Leo Tolstoy
Farmer Pahom starts with a small plot, but over a period of time acquires more and more land. He is still not satisfied and then he hears about the Bashkirs, who were giving away land at throwaway prices. Pahom goes to the Bashkirs to seek land. They ask for 1000 Rubles and would give him in return, all the land that he could go around on his feet in one day, from morning until sunset. If he does not return to the starting point on time, his money would be forfeited. Pahom is delighted at the deal.
Walking for large tract of land
At dawn, Pahom begins walking. After a while, he quickens his pace to cover more land. It is becoming warmer and Pahom is getting tired. But he keeps going lured by the huge land he would get. He ends up walking too far and it is already afternoon. In order to reach the starting point by sunset, Pahom starts hurrying back. His feet are bruised and his legs begin to fail. But he begins running and his heart is pounding. He is terrified that he may lose everything by being late.
He can now see the Bashkirs waiting at the starting point and he runs faster and faster summoning his last strength. Even as the sun sets Pahom reaches the destination and falls on the ground – dead!
Pahom’s servant digs a grave long enough for Pahom to lie in and buries him in it. Six feet from his head to his heels is all the land that he needs.
Background: This is an abridged version of one of the great stories written by the famous Russian author, Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910). You can read the full story in English here.
Consume what you need and nothing more. Acquire what you need and nothing more. Life becomes less burdensome. But to draw a line becomes so difficult, as we have all learnt to ape. We have learnt to be jealous and have always aspired to be a cut above the rest. The will to dominate. Hoarding is a psychological practice and the mind requires mutation or a radical transformation. Until then all of us shall continue behaving like Pahom to meet a tragic end.
The question we don’t ask ourselves is why do we need that? For example, if I want a large tract of land, the question is the purpose of that want. If it is to farm or do something on the land, it could be possible to do by renting or leasing it out for a short time. Also, it would be easier to exit if things don’t work out. But most of us are so poor with respect to our ego that we want so many things to represent us and we believe those things represent who we really are. The work of ‘Maya’ is simply amazing!!