The Temple Library and Its Faithful Transporter
In a renowned town of scholars and saints, there existed a large temple library, filled with palm-leaf manuscripts of the Vedas, Purāṇas, Itihāsas, and many devotional texts. The head brāhmaṇas would regularly send scribes to copy and deliver texts to other towns and villages, in order to spread the glories of the Lord and educate sincere seekers.
For this noble task, they employed a humble donkey, named Dhīra, to carry loads of manuscripts on its back from one āśrama to another. Dhīra was not elegant or swift; it was old and slow. But it never once refused service, carrying sacred texts across fields, rivers, and hilly paths, enduring sun and rain.
Unknowing Service in the Lord’s Mission
Though the donkey did not understand the contents of the manuscripts, nor could it pronounce even one śloka, it was constantly in the presence of śāstra. It carried Bhagavad-gītā, Bhāgavatam, Padma Purāṇa, and other texts—scriptures that contained the Lord’s glories, names, forms, and instructions.
Because of this service, Dhīra was often sprinkled with water sanctified during yajñas, brushed by the tulasī leaves attached to the manuscripts, and heard, unknowingly, verses recited aloud as scholars checked the texts before sending them out.
A Quiet Death and a Glorious Destiny
One day, after returning from a long journey, Dhīra lay down under a tree near the temple and never woke again. The brāhmaṇas, seeing its lifeless body, expressed gratitude, saying, “This soul served the Lord’s mission for years. May the Lord bless him.”
Suddenly, as the final rites were about to be performed, a celestial chariot descended, and the Viṣṇudūtas appeared. They declared:
“This donkey, though born in ignorance, served by carrying the sacred words of the Lord. It bore the weight of divine wisdom across the land. The Lord, who is bhakta-vatsala, the protector of all who aid His mission, now grants this soul residence in Vaikuṇṭha.”
And before the eyes of astonished sages and villagers, the donkey’s soul was carried to the eternal spiritual world.
Lessons to Be Learned:
- Even indirect service to the Lord’s mission, done with steadiness and humility, is honored by the Lord.
- Association with śāstra and devotees, even without comprehension, gradually purifies the soul.
- The Lord remembers all who assist in spreading His glories, whether by mind, word, or even by carrying sacred books.
- As it is stated in the Padma Purāṇa: “śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ smaraṇaṁ pāda-sevanam / arcanam vandanaṁ dāsyam sakhyam ātma-nivedanam”
“Hearing, chanting, remembering the Lord, serving His feet, worshiping, praying, serving as a friend, and fully surrendering—these are the limbs of devotional service.” Even carrying śāstra supports these limbs.
Origin of the Story: Padma Purāṇa – Stories section glorifying how even unknowing participation in devotional service purifies and liberates the soul when connected to the Lord’s message.
