The Story of a Wallet

Once an old man was traveling by train on a pilgrimage to Brindavan. At night, whilst he was asleep, his wallet fell from his pocket. A co-passenger found it the next morning and enquired as to whom the wallet belonged. The old man said it was his. A picture of Sri Krishna sri krishna inside the wallet was proof that the wallet really belonged to him.

The old man then began to relate the story of the wallet. He soon had a group of eager listeners around him. Lifting up the purse for all to see, the old man said: This purse has a long history behind it. My father gave it to me years ago when I was a mere schoolboy. I kept my little pocket money in it and also a photograph of my parents.

Years passed. I grew up and began studying at university. Like every youth, I became conscious of my appearance. I replaced my parents’ photograph with that of my own and I would look at it often. I had become my own admirer.

Then I got married. Self-admiration gave way to the consciousness of a family. Out went my own picture and I replaced it with that of my wife’s. During the day I would open the wallet many times and gaze at the picture. All tiredness vanished and I would resume my work with enthusiasm.

Then my first child was born. What a joy I experienced when I became a father! I would eagerly rush home after work to play with my little baby. Needless to say, my wife’s picture had already made way for the child’s.

The old man paused. Wiping his tearful eyes, he looked around and said in a sad voice: Friends, my parents passed away long ago. My wife too died five years ago. My son- my only son- is now married. He is too busy with his career and his family. He has no time for me. I now stand on the brink of death. I do not know what awaits me in future. Everything I loved, everything I considered my own, has left me.

A picture of Lord Krishna now occupies the place in my wallet. I know He will never leave me. I wish now that I had kept HIS picture with me right from the beginning! He alone is true; all others are just passing shadows.

So, my dear….Don’t be afraid, these earthly ties are transitory. Today they seem to be the be-all and end-all of life, and tomorrow they vanish. Your real tie is with God. God is one’s very own. It is the eternal relationship. He is ever looking after you. Call on the God who pervades the entire universe. He will shower His blessings upon us.

Our wealth will remain on earth; Our cattle will remain in the stables, Our wife will come till the entrance door, Our relatives and friends will come till the cremation ground, Our body will accompany us till the funeral pyre, but on the way beyond this life only Our Karmas will accompany us.

In the Divine plan, one day each union must end with separation.
In the Mahabharata, Bhishma said:-Develop this attitude based on wisdom:
I am alone. There is no one who is mine; nor do I belong to anyone. Even this body does not belong to me. These objects of the world are not mine; nor do they belong to others. Or, all things belong equally to all beings. Therefore there is no need for any mind to grieve over these.

The five organs of action known as Karma Indriyas,
Our Vak (organ of speech), Pani (hands), Padam (feet), Upastha (genital), and Guda (anus). They are born of the Rajasic raajsik portion of the five tanmatras or subtle elements.
Vak (speech) from the akasha tanmatra (space),
Pani (hands) from the vayu tanmatra (air),
Padam (feet) from the agni tanmatra (fire),
Upasthan (genital) from Aapas tanmatra (water), and
Guda (anus) from the prithivi tanmatra (earth).

That man who, restraining the organs of action; sits revolving in his mind. Thoughts regarding the objects of the senses are a man of sinful conduct. He is self-deluded. He is a veritable hypocrite.

The organs of action must be controlled. The thoughts should also be controlled. The mind should be firmly fixed on the God. Only then will we become a true Yogi. Only then will we attain to Self-realisation.