BABA
-2. An Act Of Deceit

As they walked along, Bhargava observed thoughtfully, “All along I was getting this feeling that some people disliked our presence.  Was this because of the incident that the couple of men mentioned about a sage trying to flee with the ashram funds?” 

Baba conceded. 

“You choose that particular banyan tree for those two men, right?” 

Again, Baba gave his consent. 

“How come sages were involved in such a shameful act?” 

Baba smiled and replied, “I will tell you what happened in brief.  The administration of this kingdom is very soft on some aspects.  Yearly funds are provided to ashrams but there is no check on whether this money is being utilized for the actual purpose.  Dharmathma only took undue advantage of this lacuna.  Disguising himself as a sage he misutilised his knowledge and oratory skills to fool the public.  He even performed some ‘divine acts’ by way of magic tricks like making prasad appear for his devotees from nowhere by just opening his hand and slowly won over the confidence of the innocent people.  He opened an ashram which was joined by many students. The ashram funds were only utilized partially, and the rest were secretly stacked in a small wooden box with the intention of fleeing with it one fine day to lead a life of luxury.   As per rule, ashrams required to return unused funds at the end of the year.  It was only then that they would be eligible to get new funds for the next year.  Dharmathma always maintained that he was fully utilizing the funds given to him and since the administration did not want to send any wrong message of suspecting the authenticity of a sage’s claim, he was always believed at face value which was apparently a grave mistake.  This went on for four years.

Recently, a strong rumour rent the air that the administration was to perform a thorough inspection of the utilization of funds in the ashram.  Dharmathma was gripped with fear of his culpability getting exposed if this turned out to be true.  After much thought, he decided to run away to some other place with the illegal money he had kept with him.  He wrapped the box in a cloth and set out of the ashram telling everyone that he was going on a very “important mission” whose purpose would be disclosed only when he would return in about a week’s time. 

It so happened that some thieves confronted him in one of the deserted routes that he took to reach his destination and ran way with his loot!  Utterly dismayed at the turn of events, Dharmathma decided to return to the ashram as he felt it was pointless to continue with his journey sans the money.  Everyone at the ashram were quite surprised to see him back so soon but since he did not mention anything about his secret journey no one dared ask anything about it.

As fate would have it, the very next day the thieves who stole his money were caught by the King’s men who were in the lookout for them.  While grilling them, the King Harshavardan was quite amused to learn that their last victim happened to be a hermit who carried quite a mint of money with him.  He got a sketch of the sage drawn which one of his ministers at once recognized as Sage Dharmathma.  The sage was called over and the King showed him the wooden box and the money.  In his over-anxiety, he admitted that they were his belongings, but this finally turned out to be his undoing.  He failed to provide a convincing explanation as to the source of this wealth and where he was headed to with it.  Finally, he confessed.  Thereafter, under pressure the King conducted surprise checks in the ashrams to find out if the funds released were being channelised in the proper direction.  Much to everyone’s disappointment, two more sages were found guilty of misutilizing this money.  All this completely eroded the faith of the people in sages.”

Bhargava shook his head in dismay.  Later, he posed another question to Baba.  “I am sure that your story will teach those two persons to think positively in life even when faced with a crisis and dispel any thoughts in their mind of not sending their children to ashrams.  However, would this alone suffice?” 

“Of course not, Bhargava!  We have more to do in this regard.  But all that only tomorrow!  Let me take you to our home!” 

“Home!”  Bhargava exclaimed. 

Baba smiled and led Bhargava to a jungle.  He sat under a tree and said, “This is your home, Bhargava.  If we do not venture out too deep into this jungle, we will be safe here.  I hope you like your new home!” 

“I do!”  Bhargava replied looking around.  There were huge trees on all sides that merrily swayed in the soothing breeze that blew around.   Birds flew chirpily and the sun which lay hidden behind the thick green cover only occasionally graced the ground with its brilliant rays.  Bhargava excitedly plucked some apples and guavas that grew on the trees nearby.  After eating the fruits, they sat in silent admiration of the ambiance.  Once dusk fell, they fell fast asleep.

Early morning Baba led Bhargava to a house in the town and knocked at the door which was opened by a young man.  As he questioningly looked at his guests, Baba spoke politely, “Brother, if you permit, I want to converse with you for some time.” 

The man immediately let them in and after they were seated, Baba asked him, “Brother, have you heard about Sage Dharmathma?” 

The man answered in the affirmative. 

“People have started impeaching the motives of saints, brother.  Things have come to such a pass that they are even hesitant to send their children to ashrams for education.   This is highly unfair to the children.  A garden does not lose its complete grandeur just because few of its flowers have withered.  People must realize this and not take any wrong decisions during this hour of unrest.  You can be of a great help in this matter, brother.”