CHINNA KATHA
- A Little Story from Bhagavan

Solving Problems of Life with Ease

Once Wealth and Poverty approached a merchant and introduced themselves as Goddesses. The merchant offered his salutations to both of them and said: "May I know what brings you to my humble tenement?" The Goddess of Wealth said: "We want you to judge and tell us as to who is more beautiful between the two of us?"

The merchant was in a fix. He knew he was between the devil and the deep sea. If he were to declare wealth as more beautiful than poverty, poverty would curse him. If he were to declare poverty as more beautiful than wealth, then wealth would forsake him. But, very soon he regained his composure and said: "I have great respect for you both. Would you please act according to my instructions? Only then I can judge you two properly."

The Goddesses agreed. He then said: "Mother Wealth, would you please go to the entrance (gates) and walk into the house? Mother, Poverty! Would you please walk from here towards the gates? I can then have a good look at you both, from near and far."

The two Goddesses walked as the merchant had wished them to. After seeing them walk, the merchant happily declared: "Mother Wealth! You appear very beautiful when you enter the house. Mother Poverty! You look very beautiful when you leave the house!"

The merchant had very beautifully circumvented the predicament that had befallen him and in doing so had also not hurt the goddesses’ sentiments. The Goddesses immensely appreciated the wit and wisdom of the merchant. So, while the Goddess of Wealth happily stayed in his house, the Goddess of Poverty cheerfully walked away.

When a serious problem confronts us, if we look within and think calmly, a ray of hope and light will beam forth and show us the way.

- Baba

- Illustrations: Ms. Vidya, Kuwait