~ wallet

[Guest guest]

Once an old man was travelling by

train on a pilgrimage to Brindavan. At night, whilst he was asleep, his wallet

fell from his pocket. A co-passenger found it the next morning and enquired as

to whom the wallet belonged. The old man said it was his. A picture of Sri

Krishna inside the wallet was proof that the wallet really belonged to him.

The old man then began to relate the

story of the wallet. He soon had a group of eager listeners around him. Lifting

up the purse for all to see, the old man said: This purse has a long history

behind it. My father gave it to me years ago when I was a mere schoolboy. I

kept my little pocket money in it and also a photograph of my parents.

Years passed. I grew up and began

studying at university. Like every youth, I became conscious of my appearance.

I replaced my parents’ photograph with that of my own and I would look at

it often. I had become my own admirer.

Then came marriage. Self-admiration

gave way to the consciousness of a family. Out went my own picture and I

replaced it with that of my wife’s. During the day I would open the

wallet many times and gaze at the picture. All tiredness vanished and I would

resume my work with enthusiasm.

Then came the birth of my first

child. What a joy I experienced when I became a father! I would eagerly rush

home after work to play with my little baby. Needless to say, my wife’s

picture had already made way for the child’s.

The old man paused. Wiping his

tearful eyes, he looked around and said in a sad voice: Friends, my parents passed

away long ago. My wife too died five years ago. My son- my only son- is now

married. He is too busy with his career and his family. He has no time for me.

I now stand on the brink of death. I do not know what awaits me in future.

Everything I loved, everything I considered my own, has left me.

A picture of Lord Krishna now

occupies the place in my wallet. I know He will never leave me. I wish now that

I had kept HIS picture with me right from the beginning! He alone is true; all

others are just passing shadows.

Sri Sarada Devi, the holy mother,

says: Don’t be afraid my child, these earthly ties are transitory. Today

they seem to be the be-all and end-all of life, and tomorrow they vanish. Your

real tie is with God. God is one’s very own. It is the eternal

relationship. He is ever looking after you. Call on the Lord who pervades the

entire universe. He will shower His blessings upon you.

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Your

wealth will remain on earth; your cattle will remain in the stables, your wife

will come till the entrance door, your relatives and friends will come till the

cremation ground, your body will accompany you till the funeral pyre, but on

the way beyond this life only your Karmas will accompany you.

font-family:Arial;font-style:italic">A publication by Sri Ramakrishna Centre of

South Africa