(Anecdote from the life of Swami Chinmayananda)
In the early 1980s Pujya Gurudev announced that he would share that year’s Gurudakshina with all the centers of the West. At that time Pujya Gurudev’s dakshina was the main source of income for Chinmaya Mission West. The treasurer joined in asking for the funds for the headquarters.
Pujya Gurudev looked at her and asked, “Are you running low on funds? Are you not receiving contributions for devotees? After all, you are doing the Lord’s work.”
After a brief pause, he said, “Examine yourself again, and look for what you may have done to displease the Lord. When He is displeased or unhappy, Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth) will turn her back on you. She will not send wealth in your direction.”
The devotee did not understand what Pujya Gurudev meant and she looked at him questioningly. He gently replied, “You (that is, Mission workers) must carry out the Lord’s work without ego or ego centric desires, dedicating every thought, word and deed as an offering to Him. And above all, you must treat the Lord’s devotees with great respect, love and kindness. That will please him more than any other offering you can give to Him. When He is pleased, He will smile at you, and Lakshmi will rain wealth on you through your roof.”
Quote: Live in the minimum, create the maximum. Give the entire thing to the world outside. True loving is not a passive “taking”, But a dynamic ‘giving”.
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