After Mukunda's graduation from high school, and after he'd met his Guru Sri Yukteshwar, his father has brought him a motorcycle with sidecar. Mukunda enjoyed his new toy, a symbol of his approaching manhood. Sometimes his Guru would ride with him in the sidecar. As they went bouncing through the streets, laughing merrily, the breeze would blow their clothing, flapping it about their bodies as if with kindred enthusiasm. For a time, Mukunda was known, jokingly, as "the motorcycle swami".
Mukunda was indeed pleased with his new acquisition. It was easily the nicest present he had ever received. He never entertained the thought, however, of being attached to it.
One day he parked his motorcycle on the streets in front of his father's home, and went indoors. Later, as he was leaving the house, he saw a casual acquaintance gazing at the vehicle admiringly.
"Isn't it beautiful?" exclaimed Mukunda.
"Oh yes." replied the other warmly. A note of longing entered his voice as he added, "If only I could have one like it!"
"But you can" Mukunda replied instantly. "Take it. Its yours".
"I--I--What do you mean?" his acquaintance faltered. Then thoughtfully, "How much are you asking for it?"
"I wouldn't take anything for it," Mukunda replied with a smile. "I'm giving it to you."
The other was incredulous. "But--but you just can't give away something so valuable!"
The other could barely stammer his gratitude. His eyes, however, bore eloquently testimony to his feelings.
Mukunda felt divinely contented. "I own nothing, beloved Divine Mother," he thought happily. "The things I use are Thine, not mine. I return joyfully to Thee, their rightful owner, whenever I see Thee wanting them through others."
Excerpt from "Paramhansa Yogananda - The Biography" by Swami Kriyananda.
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