One day a rich Lalaji went to a temple of the god Shiva. It is a famous temple in India. People say about this temple that the deity of this temple does not disappoint any disciple who comes & prays here. This saying makes this temple always crowded with the disciples coming from different parts of India & even from abroad. In front of the main entrance of the temple there are stalls of flower, incense sticks, fruits & other items used as the offering to the deity. It is a common scene of famous temples that the places are congested with the beggars who wait for the alms from the visitors returning from the temples.
Lalaji had to face several losses in his business & the only son he had was suffering from illness from a long period. To have the blessings from Lord Shiva both for his business & his son he went there with his family. He bought flowers, coconut etc. from the nearby stalls & entered straight into the temple. He spent there nearly half an hour praying & doing other rituals. Now it’s time to return to the hotel from the temple. He with his wife stepped down from the temple, when he was on the last step of the stairs an old beggar approached him stretching his hand expectantly & said, “ O sir, please give me something , the god will bless you.”
Lalaji was a kind of man who couldn’t tolerate the beggars; he thought that those people are the most useless lazy creatures of this world, why do they beg when the god has gifted all limbs intact? When that beggar appealed to him Lalaji cast upon him an angry glance & asked, “Don’t you know begging is a shameful act? You should rely more on yourself than other’s compassion. For such kind of people like you our country cannot prosper.” Such a way Lalaji delivered a short speech on beggars. The beggar man didn’t expect such kind of behavior & stared at the face of Lalaji silently.
Noticing the face of the beggar Lalaji supposed that the beggar had surely understood what he wanted to mean & surely would stop begging further. After a short period the beggar said, “ May I ask you a question sir?”
“Yes, of course, ask what you want to know.” eagerly said Lalaji.
“Why have you come here with your family?”- beggar asked.
“Haven’t you seen me coming down of the temple? I have come to worship Lord Shiva.” –answered Lalaji.
“Yes, I know it. But what did you pray to the deity?”- again the beggar man added.
“I asked for his blessing for my business & for recovery of my sick son.” – he answered.
“Yes, that’s what I want to listen from you. Don’t you consider this act as one type of begging? You can beg to the god for the well-being of your business or family, can’t I beg for my livelihood? Are not you a rich beggar? Only difference is that you are begging inside the temple before the almighty god & I am begging to you outside the same temple. We all are beggar , the omnipotent god is the only giver. Please be compassionate to us, it is the time which has made difference between us.” – the beggar said.
Completing his words the old man bowed his head and left the place slowly saying, “May god bless you!”
Lalaji stood speechless as if he had got a shock; the universal truth had touched his soul.
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