Marmik Kathayen (Stories that touch our hearts):

                              Absolute Simplicity and Thoughtfulness

It is not so difficult to earn money, but very few learn the proper way of spending it. Those who spend beyond their capacity and income not only eventually get buried under the load of loans and credit but also get denied healthy diet and financial progress. Those who spend carefully can lead a wonderful life even with their limited means of income.

This story is of a person whose income was good and held an esteemed status in society. But he believed that squandering wealth is not the sign of a good human being however affluent he may be. One who is a spend-thrift  is a criminal in society because the only way he can fulfill his needs is by adopting improper means. He also believed that every object of daily use must be used till its life is completely over.

He was on a state tour. When he reached Ranchi in Bihar his shoe was completely worn out. The nails began to poke and hurt him when he walked. It was decided that the life of the shoes was over and it was time to change them.

His private secretary went to the market and bought him soft and comfortable shoes for Rs 16. He thought that these new shoes would suit his boss's personality quite well. But when he saw the shoes, the gentleman said, "When I can manage very well with shoes that cost Rs 11, why did you bring me these expensive ones? My feet are used to wearing shoes of hard leather, please return these and get me the other pair."

Private secretary turned towards the car to get the shoe exchanged from the market. But the gentleman thought again and stopped him. He told him, "Now you would go in this car two miles to the market and return back two miles in the same. This way you would waste twice more money than what you would save by returning the shoes. Leave the shoes here I shall use them." Every one was touched seeing his simplicity and thoughtfulness.

Wouldn't you want to know who this great person was? He was Dr. Rajendra Prasad - a personification of dignity and simplicity. He set an example of restraint and prudent usage of public wealth while being in Presidential Office. He believed that unless the ruler of land adopts good conduct in personal life, how could the subjects be expected to follow the same righteous path?

Upakhyan (Anecdote):

This incident occurred before Sir C. Setalwad was appointed Vice Chancellor of Bombay University. He occupied a high ranking post in another department then. A person approached him with a bribe of Rs. One Lakh to escape charges in some case. Sir Setalwad plainly refused the bribe.

The man told him, "Sir, please consider again, you would not find another person who would give you so much money for free." Sir Setalwad laughed and said, "No dear, I would get many such people. But surely you would not find another person who would refuse to accept such a huge sum."

True identification of courage and bravery is that one does not get perturbed in adversity and temptation.

SADVICHAR (Thought of the week):

Prosperity is not attained by earning money, but by building good character and clean thinking.

SAMPARK (Contacts):
Yug Shakti Gayatri Kendra

16/2, 1st Floor, 3rd cross, 3rd Main Road,
Prakash Nagar, Bangalore 560021
Phone: 91-80-23526694
Mobile: 9844503818 / 9880679755

GATIVIDHIYAN (Activities):

• Bangalore youth group is organizing a 1-day workshop on 'Corporate Responsibilities in Spiritual Perspective' on August 26 to spread mission's message to the intellectuals in Bangalore. Please join hands with us in the organization of this workshop and make a positive contribution towards the society.

Please help us spread Pragya Sandesh as far wide as possible. Kindly encourage your friends to become members of http://groups.google.com/group/awgp_bangalore.

Please visit the All World Gayatri Pariwar site at http://www.awgp.org