Moved by Love
In the Himalayas, there lived an infamous bandit named Sultana, who plundered the caravans of rich pilgrims and looted resource-rich monasteries. The very mention of Sultana, it was said, made wealthy men tremble with fear. His unique technique was that he robbed in broad daylight after sending word in advance that he was going to strike.
Once, it seems, he sent word to the abbot, Baba Kalikambliwala, of a monastery called Swarg Ashram that he was going to descend on the ashram with his gang and plunder their treasury at a certain appointed hour. All the members of the monastery were filled with fear. All except the Baba. He had an elaborate lunch made for Sultana and his gang and waited for him on the porch of his cottage.
The bandit came with a gang of six, all armed with swords and guns. As he got off his horse, Baba Kalikambliwala went towards him and welcomed him. He invited him and his gang to sit on the porch, drink water and relax.
Then he handed over the keys to the treasury and said, "You may take what you desire but I don't want violence and bloodshed. If ever you feel like killing someone, spare everyone and kill me instead. Life and death are the same to me. The police chief of this region is a member of our monastery community. I could have sought his help but then there would have been violence, and lives would have been lost. I want none of that.
"After you have taken all that you wish from the treasury, don't ride away immediately. I have arranged a feast for you. You and your friends should enjoy the lunch, rest for a while if you are tired, and then go on your way. I have no animosity towards you or any other living creature. Now, do what you feel is best."
The bandit, having never encountered a man like that, is said to have bowed low, apologized, and instead of plundering the treasury, contributed a small amount of gold coins and left, after profusely thanking the abbot for the sumptuous lunch.
Excerpted from Apprenticed to a Himalayan Master by Sri M.
SEED QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How do you relate to this story of meeting violent intentions with love? Can you share a personal experience of a time you saw violence melt away in the face of love? What helps you stay rooted in love in the face of violence?
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15 Past Reflections
On Feb 12, 2021 Ayasha bhabhi wrote :
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On Mar 8, 2017 Suchitra wrote :
What a beautiful story. Compassion is the need of the hour. For a compassionate person it is in his nature to be so. But for a thief to show such courtesy in response is a heart warming gesture. Three cheers to the bandit. This is the best indication that the core of every human being is love and compassion and if kindled in the right way rises to great heights.
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On Mar 8, 2017 Kristin Pedemonti wrote :
I was mugged by gunpoint in NYC summer of 2010. I reacted in compassion for the young men who felt so desperate they would make this choice. Rather than condemn them I asked for compassion for them. At the time the $80 they robbed from me were groceries for 2 weeks, but they must have needed that money more than I did. In the end, the $80 came back to me within 24 hours: $40 from a friend's mother and $40 from a check sent by a friend when she heard what happened. I think it is far more valuable to react in love and compassion for the human being and the heart. In our current political situation in the US< i have shared Free Hugs on election day and in front of the White House. I often share Free Hugs at protests too. It is always well received. here's to love!
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On Mar 7, 2017 Christine Lendorfer wrote :
A very good friend of mine came to her car one day, the windows were broken and all the bags, that she had left in the car without thinking had been stolen. We were all in agony for her, and regretted her big loss. She, on the other hand, felt sorry for the thief. "What a poor live he must have, if he needs to break into cars for a living. He actually took all the things that I had prepared to give away to an NGO for poor people. The thief might have felt that all of it was meant to be for him. I wish I could have given it to him as a gift, so the windows would not be broken."
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On Mar 7, 2017 Heidrun searles wrote :
My husband was a very violent man and he took every chance he could to hit me. I remember one time he was angry about the way his socks were folded and as he pulled his fist back to hit me I looked at him with as much love as I could muster I did not hold on to a single speck of fear. He backed off, got mad at himself and turned around. Yes, I paid dearly for that moment later on, but that is the one and only time he ever backed away from me. I know that there is only love and fear. Love is real. Fear is an illusion held by many that cannot see past the veil. Sometimes Love is difficult, but it is always easy.
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On Mar 7, 2017 Craig wrote :
A friend of mine recently told me a story of something similar happening in the USA, few decades ago. Joe Miller, a close friend of "Sufi Sam" Lewis, was at home while his home was being robbed. Instead of calling the police or confronting the thief, Miller instead started cooking breakfast, and as the thief passed the kitchen on his way out, he called to him, "Do you want toast or pancakes with your eggs?" The thief, dumbstruck, replied, "Pancakes." And sat down and chatted with Miller for the rest of the morning. After that encounter, the two became friends, and Joe helped him get out of his rut. I love these stories of kindness. Les Miserables tells a similar tale, does it not?
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On Mar 7, 2017 annie wrote :
love is letting everything be as it is and everyone be as they are including self. Love is the only language of the sacred space in which we all arise in consciousness - there was never ever anything to take or lose, but that is so hard, takes great courage, trust and acceptance of truth - a good test of walking your talk often comes with the biggest challenge in the darkest hours - that's when we really rock up to life and truth - great story and even that isn't true - thanks for sharing x
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On Mar 5, 2017 Jagdish P Dave wrote :
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On Mar 4, 2017 david doane wrote :
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On Mar 3, 2017 susan schaller wrote :
I am practicing (and failing) to listen deeply, especially with angry or disturbed people. I want to learn to hear the fear, anguish or pain behind the violent words or threat. Then I can respond to the need, the yearning and not the immediate insults, anger or threat. I would love to be able to "offer lunch" to someone hurting, instead of reacting, as I usually do, like a deer in headlights. Practice, practice, practice, and practice, again, this day and every day.
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