Repaying Social Obligations
There lived a king named Jitshatru about two thousand years ago. Once the king went to a forest on a pleasure trip. The horse he rode was very powerful and spirited. Instead of going straight, it was in the habit of taking a circuitous route. No sooner did he pull up the reins of the horse than it began to gallop as fast as the wind. The members of his party soon fell behind and he was left alone. He felt very thirsty. Incidentally he let go his grip of the reins of the horse. It came to a standstill. He looked all around and came in sight of a small hut on a hill. He went in that direction. A man came out of it. His name was Damadiwalla (a person having a few damadis or coins). He received the king warmly and ushered him into his cottage. He offered him a seat and showed great hospitality towards him. He gave him food and water and provided him with a bed to lie on in an airy place. The king lay asleep for about an hour. The members of his party who had been searching for him had also arrived by the time the king woke up. The king was glad to be reunited with them. He was much pleased with Damadiwalla for his hospitality. So he took him with him to the capital when he returned. Next day the Royal Assembly began its session to debate the question as to how the soldiers left the king alone. Why should they not be punished for their negligence?
The prime minister was not in a position to give a suitable reply to the question, so the king himself undertook the responsibility. He said, The soldiers are in no way to blame for my having strayed into the forest. It was my own fault. The horse that I chose for my ride was crooked. I unaware of it. It galloped with a , tremendous speed. It wasn’t possible for other horses to catch up with it. It carried me far away into the dense forest separating me from the rest of the party.”
The king now introduced Damadiwalla to the assembly and said, “I owe it to the hospitality shown to me by Damadiwalla that you find me in your midst today. I would have died crying for water but for him. He saved me from such awkward situation that I am greatly indebted to him for this “
The hall echoed with the words of gratitude from the members. They lifted Damadiwalla on their shoulders.
When silence returned to the assembly, Damadiwalla stood up and said, “I am overwhelmed with the affection showered upon me by his Excellency as well as by the members. But I do not think I deserve the credit for what I did. I didn’t do any thing great except that I fulfilled my primary duty.” The king said, “That act of the fulfilment of your duty is of immense value to me. I cannot repay the debt that I owe to you. However, I wish I should give you something. Ask for whatever you wish.”
Damadiwalla was perplexed. He paused for a moment and then said, “Your Majesty, I am in possession of everything. I do not need anything. What should I ask for and why?”
King- Do you think you are already rich and prosperous?
Damadiwalla- Yes, your Majesty.
King- Do you consider yourself to be happy from all points of view?
Damadiwalla- Yes, your Majesty.
King- Do you feel contented in every way?
Damadiwalla- Yes, your Majesty.
King- How do you make your living?
Damadiwalla- By dint of hard work.
King- What’s your daily income?
Damadiwalla- Iearn six damadis (One damadi in those days was equivalent to one penny) a day.
King- How do you meet your needs with such a meagre income?
Damadiwalla- It’s quite sufficient for me. I manage things very well with this amount.
King- I want you to tell me in detail about it.
Damadiwalla- We are four members in our family- my father, mother,my wife and myself. Four damadis are enough to meet the expenses towards our daily needs. I deposit one ‘damadi’ daily in my saving account to provide for rainy days. Thus only one ‘damadi’ is left. I repay my social obligations by giving it to the needy brothers of my community.
The last sentence of the account given by Damadiwalla took the king by surpise. He sank deep in introspection which gave rise to three important questions:
1. Have I ever worked to earn my bread?
2. Have I used money so economically?
3 Have I fulfilled my social obligations by giving help to the needy
