Page 197 - Kailaspati: Paramhans Hansdevji Avadhoot

great favour to me.” The Pir sahib initially declined. The Minister then promised to reward him Rupees one lakh. The Pir sahib still refused. But when the Minister promised to Rupees two lakh, the Pir sahib got tempted and agreed to the proposal. The Minister assured him that the carcass of the puppy would be duly delivered at the right time and then he left the Pir sahib.
The next day the Court was full of people even before the Badshah came to his throne. The Minister duly noted that the sage, the danseuse, the coolie and the wealthy businessman had arrived. he felt glad to see that the Raj-Guru had already taken his great seat by the throne of the Badshah. and when he was asked about the carcass, he assured the Minister that it was kept covered in a silken piece of cloth below his hand. The Minister then, in a happy frame of mind, waited for the Badshah to come.
The Badshah came and ascended his throne. he then looked at the Minister and said, “Today you have consented to answer five of my questions. Now give me the answer to the very first question: Who is the most miserable here and who is most happy hereafter?”
The Minister pointed his finger to the sage. “This man did not enjoy life here on earth, but he is sure to have bliss hereafter.”
The Badshah then asked, “Who is the happiest both here and hereafter?”
The Minister said, “This merchant is a pious being. he is happy here on earth by being both generous and benevolent and thereafter he would have heavenly bliss.”
The Badshah then asked, “Who is the most unhappy both here and hereafter?”
The Minister said, “This coolie takes pains to fend for himself here on earth, and he is destined to undergo pains hereafter. This man did not do anything good in his past life and therefore he is subject to both poverty and misery here on earth. similarly as he is doing nothing positive here on earth he is destined to suffer from pains hereafter.”
The Badshah then said to the Minister, “What is sin?” The Minister in reply said, “Greed is sin.”
The Badshah then asked him to cite an instance. The Minister
Fhftd Volum: Second Taranga 167