Who is the Real Ascetic?
In reality, who is the true ascetic?
There was a saint whom a boatman used to ferry from one side to the other every day, without asking for anything in return. After all, what use did the saint have for money?
The boatman was simple, not educated, but not lacking in understanding. The saint would speak of wisdom along the way, sometimes discussing the omnipresence of God, and at other times reciting verses from the Bhagavad Gita with their meanings. The boatman would listen attentively, and the words of the saint would resonate in his heart.
One day, upon reaching the other shore, the saint took the boatman to his hut and said, “Son, I used to be a merchant before. I earned wealth, but could not save my family from calamity. Now, this wealth is of no use to me. Take it, and your life will be better. Your family will also benefit.”
“No, Baba, I cannot take this wealth. Free wealth will corrupt behavior at home. No one will work hard, laziness and greed will increase, and sin will proliferate.”
“It was you who told me about God. I have seen Him in the waves many times nowadays. When I am in His sight, why should I doubt? I will do my work and leave the rest to Him.”
The story has ended, but a question remains: who was the ascetic in these two characters?
One was the one who, despite experiencing sorrow, wore saffron, took renunciation, studied religious texts, memorized them, and even reached a state fit for teaching, yet could not let go of attachment to wealth and kept seeking a suitable recipient.
On the other hand, the impoverished boatman, who had his meal in the morning and knew not where the evening would find him, yet had no greed for others’ wealth. He remained detached even while living in the world, not wearing saffron, not taking renunciation, yet he had unwavering faith in the divine power. He not only understood the verses of scriptures but also learned how to implement them in practical life, and he rejected the allure of wealth in a moment. Who is the real ascetic indeed!