Understanding your value

Understanding your value 

This story relates to the lofty aspirations of three trees – the Chandan, Banyan and Peepal tree. Each had great dream of becoming something special in life. The chandan tree dreamed of becoming a finely crafted treasure chest. It wanted to hold gold, silver and precious jewels. One day a wood-cutter came and cut it down. But as the craftsmen started to work on him, it realized that they were not making a treasure chest; they were making a cradle to hold newly born babies. The tree felt heartbroken; its dreams were shattered. He felt worthless and demeaned.

Similarly, the banyan tree dreamed of becoming part of a huge ship that would carry kings across the ocean. When the wood-cutters cut down the banyan, he was so excited. But as time went on, he realized that the craftsmen were not making him into a huge ship; they were making him into a tiny boat. He was so discouraged, so disappointed.

The peepal tree lived on top of a high mountain. Its only dream was to always stand tall and remind people of God’s creation, for, isn’t he mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita?

“Know the Peepal tree to be imperishable, with its roots in God, and whose leaves are the Vedas …” (15:1)

But, as he was thinking thus, a bolt of lightning struck and sent it tumbling to the ground, destroying his dreams. Soon, the wood-cutters came and picked it up and carried it to a scrap pile.

All three of these trees felt that they had lost their value and worth. They were so discouraged, so disappointed with their lives. Not one of their dreams had come to pass. But God had other plans for them.

Years later, upon the birth of Rama, Dasratha needed a cradle for him, and guess what, through God’s design, that same cradle made from the chandan wood was secured. The chandan tree had wanted to hold precious jewels, but God had better plans for it, and now it held the greatest treasure of all – the Lord Shree Ramachandra.

A few years went by and Sree Rama grew up. On His way to the forest, He needed a boat to cross the Ganga. He did not need a large fancy ship; He chose a small, simple boat. And guess what. It was the same boat made from the Banyan tree. It wanted to carry kings across the river, but God had better plans. The banyan now carried the King of kings.

A few more years went by. In the forest, Rama wanted a place to stay. He was directed to the mountain top of Chitrakoot. The local inhabitants were too willing to assist in building a hut for Him. They looked around for materials and finally arrived at the pile of scrap woods where the discarded peepal tree lay. That peepal tree thought they were coming to cut it up for firewood. But much to its surprise, they carried away many of its limbs as well as the trunk. These were used to build the hut for Rama, Sita and Lakshmana. That tree, whose dream was to always remind people of God, was still pointing people to God and His creation.

God knows your value; He sees your potential. You may not understand everything you are going through right now. But hold your head up high, knowing that God is in control and He has a great plan and purpose for your life. Your dreams may not have turned out exactly as you had hoped, but God’s ways are better and higher than our ways. Appreciate where you are in your journey, even if it is not where you want to be. Every season serves a purpose. Even when everybody rejects you, remember, God stands before you with His arms open wide. He always accepts you. He always confirms your value. You are His prized creation and possession. “All are dear to Me, for all are My creation; but man is the creature I delight in most. That body is the holiest, most beautiful, through which one is able to worship God.”  (Uttar Kand).

(Pandit Ramdial Balbadar is a prominent Aachaarya (Teacher) of Hinduism in Guyana. He is the compiler and author of many titles and has over 30 years experience in Pandits’ Training across Guyana. He is currently the President of the Sanatan Vaidic Dharma Pandits’ Sabha, Region 3).