MARKETPLACE, OR A PLACE OF WISDOM
“Let's go for a ride on Nandi, to the market,” Sati said to Shiva one day, coaxing Him to go down to the valley.
“Marketplace?” echoed Shiva absent mindedly.
“Yes, I want to go. It will be a change.”
“Okay, dearest,” said Shiva.
And they went to the nearest urban kingdom, to its marketplace.
There were all sorts of people there, as is the trait of all marketplaces. While Sati was busy inspecting the quaint stalls, Shiva was amused to observe the different kinds of people. He stared at one portly man in particular, who seemed to have come along with a virtual harem and a battery of children for a day spend. For anything that any of his family would ask a shopkeeper in any shop, he would say, “How much?” And then, before the shopkeeper could even answer, he would add quickly, “Give us a dozen of those, Hahaha!”
“Wow, what a rich man, and so large-hearted,” said Sati.
“You think so?” asked Shiva, smiling.
“Yes, I think so. Isn’t it obvious? What do you think?”
“Poor man, money is all he has,” quipped Shiva.
“Oh, Shiva! How can you say that? And what do you mean exactly?” asked Sati
“Money tests, and mostly, makes you fail the test,” said Shiva. “And that’s why I feel that this man too, is failing his prosperity test.”
“Prosperity test? Isn’t it adversity that tests a man?” Sati looked up at Shiva.
“You think so?” asked Shiva.
“Of course! The real test of strength surfaces when you are in adverse circumstances. Do you lose your confidence? Are you able to think rationally? Handling each situation is a new challenge! Open your heart, mind and soul to receive! Experience is the great teacher!” said Sati exuberantly.
“Marketplace?” echoed Shiva absent mindedly.
“Yes, I want to go. It will be a change.”
“Okay, dearest,” said Shiva.
And they went to the nearest urban kingdom, to its marketplace.
There were all sorts of people there, as is the trait of all marketplaces. While Sati was busy inspecting the quaint stalls, Shiva was amused to observe the different kinds of people. He stared at one portly man in particular, who seemed to have come along with a virtual harem and a battery of children for a day spend. For anything that any of his family would ask a shopkeeper in any shop, he would say, “How much?” And then, before the shopkeeper could even answer, he would add quickly, “Give us a dozen of those, Hahaha!”
“Wow, what a rich man, and so large-hearted,” said Sati.
“You think so?” asked Shiva, smiling.
“Yes, I think so. Isn’t it obvious? What do you think?”
“Poor man, money is all he has,” quipped Shiva.
“Oh, Shiva! How can you say that? And what do you mean exactly?” asked Sati
“Money tests, and mostly, makes you fail the test,” said Shiva. “And that’s why I feel that this man too, is failing his prosperity test.”
“Prosperity test? Isn’t it adversity that tests a man?” Sati looked up at Shiva.
“You think so?” asked Shiva.
“Of course! The real test of strength surfaces when you are in adverse circumstances. Do you lose your confidence? Are you able to think rationally? Handling each situation is a new challenge! Open your heart, mind and soul to receive! Experience is the great teacher!” said Sati exuberantly.
“You know, Sati,” Shiva said, coming close to Her. “After having observed lots of different people in different positions and varying social orders, of different ages, even of differing temperaments, men and women, both, I have come to understand that the real test is not in adversity, but in prosperity.”
Sati looked at Him quizzically.
“Most people do their best in adversity. People team up, families get together and friends lend a helping hand… Hmmm…” He continued.
“And with the same consistency, in prosperity, one loses the digestive power.” Shiva looked thoughtful.
“Digestive power? I don’t understand,” said Sati.
“The power to digest material success,” said Shiva. “Siblings divide, and fight. Those who have served together as teams, point fingers at who gets the credit, the same friends who learnt to play together, become competitive. Think about it.”
“Hmm… actually, come to think of it, you do have a point!” said Sati.
Shiva smiled. And then, in His trademark style of highlighting the spiritual lesson, added, “Money is not the sole purpose, nor is it the soul purpose.”
Sati looked at Him quizzically.
“Most people do their best in adversity. People team up, families get together and friends lend a helping hand… Hmmm…” He continued.
“And with the same consistency, in prosperity, one loses the digestive power.” Shiva looked thoughtful.
“Digestive power? I don’t understand,” said Sati.
“The power to digest material success,” said Shiva. “Siblings divide, and fight. Those who have served together as teams, point fingers at who gets the credit, the same friends who learnt to play together, become competitive. Think about it.”
“Hmm… actually, come to think of it, you do have a point!” said Sati.
Shiva smiled. And then, in His trademark style of highlighting the spiritual lesson, added, “Money is not the sole purpose, nor is it the soul purpose.”
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