Once A Beggar Now The Owner

A beggar was begging without shoes and proper clothing in a hot summer month. There was very hot air blowing in the open. He was sweating, he was hungry and he was looking at people for their help and sympathy.

When no one gave him anything for some time, the beggar thought he will go and rest

under a tree. He moved and felt stiffness in his body. May be he was sick.

He walked a bit and saw a house in which a well dressed man was sitting in the courtyard. There were fans around him and the courtyard smelled of nice perfumes.

The beggar went to the man and requested - Sir! You must be the owner of the house. I am poor and I am sick. If you allow, I can lie down in the aangan for some time.

The owner replied - Yes, sure! Please take this carpet and lie down on it in that cool corner.

The beggar thanked the owner and lied down in a corner under a fan.

The beggar however continued to sweat. He saw the living room inside which had a large carpet and an air conditioner.

The beggar again went to the owner and asked - Sir! You have been extremely kind to me. But I seem to be suffering from a heat stroke and have fever. Since there is no one in your living room, can I go and lie down there for sometime? Hopefully I will feel better and then I shall go back home at sunset.

The owner was a bit reluctant since the beggar was a stranger. However, he was a noble person and so he allowed the beggar to go and sleep on the carpet in the AC.

A little while later, a lady who was probably the owner's wife entered the living room. She was a bit surprised to see the beggar but on inquiring with her husband, she let the beggar rest in the room. In fact, she was very nice and brought some medicine, fruit and cold water for the beggar.

The beggar felt that the floor was pretty hard. Also, since it was made of stone, it was pretty hot. He was not sure but he asked the lady - O noble lady! I know this is not civility but you are kind and generous. If you allow, can I go and sleep on the bed in the bedroom?

The lady asked the owner (her husband) and after some discussion let the beggar sleep on the bed in the bedroom.

In the evening, at sunset, the owner woke up the beggar and said - Hey you! You have slept for 4 hours now. The sun has set and so I request you to go back to your own home.

But something happened to the beggar. Instead of leaving he said - Sir! You have lived in this house for so long. Didn't your desire satisfy in all this time? I think it is time for you to leave this house now.

Moral Of The Story

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj teaches us that Bhakti is the beggar, the house is the mind and the owner of the house is Maya, the world.

Bhakti slowly sneaks into a jeev's mind and slowly becomes so powerful that it kicks out Maya which has lived in the mind for countless lives like an owner.