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Complaint of the Stomach

One day there had been feasting at the Ashram. Many had been upset by the large quantity of rich food. Someone quoted the following complaint about the stomach by the Tamiḷ poet, Avvayar:

You will not go without food even for one day, nor will you take enough for two days at a time. You have no idea of the trouble I have on your account, Oh wretched stomach! It is impossible to get on with you!'

Bhagavan immediately replied with a parody giving the stomach's complaint against the ego.

`You will not give even an hour's rest to me, you stomach!

Day after day, every hour, you keep on eating. You have no idea how I suffer, Oh troublemaking ego! It is impossible to get on with you!'