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in search of him and at last found him in this distraught state. Rup burst into tears and told him the whole story. Tears ran down his father's face too, as he lamented over this predicament. "How will I be able to show my face to my customers? I am custodian of their wealth. They will no longer trust me," he cried. "What if I am taken to court?"
For three months, father and son lived in the painful anticipation of the day the man would come and claim his packet. By the time that hour was upon them, Rup's father had an idea. He would ask the man if he would like to sell the ornament to him. If the man accepted, Rup's father would save his good name and his livelihood.
“I have no alternative," he confided to Rup, "If I tell him the truth, he will blackmail me for sure. It will mean disaster for this family's survival.”
The fateful day arrived. Before the man requested Chhogalal to return his packet, Chhogalal spoke to him, "My friend, I've been thinking, I know you are often in need of money, and I've taken a liking to your ornament. Would you be willing to sell it to me?" The man's eyes grew wide in disbelief. Then they turned greedy. He saw his chance to demand a high price.
"I will gladly sell it to you. Will you accept my price?" Chhogalal swallowed his pride and agreed. The transaction completed, the agony of the preceding month was over at last.
This crisis turned out to be a field of insight for Rup.
Instead of multiplying my father's wealth and bringing him happiness, what did I bring home? A problem to worry over and empty pockets. How is it I am so easily deceived? I guess I can't really blame the old yogi for fooling me. It was my own greed. I allowed it to drag me into a world of make-believe.
Nevertheless, this sobering lesson inspired him to uncover the mystery of so-called 'miracles' in order to protect himself better from people who knew how to take advantage of gullibility. He hired a professional magician to reveal all his secrets to him. He observed how magic is really a juggler's act, a game of mental gymnastics. The magician taught him how to do his tricks, and once and for all, Rup's curiosity for the world of
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| SR No. | 001808 |
| Book Title | Chitrabhanu Man with Vision |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Clare Rosenfield |
| Publisher | Jain Meditation International Centre New York |
| Publication Year | |
| Total Pages | 326 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English & Biography |
| File Size | 24 MB |