OSHO: प्रेम की भाषा Prem Ki Bhasha

Summary

The story of an ancient tree and a boy illustrates the essence of love versus ego. The tree, selflessly offering its shade, fruit, and branches, symbolizes love’s unconditional nature. As the boy grows into a man, his ambitions lead him away, and the tree continues to give without expectation. In the end, the man seeks material gain, but the tree’s love remains constant, offering itself even in its final form as a stump. This powerful tale reveals that while ego seeks to take, love gives freely, without motive or condition, teaching us the true meaning of selfless love.

Takeaways

• 😀 Love is selfless and unconditional, as shown by the tree's devotion to the boy.
• 😀 The ego seeks power and control, while love embraces and gives freely.
• 😀 True love does not judge or measure worth by size, status, or power.
• 😀 The tree symbolizes love's willingness to bow down and serve, while the ego resists vulnerability.
• 😀 As people grow older, ambitions and desires often overshadow love, leading them to forget simple joys and connections.
• 😀 The tree’s love is pure and constant, even when the boy is neglectful or unaware of its presence.
• 😀 The ego only seeks relationships that offer something in return, while love gives without expecting anything.
• 😀 Love can bring immense joy when it is able to give and share, while the ego is focused on receiving.
• 😀 Even when the tree is physically damaged and stripped, it finds joy in offering whatever it has left to the boy.
• 😀 The story illustrates that the ego is focused on taking, while love is focused on giving and selflessness.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the story?

The central theme of the story is the difference between love and ego. The tree represents selfless love, while the boy's journey reflects the ego's pursuit of material gain and power.

How does the tree express love for the boy?

The tree expresses its love by continuously giving without expecting anything in return, whether it is offering its shade, fruit, or branches. It bends down to accommodate the boy's needs, symbolizing the selflessness of love.

Why does the boy stop coming to the tree as he grows older?

As the boy matures, he becomes preoccupied with worldly ambitions, such as achieving success, making money, and fulfilling social expectations. These pursuits gradually make him forget the tree's love.

What does the boy's desire for money symbolize in the story?

The boy's desire for money symbolizes the ego's pursuit of power and control. The ego seeks material wealth as a measure of success and values what it can take, rather than what can be given freely.

How does the tree react when the boy asks for money?

The tree is confused and saddened because it does not understand the concept of money. It offers what it has—flowers, fruit, and shade—showing that love has no material motives, while the ego only values what it can take or use for personal gain.

What does the tree offer the boy to help him gain money?

The tree offers the boy all of its fruit to sell, hoping that by doing so, the boy will receive money. This act represents the tree's willingness to give everything without expecting anything in return.

What is the significance of the tree's willingness to give even when it is being harmed?

The tree's willingness to give, even when it is harmed (losing its branches and fruit), highlights the selflessness of love. Love is not deterred by personal loss and continues to give for the happiness and wellbeing of others.

What does the tree’s ultimate transformation into a stump symbolize?

The tree's transformation into a stump symbolizes the exhaustion of its ability to give. Despite its diminished state, the tree still waits for the boy's return, reflecting love's enduring hope and commitment, even when it has nothing more to offer.

How does the tree’s relationship with the boy reflect the nature of love and ego?

The tree’s relationship with the boy reflects love's unconditional, selfless nature, always giving without expectation. In contrast, the boy’s ego is driven by desire and need, only returning when there is something to gain, such as money or material wealth.

What does the story suggest about the impact of ego on human relationships?

The story suggests that ego can lead to a lack of appreciation for love, focusing only on personal gain and material wealth. As people grow driven by ambition and ego, they often lose sight of the unconditional love that is freely offered to them, as exemplified by the boy’s neglect of the tree.