Rich in real Sense

[Guest guest]

Dear friends and devotes,

 

Bhakti is eternal.

 

Once, Ravindranath Tagore went to Japan. He gave discourses on his book

Geetanjali for ten days from 6 PM to 7 PM every day. An old man used to

come to attend his discourses every day. He used to garland him with

roses very humbly. He used to reach there much before the discourse time

and used to get up after Ravindranath Tagore used to get up - his

behaviour was very down to earth. He used to listen to each and every

word of the discourse and tried to apply that in his life. Dressed in

very simple clothes, that old man was highly impressed with Ravindranath

Tagore.

 

After Ravindranath used to complete his discourse many people used to

touch his feet to show their gratitude every day.

 

None of the people who came to attend the discourse ever thought how

much treasure each one of them was taking with them after listening to

the discourse on the reality of soul. All those who leave the discourse

assembly after listening to just a few words from the discourses don't

really know how disrespectful they are towards their own life. Lord

Krishna attended to his master- Sandipani Rishi with gratitude. In order

to attain the knowledge of self, Lord Rama devoted his precious time to

attend to his master- Vasishtha Muni.

 

That old man used to bow in front of Tagore every day. After the last

discourse was over, people offered gold coins, money, fruits, flowers

etc. at the feet of Tagore. That old man requested Tagore and said:

 

" Please pay a visit to my home tomorrow. I'll be grateful. "

 

Ravindranath Tagore was already very pleased with the devotion and

dedication of the old man and therefore accepted his invitation. The

eyes of the old man were filled with tears of joy when Tagore accepted

his invitation.

 

Tagore told his assistant that the old man is very emotional and he

should see that he does not spend beyond his capacity to make

preparations and also he should give 200 Yen to his kids.

 

The old man got a Rolls Royce car sharp at 3:45 PM at the door of

Tagore's guest room. Tagore had told him that he would go to his house

at four in the evening. They smoothly drove in that car to a huge

mansion on top of a hill. The watchman saluted and opened the main gate.

As they entered the gates Tagore saw many gentlemen and women welcoming

his arrival. They took him inside. They made him sit on a chair made of

gold with silken cushions. They served several rich eatables in 200

dishes made of gold and silver. The members of the family worshipped

Tagore and sat at his feet.

 

Ravindranath was astonished with all this. He said: " Where have you

brought me? Take me to your home. Why have you brought me to this

mansion? "

 

The old man dressed in simple clothes said: " Oh Saint! This is my house.

That Rolls Royce car is all mine and I have five more of these cars.

There are two chairs made of gold. All these people who are bowing in

front of you are my sons, grandsons and great grandsons. She is the

mother of my sons. And they are my daughter-in-laws. Swamiji! I have two

factories. "

 

Oh! You are so rich and still you used to be dressed in such simple

clothes when you used to come to attend the discourses. "

 

" Oh Saint! I believe that material richness and physical appearance do

not reflect the real personality. It is foolish to feel proud of the

money that cannot buy the richness of the soul. One never knows when

that money will be lost. Also he who keeps guarding this material

richness and does not bother about the precious richness of soul is

really careless. The material richness has no use beyond this world.

 

Oh Saint! What is the value of this material richness as compared to the

richness of true knowledge and devotion? The former is just making me

labour hard but the richness that you have given me is giving me the

real happiness. It is the true knowledge of soul which is protecting me.

I'm grateful to you for the rest of my life. I spent whole of my life in

collecting that money which could not give me peace and happiness but

each hour of yours showed me the light. I wore simple clothes because I

was a beggar at your gate waiting to get the richness of soul from you.

Oh Lord! I'm obliged! "

 

Ravindranath's heart was filled with happiness. Where there is respect

for true knowledge, there is respect for life. Even the material

richness stays at places where there is respect for the words of saints.

 

Ravindranath said: " Oh rich man! You are not attached to material

richness and have respect for the richness of soul that is why you are

rich in real sense. I'm also grateful today. After meeting a devotee

like you even I feel that my discourses served the purpose.

 

People keep asking for material comforts and waste the precious time

wherever I go. But you are wise. You do not ask for material wealth and

still God is giving that to you. He sent me to quench your thirst for

true knowledge. "

 

The one who is not attached to his wealth but surrenders his ego at the

feet of the great saints after listening to the divine words about the

Great God who is the basis of the whole universe is rich in real sense.

 

With love and regards,

 

Sastry