Bhagat Namdev Ji And The Value Of God

There was a banker whose riches were so great that he had himself weighed with gold which he distributed among his poor fellow citizens. He sent for Bhagat Namdev Ji at somebody's suggestion.

Bhagat Namdev Ji twice sent him word that he wanted nothing, but on the third invitation decided on going to meet him. The banker said that he had distributed a large amount of money through the city, and asked Bhagat Namdev Dev Ji also to take some, so that he himself might reap some advantage from the benefaction.

Bhagat Namdev Ji replied, 'Why should I refuse anything that would be for your benefit?'

At the same time he reflected that when the banker aban¬doned the pride of wealth, it would be well for him. He therefore wrote the letter R, being half of God's name (RAM), on a sprig of sweet basil, and told the banker to weigh gold against it.

The banker asked Bhagat Namdev Ji if he were laughing at him, and said, 'Having regard for your holiness and kindness in visiting me, ask for what you desires.' Bhagat Namdev Ji replied that laughter and pleasantry were out of place. He only required gold of the weight of the sprig of basil. Upon this the banker sent for small scales, and began to weigh the basil with a little gold. The gold was not sufficient to weigh down the sprig.

The banker then sent for larger scales, and finding the sprig weighed more than five or seven sers, put in six or seven mans of gold, but still the scale with the basil remained on the ground, while the scale with the gold kicked the beam. The banker then borrowed more gold from his tribesmen, but all would not suffice to lift the basil.

At this the banker and his de¬pendants were very distressed. Bhagat Namdev Ji then saw that the banker had parted with his pride of wealth, but that he was still proud of the good acts he had done during his life, and it was necessary to dispel that pride also.

Bhagat Namdev Ji told him to add the offering of the good acts of his life, and perhaps the scale with the sprig of basil would rise. The banker did so, but still the scale refused to move. The banker's good acts possessed no weight.

Upon this he told Bhagat Namdev Ji to take away all the gold. Bhagat Namdev Ji inquired what use it would be to him. He wanted the wealth of God's service, to whom all the deities and the powers of both worlds were subservient. The banker grew ashamed and inspired with faith became a saint of God.