Bahad Mantri, the Prime Minister of Patan in Gujarat had taken a union for a pilgrimage to the sacred Mount Shetrunjay. A thought came to his mind. He decided to build a grand temple of Lord Adinath atop Mount Shetrunjay.
The local merchants and business people got to know about this. They were keen to contribute to this auspicious project. Late in the evening, they went to meet Bahad Mantri where he had taken the stay.
“We have learned that you have plans to construct a magnificent temple on Mount Shetrunjay. While you are resourceful enough to build the temple all by yourself, we urge you to kindly allow us to contribute as well for this auspicious project”
Bahad Manrti willingly accepted their request. The next day a large gathering met at the foothills of Mount Shetrunjay. The Prime minister himself made the announcement –
“Any brother or sister who wants to donate for the construction of the temple on Mount Shetrunjay can come forward and give their name and the donation amount.”
As soon as the announcement was made, people started giving their names. From thousands to lakh and above, people started declaring their contributions. Bahad Mantri was very pleased to see the generosity and enthusiasm of the people. Just then his attention went on a very ordinary and shabbily dressed poor man. He was trying to get inside the gathering but no one was allowing him. Bahad Mantri could sense the feeling of the poor man and it looked like he too wanted to donate.
He sent one of his men to bring the poor man to him. The poor man bowed to the Prime Minister. Bahad Mantri asked the poor man –
“O virtuous man, what is your good name?”
“Bhima Kundaliya, I live in the nearby village”, replied the poor man.
“What do you do for a living?” enquired Bahad Mantri.
“O Prime Minister, I’m a poor and unfortunate person due to my bad karmas. I work hard for my living. I have a cow from whose milk I make clarified butter and sell it from house to house. My wife and I make a living from whatever I earn from that.” – replied Bhima.
“So what brings you here?” Bahad Mantri continued enquiring.
“I had come to sell my butter in the market and heard about this donation drive happening for the construction of the magnificent temple of Lord Adinath. Even I felt like contributing…”
Bhima could not talk more as he was hesitant in telling his donation amount. Bahad Mantri sensed his hesitancy and said –
“Don’t worry, you can donate whatever amount you feel like. You don’t have to feel ashamed for that.”
“Dear Prime Minister, I have just seven pennies left with me. I had one rupee but spent some amount buying flowers for God. Now all I’m left with is these seven pennies. If you can accept this minuscule amount for donation, I will consider myself very fortunate.” – as Bhima was saying this, his eyes filled with tears.
Bahad Mantri’s eyes were also in tears listening to Bhima and seeing his feelings and devotion. Such a noble thought of this poor man, he thought. He got up and told his accountant –
“Munimji! Please put Bhima Kundaliya’s name as the topmost name in the list of donors.”
There was silence in the gathering when they heard this statement. Everyone was astonished and were wondering, how much has this Bhima donated to get his name on top of the list?
Bahad Mantri announced –
“This Bhima Kundaliya is donating his entire life savings today for this auspicious project. We all have donated a few thousand to a lakh or two but Bhima is donating his entire savings to God without thinking or worrying about the future. I salute his generosity and his noble thoughts.”
Bhima handed over his seven pennies to Bahad Mantri. Everyone congratulated Bhima and praised him. Bhima was on cloud nine, he returned back to his village feeling happy deep inside.
“Aha, you look very happy today?” – asked Bhima’s wife as Bhima entered the house with a bright face and a big smile.
“O Dear, How should I explain to you about my happiness? I feel so lucky and blessed today” – replied Bhima.
He started telling about the donation drive and his contribution for the same. But before he could continue, his wife yelled at him –
“You donated all your money and you are feeling blessed? You did not even think about what we are going to eat in the evening? What about tomorrow? We are poor people, we cannot afford to donate like the rich. We have to think of our hunger and survival” She could not bear the donation of Bhima.
Bhima tried to calm her down and said –
“O Dear, calm down, just think, we have donated only seven pennies against the thousands and lakhs that others have donated. We can earn this money tomorrow but we will never get such an opportunity to donate. Seven pennies are nothing compared to the joy and happiness I got. How much happiness or pleasure we would have got spending these seven pennies anyway?”
Bhima then shared all the praise and respect he got from the Prime Minister and everyone. And that his name had been registered at the top of the list. Listening to this, his wife calmed down and apologized to Bhima.
Later in the evening, Bhima’s wife went to milk her cow. She asked Bhima to tighten and hammer the peg used for tying the cow which had become loose. Bhima went and started digging the ground deeper to install the peg firmly. As he was digging, he heard the sound of the metal, he cleared the mud around and found a pot of gold which was filled with gold coins.
He rushed to his wife with the pot of gold and said –
“See! This is the miracle of Lord Adinath. Where are those seven pennies and where is this pot of gold?”
“Our days of misery have ended, we will no longer be poor!” rejoiced Bhima’s wife.
“No dear, you know I have taken a vow that I will not take anything that does not belong to me. This pot does not belong to us. I will go and hand it over to the Prime Minister”
He went and gave the pot to Bahad Mantri and told all that had happened. Bahad Mantri was shocked and amazed at Bhima’s strong determination towards his vow and his selfless act. He told Bhima –
“You are a great devotee Bhima! I salute your vow and your determination. Please take back the pot as it rightfully belongs to you. It is the blessings of Lord Adinath. You got it from your own house so that is not against your vow.”
After a lot of convincing, Bhima finally agreed to take back the pot.
Wisdom Bite
In life, it is always the quality and your feelings that matter more than the quantity. It does not matter how many days you go to the temple or number of prayers you do in a day or the amount you donated to charity. What is important is the quality of your devotion and your emotions behind it. Seven pennies were worth more than millions because of the feelings behind the act.
If we want to be nearer to God, we have to pay more attention to the quality. One act of devotion done wholeheartedly with emotions and feelings can take us closer to God.
