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138
BHAKTI-YOGA.
the king repeated his prayers, saying, “Lord, give me more children ; Lord, give me more wealth ; Lord, give me more territory; Lord, keep my body in better health ;" and so on. Before the king had finished saying his prayer the sage got up and walked away from the room quietly. At seeing this, the king became perplexed and began to follow him, crying aloud, "Sir, you are going away, you have not taken my presents.” The sage turned round and said, “Beggar, I do not beg of beggars. You are a beggar yourself, and how can you give me anything? I am no fool to think of taking anything from a beggar like you. Go away, do not follow me." The above story brings out clearly the distinction between mere beggars in the province of Religion and the real lovers of God. To worship God for any other reward or even for the sake of salvation is degenerating the high ideal of love. Love knows no reward. Love is always for love's sake:
