Swami Vivekananda was going abroad for the first time to preach Hinduism. After having the delicious dinner the previous night, Vivekananda’s mother offered him some fruit and a knife. After he had eaten the fruit, his mother asked, “Will you please give me the knife?” Vivekananda handed the knife. Then, his mother calmly said, “Son, you have passed my test. Now you have my blessings for going abroad.” Vivekananda was surprised. He asked, “How did you test me, Mother?” His mother replied, “When I asked for the knife, you gave the knife by holding its sharp edge and kept its wooden handle towards me. You ensured that I would not get hurt and took care of me. A person who thinks of others’ welfare has the right of preaching the world. This was your test in which you passed.” Swami Vivekananda left this mark in many hearts–to think of others before thinking for self.
Selflessness
