By : D. Sankaraiah
Most of us are familiar with story of a man who had a hen which laid a golden egg every day. He lived selling it. One day he thought to himself, why not kill the hen that lays golden eggs and take out all the eggs at one time? He killed the hen but did not get even one egg. The egg he used to earn hid daily living was also now lost. All this happened due to his greed and ignorance.
Greed always leads to destruction. Sri Narasimha Swamiji has stated that a greedy man remains hungry even after acquiring the entire world. But the man who is content is full even with one piece of bread. If we learn to overcome greed, we can attain a status even higher than that of an Emperor, for it is contentment that makes us hold our head high and be at peace with whatever we have.
A rich man came to Sai Baba seeking Brahma Jnana. He appeared to be in great haste and told Baba to teach ‘Brahma Jnana’ as the coachman would demand waiting charges. Baba spoke ahead – “Listen dear, what is wrong if the poor coachman gets two rupees more as waiting charges? You are asking for great knowledge of ‘Brahma Jnana’ – but you cannot get rid of this infatuation for money. How can one have ‘Brahma Jnana’ like this? To acquire that great knowledge of ‘Brahma Jnana’ one must strip off these coats of attachments! Attachments cause ego – a desire to possess! This fascination to possess creates infatuation, greed, lust, anger, pride and jealousy in human beings. These are the six enemies – ‘Ari Shadwargas’ which keep man away from Brahma – the God! With this greed for wealth a man does not recognize a man, father forgets his own son, wife knows not her husband, a brother is not a brother, a friend is not a friend! The only relative a man recognizes is money! Let me tell you a story – that of a frog and of a cobra!” This is the story of Veerabhadrappa and Channabasappa who carried the enmity for three births. Baba spoke to that visitor asking for ‘Brahma Jnana’ – “So, did you see what happens with infatuation for money? You have come here seeking ‘Brahma Jnana’ while you are carrying a pack of greed in your pocket! Brahma means the understanding of oneness of soul – ‘Aham Brahmasmi’ which means ‘I am Brahman myself’! I am the entire universe! This feeling itself is the essence of ‘Brahma Jnana’.
Baba pointed out – “This poor man is a part of that Brahma. To give him five rupees for his return journey I have been trying hard. You have two hundred rupees in your pocket and even after seeing me struggling to get a loan of five rupees, you do not want to help me! You are sitting on a heap of money! Spend some money in charity and have the blessings of those who are deprived of divine grace. With that you will realize ‘Brahma Jnana’!” The visitor took out the bundle of notes. It was exactly two hundred rupees! He gave five rupees to the devotee who needed it for his return journey. With Baba’s blessings he returned to his place.
True pleasures do not lie in chasing wealth madly. We need only that much wealth as will support and foster our character and our spiritual qualities, not otherwise.
Shakespeare said – “My crown is in my heart, not on my head; not decked with diamonds or gemstones not to be seen. My crown is contentment which the Kings do not enjoy.”
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