It was raining heavily when Seth Vijaimal found himself stranded in the marketplace. The horse carriage he had taken from town had refused to take him the remaining two miles to his home unless he paid an extra hundred rupees on top of the agreed-upon fare. Consequently, he was left to fend for himself in the downpour.
Vijaimal was unwilling to pay an extra hundred rupees. He believed that he could hire a porter to transport his baggage for half the price. After going on a pilgrimage, he had spent more than he intended. However, he was now motivated to save as much money as possible.
“Excuse me, fellow. Would you be willing to help me carry my luggage to Haripur?” asked the man to a passerby who had just finished shopping at the market.
“Up to Haripur? I must be paid a hundred rupees,” said the man.
“No, only half of it.”
“Then carry it yourself,” said the poor man as he turned his back on him.
Vijaimal asked several people who looked poor and needy. But none of them was willing to carry it for less than a hundred rupees. The rain had stopped. Seth Vijaimal tried to carry his burden himself. He lifted it all right, but could hardly walk a few steps with the weight. He sat down panting.
All the while a young hermit who sat under a tree was observing him. The hermit knew that Seth Vijaimal was a millionaire, but Seth Vijaimal had no knowledge of the hermit. “Sethji,” the hermit offered, “May I assist you with your luggage?” he kindly asked.
Seth gave the hermit a suspicious look and stated, “I won’t pay you more than fifty rupees.”
The hermit replied, “That’s not enough. I won’t do your work unless you agree to my terms.”
Seth asked, “What are your terms?”
The hermit responded, “You must share the glories of God with me, or I will share them with you during our journey. I don’t need payment.”
Seth found the condition amusing and agreed, saying, “Okay, you can carry my luggage and share with me whatever you wish.”
As they walked, the hermit spoke to Seth Vijaimal about the purpose of life and the joys of seeking God. At first, Seth was distracted by his own selfish thoughts, but eventually, he became fully engrossed in the conversation. When they returned home, Seth felt that his time with the hermit had been very rewarding.
Feeling guilty for making the hermit carry his luggage, Seth apologized and asked for advice. The hermit suggested that he offer his cleverness to God, who could turn it into wisdom. Seth didn’t know how to do this, but he started praying and offering his cleverness to God.
After the hermit died, Seth also passed away and found himself in Yama’s court, facing punishment for his sins. However, because of the hour,
he spent with the hermit, he was given the choice of spending a day in heaven or suffering in hell for a long time. Seth asked to be near the hermit in heaven, and Yama granted his request.
Seth’s spirit remained near the hermit, filled with reverence for him. Yama’s officials were unable to take him away, and he was eventually allowed to skip hell and remain in heaven until he was reborn on Earth. The hermit’s spirit explained to Seth that his offering of cleverness to God had turned into wisdom, and he would become a better person in his next life.
