{"id":4323,"date":"2013-07-13T01:55:12","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:55:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=4323"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:55:12","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:55:12","slug":"20-the-simple-life-vol-02-words-of-long-ago-volume-02","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/02-works-of-the-mother\/01-cwmce\/02-words-of-long-ago-volume-02\/20-the-simple-life-vol-02-words-of-long-ago-volume-02","title":{"rendered":"-20_The Simple Life.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n

\n
\nSix <\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n


\nThe Simple
\nLife <\/font> <\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\n                    T<\/font><\/span>he Prophet Mohammed, who devoted his life to teaching the Arab
\npeople, cared not for ease or riches. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>One
\nnight he slept on a hard mat, and when he awoke his skin bore the marks of the
\nknots and fibres<\/span> of his bed. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>A friend
\nsaid to him, \u201cO Messenger of Allah! This bed was too hard for you, and if you
\nhad asked me I would joyfully have prepared a softer one, so that your rest
\nmight have been better.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The
\nProphet replied, \u201cA soft bed is not for me. I have a work to do in the world.
\nWhen my body needs rest, I give it rest, but only as a horseman who ties his
\nhorse for a little while under the shade of a tree, to spare him from the heat
\nof the sun, and soon sets off once more.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cI
\nhave a work to do in the world,\u201d said the Prophet. That is why his noble life
\nwas a simple one. Believing in his mission, he wanted to instruct the whole of
\nArabia. He did not care for luxuries: his heart was set on loftier thoughts.  <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The following story from Arabia shows that
\nto a healthy soul the simple life offers more happiness than any other. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Maisun<\/span> was a daughter of the tribe of Kalb; she had spent
\nher early years in tents in the desert. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>One
\nday, she was married to Caliph Muawiyah<\/span>, but although
\nhe was rich and had many slaves, she was not happy with him; and in spite of
\nall the luxury around her, she could find no peace of mind. Often when she was
\nalone, she would sing softly to herself verses she had composed in Arabic: \u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Brown
\ngarments of camel’s hair are fairer in my eyes than the robes of a queen. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The
\ndesert tent is lovelier to dwell in than the grand <\/span><\/i>
\n
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage – 198<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span>chambers of a palace. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The
\nyoung colts that run about the Arab camp are lovelier than the mules weighed
\ndown by their rich trappings. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The voice
\nof the watch-dog who barks at an approaching stranger sounds sweeter than the
\nivory horn of the palace-guard. <\/span><\/i> <\/span><\/p>\n

Her song was heard by the Caliph and he
\nbanished her from his court. So the poetess returned to her tribe, happy to see
\nno more of the rich dwelling that made her sad.  <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

In all countries, many people are
\nbeginning to understand that a simple life is more desirable than a life of
\nextravagance, vanity and show. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>There are more and more men and women who
\nthough they can afford to buy costly things for themselves, feel that their
\nmoney can be put to a better use. They take a healthy diet instead of rich
\nfoods, and prefer to decorate their homes with furniture that is simple, strong
\nand in good taste, rather than with cumbersome, ornate and useless articles
\nmeant only for display. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>In
\nevery age, the best and most energetic servitors of earth’s progress have known
\nhow to lead a quiet and frugal life, which keeps the body in good health and
\nenables man to take a more active part in working for the common good. Their
\nexample will always put to shame all those who pile up useless treasures and
\nbecome slaves to their vast quantities of servants, clothes and furniture. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>You
\ncannot make a heap without making a hole; and too often the luxury of some
\nrepresents the poverty of many others. There are too many beautiful, great and
\nuseful things to be done in the world for those who are not wholly devoid of
\nintelligence to be allowed to waste their time, money and thought in futile
\npastimes. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span>Page – 199<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Saint Francis was an apostle of the Good Life.
\nHe did not teach in order to earn money. His life was simple and his greatest
\njoy was to instruct the people by his example and his preaching. And he was
\ncontent with whatever food he was given. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>One
\nday, as he and his companion, Brother Masseo, were passing through a town,
\nMasseo went down one street while Francis took another. Masseo was tall and
\nhandsome, whereas the saint was short and plain-looking. People gave generously
\nto Masseo, but Francis collected only very little. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>When they met outside the gates of the town,
\nthey sat by a large stone on the bank of a clear stream that ran nearby, and
\nput together the alms they had received. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cO
\nBrother Masseo,\u201d cried Saint Francis with a joyful face, \u201cwe are not worthy of
\nso great a feast.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cIndeed,\u201d replied Masseo, \u201cbut what is there
\nto call a feast in these few pieces of bread? We have no knife, no dishes, no
\ncloth, no servant.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cIs
\nit not a feast,\u201d replied the saint, \u201cto have good bread on a good table when
\none is hungry, and fresh water from a limpid spring to drink when one is
\nthirsty?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>This does not mean to say that poor people
\nshould always be resigned to their miserable fare. But in any case it shows how
\nthe contentment that comes from a noble life and the cheerfulness native to
\nbeautiful souls can make up for the absence of material possessions and outer
\nriches. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>One
\nthing is certain, that a simple life has never harmed anyone, while the same cannot
\nbe said for luxury and over-abundance. Most often, the things which are of no
\nuse to men are also those which cause them harm. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>In
\nthe reign of the famous Akbar, there lived at Agra a Jain saint named Banarasi
\nDas. The Emperor summoned the saint to his palace and told him: <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage – 200<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cAsk of me what you will, and because of your
\nholy life, your wish shall be satisfied.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cParabrahman<\/span> has given me more than I could wish for,\u201d
\nreplied the saint. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cBut ask all the same,\u201d Akbar insisted. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cThen, Sire, I would ask that you do not call
\nme again to your palace, for I want to devote my time to the divine work.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cLet it be so,\u201d said Akbar. \u201cBut I in my turn
\nhave a favour to ask you.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cSpeak, Sire.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cGive me some good counsel that I may bear in
\nmind and act upon.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Banarasi Das thought for a moment and said: <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSee that your food is pure and clean, and
\ntake good care, especially at night, over your meat and drink.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cI
\nwill not forget your advice,\u201d said the Emperor. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>In
\ntruth the advice was good, for healthy food and drink make a healthy body, fit
\nto be the temple of a pure mind and life. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>But
\nit so happened that the very day on which the saint visited the Emperor was a
\nfast-day. And therefore Akbar would only have his meal several hours after midnight.
\nThe palace cooks had prepared the dishes in the evening and had placed them in
\nplates of gold and silver, until the time of fasting should be over. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>It
\nwas still dark when Akbar had them brought before him. Despite his haste to
\ntake some nourishment, he suddenly remembered the words of Banarasi Das: \u201cTake
\ncare over your meat and drink.\u201d So he examined the plate before him carefully
\nand found that the food was covered with brown ants. In spite of all
\nprecautions, these ants had crept in and spoiled the Emperor’s meal. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Akbar had to send away the dishes, and this
\nincident strongly impressed on his mind the useful advice he had received. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>For
\nyou will understand that Banarasi Das had not intended <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage – 201<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

to warn Akbar merely against brown ants, but against anything in
\nhis diet that might not be good for the health of his body or mind. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Many diseases come from an unhealthy diet. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>One
\nwho knowingly sells unwholesome products is in fact making an attack on the
\nlives of his fellow-citizens. And unwholesome products are not only those that
\nare adulterated or spoilt but all those that may be in any way harmful to eat.  <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The
\nstory does not tell us that Akbar found brown ants in his cup as well, and yet
\nBanarasi Das advised him to be careful about his drink. For there are indeed
\ncups which look bright to the eye and which seem to contain a pleasant and
\ncheering drink but which are nevertheless full of danger for men. Foremost
\namong them are those which contain alcohol. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The
\nProphet Mohammed taught that there was sin in wine and gambling; and therefore
\nall who respect the words of the Koran abstain from wine and gambling to their
\nprofit. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>But
\non the other hand there are many good people all over the world who find it
\nright to take spirits. We respect their opinions. But these same people cannot
\nassert that it is wrong not to take alcohol. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>If,
\nthen, there are people who think that it is wrong to take fermented drinks, and
\nothers, on the contrary, who think that it is good, yet there is no one to
\nmaintain that it is wrong not to take any. It is also debatable whether or not
\nit is useful to drink, but no one would dream of claiming that it is harmful
\nnot to do so. And everyone would agree that in any case it is cheaper. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>In
\nevery country there are societies for temperance or even total abstinence,
\nwhose members undertake not to touch spirits. And in certain towns it is even
\nforbidden to sell them. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>But
\nin other places, the use of alcohol, formerly unknown, is spreading. In India,
\nfor example, where abstinence had reigned <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage – 202<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

\n <\/span>for so many centuries, alcohol has been introduced, more terrible
\nthan any demon in the ancient legends. For the terrible Rakshasas<\/span>
\nof which they speak could be harmful only to the body, whereas alcohol has even
\nthe power to kill thought and destroy character. So first of all it hurts the
\nbody. It hurts the children of parents who drink to excess. It hurts the
\nintelligence of man and enslaves those who should be the servitors of humanity.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>For
\nevery one of us should be a servant of humanity; and if by our food or our
\ndrink we weaken our minds or bodies, we are then only bad servants unable to
\nperform their task. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>What happens to the soldier when his weapon is
\nbroken, to the sailor when his ship has lost its masts, to the horseman when
\nhis horse is lamed? And what can a man do if he loses possession of his most
\nprecious faculties? <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>He
\nno longer even has the worth of a good animal, for the animal at least avoids
\neating and drinking things that may harm it. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The
\nRoman poet Virgil liked to live in the countryside. He admired the powerful
\nbullock that draws the plough and cuts the furrow where the next harvest will
\nspring up. Strong is his body, powerful his muscles and hard is his labour year
\nin and year out. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>And
\nVirgil adds: \u201cWine and too much feasting are unknown to him. He feeds on grass,
\nquenches his thirst from running rivers and crystal streams; and no care
\ndisturbs his peaceful slumber.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Be
\ntemperate to be strong. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>You
\nwould be offended if someone were to tell you, \u201cBe weak.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Moderation increases the strength of the
\nstrong and preserves the strength of the weak. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Remember the advice of Banarasi Das: <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 <\/span>Take good care over the dish. <\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 <\/span>Take good care over the glass. <\/span><\/i>
\n
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage – 203<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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