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Posted on: Sept 11, 2017

Be Happy Always

A crow lived in the forest and was absolutely satisfied in life.

But one day he saw a swan and was fascinated. He thought, “This swan is so white and I am so black. This swan must be the happiest bird in the world.”

He went to the swan and expressed his thoughts.

But he was quite surprised to hear the swan say, “Actually, I felt I was the happiest bird around until I saw a parrot, which has two colours. I now think the parrot is the happiest bird in creation.”

The crow next approached a parrot. She too seemed discontented.

She explained, “I lived a very happy life until I saw a peacock. I have only two colours, but the peacock has multiple colours.”

The crow then visited a peacock in a zoo and saw that hundreds of people had gathered to see him. After the people had left, the crow approached the peacock.

“Dear peacock,” the crow said, “You are so beautiful. Every day thousands of people come to see you. But when people see me, they immediately shoo me away. I think you are the happiest bird on the planet.”

But to the crow's amazement, the peacock replied, “I always thought I was the most beautiful and happy bird on the planet. But I am entrapped in this zoo because of my beauty. I have examined the zoo very carefully and I have realized that the crow is the only bird not kept in a cage. So for the past few days I have been thinking that if I were a crow, I could happily roam everywhere.”

The crow instantly realised how foolish he had been in trying to compare himself with the other birds that apparently seemed happier than him. He bade goodbye to the peacock and flew off happily into the horizon.

This is the same problem we also face in life. The grass often appears greener on the other side. We often unnecessarily compare ourselves with others whom we perceive to be happier than us. In the process, we become sad and we don't value what God has given us. This leads to a vicious cycle of sadness.

In fact, if we approach some people whom we admire and speak to them, they might appreciate something we have and say “How I wish I were like you in this aspect!”

Won't that shake us up a bit? It will make us count our blessings. In His Divine Discourse during the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in September 1989, Bhagawan Baba said, “Man can experience joy and happiness only when he has contentment. As desires grow, discontent grows and worries multiply. You must learn to be content with your condition. He who has got much satisfaction is the richest man.”

On one occasion, Dr. Hislop was travelling with Bhagawan Baba by car and they were on the way to Anantapur. On the road, they saw a blind woman begging.

Bhagawan got down from the car and gave her money. Even without Bhagawan speaking, she recognised Him. In fact, it had been two years since Bhagawan had been to Anantapur. She gratefully responded to Bhagawan by saying “Sai Ram, Swami”.

Later, this is the conversation that followed between Bhagawan and Dr. Hislop:

Dr. Hislop: The woman seems to be happy.

Bhagawan: She was born blind but is always happy. She has no worries.

Dr. Hislop: How could that be? Look at her life. It must be a life of misery.

Bhagawan: Why? She has no desires and is content. She does not know the life of the person who has eyes. She does not think that others are different from her. Her family is worried about her condition, but she has no worries.

Dr. Hislop: How could she not want a life different from that of a beggar?

Bhagawan: Desires arise from the tendency of the mind to compare. It is chiefly the eyes, the vision, which presents to the mind opportunities for comparison. She is blind. Her mind is not busy with comparison, so desires do not arise.

Swami beautifully used this simple event to teach a profound lesson. It is indeed our vision that makes us envy others for what they have. Instead, if we look at different people and just appreciate them for the roles they are playing in this cosmic divine drama directed by the Lord, just as much as we too are doing, then we would have no scope for discontentment.

Let us make Him happy by being happy always.

- Radio Sai Team