MORAL STORIES

There was a joint family comprising a couple and their five sons and two daughters. The sons had already got married. Four of them had their children too. Both the daughters were unmarried. The youngest son got married only recently. His wife was not still brought from her father's house. Thus there were seven ladies in the family inclusive of the two daughters. Had they sincerely desired they could have efficiently carried on the domestic chores without any botheration but they were verily not on good terms with one another. They were jealous of one another and desisted from performing the household duties. Each of them desired to do the least of work and to relax as much as she could. Every now and then they exchanged hot words with one another. An atmosphere of disquietude and mutual conflict reigned over the house. In such an atmosphere the wife of the youngest son also came from her father's place to this house. She belonged to a noble family. She was taught good manners since her childhood. She was embarrassed to find herself in such a tense atmosphere. One day she burst into tears when she found her sister-in-law and their mother-in-law quarrelling among themselves and began to offer silent prayers to God thus-O Lord, did you send me to this house only to witness all this. I know not what evil deeds had I done in my previous birth that I have been destined by you to be wedded in this family. I can't stay here even for a day. I resent this day and night quarrel. While weeping she dozed. She distinctly heard someone consoling her with encouraging words-Dear daughter, don't be nervous. You have been sent to this house only to set things aright. A girl like you was the need of the family.

The youngest daughter-in-law felt much comforted to hear these words. Her nervousness ceased to exist. She mentally drew up a plan of her role. She wanted to get at the main cause of the conflict. She came to know that the wives of her husband's elder brothers, her mother-in-law as well as her husband's sisters had made a settlement regarding division of work. The daughters-in-law would cook food by turn and the mother-in-law and the husband's sisters would help them from outside. Turns were fixed for other domestic work as well but if by chance some one got ill, the other daughters-in-law found out some excuses not to discharge the duties of the sick one. They would charge her with making false excuses and raise many sorts of protests. Another cause of quarrel was that whenever some victuals were brought into the house from outside they would try to get the lion's share of the best that was brought in. This would becomethe cause of discord among them and things would take such a turn that they started calling one another names. Sometimes they would fight over trifles. Sometimes if the son of one of the brothers fought with the other's son, a scene would be created and their mothers would exchange hot words between them. Being an eye witness to all this the youngest daughter-in-law was much grieved. Then she heard the divine behest. She began to think of finding a means to end the quarrel. She thought God had given her that way, a good chance to render service. One day unnoticed by other she approached the wife of her husband's eldest brother.

It was her turn to cook food on that day. She said to her "O sister. I am the youngest of all of you. It does not look proper that you cook food when I am there. Moreover you have to look after your children. No other work is allotted to me. What a nice arrangement would it be if you let me work on your turn? I shall feel so much obliged to you." At first the elder one expressed her unwillingness for long and then said, "Dear bride, these are the days when you should eat freely and dress elegantly. You can blow up the oven after you are a bit grown up. Relax yourself for sometime and enjoy the life of a householder. All this you will have to do afterwards." The youngest daughter-in-law said- "O elder sister, don't disappoint me this way I fall at your feet. These are days for me to do something. If you make me a tenderling from now I shall turnout good for nothing afterwards. Surely I must have committed some mistake for which I am being deprived of my right" saying this she began to weep. Now the elder sister couldn't put her off any longer. She allowed her to work on her turn. Thus through prayer and persuasion she got, one by one the permission of all of the wives of her husband's elder brothers to let her work on their turn. After taking charge of the entire work she became so pleased as if she had obtained a treasure. Every morning very cheerfully she would cook food for all and took her food after she would feed them all. Instead of feeling tiresomeness in doing so rather she felt very happy. Day after day she began to perform her duties with greater zeal. She would cook delicious dishes with swiftness. Very quickly she would prepare a number of dishes. Even if some guests paid visit to the house she was not excited. She fed them too with love for she thought it beneficial to do so. Noticing her strange dedication and sense of service everyone had a word of praise for her. One day her mother-in-law came to her and spoke thus-Darling, why did you do so? Why did you take everyone's work on your shoulder. She replied very meekly-Revered mother, my parents have taught me that this body is sure to go to the dust some day so it should be harnessed as much as possible to the service of others. This alone is the best way it can be utilized. Service is the greatest wealth. So my request to you too is that you should alwaysencourage me to do this sort of work.

The mother- in-law was amazed to hear such an answer. She supposed her to be some goddess for no human being could entertain such noble sentiments. The next day the father-in-law brought home a number of sarees. He gave twelve sarees to each of the daughters-in-law for a year's use. The youngest daughter-in-law took out two sarees from her own share and approaching the eldest sister-in-law meekly said to her-0 sister, my father gave me a number of sarees when I left home. I can very well pull on with those sarees. Be kind to me and have these two sarees for your use. This will afford me a great pleasure and I shall be much grateful to you. The elder sister-in-law evaded this way and that but noticing her repeated insistence she had to accede to her request. Similarly through repeated requests she gave two sarees to each of her other sisters-in-law and mother- in-law as well and gave one saree to each of her husband's sisters. This liberal dispensation of hers also left a lasting impression on everyone's heart. When the mother asked she said-Mother, I require your help and co-operation in this work as well. Like body itself these garments etc., are also ephemeral. Amassing of such things is an impediment to the attainment of spiritual welfare. On account of delusion, attachment etc., one gets entangled in these during one's life time and if one remains engrossed in them even at the time of death one is obliged to be rebornin the species such as ghosts etc. So the best utilization of such things is in the service of others. Otherwise these are decayed after sometime, getting such an answer from her the mother-in-law was extremely happy and began to praise her very highly. During these few years the family grew richer. Father-in-law provided each of his daughters-in-law six ornaments which he had got made.

The youngest daughter-in- law divided her share of ornaments also among her sisters-in-law and her husband's sisters, leaving none for herself. On being interrogated she only said that "she had already many ornaments given by her father. Those are enough for herself." Thus through her saintly conduct, generosity she won a place of respect in everyone's heart. All were highly pleased with her. One day finding a suitable opportunity she requested her oldest sister-in-law to allow her to cook the supper. She said "When I am there, it is matter of great shame for me that you should put yourself to cooking." When she was so speaking their mother- in-law came up there. With great eagerness she enquired of her eldest daughter-in-law what for she was insisting her. It was then that she came to know that the youngest daughter-in-law wanted to take upon herself the duty of cooking the supper as well. When she came to know that her youngest daughter-in-law was going to take upon herself the duty of cooking the supper also, she laughed and said-You must beware of this youngest sister-in-law of yours.

She wants to deprive you of things that are of real benefit to you. Unable to follow the import of mother-in-law's utterance the eldest daughter-in-law said "Why do you say so mother-in-law? This youngest daughter- in-law of yours is saintly. She is by all means praiseworthy. How do you say such things for her? The mother-in-law said "You do not follow me. By rendering service to us by providing us bodily comfort and supplying us garments and ornaments she is depriving us of our merits and spiritual wealth in turn which are helpful to us in seeking redemption. Can there be any deprivation worse than this? She told me the other day that through rendering service to others one's inner senses stand purified and subsequently one becomes capable of achieving benediction. She also told me that by serving with a pure heart the members of one's family in the kitchen one can attain spiritual welfare in a year. So O daughter-in-law, I intend to undertake the evening duties myself. I too have to attain spiritual welfare why should I after all be deprived of it." The words uttered by the mother-in- law became an eye-opener to all. Now everyone was anxious about her own welfare. Whereas all of them used to shirk work and rather they felt easy and comfortable on their turns having taken by the younger daughter-in-law. Now contrary to it all of them took back their turn of cooking meal in the morning from the younger daughter in law.

Whereas only a few days ago there was quarrel over work but now all of them began to discharge their respective duties with great zeal and interest. The plan of the youngest daughter-in-law got success. When the youngest daughter-in-law realised that none of them was willing to hand over the charge of the kitchen to her. She thought out another way to render them service. She thought to herself that the daily consumption of wheat flour in the family was about eight to ten seers which is totally purchased from the market. How good it would be if she got up early and ground the wheat herself. It would be profitable in many ways. The flour that is purchased from the market is made from old and worm-eaten wheat. It is mixed with particles of soil. Moreover, the flour that is ground in the mills is sapless and is harmful for health. My elder sisters-in-law of course have taken back the kitchen work from me. Now I should take up this job for my spiritual welfare. She immediately put forward the proposal before her husband. Arrangement for wheat was made at once. Purchase of flour from the market was stopped. In day time the youngest daughter-in-law set apart the strained wheat and the next morning having washed her face she started grinding the wheat. She was hale and hearty and her heart was full of zeal. She was in the habit of doing sustained work. In no time she could grind eight to ten seers of wheat. When the mother-in-law came to know about it she rushed to the youngest daughter-in-law and said-Daughter,

have you devised a new method for spiritual welfare?" In choking voice she said-Mother, the elder sisters- in-law have taken back the work of cooking food. So I had to find out this new method for spiritual welfare. It involves more physical labour. So whereas by discharging duties in the kitchen one could attain spiritual welfare in a year, that can now be attained in six months through grinding wheat. Moreover it is doubly beneficial. Besides attaining spiritual welfare, sound health is also gained and further the body gets energy and stamina and it remains immune from diseases. Thus pregnant women can have easy delivery and without unnecessary delay. The members of the family get a supply of pure flour which has favourable effect on their mind and health as well. For these reasons this work is quite beneficial to me. I hope you will endorse this work of mine." Now the mother- in-law began to look upon her daughter-in-law as her preceptor. Whatever she uttered it seemed significant to her. She looked upon all her endeavours as sublime and herself tried to follow her footsteps. Whereas the daughter-in-law had began her work of grinding the corn in the morning at six on the very first day, the mother-in-law applied herself to the task at five the next day. To follow suit her other daughters-in-law started the work at four. Thus whereas they all shirked work now gradually developed spirit of competition for engaging themselves in work. Each of them now wanted to discharge the greatest part of work.

This was another success of the youngest daughter-in-law. Now the youngest daughter-in-law took upon herself the work of cleaning rooms and drawing water from the well. The servant would come in the morning to clean the rooms and draw water but she was through these jobs prior to his arrival. The mother-in-law further asked her what aim she had before her in doing these jobs. The daughter-in-law replied in a very sweet voice. Mother, by disclosing the secret of all those things, I get deprived of service. So I do not reveal the secret to you. Pray excuse me this immodesty of mine. The mother-in-law said-No more shall I interfere with your plan only explain to me the spiritual mystery of this work. The daughter-in-law said "O mother-in- law, whereas by discharging duties in the kitchen one attains spiritual welfare in one year and by grinding flour in six months, one can attain it through drawing water in three months only for this work is harder than any of these works. It involves greater labour and trouble and risk of life as well. Soon mother-in-law also started sharing the work. Both had combined in it. When other daughters-in-law noticed this they said to their mother-in-law. You are now old enough to draw water from the well so you should not undertake this work. At this the mother-in-law said "Do I not need my spiritual welfare? Rather being old I must try to attain it without the least delay."

Then it so happened that all the other daughters-in-law began to co-operate in the work. The youngest daughter-in-law took upon herself the task of scouring the utensils. Mother-in-law objected to it She said this work will spoil your clothes and ornaments will undergo wear and tear. Whereas you will save rupees five as wages paid to the servant you will be losing rupees ten instead. At this the daughter-in-law said I take it for granted that doing so the monetary loss will be greater than the savings. But even though my clothes get spoiled, the fact is that harder and inferior the work is from the worldly point of view, the nobler and more conducive it is to one's spiritnul welfare. I believe that through scouring utensils I shall be able to attain redemption in two months. And if God ever provides an opportunity to remove the urine and excreta of a patient the salvation can surely be attained only in a month. Certainly the feelings nourished by us should be the noblest the feeling of complete selflessness. Now the words uttered by the daughter-in-law became gospel truth for the mother-in-law. She too started helping her in the scouring of utensils. The other daughters-in-law objected to it. She said-At least I can scour the pots used by my sons. Due to being old I have the greatest claim over the means of spiritual welfare. So your request in this regard cannot be conceded to. Consequently all the daughters- in-law employed themselves to the task whole heartedly. All the tasks were now being performed with great zeal. The turn of work assigned to each member was no more in practice.

Whosoever got a chance readily applied herself to the task. Mutual love and goodwill were established among themselves. The house which had become the haunt of chaos and confusion now became the abode of abiding peace and happiness. Those who laughed at the sight of the ladies of the house quarrelling and fighting were astonished to look at their ideal behaviour. Citizens paid visit to that house to have a look at their behaviour. The ideal behaviour of the ladies did not fail to influence the gents much. They too had become lazy at the instance of the ladies. Noticing their ideal conduct they too became dutiful. Whereas the work at the shop remained in arrears it had now dwindled making the staff surplus. Whereas so far all of them shirked work now dashed forward to perform jobs meant for others. Whereas at first they quarrelled to damn themselves to hell now they would quarrel for spiritual well being. Needless it is to say that the good outcome was the result of the noble thoughts, goodwill and sincere efforts of the youngest daughter-in-law. Just as only one fish purifies the water of the entire pond so also a pious soul brings about the welfare of not only all the members of the family but also of a whole Mohalla, village nay even a city. Such is the marvellous effect of association of good people. All ladies-mothers and sisters ought to take lesson from this parable and take a vow of rendering service to others in a disinterested spirit and thus seek welfare of their souls. Such a service soon paves the way for speedy salvation.