Once there lived a cloth-weaver in a village. Her name was
Somilaka.
Somilaka was very hard working and dexterous. The clothes he
wove were used by the royal household. But still he was poor and could barely
afford living. Though the other weavers in the village wove inferiorly, they
were better off than Somilaka.
This saddened Somilaka. So one day he told his wife that they
should migrate to some other palace where he could earn better and they can
live decently.
The wife was worried to hear Somilaka. She was unwilling to
migrate as it does not ensure better earnings. But Somilaka was determined and
left the village.
Somilaka went to live and earn in a far off town. Over a
period of time, his work gained popularity and he became rich. After three
years when he had earned sufficiently, he thought f returning to his native
place where his wife had been living alone all these years.
Somilaka set on the journey. When he
passing through one of the forests, he heard two voices: The Destiny said,
'Action, the weaver has earned over three hundred gold coins. But you know it
well, this much us not required for living! Why did you let him earn so much?'
The action replied, 'The weaver worked hard and I have
rewarded him accordingly. It is up to you how much money you leave with him as
a part of his destiny'.
Hearing them Somilaka became worried. He immediately checked
his bag and found that the gold coins were lost. The weaver became very sad and
thought, 'Its been three years since I left my home for earning. Now when I had
a good sum to return with destiny has taken away all I earned. I cannot face my
wife'
The unfortunate weaver returned to the town. He worked hard
again and accumulated five hundred gold coins within a year. He set on journey
back to home.
When the weaver was passing the same forest, he again heard
the conversation between Destiny and Action - while the destiny denied the five
hundred coins rewarded by the action to the weaver for his hard work. The
weaver recalled what happened a year earlier and quickly checked his bag. The
five hundred coins earned in past year were lost. The weaver wished destiny
lead him to death instead of such punishment living.
The weaver felt belittled and defeated. He decided to end his
life by hanging himself from the tree. Just when he was about to hang himself,
he heard the destiny calling him and say, ' Wait Somilaka. I am the destiny. It
was me who took your gold coins. Do not end your life in such a vain. You are
hard working and I am pleased by your honest deeds. Ask me your wish. I shall
grant it'.
Somilaka said, 'Destiny, may I ask you to return all the gold
coins you took from me?'
Hearing this the destiny argued, 'Those gold coins far exceed
your living need. You are asking for money more than what you need and can
enjoy. Why?'
But Somilaka insisted to receive the coins back. So the
destiny agreed and asked him, 'I want you to return to the town and visit any
two merchants. You should understand their way of living and decide how you
want your money to be'.
The weaver returned to the town.
He visited a rich merchant who became his friend earlier. But
he was unwelcoming and did not treated well. He offered him food and bed in
insulting ways.
That night the weaver again heard the destiny and action
talk- the destiny complained, 'action the weaver is an uninvited guest. He does
not deserve food and bed'.
The action explained, 'The miser merchant has offered what
was needed by the weaver. Now its up to you to decide the consequence of this
association'.
The weaver left the merchant's house next day and went to
another merchant's home. The second merchant was not well off, but he served
his guest respectfully. The weaver was given food, clothes and a comfortable
bed to sleep.
At night he heard the Destiny and Action speak. The destiny
denied the respectful treatment given by the second merchant, as he was an
uninvited guest. But the action asserted; 'though uninvited as a guest, the
weaver needed mean for stay which the merchant provided for. Beyond this it is
your decision'.
Next day, the King's men came to the second merchant's home
and gave him money and other gifts. The weaver understood how destiny is
rewarding the second merchant for his good deeds.
Somilaka thought, 'The second merchant is not rich. But he is
respectful and virtuous. He leads a good life'. He was enlightened.
The weaver thanked the second merchant and left. When he
reached the forest, the Destiny appeared and asked, ‘Somilaka, have you decided
how you want your money and your life to be?'
The weaver said, 'Destiny thanks for enlightening me. I want
to live a life that is contended. Kindly grant me only as much as is needed for
happy living'.
The Destiny blessed Somilaka and gave him sufficing money. He
returned home and lived happily with his wife thereafter.
Moral: Work hard and do your best
and leave the rest (consequences) on your fate.
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