There is a story that a poverty-stricken man was walking along a road. Shiva and Parvati also happened to be going along that road. Parvati said, “Lord, look how poor that man is. We must give him something.” Lord Shiva said, “It’s his lot to be poor. Forget about it.” But Parvati, out of compassion, said, “No, Lord. Put a bag of money in front of him. He’ll see it and take it.” So Lord Shiva put a bag of money a little further along the road. Just as the poor man approached it, a strange mood came over him and he started stumbling and carrying on like a blind man. He missed the money and went on his way. Then Shiva said, “See, Parvati! At this very spot he started acting crazy! If he had seen the money his poverty would have been removed for life.” This is mankind’s situation. Great souls definitely do come into this world, but people are caught up in religions and class-consciousness, and waste their lives.
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