Renounce the thoughts of Fruits

Once upon a time lived a very ambitious young man. 'One day I shall rule the world' he had owed. He was brought up by his poor widow mother who had always told him stories during his childhood. One story always remained in his mind. The story of how their kingdom was rescued by a powerful Yogi, from the verge of defeat in a war, using his yogic power. So the young man decided to practice yoga to aquire special powers using which he could conquer the world. He travelled to a distant forest where he meditated, worshipped and practiced Yoga rigorously. He ceased to eat, tenuously controlled mind and material desires, did not even look at women and reduced breathing to bare minimum. As his 'tapasya' or penance became more severe over the years, so did his thirst for power.

Meanwhile in the country it was third consecutive year without rain. All the stock of food and grains were empty. The land looked dry and sky held no promise. The legend had it that, if the King made paada pooja to a sacred Yogi, in an auspicious place at an auspicious hour, it would rain immediately and end the drought. Paada pooja ritual involved washing legs with sacred water. The King heard about this young sannyasin and requested him to see the country out of drought. The young man was mightily pleased and accepted the invite.

Thousands of villagers had gathered in the place where miracle was set to happen. In an auspicious timing the King made paada pooja to the young man and let the water flow. People anxiously waited for rain. But there was no trace of Varuna, the rain God. Everyone was dejected because their last hope was shattered. Just when King was about to leave, he slipped and fell at a woman's feet knocking down her bindige, a traditional water container, full of water, she had carried from distant place for her household chores. There was a miracle and it was raining in no time. The villagers and King fell at women's feet and declared her a true Yogi. The young sannyasin felt insulted and was wondering how the women could have more power than him. Just then the women answered to him 'Boy I do not know your yoga or your practices. I am a common everyday woman. I was carrying water to nurse my ill husband. All my life I have struggled to do my duty. Before marriage I did my duty to my parents and after marriage I do my duty to my husband. I do not expect anything in return. That is all Yoga is for me." He was surprised that women could read his mind too.

He wandered in the country not able to fathom how an ordinary woman could have more power than him inspite if his austere yoga. Finally a wise man explained him what had gone wrong. He said "look my boy, the woman gained power because she did her duties very faithfully without expecting any return, and thus was a true yogi. Though your chosen path was also correct, you were more intent on results. No one can gain power without renouncing the thoughts of fruits. Even a fool can rule the world, if he waits and works restraining the idea of ruling the world. Ma karma-phala-hetur bhur buddhau saranam anviccha krpanah. Let not fruit of action be your motive. Pitiful are they whose motive is fruit."