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THE WAY OF LIFE
Some days later, Niralaji tried to avoid meeting Mahadevi but she caught him; and met him. He was not wearing the woollen coat at that time. Mahadevi asked him, “Where is the coat I gave you? Why have you not put it on ?” Niralaji understood the situation. He gave her the right reply, "Some days ago, I saw a beggar lying naked on the road and the poor fellow was shivering in the cold and biting air. His whole body had bent to one side on account of cold. I felt that his need was greater than mine; so I took off the coat and gave it to him”.
Mahadevi shed tears of joy on hearing this. Compassionate people never think of their own happiness. They are always anxious for the welfare of others.
THE INCIDENT IN THE LIFE OF THE GREAT POET, MAGHA
A similar incident took place in the life of Magha, one of the greatest Sanskrit poets. The great poet, Magha was absolutely poor though he possessed inner wealth. He never liked to flatter kings to secure their patronage. Therefore, he never went to any royal court seeking fortune or preferment. Dire poverty began to subject him to a dreadful ordeal. Even his wife was deeply agitated by poverty. One day she insisted upon his going to the king's court; and succeeded in sending him to the court. The king extended a warm and respectful welcome to the poet. The king was greatly delighted and elated when Magha, the poet of outstanding excellence came to his court. Being greatly impressed by the excellence of Magha's poetic genius, the king gave him such gifts as elephants, horses, gold coins, ornaments, food-grain, etc. When the poet, after receiving these gifts, came out of the court and set out towards his house, he noticed that on the sides of the road, there were many beggars standing. All of them were begging for alms. "Kindly give me alms! Kindly give me alms!" Every beggar was saying. The poet's heart melted away on seeing those beggars who were in dire need, despair and sorrow. He began giving away to them whatever he had with him. He gave away the elephants to some; and the horses to some. He gave the ornaments to some; and to the others he gave the gold coins. He went on giving to
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