Once there was a scholar, who spent many years studying the Vedas and ancient scriptures. He became highly knowledgeable and proud, believing no one in his village would match his wisdom.
When he returned to his village, a farmer asked him a deep question, “Why are people unhappy, even those who have wealth?”
Scholar replied, “Because people don’t have enough money to fulfill their needs.”
Farmer said, “I have wealth, yet I am unhappy. Why is that?”
Scholar had no answer. The farmer offered to donate all his property to Scholar if he could find the true cause of his sorrow. Tempted by greed, Scholar accepted and started looking for an answer.
Despite re-reading all scriptures, he couldn’t find a satisfying explanation.
One day, he met a poor woman begging on the street. She asked him why he looked so worried, and he told her everything.
Beggar said she could help, but only if he lived with her for a few days.
Scholar hesitated as she was filthy and lived on the streets. But driven by the hope of gaining the farmer’s property, he agreed.
Scholar started living with beggar. Days passed, but she didn’t give him the answer. She asked him to eat food cooked by her, something he would have never imagined doing before. Out of desperation, he agreed.
Later, she told him to beg on the streets with her. He did that too. Still, no answer.
Then one day, she told him to eat her leftover food. This was too much. Angry and insulted, Scholar shouted at her.
The woman smiled and said: This is your answer. Before this, you wouldn’t even drink water touched by someone like me. But your greed made you live with me, eat my food, and even beg on the streets.
“Greed and ever-growing desires are the true cause of human sorrow. They make people do things they never thought they would.”
At that moment, Scholar realized the truth. The more we chase desires, the more we suffer. We compromise our values, our dignity, and our peace of mind — all for temporary gains.
Key Lessons from the Story
Let us learn to be content, value what we have, and avoid being trapped by greed. Greed not only causes sorrow — it can also make us lose who we truly are.
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