The Eyes That Watch: The High and Mighty, the Down and Out

Have you ever been given the ‘cold shoulder’? Maybe you needed a little help, some kindness. But the person you asked for help couldn’t care less. Sometimes the indifference or humiliation may hurt for long afterwards. Now imagine this – What if the same person lands up at your door seeking help? What would you do?

The Cold Shoulder

A young man lost his parents and found himself on the streets. Hungry and helpless, there was no one he could turn to for help. He landed at the door of a very wealthy businessman. He explained his situation and pleaded for help. The businessman barely looked at him. He called his servant, and asked him to push this man out of the house. The servant did as asked. 

Fortune Fades, Tables Turn

Years passed. The wheel of time turned – as it always does. The same merchant lost his fortune. The shrewd partners who helped him make a killing eventually turned on him. He had to sell everything he owned to settle the claims, and was left with no house or family. They were not as eager to share his poverty as they were to share his prosperity. 

With great difficulty, he found some courage to start again. But what could he do now with no money, reputation or friends? Word had reached him of an oil merchant in a neighboring town known for helping those in need. Tired, hungry, and almost out of hope, he finally reached the merchant’s house. He explained his difficulty to the merchant and asked him for help.

The merchant heard him out. He called his servant: 

“Please arrange a warm meal and a place for him to rest tonight. Give him fresh clothes. And provide the money he needs to start again.”

The servant did as instructed. 

A Different Kind of Man

The next day when the visitor had left, the servant broke down in tears. Surprised, the merchant asked, “Why are you so distressed? We’ve helped someone in need.”

The servant explained “You might not remember this. Many years ago, you went to this same businessman for help. I was the one who was told to throw you out. When his fortune disappeared, I lost my job too. In my search for work, I reached your door. Today, you are wealthy. And not only have you helped him—with food, clothes, and shelter—but you’ve treated him with the dignity reserved for a king.” 

“Why didn’t you treat him the same way he had treated you?”

The Eyes That Watch

The oil merchant replied calmly. His words came like cool showers on scorched earth.

“When I was at the door of the businessman many years ago, he chose to push me out onto the street. And that has come back to him today. What I choose to do today, will determine what comes back to me. I can pay back the businessman the same way he treated me, but with that I would have sowed the seeds of indifference and pride in my own future. I chose to treat him the way I want destiny to treat me when I may be in a similar situation again. Because the wheel of time keeps turning.”

“There are five lessons I have learnt in life:

1. The wheel of time never stops turning.

Wealth, power, relationships, strength—nothing is permanent. What comes is meant to go. And what goes often returns, in a form we may not expect.

2. It doesn’t matter what others do to you. What matters is what you do.

The only thing that matters is my thoughts, words and actions. That is what shapes my karma.

3. Even when no one is watching, time is. 

It keeps account of every action, every intention. And whatever we send out, comes back to us. The deeds I sow today, are the destiny I will reap tomorrow. 

4. My true account is not with the people I meet, but with the One who sent me here.

Transactions with people we meet are short term. But my long-term relationship is with the Creator. The game of life is played in His court, and it is won by playing by His rules.

5. This life is the capital we begin with. The profit we earn depends on our deeds.

A wise businessman does not consume his entire capital, but invests it to earn returns. In the same way, chasing only material pleasures is like spending down the capital. Acts of goodness, compassion, and truth—that is what earns us real return on our time here.”

Words of the Guru

Guru Angad Dev Ji, the second Sikh Guru, offers us this timeless guidance:

Jit seviye sukh payiye so sahib sada samaliye

Remember the Master in whose service you will find lasting joy

Jit keeta payiye aapna sa ghaal buri kyu ghaaliye

When you are going to reap what you sow, why sow evil? 

Manda mool na kichayi je lammi nadar nihaliye

If you look at the long game, it makes no sense to commit any evil at all

Jiu sahib naal na haariye teveha paasa dhaliye

Throw the dice in a way that you don’t lose the game with your Master

Kich laahe upar ghaaliye

This life is your capital, do those deeds that will bring you profit. 

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji – Ang 474

Source

Adapted from Dharam Kala by Jaswant Singh Parwana

Reflection question 

Can you recall an incident when you were able to hold kindness in your heart even when someone wronged you? What gave you the strength to respond in that way?