Money Is the Root of All Evil

WHEN the merchant and Ramdas were entering the train, there was a heavy rush of passengers and so the merchant had to push his way in the thick of the crowd in order to get into a carriage, which he did, followed by Ramdas. He had scarcely settled himself down on a seat when the merchant friend came to him and informed:

“Maharaj, somebody has robbed me of my leather purse containing fifteen rupees and the railway ticket.”

And he showed his waistcoat pocket, the inside lining of which was found to have been neatly cut out for the removal of the purse. It must all have been the work of a few seconds. The merchant continued to say:

“Now, what shall I do? I have neither ticket nor money. May I report the matter to the railway police?” The train was about to start.

“Since you ask for his advice,” said Ramdas, “he requests you to keep mum over the affair. No good fretting or making a fuss over the matter. As regards the ticket, you may travel to your destination without one. On the way or at the alighting station, if the ticket is demanded of you by the railway officers, you can explain to them the way how you lost the purse and the ticket. As a proof of this, you may show them the torn vest pocket.”

This advice of humble Ramdas did not satisfy the merchant. He could not rest content until he reported the matter to the railway police. Now a police officer came to the compartment and commenced teasing many poorly dressed and unassuming Sadhus, compelling them to hand over their bags and bundles for inspection. Not finding anything with them, the policeman’s attention was next directed towards a group of simple dressed villagers whose big turbans were all pulled down and their coats and clothing rummaged. On the person of one of them was at length discovered a sum of Rs.20. This man was now asked by the police a number of sharp and suspicious questions as to how he came in possession of the money. He explained that he was only a keeper of the amount belonging to all the friends of that group. By this time, the merchant-friend who was looking upon the inquiry set on foot by him, had got disgusted with it all and was in a penitent mood, because he saw that many innocent people were being harassed for the sake of his loss. The money found upon the villagers and their tickets also were wrested from them and kept by the police, and were only returned to the owners after they had passed several stations. Meanwhile, the incident caused a great deal of annoyance and anxiety. Now the merchant came to Ramdas, and giving him a Namaskar, said:

“Maharaj, fool that I was not to have listened to your golden advice. Behold, what a mess I have made of the whole matter. To how many innocent men I have caused pain. Pardon thy slave.”

“Pray, sue pardon of Ram, O friend,” was Ramdas’ only reply. By this occurrence Ram taught Ramdas a beautiful moral that he should not commit at any time the blunder of carrying or owning money which means nothing but trouble and mischief. Rightly it is said: “Money is the root of all evil.”