Datta Maata 222: We must not interfere in someone else's business

We must not poke our noses into the private matters of husband-wife, friends, someone's wealth issues, spirituality (like penance). When a husband and wife fight, one must not try to intrude in their discussion. In case, if one tries to be intrusive, then that person has to suffer more than those who fight. To substantiate this, we can take the story of Harischandra and Vishwamitra. When the situations are extremely worst, then we can poke our nose. Especially, when there is a life threatening situation, then we can intrude. This story does not preach us to simply watch the fun going around. We can intrude when there is a threat to life. Instead, one must not poke one's nose unnecessarily as if like a gentleman. You can observe this.This story has a good link to birth of the sons of Pandava. Hence, let us know this story.

Once, Harischandra went to forest for hunting. There, he had heard the sounds of some women screaming. They were seeking protection. Harischandra thought, "When this Harischandra is ruling over the kingdom, how can the women shout for protection? Who is harassing them?" Thinking so, he approached the direction in which he was hearing the sounds of the women. Ganapathi who was observing all this thought so, " These women who are wailing are the deities of siddhi (those who bestow enlightenment). Vishwamitra has taken a strong resolve to do severe penance and he wants to invoke these deities into himself. However, he has not attained the eligibility. So, this is the right time for me to create obstacles for him." Resolving thus, Ganapathi entered into Harischandra in subtlest form. He then approached the crying women and expressed his fury. He roared, "Who is tormenting women in my kingdom? I will certainly see their end." Vishwamitra, who was engrossed in penance in the siddashrama nearby listened to these words. His penance got perturbed. His eyes turned red immediately. Out of anger, he approached Harischandra and said, "Durātma (Bad soul)! You are such an egoist. When I am doing penance for siddhis (enlightenment), you have provoked anger in me. You have made me not to attain siddhi. Hence, I am about to curse you to become Ashtadaridra (the one who suffers with eight kinds of poverty)" Ganapathi now left the body of Harischandra since his work is finished. The king now became peaceful. He was surprised to find Vishwamitra in front of him. He did not know what had happened. He said, "Is that you? Kindly forgive me for the mistake that has happened unknowingly." Saying so, he prostrated at the feet of the sage. Looking at the king's gesture, the sage said, "It is not enough if you fall on my feet. Tell me what you will offer me." Then, Harischandra even without a second thought, said, "Gurudeva! From this moment onwards, I am offering my kingdom, myself, my wife, my children and my everything to you. From this second, I offer my form and my everything to you." Harischandra said this as if he was reading a list. How nice! Then, the sage asked, "What will you give me for the yāga (austerity)?" Then, the king replied, "O revered sage! I have given you the kingdom itself. What else do I have to offer you?" The sage said, " That charity is different from this. That calculation is different from this. For that yāga, you have to offer me treasure which is equal to the height travelled by a coin which is tossed by standing on top of an elephant." This was the condition kept by the sage which seemed to be like a curse.

Harischandra asked for some time. He went back to the kingdom. Vishwamitra waited for a month. Later, he came back to the kingdom of Harischandra and said, "O king! You have broken the promise. A month's time has already passed by. Now, it's time for you to walk out of the kingdom along with your wife and children." Saying so, the sage kicked the king from the throne. Along with wife and children, the king was being sent for a forest. The Pancavasus (The five Vasus) were watching this with their subtle forms. They worried, "Oh! The sage is sending away the king. What is this? How can the sage become stone hearted? He is sending away the king along with his wife and children, even without showing a trace of compassion. He is sending them away as if they were animals. The king has offered his entire kingdom in charity. What else does this sage want? Is that not sufficient for him?" These words were caught by the ears of Vishwamitra, who had the power of listening even to the subtlest sounds. He asked, "Who is questioning my actions?" With his spiritual power, he observed who it was. He then saw the Vasūs. Let us see what happens next. Let us continue this story in the next episode.