THE SANYASI AND THE DIAMOND NECKLACE

Human tendency is to share things with others. Those who had left their native place for better opportunities sulk through out their life in spite them getting better standard of living. The reason for their sulking is very simple. They are unable to share their comfort with their dear ones. This lacuna is reduced to a great extent by developments in technology. At least they can share their feelings with their near and dear ones on day to day basis with improved communication facilities. I am no exception to this. That is the reason I am sharing the following story which I read in a weekly magazine approximately four decades ago. The urge to share the story with the whole world did not dampen with passage of time. Here is the story with special effects (words only) added by me to increase interest.

Once upon a time, there lived a Brahmin in an ancient Indian village. As an intelligent boy, he learnt his lessons pretty quickly. He married a beautiful girl from the same village and lived a happy and content life. As time passed, he was blessed with nice children. He groomed them well and made them responsible citizens. He married them off to good companions and life became happier with grand children around him. He told them stories every day and through those stories imbibed in them moral values and good habits. Everybody loved him and life was pleasant. Time passed and the Brahman started to accept life as it came to him. Desires deserted him one by one. The Brahman realized that he was passing through a stage of life called ‘vanaprastham’. He being a learned man knew that he had to renunce everything and become a sanyasi (saint) sooner or later. So he started to make people around him mentally prepared to live without him.

One fine day he called all the family members and informed them about his desire to leave the house to lead a life of a sanyasi. Initially there was loud protest. But he argued his way and convinced them. His wife was adamant not to leave him.
“I will also become a sanyasini like you and lead a life around you. During our marriage ceremony I promised to be with you and face all challenges along with you. I don’t want to fail in my duties. So please allow me to come along with you” She insisted.

The Brahman explained the difficulties of leading a life as sanyasi. “Initially you have to lead your life like an animal in the forest. You will be exposed to severe winter and hot summer. You have to roam around to get some food and eat whatever you get. Sometime you may not get anything and starve. Afterwards you have to live life like trees. You should not search for food. You have remain at one place eat whatever food comes your way. Somebody might chop your branches or pluck your leaves. You have to tolerate all the difficulties and wait for your turn to mingle with the nature (Almighty)

The conversation went on and on and the Brahman realized that his wife would not relent.
“OK! I have expressed my decision and I am going ahead. As a sanyasi I have no relatives. As such you are a third person. I am not concerned about you. You are free to take your own decision.” He concluded.
He left his house without taking anything with him. As he was walking away, he heard the rustling foot steps of his wife behind him. He was impressed by the resolve of his wife to renunce everything and was happy too. He decided to help her in her Endeavour in all possible ways. As he was walking a flash of brilliant light caught his eyes. He noticed a diamond necklace on the ground partially buried in the dust. The diamond was a rare variety and of high quality and the necklace design was very attractive. He remembered that his wife was fond of such necklaces and in fact wanted to have one for a long time. Being a poor fellow, he could not fulfill her desire.

The half buried diamond necklace reminded him of her desire. He was worried that the sight of the necklace would distract her from her resolve to renunce. He lifted the necklace with his left foot and threw it among the bush by the side of the road. A rare satisfaction filled his heart. Nobody in this world would throw a diamond necklace worth millions of rupees with his left foot. He felt that it was an indication of his mental strength.
“You threw something away with your left foot. What was that?” His wife asked.
He was in a fix. Being a sanyasi, he had to tell the truth. The truth would give her the knowledge of the necklace to her, which in turn would distract her resolve to be a sanyasini. Resigned to his fate, he informed her about the necklace.
“But why did you throw it?” She asked.
“You were fond of such necklace and I was afraid that it might distract your resolve” He replied.
“Stop! Oh Gentleman! Turn back and go home.” His wife said in a commanding voice.
Taken aback he asked her “Why should I return. My resolve is in tact. Just now I threw away a necklace worth millions didn’t I?” He questioned her.
“You are not matured enough. You want to be a sanyasi and still you are aware that your wife is following you. You are aware of your wife’s likes and dislikes. You could distinguish between stones on the road and diamonds. Now tell me are you matured enough to be a sanyasi? So go back” She replied and walked briskly past an awe struck man like a true sanyasini.



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