King Narottam rules over his small kingdom well. During the Purushotham Maas, several Brahmins come to him for alms. And king Narottam gives them all a few copper coins every day. He feels very proud of himself because he knows these Brahmins eat a sumptuous meal only because he gives them money every day. And king Narottam thinks that he is no less than God when the Brahmins say, “Raja Narottam ki Jai ho” after they get the money from him.
One day, two Brahmin women, Japi and Tapi, come to King Narottam’s court seeking charity from him. King Narottam gives them too a few copper coins. Japi feels very happy when she gets the copper coins from the king and instantly says, “Raja Narottam ki Jai ho” like all the other Brahmins. Tapi too receives the money with gratitude but says, “Purushotham Bhagawan ki Jai ho.”
King Narottam feels surprised to hear Tapi’s words. He says, “O Tapi, what is the point of hailing an invisible God? Purushotham Bhagawan is not going to come here and give you any gifts, you know. Please take back your words and hail me like all the others do.”
Tapi looks at King Narottam directly and says, “O King Narottam, your gift will sustain me for a day. But it is Purushotham Bhagawan who has taken care of me all through my life. And He alone will continue to do so till my dying day. And you, dear king, are able to give us all some money only because you are an instrument in Purushotham Bhagawan’s hands. God is working through you. Without His will, no one can do anything. That is all I know O Sire.”
King Purushotham loses his temper and says, “How dare you utter such words in front of your king. Don’t you have any sense foolish woman? You are a Brahmin woman. So it is my dharma to give you alms whenever you come to me. But tomorrow I will give a bigger and better gift to Japi. But you O Tapi will get the most minimum from me. Let me see how Purushotham Bhagawan helps you tomorrow.”
When Japi and Tapi are on their way home, Japi says, “We are very poor Brahmins Tapi. I too have faith in God. But we need to be practical too. We cannot survive without the king’s charity. What is the harm in pleasing the king with a few false words as long as he gives us whatever we need? What will you do if he punishes you tomorrow?” Tapi just smiles at Japi in reply.
The next day, King Narottam maintains an angry stoic silence when he sees Japi and Tapi in his court. He gives Japi a huge pumpkin. But he gives Tapi only 2 copper coins. He then stomps out of the court without even waiting for their blessings.
Japi looks at Tapi angrily the minute they are out of the court and says, “You have wrecked our livelihood Tapi. Of what use is all your faith if it does not feed us? Now I too have to suffer because of your words. Of what use is a pumpkin to me? I don’t even like eating it.”
Tapi apologizes to Japi with tears in her eyes and says, “I’m sorry Japi. But I can’t lie to please anyone, even the king. Please take my copper coins and eat whatever you like with this money. I will eat the pumpkin today.”
Japi defiantly says, “I’m so glad you have the decency to think of others. Your Purushotham Bhagawan has at least infused some good sense into you. Yes, you are right. Why should I eat something that I dislike because of your stupidity? Meditate on Purushotham Bhagawan when you eat this pumpkin. Maybe he will give you some more sense tomorrow and help you apologize to the king.”
Japi then walks off in a huff. She buys a few things with the little money Tapi gave her and eats a frugal meal at noon. Tapi calmly performs her rituals in front of the small photo of Purushotham Bhagawan that she has in her hut. After some time she starts preparing the naivedya for Purushotham Bhagawan.
When Tapi looks at the pumpkin she notices a small square cut in it. It had already been sliced open and the slice had been replaced. When Tapi prises the slice open from the pumpkin, she is shocked to find a small purse full of gold coins within it. She first prepares and offers some naivedya with a part of the pumpkin and offers it to Purushotham Bhagavan and a Brahmin. Tapi then eats a simple meal and goes to Japi’s house.
But Japi is still annoyed with Tapi. She thinks of the wonderful meals that she had eaten all these days and remembers the frugal meal that she was forced to eat that day. Tapi had ruined everything for her for no fault of hers. So she refuses to open her door and says, “Please leave me alone Tapi. I don’t want to talk with you anymore.” So Tapi stands outside Japi’s hut and tells her about the bag of gold she found inside the pumpkin.
But Tapi retorts sharply through her closed door and says, “I don’t believe your fantastic lies Tapi. Neither do I believe in miracles. I prefer accepting the reality. Today I got only a pumpkin from the king. Tomorrow he may give me just one potato. Purushotham Bhagawan is not going to feed me or you every day. If I continue associating with you, I can never sustain myself. Go away from here.”
So Tapi goes to the king and narrates everything to him. She says, “O King, this gold does not belong to me. I’m sure someone must be looking for it. Please return this gold to its rightful owner.”
King Narottam has a stunned expression on his face. He says, “You are the rightful owner of this gold now Tapi. I had asked my minister to put that bag of gold coins inside this pumpkin. I deliberately gifted that pumpkin to Japi because I wanted to prove my point to you.
But strange indeed are the ways of Purushotham Bhagawan. You ended up with the gold that I had gifted Japi. I am impressed by your faith and honesty Tapi. You could have easily kept the gold without revealing the truth to Japi or me. But you did not do so.
Yes, I realize my mistake. I am a mere instrument in God’s hands. I got carried away by my charitable acts and thought I was the God of my people. But you have brought me to my senses. God works his miracles in the strangest of ways indeed. From today onwards whenever I give gifts to others, I too will say, “Purushotham Bhagwan ki Jai ho.”
When Japi hears the news, she realizes her mistake, apologizes to Tapi and says, “I too have realized my mistake today Tapi. God’s will alone prevails over all our lives. And I will never doubt that again.” Tapi gives half the gold to Japi and they both worship Purushotham Bhagawan even more devoutly from then onwards.
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