In the book Dharam Kala (The Power of Dharma), the author imagines a conversation between Sri Bhagwan (the Creator) and Sri Lakshmi (Goddess of fortune). Before diving into the story, it’s essential to understand that Dharma here refers to the essence of natural laws that sustain harmony and righteousness in the world —not a particular religion or sect.
Bhagwan marvels at the crowds outside temples, mosques, and gurdwaras, saying to Lakshmi ji, “See how much my devotees love me.” Lakshmi ji counters, “They may chant your name, but deep down, it is me they truly love.”
To test this, they devise a plan. Bhagwan takes the form of a sadhu and visits the home of a wealthy merchant during evening prayers. The merchant, known for his hospitality towards holy people, warmly welcomes the sadhu. The sadhu agrees to stay, but with one condition—he will choose the room in which to stay. The merchant, eager to serve, agrees immediately.
The sadhu inspects the house, selects a room, and spreads out his mat and kamandal (water pot). After settling in, he asks the merchant for some water. The merchant, eager to fulfill the request, heads off to fetch it. As he walks back with the tumbler of water, he hears the sound of bells. Curious, he steps outside and sees a grand horse-drawn carriage stop at his door. The bells jingle from the horses’ harnesses.
Inside the carriage is a beautiful woman with lotus-like eyes and a radiant face. She is draped in rich silk and adorned with jewelry. Holding out a tumbler, she says, “Seth ji, I’m thirsty too. Won’t you pour me some water?”
The merchant, captivated, forgets all about the sadhu waiting for water inside. He eagerly pours water into her tumbler. After taking two sips, the woman casually tosses the tumbler to the ground. The merchant is stunned to see that the tumbler is made of gold. He quickly retrieves it and says, “Bibiji, here’s your tumbler.”
But the woman replies, “I never reuse utensils. Once I’ve used something, it holds no value for me. You may keep it if you wish.”
Thrilled by this unexpected fortune, the merchant’s mind races with possibilities. He eagerly asks her, “Would you like to have a meal as well?” He starts imagining the various dishes he could prepare so that she could use multiple utensils and leave them behind.
The woman agrees to have a meal, and the merchant enthusiastically invites her into his home. Meanwhile, the sadhu is still waiting for his water, completely forgotten by the merchant.
As the woman prepares to enter the house, she expresses her desire to stay for a few days—but on the condition that she chooses her room. Without further thought, the merchant agrees. She walks through the house and chooses the very room where the sadhu is resting, with his kamandal and mat laid out.
The merchant hesitates, apologizing that a sadhu is already staying in that room. The woman, unfazed, replies, “If I cannot stay there, I’ll go to the neighbor’s house.” Panicking at the thought of losing this incredible opportunity, the merchant agrees to ask the sadhu to move.
When the merchant approaches the sadhu, the holy man gently reminds him of their agreement: that he would stay in the room of his choice. But the merchant, now blinded by greed, forgets his earlier devotion. He angrily declares, “This is my house! If you don’t move, I’ll throw you and your belongings out.”
At that moment, the woman bursts into laughter. Turning to the sadhu, she says, “Now you see, Bhagwan? The crowds may chant your name, but it is me, Maya, they truly serve.”
Just as the merchant prepares to throw the sadhu out, the woman reveals the truth: “Don’t bother pushing him out, for I am his shadow. Wherever he goes, I follow.”
This story reminds us that, although we may acknowledge a supreme power and perform rituals in its name, we are often swayed by the allure of wealth, prestige and power. When we abandon Dharma for material gains, we may experience temporary success, but we lose our connection with deeper values and inevitably encounter suffering.
There are, however, those who live in the world but remain anchored in the Supreme. How can we cultivate that balance? Stay tuned for more.
Source: Giani Pinderpal Singh on the stages of life, quoting the story from Dharam Kala by Jaswant Singh Parwana.
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Reflection question
Living more consciously is rarely an overnight transformation—it’s a gradual process of trial and error. As in the story above, we often find ourselves acknowledging a virtue as desirable, but habits of mind and body take time to change. This journey often feels like taking two steps forward and one step back. Teachers of wisdom remind us that this is an inevitable part of being human and encourage us to keep moving forward, without giving up.
What is one change you are working on right now, even though it feels like two steps forward and one step back?
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