Worm?

Once Swami severely chastised Kasturi for some mistake in connection with the discharge of his duties as State President of Karnataka.  Kasturi thought that he had hurt Swami's tender heart by his mistake during the grand celebrations of His birthday and his position as State President was coming in the way of his good relation with Swami.  Kasturi went to Swami and submitted humbly, "Swami, forgive me if I am wrong.  I pray to you to relieve me of the assignment of State President so that I can stay at Your Lotus Feet peacefully as a mere worm."

Swami stared at him for a while and said, "Kasturi, why do you call yourself a worm?  In that case, why do you think you are not a worm, when you are the State President?  There is nothing wrong in being a State President.  What difference does that make?  The mistake is in your thinking, that the assignment of the State President makes a difference in your stature!  Such thinking is caused by your ego."

Kasturi fell at His feet and prayed for His pardon.  Swami smiled and said, "Don't worry, do your duty properly.  You are not a worm and there is God in the worm also.  Why do you belittle it?  Realise that you are divine!"

(As narrated by Prof. N . Kasturi in his book "Loving God")