us will definitely happen and by our being depressed, the destiny is not going to change, rather it is going to make us more difficult to handle the situation.
Spiritual Insight:
There is a famous verse from Srimad Bhagavatam (SB 3.9.29) spoken by Lord Krishna to Brahma when Brahma was meditating not knowing what to do. Lord Krishna told him to never get depressed or discouraged.
Verse from Srimad Bhagavatam:
sri bhagavan uvaca maa veda-garbha gaas tandrim / sarga udyamam aavaha tan mayaapaaditam hy agre / yan maam praarthayate bhavaan
Translation: The Supreme Personality of Godhead then said: “O Brahma, O depth of Vedic wisdom, be neither depressed nor anxious about the execution of creation. What you are begging from Me has already been granted before.”
Reflection:
The idea is that this world is going to throw both happiness and distress alternatively upon us. No one in this world can be always happy or always sad. Hence, at one moment we may be in difficulty, but in the course of time, things may change. Even if it doesn’t change, one thing that can keep us eternally happy is the chanting of the holy names and study of Bhagavad Gita and Bhagavatam.
Living in this world, we already have so many difficulties. Do not add more difficulty by getting depressed.
Conclusion:
Please always chant the holy name of Krishna:
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
and don’t be depressed!
PS: I humbly request all the devotees to please forward and share this moral / instructive story they hear so that everyone can be benefited by hearing about Krishna and his dear devotees.
