The Sarcastic Saying About Misers
There is a famous sarcastic saying about misers which goes like this: “A miser is a greater donor than a pure person! The reason is that a pure person will give away his things to others and may use a little portion of his money, whereas a miser guards his money his entire life, and without enjoying any bit of it, people take it away after he dies.” A person who does not help others cannot be helped even by God.
The Miser’s Fate
Once there lived a great miser who never gave anything to anyone. Predictably, he reached Naraka (hell) and was given huge, unbearable punishments. He lamented his poor state and begged Krishna every day to save him from hell.
Krishna’s Compassion
Krishna, taking pity on the miser’s plight, wanted to find a way to help him. However, even after several meetings with Chitragupta, they couldn’t find anything that the miser had given to anybody, which would allow God to give him something in return.
The Small Act of Giving
Finally, Krishna managed to find a tiny piece of good that the miser did in one of his many births: the miser once gave a small piece of spoiled banana to somebody. Seeing this as an opportunity to help the lamenting miser in hell, Krishna made a stick appear before him, with which he could climb out of hell.
The Miser’s Selfishness
The miser, very happy to have received the fortune, quickly began climbing the stick. Other people in hell, also longing to get out, tried to use the stick to escape. However, the miser started pushing them down, saying, “The stick was provided for me by God, and you cannot use it.”
The Stick Disappears
Immediately, the stick disappeared, and the miser was back in hell.
Morals of the Story
- The Importance of Sharing:
- One must always share whatever they have with others. A person who is a miser will never deserve higher worlds.
- Divine Help and Selflessness:
- Even God cannot help people who do not help others. Generosity and selflessness are crucial for divine assistance.
- Consequences of Karma:
- Everyone has to bear the consequences of their own karma. The easiest way to ensure positive outcomes is to perform good deeds in the name of Krishna and let Him decide the results.
- Accountability for Difficulties:
- There is no need to blame God for our difficulties. It is our own karma that gives us these challenges.
Always Remember
What one gives to others is the only thing they truly get. Generosity and selflessness are key to spiritual progress and receiving divine grace.
