11.
DOES IT NOT PAIN THE TREE?

ONE morning K. was cutting down the ripe coconuts
from the trees while Bhagavan was returning from
the cowshed (gosala). Bhagavan asked K: what rod he was
using to pluck the coconuts, whether it had a bamboo bit
attached to the end or an iron point. K. remarked that it
was only an iron sickle.

      Bhagavan asked: "Will not the trees be hurt by the
sharp iron? Would not a rod with a bamboo bit at the end
serve the purpose?" And Bhagavan did not wait for a reply.1

K. went on with his work, nor did he change his
instrument, but continued to use the iron sickle every
morning.

      A week later, at the same time as on the previous
occasion, while K. was cutting down the coconuts from
the trees, one fell on his forehead and struck his nose very
painfully. This news was reported to Bhagavan.

      While expressing pity for the man, Bhagavan also
remarked: "Now he will know what it is to be hurt, and
also how much his iron sickle must have hurt the
uncomplaining trees."

      How like this is of Bhagavan, who finds all nature
pulsating with life and light!

l Suri Nagamma has the account of a time when an Ashram gardener
struck down many leaves while gathering mangoes; on that occasion
it seems Bhagavan expressed very great displeasure.

Page 36