CURRENCY EXCHANGE

BED TIME STORIES    J K SIVAN 

                                                    

                                  CURRENCY  EXCHANGE 

The exams were over and the children enjoyed  summer holiday and they never missed haunting Siva Thatha  for their stories whenever they had time.  As such, they gathered around him on an evening under the neem tree where he usually sits relaxed on his easy chair.

They talked so manythings, some complaining about others, some of them  singing and dancing, but the child Radha was thinking  something without joining the other children which Thatha noticed. 

He asked her   ''Radha, what are you thinking?''

''Thatha  I often hear people  talking about Dharmam and Punyam''  what is it ? can you tell me?

''Thatha  today will you tell us a story on what Radha asked, suggested some more children.

Yes my dear children today's story will be based on what Radha asked said the Thatha and commenced his story: 

''Govindasami, a  richman, who  founded and owned many  large companies,  was travelling in his expensive car. He  took a break when the car reached a village. There was an old big temple and many devotees were crowded in a mandap where an old man was performing his discourse.  The richman slowly approached the mandap and sat in a corner for a few minutes to rest and happen to listen to what the speaker was telling.

    

''.........  This  world we live in is madly after money money and money....People are ignorant that this money what they seek relentlessly is of no use and cannot take with them when they leave this world......Why then they dont realise this fact and still running after the money trying in all  possible ways, good or bad?.......

Govindasami  was annoyed and uneasy and could not sit there anymore. He got up and went back to his car and contifnued his journey.

But his mind was preoccupied all the time on what the old man preached at the temple..He pacified his disturbed mind telling that ''He is a fool, and could not earn money and so being a pauper he talked like that..  But  I must think more on what he said and find out  what he told was whether true or not''  

The next day, the multi rich Govindasami  assembled all his employees and seniors at his office  and called upon each of them to deposit a  piece of paper in a box advising him how he can take all his wealth in this world to the next world after his departure.

Everyone was surprised how  such a shrewd boss has become suddenly so mad !  Time passed and as there was no fruitful suggestion from any one the richman was disappointed and restless.  

Oneday a stranger passed by the place where Govindasami lived and heard about his problem.  The stranger was a Yogi and a wise man with rich philosophical knowledge.  He sent word to the rich man for meeting him and was allowed to give his advice.

''Why did you want to meet me?' asked Govindasami.

' My friend, I think I have an answer for yourquestion ""

''Óh  I am very happy. go ahead and tell me?

'Let me ask you a few questions by way of solution to your problem''

''Have you travelled to places?''

''I visited almost all countries in the world''

''Did you go to America? If so how were you able to go there?''

''I apply and complete all formalities for travel and fly, taking enough money for my expenses there''

''How many rupees  you carried?''

''How can I carry Indian rupees, I got them exchanged for  US Dollars as our Rupeel is of no use there''- The richman thought the stranger was an idiot not knowing this basic thing.

''Oh   similarly you travelled to UK and Japan and Germany etc, changing your money into currencies used in the countries you visited''

''Exactly'' said the richman.

''Yes, you are  right. you know well that the money you earned,saved and use here cannot be of use in the countries you visited and needed the currency there to meet your demands and expenses''

My dear sir,  You  want  to  go  to  the  Heaven  the world after you leave this world,  Do you think the currency here will be of use there. Dont you think the currency recognised there is different from your Rupee?'

''Oh I see. I do understand now sir, what is the currency needed there?

''It is not needed there,  it is needed to go there. The enough money you need to earn and save before you venture to go to the world above, is known as Punya, and the method of earning it  is through charities, and Dharma, which is the converter of your rupee. Do you now understand''

The  rich  man  was   convinced and very happy  to  hear  his  idea. From that day he was a well known philanthropist helpilng many poor and downtrodden who needed food and shelter to survive ..and praised and blessed the richman who provided many of them them with these.. 

Dear children do you understand why we should be of benefit to others through our service, physically, financially or mentally, 

'Thatha where is the richman Govindasami  now?

''Govindasami  must  be living  in the divine kingdom of Lord Govinda in Heaven.''