“Yathā kaṇṭaka-viddhāṅgo jantor necchati tāṁ vyathām

Jīva-sāmyaṁ gato liṅgair na tathāviddha-kaṇṭakaḥ

Only when a thorn pierces the body the person experiences pain, not otherwise. Only then he gets an inkling of the pain experienced by others and turns sympathetic towards them. He realizes that being pricked by a thorn is excruciatingly painful. Hence he seeks that others should never suffer like him. On the contrary, a person who has never been pricked by a thorn can never understand the agony of the sufferer”.

Only when the person experiences pain, he understands the agony of others who are suffering in pain. At times, the person who is groaning in pain cannot exactly pin-point the location of the pain. Although, the thorn pierces just one part of the body, the pain gradually moves to the nerves and through them rapidly spreads to all parts of the body so much so that the person fails to identify the exact location from where suffering originated. At such time he understands the agony undergone by others who were in similar situation. A person bitten by a scorpion knows the suffering it causes and hence prays that others in the world, including his enemies, should never undergo this torture. 99% of people fall under this category.

The same is the case with a wealthy man who suddenly turns a pauper. Compassion and sympathy suddenly emerge in him. He, who until then was arrogant and haughty, suddenly turns empathetic and prays that others should never undergo similar anguish.

It is said here that a person, who has never been pricked by a thorn, can never understand the pain of others. A person who has never experienced poverty can never understand the trauma of the poor who are deprived of food. A person who has never been stung by a scorpion cannot estimate the suffering involved.

On the other hand, the poor man who suddenly turns wealthy, sympathizes with the beggar who arrives at his doorstep. ‘There was a time when I too was deprived of food. I know his agony’- thinking thus, he helps the beggar or else at least directs him to a person who can be of help. Had he not experienced poverty earlier, feelings of empathy would not have arisen in him.

Can a person who is conceited due to money, understand the trauma of a beggar? Can a person who is haughty due to power understand the problem of others? No. Unknowingly they would have turned blind.

Maharishi Nārada thought, “In this world, even a trace of haughtiness and pride does not exist in a penniless pauper”.

A pauper only focuses on means by which food can be obtained. If he continues to remain pure and if he washes away his foolishness, then the arrogance in him automatically melts. On the contrary, if he acquires bad habits then, even if his poverty were to vanish, wickedness in him could still continue.

Prior to becoming a saint, Purandaradasa was a strikingly rich diamond merchant, yet, such was his miserliness that he never shared even a morsel of food with the needy. In order to uplift him, in the guise of a poor man, Krishna arrived at his shop and begged for money. When refused help by Purandaradasa, Krishna approached Purandaradasa’s wife and begged money claiming it was for his son’s thread ceremony. The virtuous lady immediately gave away her diamond nose ring.

Purandaradasa, who returned late evening, was puzzled upon not seeing the nose ring on her. In those days Purandaradasa was known as Navakoti Narayana, which implies he was a billionaire. Despite this affluence he was a miser.

When her husband enquired about the nose ring, she was petrified. She went to the altar where Krishna’s idol was consecrated and prayed to Him earnestly. She was worried her husband would take away her life if he came to know the truth. While she was thus praying, her nose ring magically appeared in the water pot there. She immediately wore it.

Seeing this, Narayana asked his wife to narrate the incident truthfully. Hearing of this unbelievable incident, his mind reeled. The intense desire to understand God overtook him. Such was the transformation that all of a sudden he gifted his entire property to others! What a wonderful story it is! Such were his riches that he could not even distribute it in entirety! For this reason, he kept a tulasi leaf near the altar and surrendered the house to Krishna. He then kept the doors open inviting people to walk in and take away as much wealth as they wanted.

Having distributed all his riches, when Narayana returned, he saw his wife seated under a tree with a golden pot in her hand, which she had retained for storing drinking water. He said to her, ‘O dull witted woman! Why do you need a golden pot for storing water when an earthen pot will suffice?’ He then gave it away.

When spiritual transformation arises in such person, the society at large is benefitted. When an atheist suddenly develops faith in the Lord, he will work for the well-being of others. He will strive to take them towards God.

Similarly when a wealthy man turns a pauper, and he realizes the reasons that led to his poverty, he begins to narrate his story to one and all so that they learn from his experience. He warns others not be become arrogant due to opulence.

Krishna. Narayana.