Inconveniences and setbacks are a part of everyday life.
Can you recall a few things you complained about in the last 24 hours?
It could be a coworker who didn’t deliver as expected,
a family member who didn’t cooperate,
or even your health or the environment.
The following story about a complaint made by Bhagat Trilochan’s wife carries a deep insight for our own lives.
(These are not ideals we perfect overnight, but beacons we can keep returning to.)
Bhagat Trilochan
Bhagat Trilochan Ji was a saint who lived in the 13th century in Solapur, Maharashtra. He was a contemporary of Bhagat Namdev Ji. Over time, he became a well-known bhakta, and people from different parts of the country would come to meet him.
He lived with his wife, and they had no children. Together, they welcomed visiting mendicants with great warmth – offering them food and care, and spent time in exchanging their learning and experiences.
As the number of visitors grew, it became increasingly difficult to manage the work involved in hosting them.
One day, his wife expressed her concern: “There is a lot of work in the house. Can we have someone to help us with these chores?”
The Arrival of Antaryami
The very next morning, a young boy appeared at their door. “I am looking for work. May I serve in your home?”
Trilochan Ji was surprised. How did he know we needed help? He asked the boy where he had come from and what wages he expected.
“I have no family,” the boy replied. “I need no money. Just food and clothing. I will do whatever work you ask of me.”
Trilochan Ji was taken aback. “No payment – only food and clothes?”
“Yes,” the boy said, “but I do have one condition: “If you complain about me behind my back, I will go away.”
Trilochan Ji shared this with his wife. “He truly seems God-sent,” she said. And so, Antaryami began serving in their home.
Antaryami Serves the Household
Antaryami was diligent and attentive. Not only did he complete every task given to him, he would notice what needed to be done next — and do it without being asked. Both husband and wife were very happy with his arrival.
There was only one thing — he ate a lot.
Trilochan Ji’s wife found herself spending most of her day grinding grain and preparing meals for him.
Nearly a year passed.
One day, while she was outside, a neighbour asked,
“You look tired… is everything alright?”
She replied, “We have help at home. He does all the work well… but he eats so much. My entire day goes into preparing food for him.”
The Disappearance of Antaryami
As promised, the moment a complaint was spoken behind his back —A ntaryami disappeared.
When he was nowhere to be found, Trilochan Ji and his wife began to search and reflect. Slowly, they understood what must have happened.
A few days later, a deeper realisation dawned upon Trilochan Ji:
What if the boy was not a servant at all… but Antaryami – the Inner Knower?
What if the One who pervades all had come into their home?
Trilochan Ji was overwhelmed with love. A profound insight unfolded within him:
Just as different ornaments are all made of the same gold, every being has a different form – but the same Inner Presence resides in all.
The Insight
This awakening found expression in his words:
Why find fault with what comes your way?
We remain unaware, caught in our own limited understanding.
Pain and pleasure arise from our own actions.
Why complain about circumstances?
Circumstances alone do not shape our lives—
our actions do.
What we do—whether wholesome or harmful — remains in our hands.
This incident is believed to have been a turning point in Bhagat Trilochan Ji’s life.
Differences (bhed) gave way to love (bhav).
Pleasure (sukh) and discomfort (dukh) began to feel the same.
He came to rest in a state of equanimity (samta).
A Lesson for Our Lives
It is often said that we overlook the 90 things that are working in our lives,
and focus on the 10 that are missing. We keep waiting for those 10 things to fall into place—
believing that then we will finally feel at peace.
But life brings both challenges and blessings every day.
Hidden within each situation is an opportunity –
either to receive support,
or to grow a strength we need for our journey.
And Antaryami – the Inner Knower
is present in every face we meet,
in every situation we encounter.
Reflection question
Is there something you have today that you once longed for? How does remembering that change the way you feel about today?
The Sabad Project - Wisdom stories 
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