The Journey within
The auditorium was jam packed. The stage was set with a long rectangular table and chairs with placards indicating the name of the guests. The podium was ready with the mic. Acharya Vrishabhdas, a middle aged, tall and wheatish complexioned gentleman with a tejas on his face was going to deliver a lecture on inward happiness. Posters had been put up all along pavements and on walls announcing the event. There was a crowd which was overwhelming all waiting to know what the acharya had to say.
The acharya arrived and was received with enthusiastic applause and all were asked to sit down silently. There were policemen who were patrolling the overcrowded auditorium.
Acharya Vrishabhdas started his lecture. He was a powerful orator who had the authority to keep the audience rivetted.
Happiness is not about materialistic pleasures. It’s about the joy within us. Materialistic gratification is short-lived and it gives more pain than happiness….
Suddenly from amongst the crowd, Mr. Rishi Arora, a well-known businessman, who must have been in his late fifties, stood up and started walking towards the stage. He was restricted by the security personnel but on the request of the Acharya, he was allowed on stage. What people witnessed was something which was unbelievable. A businessman of such stature suddenly fell at the feet of the Acharya asking for forgiveness. He was crying inconsolably and screaming to be forgiven.
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25 years ago,
Rishi and Vrishabh were partners as they started their business venture of textiles together. Vrishabh was a man of principles while Rishi was impulsive and wanted success by hook or by crook.
Swati, the daughter of the great magnet Mr. Rathi was drawn towards Vrishabh because of his simplicity. But Rishi wanted money, fame, success and Swati everything to himself.
Disagreements started brewing up in business which soon snowballed into arguments and fights.
The next day, Vrishabh was taken aback as he saw police arriving at his home, confiscating all his papers and accusing him of embezzlement. There was no time to even think and react and Vrishabh found himself in police custody. He had been framed by the crafty Rishi and had to spend a good seven years in jail . Time flew and Rishi rose to even greater heights in terms of money and got married to Swati.
These 7 years made Vrishabh a recluse. He kept up his sanity by reading religious books and he was changing himself into a loner.
His good behavior made him come out of prison and he left the city for good. He started his life of minimalism and penance. Soon he had a big fan following and he started to reconcile with his new avatar.
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Rishi was crying “I have been suffering since that day. I have money but no peace of mind. I married Swati as a bid to win but our relationship is devoid of love. I’m repenting today and want my inward journey to be peaceful”