Long ago, there lived a very poor man. He had nothing and was always unhappy. One day, he went to a learned saint of the village and shared all his troubles. The saint felt compassion for him and gave him a Paras Mani (a mythical stone that turns iron into gold).
Saint said, “With this, you can make as much gold as you want. Your poverty will be removed forever.”
Using the Paras stone, the poor man made a lot of gold and became wealthy. He had every comfort and luxury, immense riches yet he started feeling unhappy again. Now he was constantly worried about his wealth. He feared thieves and the King. Despite having so much money, there was no peace in his life.
One day, he again went to the same saint.
Saint said, “Your poverty is gone now. You have everything.”
Man replied, “Maharaj, I have a lot of wealth, but there is no peace in my life. Please tell me a way to calm my mind and remove all my fears.”
Saint said, “Alright, return the Paras stone to me.”
Man refused and said, “Maharaj, I cannot give back the Paras stone. I do not want to become poor again. Please give me a happiness that remains the same in both wealth and poverty and does not diminish even at the time of death.”
Saint replied, “Such happiness is found only in selfless devotion to God. Those who worship without any selfish desire remain happy in wealth, poverty and even at the time of death.
Wherever selfishness exists, sorrow always follows. If you want freedom from suffering, meditate on God but without any selfish motive.”
Learning:
Our mindset and attachment determine our happiness, not external circumstances.
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