THE STORY OF OLD MAN'S WALLET

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THE STORY OF OLD MAN’S WALLET

Baba said, "God is the sole Proprietor, nobody else is our Protector. His method

of work is extra-ordinary, invaluable, and inscrutable. His will will be done

and He will show us the way, and satisfy our heart's desires" in Sri Sai

Satcharitra, ch. XVIII & XIX.

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.

(From 'Dipika' A publication by Sri Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Even animals satisfy their senses, but such satisfaction is not the goal of

man’s life. His goal is to seek the Reality devoid of pain or pleasure.

(Amrta Bindu, 35)

Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya.....

 

Q.1. ‘Yoga’ means

Set of bodily exercises

To link with God

Breathing

None of the above

Q.2. The purpose of Yoga is to nourish,

Body

Mind

Soul

All of above

Q.3 The best way for acquiring spiritual knowledge is,

Sense perception and analysis of empirical data

Inductive reasoning and logic

Hearing from a perfect authority on the subject concerned

None of the above

Q.4 The word ‘Mantra’ means,

Secret chant

Deliverance of mind

Formula for peace

Any cool idea

Q.5 The ultimate purpose of a religion is,

To achieve peace of mind

To attain lasting happiness

To follow God’s orders

To develop pure love of God

Q.6 ‘Karma’ means,

Duty

Any action and its reaction

Good deeds

None of above

Q.7 Being a Veggie is,

Morally good

Spiritually uplifting

Environmentally benign

All of the above

Q.8 The source of life is,

Spirit

Mind

Atoms

None of the above

Q.9 ‘Self-realization’ means,

To realize one’s spiritual nature

To realize God

To realize one’s relation with God

All of above

Q.10 Human life is meant,

To propagate one’s race

To eat, mate, defend and sleep

To inquire into the Absolute Truth (God)

True or False

Reincarnation means rebirth

A real ‘Guru’ is one who claims to be God

Consciousness is a strong proof for the existence of a soul

The meditation for our times is chanting of the Holy names

While spirit is eternal, matter is temporary

Spiritual life is not for everyone, but a selected few

The four miseries of human life are birth, death, old age and

disease

Non-violence means not causing harm to anyone, including animals

Hinduism is strictly polytheism

The essential teachings of all religions are similar

Answers to Vedic Quiz

1 b., 2d., 3c., 4b., 5d., 6b., 7d., 8a., 9d., 10c.

1) T, 2) F, 3) T, 4) T, 5) T, 6) F, 7) T, 8) T, 9) F, 10) T