Divine Niche: Be curious not judgemental

The King, Brahmans, Eagle and Snake

Once upon a time, there was a generous King, who would give away food everyday in his kingdom to Brahmans. Like everyday, a big feast was being prepared, including kheer (rice pudding/ porridge), in the royal gardens, right when an eagle flew over the kheer pot.

The eagle had its prey, a small snake, in its mouth. Accidentally the snake fell into the container in which the kheer was kept and no one took a notice of it. The kheer instantly became poisonous. The same was later distributed to the Brahmans, who died after consuming it.

In Yamlok, Chitragupta (the record keeper of our karma) had to register the sin in someone's account, but was perplexed as he could not fathom who should be held responsible for this sin.

The King wanted to do a good deed and did not distribute the poisonous kheer on purpose. The eagle was behaving according to its nature and did not drop the prey in the kheer on purpose and the snake had no such intentions as well.

Chitragupta took this case to Yamraj, to seek an answer. Yamraj suggested him to wait for some time and asserted that he would get his answer soon.

On the same evening, three Brahmans wanted to meet the King. They were from a nearby village and didn’t know the way to the palace. The Brahmans asked a fruit vendor, who was selling fruits nearby. The fruit vendor gave them the directions, and also warned the Brahmans, “You seem to be new to this place, you have no idea what happened today morning, the King gave poison to some Brahmans! Do not eat anything if he offers food. Do not tell anyone that I told you about the incident.”

At this very instant, Chitragupta got his answer.

Who do you think must have been held accountable for the sin?

Well, it was the fruit vendor. He recorded the sin of Brahman hatya (murder), in the account of the fruit vendor.

Why: The fruit vendor, instead of minding her own business, took pleasure in talking about the sins committed by others. In this case, there was no-one directly responsible for the sin. But, whoever takes pleasure explaining the sins of others shall equally be held accountable for the karma of the sins.

The tale tells one to be mindful of what they say about others, and not to judge people without knowing the actual truth. The seemingly innocuous talks (gossip) can ruin someone’s image and harm people. We make judgements about people, without even giving them a chance of being heard, and spread gossip with pleasure like proven facts.

People evolve and change over time, and our perceptions about them should also change based on their deeds.