The Power of Gratitude – A Hindu Spiritual Story By Osho

I love an ancient Indian story:

Narada, the great Indian mystic, is going to see God. Playing on his VEENA, he passes a forest, and comes across a very old sage sitting under a tree.

The old sage says to Narada, “You are going to God — please ask one question from me. I have been making all kinds of efforts for three lives, now how much more is needed? How much longer do I have to wait? When is my liberation going to happen? You just ask him!”

Narada laughed and said, “Okay.”

As he progressed, just by the side, under another tree, a young man was dancing with his EKTARA, singing, dancing — very young. May have been only thirty. Jokingly, Narada asked the young man, “Would you also like any question to be asked of God — I am going. The old man, your neighbor, has asked.”

The young man did not reply. He continued his dance — as if he had not listened at all, as if he was not there at all.

After a few days, Narada came back. He told the old man, “I asked God. He said three lives more.”

The old man was doing his JAPA on his beads. He threw the beads. He was in a rage. He threw the scriptures that he was keeping with him, and he said, “This is absolutely unjust! Three lives more?!”

Narada moved to the young man who was again dancing, and he said, “Although you had not answered, and you had not asked, just by the way I asked God about you too. But now I am afraid — whether to tell it to you or not? Seeing the rage of the old man, I am hesitating.”

But the young man did not say anything; he continued to dance. Narada told him; “When I asked, God said, ‘Tell the young man that he will have to be born AS many times as there are leaves on the tree under which he is dancing.'”

And the young man started dancing even more ecstatically, and he said, “So fast?! There are so many trees in the world and so many leaves… only this much? Only these leaves? Only this many lives? I have already attained! When you go next, thank him.”

And it is said the man became liberated that very moment. That very moment he became liberated! If there is such test, such totality of trust, time is not needed. If there is no trust, then even three lives are not enough. And my feeling is that old man must be around somewhere on the M.G. Road! He cannot have become liberated yet. Even three lives won’t do. Such a mind can’t become liberated. Such a mind is what hell is.

From Osho – “The Perfect Master”

If you liked this story, you'll love this! We've compiled a list of the top 10 spiritual stories that our readers love. You can read them here.

What Is the Spiritual Meaning of “The Power of Gratitude” Story?

This story, layered with spiritual symbolism, unravels the essence of human longing and the diverse paths to enlightenment.

The old sage, deeply immersed in his spiritual pursuits, seeks liberation earnestly. He yearns to know the extent of his efforts required for freedom from the cycle of birth and death. Yet, when Narada relays God's message of three more lives, the sage erupts in fury. His fervent dedication doesn't align with the perceived delay in attaining liberation.

Contrastingly, the young dancer, seemingly oblivious to Narada's inquiry, joyously dances and sings, deeply absorbed in his ecstatic expression. When Narada reveals God's message of being reborn as many times as there are leaves on the tree, the young man responds with exuberance. He's unfazed by the magnitude of lives, finding ecstatic realization even in the vastness of the task.

Through these contrasting responses, a profound spiritual message emerges. The old sage represents the meticulous seeker, diligently following prescribed spiritual practices, expecting liberation as a reward for effort. However, when faced with delay, frustration and impatience arise, revealing the attachment to an outcome, inhibiting true spiritual growth.

In contrast, the young dancer embodies a different approach. His ecstatic dance symbolizes a state of transcendence, an effortless immersion in the present moment. Unaffected by the enormity of the spiritual journey ahead, he finds liberation in the sheer joy of existence, free from the burden of expectations.

The message here transcends mere numerical counts of lives or efforts. It speaks to the essence of spiritual seeking—an invitation to embrace the journey itself, detached from the outcomes. The sage's frustration reflects the attachment to results, while the dancer's elation embodies the liberation found in surrendering to the dance of existence.

The tale illuminates that spiritual attainment isn't bound by time, effort, or specific practices alone. It beckons individuals to cultivate a state of inner joy, surrender, and acceptance in the present moment—irrespective of the duration or perceived efforts required for liberation.

In the dance of life, the spiritual seeker finds freedom not in the anticipation of an end goal but in the spontaneous celebration of the journey. The story unveils the essence of spiritual liberation—a state of being immersed in joy, detached from desires, and in harmony with the flow of existence.

Personal Reflection Questions

Spiritual stories are an opportunity to reflect on your own life. Here are 10 questions you can use to go deeper with the teachings in this story:

• Reflection on Effort and Patience: Consider the old sage's question about the efforts made for three lives. How does it resonate with your own journey? Reflect on the balance between making efforts and cultivating patience in your life.
• Trust in the Divine Timing: Explore the difference in reactions between the old sage and the young man upon hearing about their future lives. How does this reveal their levels of trust in divine timing? Reflect on moments in your life where trust or impatience influenced your reactions.
• Expressing Emotions: Observe the old man's rage and disappointment when he hears about the additional lives. How does the story prompt you to reflect on your own reactions to life's challenges? Consider the role of emotional responses in your spiritual journey.
• Journey of Liberation: Delve into the young man's ecstatic response to the news of many lives. How does his attitude toward the process of rebirth differ from the old man's? Reflect on your own views regarding the journey toward spiritual liberation.
• Dance as Spiritual Expression: Explore the significance of the young man's continuous dance. How does the story depict dance as a form of spiritual expression or surrender? Reflect on your own ways of expressing spiritual joy or surrender.
• Trust in Divine Wisdom: Consider Narada's role in conveying the divine message. How does this reflect the intermediary role of spiritual guides or mentors in our lives? Reflect on the impact of guidance or wisdom received from others on your spiritual path.
• Responses to Divine Messages: Observe the contrasting reactions of the old sage and the young man upon receiving their respective messages from God. How do their responses highlight the diversity of human reactions to spiritual insights? Reflect on your own openness to divine messages or guidance.
• Totality of Trust: Explore the concept of total trust as portrayed by the young man. How does his trust in God's plan contribute to his immediate liberation? Reflect on moments in your life where trust played a significant role in your spiritual journey.
• Comparison of Minds: Consider the narrative's characterization of the old man's mind as a hindrance to liberation. How does the story prompt you to reflect on the nature of your own mind and its impact on your spiritual progress?
• Hellish Mind vs. Liberated Mind: Reflect on the concluding statement about the old man's mind being like hell. How does this metaphor resonate with your understanding of mental states and their influence on spiritual growth? Consider ways to cultivate a liberated mind in your own life.