A wealthy merchant, renowned for his charitable acts and devout religious practices, consistently engaged in elaborate rituals and offered generous donations. He believed strongly in the concept of Punya (virtue earned through good deeds) and considered it a valuable asset.
However, a grand act of sacrifice left him financially destitute. In a particularly extravagant display of devotion, he donated all his wealth, leaving him with no means to provide for his family.
His wife, a practical woman, suggested a rather unconventional solution. “In the neighboring city,” she said, “lives a wealthy man, a Seth, who is known to purchase the Punya of others. Go to him and sell some of your accumulated virtue. With the money, we can rebuild our livelihood.”
The merchant was deeply reluctant to the idea of selling his Punya. It felt sacrilegious, a violation of his deeply held beliefs. But his wife’s insistence, coupled with his concern for his children’s well-being, eventually persuaded him. His wife prepared four rotis for his journey.
As the merchant journeyed towards the city where the Punya-buying Seth resided, hunger began to gnaw at him. He was close to his destination and decided to eat before entering the city. He unwrapped the rotis, intending to have a simple meal.
Suddenly, a mother dog appeared before him, accompanied by her three newborn pups. The dog was visibly weak and emaciated. She had given birth in the nearby forest, and it was the rainy season. The pups were too young and vulnerable to be left alone, preventing the mother from venturing into the city for food.
A wave of compassion washed over the merchant. He couldn’t bear to see the animals suffer. Without hesitation, he offered one of his rotis to the mother dog. The dog devoured the roti in an instant, but her hunger was far from satiated. She panted, her eyes pleading.
The merchant, his heart heavy with pity, gave her the second roti, then the third, and finally, the fourth. He watched as the dog consumed each one, providing her with much-needed sustenance. He himself only drank water and continued his journey.
When the merchant finally arrived at the Seth’s residence, he was informed that the Seth was occupied. He was asked to return in the evening.
During the afternoon, the Seth went home for his meal and told his wife about the unusual visitor. “A merchant has come to sell his Punya,” he said. “Which of his virtues should I purchase?”
The Seth’s wife was a virtuous and insightful woman, blessed with spiritual perception. She meditated briefly and then told her husband, “Buy the Punya he earned today, by feeding a hungry animal. It is his most valuable virtue.”
In the evening, the merchant returned to the Seth. The Seth, without preamble, declared, “I wish to purchase the Punya of the grand sacrifices you have made.”
The merchant chuckled, a wry and somewhat bitter sound. “If I had the means to perform grand sacrifices, would I be here, trying to sell my Punya?” he retorted.
The Seth smiled knowingly. “Today,” he said, “you did not perform a grand sacrifice, but you saved the lives of a hungry creature and her offspring. That is the Punya I seek.”
The merchant, surprised and moved, agreed to sell that particular Punya. The Seth offered to pay him the equivalent weight of the four rotis in precious gems.
Four rotis were brought, and placed on one pan of a scale. On the other, the Seth placed a bag filled with diamonds and other jewels. The scale did not even budge. A second, larger bag was added, but still, the scale remained unmoved.
As more and more bags of jewels were added, the merchant’s astonishment grew. Finally, after many bags, the merchant declared, “Seth, I have changed my mind. I cannot sell this Punya.”
The merchant, now empty-handed, began the long walk home. He was filled with trepidation, imagining the inevitable argument with his wife for returning without any money.
On his way, he passed the spot where he had fed the dog. On an impulse, he picked up a handful of pebbles from the ground – the very spot where the dog and her pups had been – and placed them in his empty bag.
When he reached home, his wife anxiously inquired about his success. He showed her the bag and said, “We will open this after dinner.” He then went to borrow some money from the village, hoping to appease his wife.
His wife, consumed by curiosity, could not wait. As soon as he left, she opened the bag. Her eyes widened in disbelief. The bag was filled with dazzling diamonds and other precious stones.
When the merchant returned, his wife, her face radiant with joy and wonder, asked him, “Who paid such an incredible price for your Punya? Where did these jewels come from?” She showed him the transformed pebbles.
The merchant, initially fearing his wife’s anger, was astounded by what he saw. He then narrated the entire story. His wife, in turn, expressed deep remorse for having pressured him to sell his virtue in a moment of desperation.
Together, they decided to use a portion of the newfound wealth to start a business. They resolved to dedicate the profits from this venture to charitable causes, ensuring that their prosperity would benefit the community and honor the divine grace they had received.
The story concludes with a profound message:
“God tests you. He tests the very virtue you are most proud of. If you pass the test, that virtue becomes an eternal blessing. If you fail, God seeks someone else worthy of that virtue.
Dear friends, even in the most difficult times, hold onto your faith and follow the path of righteousness. What seems like ordinary pebbles can, in God’s grace, transform into priceless gems.”
Life Lessons:
- Faith in adversity: Maintaining faith and righteousness during difficult times is crucial.
- The value of compassion: Selfless acts of kindness, even towards the seemingly insignificant, are highly valued.
- Divine testing: God tests our virtues to refine and strengthen them.
- Unexpected rewards: Righteousness and compassion often lead to unexpected and abundant blessings.
- The nature of true wealth: True wealth lies not in material possessions but in virtuous conduct.
- Humility: Even in times of hardship, one should not lose humility.
- The importance of intention: The purity of intention behind an action determines its true worth.