A Return Favor

In life we always have choices to make. But most of the times, we make choices without thinking about the probable consequences it might bestow upon us in the future. And when the consequence befalls upon us, it will be too late for us to realize and change the course of the consequence.

There is a beautiful story that depicts about the choices we make without thinking much. Once a Business man who was suffering losses, after trying all the available means and modes of help to resurrect the business, without any positive impact, decided to end his life. He was about to jump from the over bridge. But he was saved just in time by a person, who looked like a beggar but from his dressing mannerism, he sounded like an ascetic or a sadhu, who was roaming around the city for alms to feed himself. He asked the business man about his problems and upon learning his current state offered him a helping hand. Initially skeptical about taking help from a sadhu, who knew nothing about business or materialistic life, the businessman ignored him. But upon the insistence of that sadhu, he agreed to heed to his words and upon not being satisfied he decided to end his life.

The sadhu took him to a now in ruins house. there he made him sit and made tea for both. After settling for an hour or so, the sadhu lit a bon fire and invited the businessman to join him. When the businessman joined him, he began narrating. ‘I will give you a sacred chant. You will need to chant that for three days without food and water, with utmost devotion. Upon chanting you will come into contact with a spirit. He will grant you two wishes. But in return he will ask you a return favor, a sacrifice of some kind either materialistic or life. Be sure what you want to offer. And rest I should warn you, if you fail on your promise to the spirit, the consequences will be much worse and devastating for you.’ saying this the sadhu awaited the businessman’s response. The businessman without thinking further agreed for all the conditions.

Then the sadhu fed him with the sacred chant which he had to recite for three days at a stretch to bring alive the spirit. The Businessman chose a secluded spot, where people seldom travelled to. For three days he rigorously chanted the chant and the spirit summoned itself before him. The businessman put forth his wishes that he needed wealth and prosperous business and a happy familial life and in return he offered his own soul to the spirit.

Thereafter he spent a prosperous life. His business reached heights that every businessman only dreamt of. He bought most expensive of everything. Fifteen years passed thence. One fine day when the businessman was having his meal with his wife and children, he saw that the clouds suddenly turned darker without any indication of climate change. there were thunders and heavy showers around the house. He had completely forgotten about the spirit. there was a knock on the door. He opened and saw a handsome man in entire black clothing, who sounded like a banker with his looks, entered the house. He introduced himself to the businessman. ‘Your loan period is about to expire and I am here to collect my debt.’ said the banker. Upon seeing the banker, at first the businessman did not recognize him to be the spirit in disguise. He mocked the spirit that he had no debt to repay. he owes nobody nothing. ‘Be ready to face the consequence then.’ said the spirit. The spirit smiled and just clapped his hands. Suddenly a flock of spirits and souls entered the house and ate the businessman and his family.

In life, we might not come across the spirit or the devil. But we surely will face the adverse consequences of the false promises we make on rigorous basis. Some might cause less damage, some might cause heavy and life threatening ones. Like if we fail to repay bank loan in time, they might seal our house, sell our assets etc. If we deal with unethical people and make them certain promises we might end up dead like the businessman in the story. If we make promise to a friend and fail upon it we might be tagged as untrustworthy

So before making promises, think tenfold of the consequences which you might face.