In the tranquil sanctuary of a saint's ashram, disciples gathered eagerly around their revered teacher, eager to absorb the wisdom he imparted.
One day, as the saint engaged his disciples in discourse, he interrupted his teaching to welcome a passerby who had chanced upon their humble abode.
Posing a thought-provoking question, the saint inquired, "What would you do if you found a bag of gold coins lying on your path?"
With unwavering resolve, the first passerby proclaimed his intention to return the treasure to its rightful owner or deposit it in the kingdom treasury if the owner could not be found.
To the astonishment of his disciples, the saint dismissed the passerby as a "fool," leaving them bewildered by his unconventional judgment.
Undeterred by their confusion, the saint invited another passerby into their midst, repeating his question once more.
This time, the passerby's response brimmed with greed and selfishness, as he declared his intent to keep the treasure for himself, disregarding any notions of returning it to its rightful owner.
With a knowing smile, the saint labeled this passerby as a "devil," further perplexing his disciples with his enigmatic assessment.
Yet, the saint's teachings reached their zenith with the arrival of a third passerby, whose humble demeanor and thoughtful response captured the essence of true wisdom.
Expressing uncertainty and humility, the passerby acknowledged the fickleness of human nature and entrusted his decision to the grace of God and the guidance of good intellect.
In the wake of this passerby's departure, the saint unveiled the deeper truth underlying his interactions with the three individuals.
The "fool" demonstrated blind adherence to societal norms without engaging in critical thought or introspection.
The "devil" epitomized unbridled greed and selfishness, driven solely by personal gain and devoid of moral integrity.
In contrast, the "true" passerby exemplified humility, introspection, and a steadfast commitment to aligning his actions with divine guidance.
Through this poignant lesson, the saint imparted to his disciples the importance of cultivating a discerning mind, guided by humility, integrity, and a profound trust in the divine will.
For in the face of life's moral dilemmas, it is not blind adherence or selfish desire that leads to righteousness, but rather, the steadfast surrender of one's ego to the wisdom and grace of a higher power.