All Are One

It once happened that a group of devotees came to Puttaparthi and as He glided by in Darshan, He went and stood in front of them.  Bhagavan asked the group leader, "How many members are there?"  The group leader said, "Bhagavan, 20."  Swami said, "No, 21."

The man counted once more.  He thought there might be an error.  But his counting was perfect.  He said, "Bhagavan, we are 20!"  Swami replied, "You forgot to countMe!  I am always there in that group!  How could you forget this?"  Overjoyed, the man had to agree!

The next day, Swami approached the group again.  Tis time the leader was ready to face another question.  But he did not know that a different answer was asked of him.  Bhagavan again asked, "How many members?"  The man said, "Swami, 21."  Swami answered, "No, 40."

There could be a slight difference when one considers 21, 23 and 22.  But 40 is altogether a very huge number.  He could not have made that mistake.  And then Swami said, "You think I am alone with the group?  I am with each and every one of you!  Then if I am with each and every one of these 20, then in fact, we make 40!"

The final lesson was still waiting.  The next day, Bhagavan came to the group.  The group leader too was ready but this time not to give an answer but to learn from Bhagavan.  Bhagavan asked, "How many members?"  The man stood up.  He did not know which to say - 21 or 40.  But he said, "Bhagavan, 40."  Swami said, "No, one. All are one."

Who can teach this most important lesson in just three powerful statements?

(Source: Heart2Heart - Jan. 2006)