Moringa Tree (Drumstick)
You know the trees are very much tolerant. They are giving you shelter, they are giving you shadow, and they are giving you protection from floods and so many things, giving you fruits. You are taking woods, leaves, flowers, but the trees do not make any protest. They are standing silent. Therefore they are very tolerant. The example of toleration is tree.
So Caitanya Mahāprabhu said that one has to become humbler than the grass or straw in the street, tolerant than the tree, and amāninā, and refusing all kinds of respectful addresses from others, but offering all respect to others. He’s not prepared to accept any respect from others, but he is prepared to give all respect to others.
(680619 – Lecture BG 04.09 – Montreal)