Week 7 Story: A Motivational Speech about Selflessness

** see portfolio for updated story: The Brahmin

Since a young age, many of us are taught to be selfless and do the most we can for our community. But this varies from one situation to another. For example, when on a plane, if the oxygen runs out, it is always recommended to put your mask on first before helping anyone else put on their mask. We are told that certain situations require us to put own needs in front of others. But is that the true meaning of being a selfless person? 

(image shows a Mongoose; in the Mahabharata, it is a mongoose who tells the story; image provided by Wikimedia Commons) 

There are many stories of brave heroes and gods that have given up their well being for the sake of others, however, a simple story from the Mahabharata may the best example of all. The story goes that a Brahmin and his family were living on a fixed, one time a day eating routine. They lived off their corn crops. However, one day a flood-hit and all their crops were washed away. The family was left to starve with hardly any food. Slowly, they started to replant the crops and although they were able to get some food, they began to become thin and weak. One day, the Brahmin was able to make a trip to a nearby town for work and after a long day, he was rewarded with carrots and wheat; enough, to feed his family a full meal for the first time in weeks. When the Brahmin returned home, his wife and daughters got to cooking and used the carrots and wheat to make three different dishes. As the family was getting ready to eat, an old man showed up at their doorstep. Now the man was weaker and thinner than all the family members, shaking in desperation out of hunger. All he wanted was a glass of water. Looking at his despair, the Brahmin offered him his plate of food. After the old man had eaten the Brahmin's food, the family could tell that the man was still suffering from hunger. One by one, all five members of the family gave their food to the old man. After the man was finished eating, he blessed the family and bid them goodbye. The family was again left with no food, but their hearts were full. 

The next morning, when the Brahmin went to check on his crops, they were flourishing. When he returned home, he found his house covered with jewels and gold. His wife informed him that the old man had returned after the brahmin had gone out that morning. The old man they fed was in fact Dharma. Amazed at their sacrifice on his hardest day, Dharma has rewarded them with prosperity and gifts. Thereafter, the Brahmin and his family lived a fulfilling life, giving back just as they had received. 

This story illustrates the goodness that true selflessness can have on a person. Although at the moment we may feel incomplete or as if our priorities were changed, the righteousness of our actions will be served. As they say, good things happen to good people, especially when we do good out of the goodness of our hearts. 

Authors Note: This is the story that the Mongoose tells the Pandavas in Part D of the Mahabharata about the Brahmin and his family who withheld eating and gave their food to someone else (who ended up being Dharma). I thought the story was quite motivational when I read it the first time, so I have rewritten the story in the format of a motivational speech. I incorporated the original story, but also added some motivational words of my own. I did change the original story just a little bit, not too extremely.

 

Bibliography: PDE Mahabharata: The Mongoose

Author: The Story of the Great War by Annie Besant