The Supreme Duty of Mankind: Part 1

It was the festival of Holi. Pandit Moteram Shastri, an adorer of sweet, round laddoos and a lover of rasgullas, sat gloom-faced on a broken cot, his head hanging low in sorrow and worry. His better half (Panditayeen) sat beside him, looking at him tenderly and trying to console him with her gentle voice.

After sitting in silence for a long time, Panditji said miserably, “Good gracious! My fate has abandoned me and is sleeping somewhere; it didn’t wake up even during Holi.”

Panditayeen: These are bad days. I followed your instructions and prayed to the Sun God morning and evening, imploring that you receive an invitation from someone. I also lit lamps near the tulsi plant, but to no avail. Everyone seems to be asleep. No one helps during hard times.

Moteram: Pooh! They are gods and goddesses only in name. We’ll know they are divine only when they come to our aid when we need them. There are many who like to gorge on free sweets.

Panditayeen: Are there no good people in this town? Are they all dead?

Moteram: They’re all dead—rather, they’re all rotting. A few of them come alive once or twice a year, but even they don’t dare to serve more than three kilos of sweets worth a rupee. If it were within my power, I’d have them all deported.

Panditayeen: You stay at home the whole day. In these times, you can’t expect a generous person to come to you and invite you for a meal. You must go out and talk to people sometimes.

Moteram: How do you know I don’t? I’ve visited all the wealthy people in town and given them my blessings. But who cares for blessings? Everyone is busy with their own enjoyment.

Just then, Pandit Chintamani entered. He was Pandit Moteram’s best friend, though not as well-off and therefore possessed a less impressive belly.

Moteram: Well, friend, what news have you brought? Any prospects?

Chintamani: Prospects? Bah! Our fate has deserted us.

Moteram: Are you coming from home?

Chintamani: Brother, I think I’ll become an ascetic. What else can I do when there’s no happiness in this life? Tell me, what’s the use of life if I can’t eat good things on an auspicious day like today?

Moteram: Yes, brother, you speak the absolute truth.

Chintamani: So, what can we do? Just say clearly that I should renounce the world.

Moteram: No, friend, don’t worry. Don’t you know one cannot reach heaven without dying? Similarly, to enjoy good food, one must perform hard penance. I suggest we go to the banks of the Ganges immediately and deliver a sermon. Who knows—some gentleman’s soul may be stirred.

Chintamani: Yes, that’s a good idea; let’s go.

The two gentlemen set off for the banks of the Ganges. It was morning. Scores of people were bathing; some were chanting mantras, some were applying sandalwood paste on their foreheads, and some, having finished their baths, were returning home in their wet dhotis.

When people saw the two spiritual gentlemen, they greeted them reverently. The two friends acknowledged the greetings as they walked toward the river. After bathing, they climbed onto a platform erected by a panda(spiritual guide) and began singing bhajans.

This made for a curious sight, and hundreds of people gathered around the platform out of curiosity. When the crowd had grown large enough, Pandit Moteram said proudly, “Gentlemen, all of you know that when Lord Brahma created this world, the Brahmins originated from His mouth. I hope no one doubts this fact.”

Audience: No, sir, you always speak the truth. Who could ever doubt your words?

Moteram: So it’s settled that Brahmins originated from Brahma’s mouth. The mouth, therefore, is the most important part of the human body. Consequently, it is the primary duty of every living being to keep the mouth happy. Is it not? If anyone doubts my words, he may step forward, and I’ll prove my point by citing the scriptures.

Audience: Sir, you are a wise man; who would dare to doubt you?

Moteram: Well, now that it’s decided that the primary duty of every living being is to keep the mouth happy, it’s not difficult to understand that those who disregard the mouth can never find happiness. Does anyone disagree with this contention?

Audience: Sir, you are blessed; you are a great scholar of jurisprudence.

Moteram: Now, the question arises—how do we keep the mouth happy? There are several ways, according to one’s faith and capacity. You may sing praises of the gods, perform worship, gather in groups and read the scriptures, and avoid harsh words. These activities make the mouth happy. If you see someone in distress, go and console them; this too will make the mouth happy. But there’s yet another way to make the mouth happy, the best and most effective way. Does anyone among you know what that method is? Is there anyone who can tell?

Audience: Sir, who can dare to open his mouth before you? Please tell us yourself.

Moteram: Very well, then. I’ll shout and say it till I go hoarse—that just as the moon is the best among all celestial bodies, this is the best among all methods.

Audience: Sir, don’t delay any longer; please tell us what this method is.

Moteram: Listen carefully. The method is to give good food to the mouth—to feed it with sumptuous food. Does anyone disagree? I can prove my point by citing the Vedas and chanting mantras.

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