Respect and manners (education in human values)

Today, I heard a story about a priest. It was a forward from our family member that told the story of a priest who conducted a Puja(worship). He had invited priests from all over the place and they started chanting 'mantras'. To his surprise, an elderly priest was only moving his lips as he did not have the energy to chant loudly. The one who conducted the puja did not pay him proper 'Dakshina'(fee) and did not serve him food either saying that he did not deserve to be paid fully or given food because he did not do his duty accordingly. The aged priest went away crying and prayed to God saying he had been insulted and not given anything to eat either.

The next day, the man who had insulted the elder priest went to the 'Acharya' to say that he had completed worship successfully and gave him 'Prasad' or offering. The Acharya rebuked him saying that he did not need the offerings because the elder priest had not only been insulted but was also not given any food. The guy was taken aback. He wondered how the Acharya had come to know about this incident. The Acharya replied that the elder priest had cried to God and also told him how helpless he was.

Acharya then told the haughty guy that the elder priest was very well versed in all the mantras and experienced and need not even chant loudly and also his presence was enough to invoke the blessings of the almighty God and sages.

The haughty man repented his actions and words and sought pardon but the Acharya remarked that he should ask forgiveness from the aged priest and not him.

The moral lesson

Nobody should ever insult others because it is demeaning and not proper. You may perhaps think that some people deserve such insults and you are even entitled to be angry but if you speak words that hurt a person beyond measure, it is sin.

Respecting people, especially parents and elders should be taught to children so that they grow up into beautiful individuals.

Just as math and science are important, education in human values is also important.

You can see why if you watch the video below.