'KAMA-KANCHANA' (Lust and Gold)

MONEY IS ALSO A GREAT UPADHI

MONEY is also an Upadhi and that too of a very strong nature. As soon as a man becomes rich he is thoroughly changed.

A brahmana who was very meek and humble used to come here12 every now and then. After sometime he stopped coming and we knew nothing of what had happened to him. One day, we went over to Konnagore13 in boat. As we were getting down from the boat we saw the brahmana sitting on the bank of the Ganges, where, in the fashion of big folks, he was enjoying the pure air of the river. On seeing me he accosted me in a patronising tone with the words, "Hello Thakur! How are you doing now?" At once 1 noticed a change in his tone and said to Hriday who was with me, "I tell you, Hriday, this man must have come by some riches. Can't you see what a great change has come over him?" And Hriday burst into a loud laughter.The possession of money makes such a difference in a man! (30)

12 Refers to Dakshineswar temple garden, where Sri Ramakrishna used to live.
13 A place not very far from Dakshineswar.