Frog

Lord Rama, was walking in the forest. He was stopped by his devotees, both men and animals. They had prayed for a long time and many lives for a close view of the Lord. They all fell at his lotus feet for divine blessings and grace.

Lord Rama was overwhelmed by the devotion of his subjects and he involuntarily let go of his bow to embrace them, one by one. The bow sadly landed on the tiny leg of a frog who was a big devotee of Lord.

However, the frog was mesmerized by the sight of the Lord. He was so very lost in the contemplation that he neither saw the bow landing on his limb nor did he feel any pain. After few minutes, Lord Rama decided to resume his walk; he lifted the bow. Only then did he painfully notice that it was thumping on the little leg of the toad. “O frog!” said Lord Rama with tears brimming in his beautiful eyes

“Why didn’t you draw my attention to this careless action of mine? Why didn’t you scream? Why didn’t you call for help? ”

 “O Rama! You are the my inner Self” answered the frog with outpouring love

“if somebody else had trodden my leg, to seek your help and your assistance, I would have called your name. Therefore, when you are the very one who is trampling on my puny limb, when you are the one giving the pain and suffering, who’s name am I going to call?”

Lord Rama was enthralled by the pure love of his devotee. He lovingly picked up the warty toad smudged with spittle, lying at his feet. With one gentle stroke of his hand, he relieved him of mortal pain.