Krishna: The Man and His Philosophy - Osho - Oshorajneesh.com

CHAPTER 11. DRAUPADI: A RARE WOMAN
If you consider Buddha and Sudama together you will know the significance. Sudama has nothing,
and yet he gives; Buddha has everything, and yet he begs. These two events are extraordinary,
unearthly. Ordinarily a poor man begs and a rich man gives; there is nothing special about it. But
when they re verse their roles, it has immense significance. Sudama is as extraordinary as Buddha;
both are rare persons. Poor Sudama bringing a gift to Krishna, who is a king, is what makes the
event great. But this is love’s way; it does not bother whether you have too much or too little, it goes
on giving. Love will never accept that you have too much.
Let us understand this aspect of love, which does not accept the idea that anyone has so much he
does not need more. Love goes on giving and it will never say it has given you enough. There is no
end to love’s bounty. Love goes on pouring its gifts and yet it feels shy that it is insufficient. If you tell
a woman that she has done a lot for her child, if she is a nurse, she will thankfully acknowledge your
compliments. But if she is a mother she will protest saying, ”I could do only a little; a lot remains to
be done.” A nurse is aware of what she has done; a mother is aware of what she has yet to do. And
if a mother brags about her sacrifices for her child, she is a nurse and not a mother. Love is always
aware that a lot more remains to be done.
Sudama knows that Krishna lacks nothing; he is a king. Yet he is anxious to bring a gift to him.
When he was leaving his home, his wife said, ”Your friend happens to be a king, don’t forget to bring
a substantial gift from him.” But he comes with a gift, and does not ask for anything.
When Sudama meets Krishna he feels very hesitant about his gift; he hides the packet of a handful
of rice from his friend. That is the way of love; even if it gives a lot it never thinks it is enough. Love
does not give with fanfare as ordinary donors do; it likes to give anonymously. So Sudama hesitates,
he hides his gift from Krishna. He is hesitant not just because it is a poor gift of rice; he would have
hesitated even if he had rare diamonds. Love does not proclaim its gift; proclamation is the way of
the ego.
So Sudama is hesitant and afraid; it is something rare. And what is more amusing is that immediately
on seeing him Krishna begins to inquire what gift he has brought. Krishna knows that love always
comes to give and not to take. And he also is aware that the ways of love are shy and secretive; he
asks for his presents over and over again. And ultimately he succeeds in snatching his gift from his
old friend. And what is more amazing, Krishna immediately begins to eat the raw rice that he finds
in the packet.
There is nothing special about it; it is love’s way. It is because love has become so scarce for us that
we are so surprised about it.
Question 3
QUESTIONER: IT IS SAID THAT KRISHNA GAVE SUDAMA SO MUCH THAT IT WIPED OUT
HIS LIFE-LONG POVERTY. BUT THE SAME KRISHNA DOES NOTHING TO WIPE OUT THE
POVERTY OF THE SOCIETY IN WHICH HE LIVES. IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE IF MAHAVIRA
AND BUDDHA DON’T PAY ANY ATTENTION TO THIS PROBLEM, WHICH IS THOUGHT TO
BE A MUNDANE PROBLEM, BUT HOW IS IT THAT A MAN OF SUCH BROAD VISION AS
KRISHNA IGNORES IT? IT IS IRONIC THAT RELIGIOUS PEOPLE DON’T GIVE A THOUGHT
TO THE PROBLEM OF THE POOR. KARL MARX, WHO THOUGHT A LOT ABOUT IT, IS NOT A
Krishna: The Man and His Philosophy 204 Osho