The Incident of Thieves stealing the cattle

22. The Incident of Thieves stealing the cattle

Many people were envious of Basavanna raising to the highest level of Prime Minister as an able administrator, a great guru and a great virtuous personality. Very often the incidents of either provoking or demoting him were happening. But all those incidents used to disappear into the air as the ice dissolves itselves in the effort of cooling the Sun.

Once when cow-herds had taken the cattle of Mahamane (Basavanna's residence) to the field, thieves attacked them and drove the cattle along with them. The innocent cow-herds came to Basavanna and complained about the incident ; "Lord, thieves have taken away the cattle, please give us the army, we will bring them back ". Basavanna with the usual calmness and smile on his face said :

Don't say thieves have taken the cattle
Don't cry, don't shout
It is God who takes milk there
and also here
Kudala Sangama Deva is the one here and there.

"Don't say that thieves have taken the cattle. The one who takes the milk there and here is the same! I Don't have anything which is mine. It is the wealth of the people and it has reached them.."

Madivala Machideva was astonished and said." My Lord Basavanna, this is not an act of common thieves but a political machination. This is a conspiracy of your enemies."

"Even if it is so, you should not get irated Machaiah! Fire will not extinguish if fire is added to it. Cold water is needed to put off fire. Enemity will not go by enemity. Enemity can be removed by love only"

Then Basavanna turning to the cow-herds, said;

"Let that be apart. By now, calves may be hungry. They might have been dissappointed for their mothers not coming back. Take these calves on cart and leave them with their mothers"

Not finding any other way, the cow-herds carried the order. But in the next morning, the thieves brought the cattle back and cried falling on Basavanna's feet and repented for their act. They felt unhappy for committing this act involving themselves with political conspiracy. They took the initiation and became holy disciples of Basavanna.