Rich in real sense

Rich in Real Sense...

Rich in Real Sense...

Once Ravindranath Tagore went to Japan. He gave discourses on his book
Geetanjali for ten days from 6 PM to 7 PM everyday. An old man used to
come to attend his discourses everyday. He used to garland him with
roses very humbly. He used to reach there much before the discourse
time & used to get up after Rabindranath Tagore used to get up - his
behaviour was very down to earth. He used to listen to each & every
word of the discourse & 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 everyday.

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- Vashishtha Muni.

That old man used to bow in front of Tagore everyday. 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 tommorow. I'll be grateful."

Rabindranath Tagore was already very pleased with the devotion &
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 & he
should see that he does not spend beyond his capacity to make
preperations & 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 hime 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 & opened the main
gate. As they entered the gates Tagore saw many gentlemen & 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 & 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 yoy 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 & 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 & 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 & physical appearence 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 & 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 & 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 & 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 happines. Where there is respect
for true knowldge, 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 & 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 & waste the precious time
wherever I go. But you are wise. You do not ask for material wealth &
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.