Search your jewel within

In the olden times, traders used to travel far distances for trading precious goods. One of such trader was trying to sell a rare diamond in a city and exposed it to a small crowd. One spectator from the crowd turned greedy and thought of a plan to steal the precious stone. He tried to introduce himself to the trader and asked, “Where are you going, Sir?”.

“Well, I am going to Calcutta.”

“What a coincidence. I am also going to Calcutta. Can I give you a company.”

“That will be my pleasure.”, replied the trader.

Both travelled together during the day and stayed in a Dharamshala during the night. After midnight, the thief used to wake up and searched for the precious diamond everywhere. But he couldn’t find it. This episode continued for three days and three nights. 

Finally, the thief gave up and on the fourth day, he sat near the trader’s feet and revealed the truth. He said, “Sir, I want to apologize. But I want to tell you the truth. I am a thief and accompanied you with an intention to rob you of your diamond on the way. Every night for the past three nights, I have been searching for that rare precious stone, but couldn’t find it. Please do me a favor and tell me where did you hide that diamond?”

The trader started laughing aloud. He said, “My dear friend, I have been travelling for a long time. By looking at your eyes, I could make out about your intentions. Every night, after dinner I used to slip that diamond in the pocket of your shirt that was hanging on that wall. You searched everywhere but never searched your own pockets.”

Similarly, we get impressed by noticing the Saints and the truly blessed ones. We keep trying to get the keys of true happiness from them. We try to copy their behavior, remember their words and imitate their way of living in search of inner happiness. But we never take time to close our eyes and search that real Sat-Chit-Anand (eternal-conscious-bliss) within us. What an irony?

Na masjid mein na mandir mein, tera sahib tere andir mein.

Neither in the mosque, nor in the temple, your master is within your own self.