“Swami, I have been worshipping Lord Shiva all my life. I look to Him for all my joy in life and I regularly offer some of my earnings to feed the poor in His name. Last night Lord Shiva came in my dream saying He wanted to reward me for my devotion. He said that a sanyasi would come near the village who possessed a stone that would make me rich beyond measure for all my life. Sir, I am a man of moderate income with a large family and so I am asking you for this stone which will solve all our material worries.”

The sanyasi searched his bag and took out a large diamond with a big smile on his face. “Oh, you must mean this stone. It seems Lord Shiva wishes to give you riches beyond all worldly dreams. I found this in the forest yesterday and felt that God may have a secret purpose in a humble sanyasi finding it - as obviously I am beyond any material attraction for it. So I have been waiting to discern His will and now you have come along! My boy, I am so happy you have come and now I can hand it over to you. Go and make your life prosperous and give joy to all those who you will help with your wealth!”

He hid the diamond in his belt without telling his wife or family and spent the night without a wink of sleep. The image of the calm and serene sanyasi returned to his mind again and again and he resolved to visit him the next morning as a balm for his fevered mind.

So, early in the morning, feeling exhilarated but also confused at the gift he had received he approached the sanyasi and after touching his feet said,

“Oh revered master, I have not slept all night worrying about the wealth that the Lord has bestowed upon me. After being given this huge diamond I have become very anxious.”

After a pause to take a deep breath, he continued with his voice soaked in emotion, “Please sir, what I really want is to have the love and detachment that makes it possible for you to give this stone away. Then I will be truly rich!”

The sanyasi smiled and seemed to pass into ecstasy. He was feeling supreme joy at the man having passed the test that the Lord had given him.

“My son, you have earned the grace of Lord Shiva. Henceforth God Himself will foster you and bestow His grace upon you. You will always feel His divine presence and will rejoice in His love and protection.”

With that the sanyasi disappeared and in his place was the radiant form of Lord Shiva, raising His hand in blessing.

The man was stunned. In the last few hours he had been through a tremendous divine test and now he was blessed with the Darshan of the living Lord. What could be more precious than this? He marvelled at the ways of God and how he blesses the devotees which He is pleased with. “Is there no end to His mercy and compassion?” he wondered.