Story of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji on Bhishma Ekadasi – January 19, 2012 – Peethapuram
Jaya Guru Datta
“It is good to give a pumpkin (Kushmanda) in charity during this season, especially until Bhishma Ekadasi. It should be given to a brahmin or in a temple. Mother Goddess as Kushmandeshwari removes from our bodies all pains, faults, and difficulties, by this charity.
There was a poor brahmin known as Daivadheenam, who believed completely that everything was controlled by God. He would sing the praises of God all the time and accept whatever alms he received, without complaint. There was another brahmin known as Rajadheenam, who believed that the king was the most powerful. He lavished praised upon the king in order to win his favor.
The king was pleased with the praises of Rajadheenam and wanted to surprise him with his special generosity. On Bhishma Ekadasi day, when Rajadheenam showered him with praises expecting some special gifts, the king gave him a huge pumpkin along with one rupee, just as he had given to all others on that day, as was the custom. Rajadheenam’s face fell with disappointment. He had no use for such a large pumpkin. He was dismayed that all he got from the king was just one rupee. He carried the heavy pumpkin and came out onto the street from the royal court.
A local merchant who was notorious for his miserliness was surprised to see Rajadheenam with the huge pumpkin in his hands. The merchant, quite against his nature, in order to earn some spiritual merit that particular day, felt like giving a pumpkin in charity to Daivadheenam, a poor brahmin who came to his door daily seeking alms. He found that all pumpkins were sold out at the market. He was going home disappointed. He asked Rajadheenam where he got his pumpkin and if he could help him find one. Rajadheenam was glad to hear this and offered to sell the merchant his pumpkin for ten rupees. The merchant happily purchased the pumpkin and took it home. Everyday Daivadheenam would go to the merchant’s house singing the praises of God and wait for alms. He would each day go home empty handed. As was his habit on this day also Daivadheenam was at the merchant’s door. The merchant, who had been waiting for him, happily donated the pumpkin to him along with one rupee as (dakshina) gratuity. Pleasantly surprised at this change in the merchant’s attitude, Daivadheenam profusely praised the merchant for his generosity and went home happily with food to feed the family.
At home, when he cut open the pumpkin, he and his wife found to their astonishment that the pumpkin was filled with great riches, such as diamonds, gold, and other precious gems. They were overwhelmed with joy that God had finally showered his compassion upon them. They safeguarded the wealth and took a vow that thereafter they would spend all their time only in pious activities such as chanting the name of God at the temple.
The family prepared a nice meal with the pumpkin and ate to their satisfaction.
The next day as usual, Rajadheenam went to the king’s court and began flattering the king with praises, seeking to be rewarded. The king became very angry at the man’s ingratitude. He was surprised that even after receiving such a huge treasure the previous day, Rajadheenam was back, desiring more gifts. He had the man brought close to him and questioned him about the pumpkin. Rajadheenam lied to the king that the pumpkin was delicious and his family enjoyed the dessert prepared with it. The king became furious and threatened to cut off his head unless he spoke the truth. Rajadheenam confessed that he sold the pumpkin to the merchant. The king ordered the merchant to be fetched to the court. The merchant was distraught. After many years, finally he had indulged in a charitable act, expecting to be rewarded by God, and now this bad situation had occurred. He was totally puzzled. When the king enquired from the merchant as to what he did with the pumpkin, the merchant felt reluctant to reveal in public the momentary softening of his heart. Hence he said that he made a delicious dessert with it and enjoyed eating it. The king got angry and threatened to punish him if he did not speak the truth. The merchant then confessed that he gave the pumpkin away to Daivadheenam in charity. The king sent word to Daivadheenam to appear at once in front of him.
Daivadheenam was brought before the king by the guards. Daivadheenam saw that the merchant was present there. At once he became very excited and began praising the merchant’s generosity to the skies. In the same breath he told the king that he had never given him anything, in spite of being a king. He told the king that his generosity was total fake. True generosity lay with the merchant who surprised him the previous day with gifts of priceless gems.
With this, the king became transformed. He became a believer in ‘daivadheenam’ (God controls all). What he had intended and what had actually transpired were totally different! The person that the king intended to reward and the person whom God decided to reward were different. It was God’s will that prevailed.”
Sri Guru Datta