Wrong Assessment

Two Friends

In a village lived two friends, Shripati and Jagapati. Although Shripati was rich and Jagapati was poor, their friendship was deep.

A Journey to Town

The two friends were once traveling to the town. On the way, they saw two girls going to the well for water. Feeling thirsty, Shripati asked his friend to wait under a tree while he approached the well.

A Conversation by the Well

As he neared the well, he overheard the girl in the red saree asking the girl in the white saree, “Lakshmi, what kind of husband would please you?”

“Well, Rohini, to speak the truth, I have many desires. I want a husband who can provide me with glittering ornaments, beautiful sarees, and a palatial house with excellent food. But desires are just desires; what value do they hold?” replied Lakshmi. Rohini then said, “But I have no desires whatsoever! I can adjust myself to any circumstance. Plain bread is enough for me!”

A Proposal

Shripati looked closely at the girls, noting their beauty. He thought that if he could have Rohini as his wife, he would be truly happy, as she would not waste his wealth. At the same time, he thought it would be amusing if Lakshmi, with her many desires, married poor Jagapati.

Shripati returned to Jagapati and suggested, “My friend! Why not marry these two girls? They are beautiful! I will take the one in the red saree, and you can marry the other.” Jagapati had no objections, and they approached the girls’ parents with their proposals, which were accepted.

Unexpected Marriages

Lakshmi, who desired much, married the poor Jagapati, while Rohini, who desired nothing, married the wealthy Shripati. Upon arriving at Shripati’s home, Rohini asked, “How is it that I don’t see a single servant in such a big house?”

“What use is it to keep servants? Can’t we manage the household ourselves?” said Shripati with a smile.

A New Lifestyle

Rohini prepared to cook and asked her husband, “What would you like for plain food, and what for sweets?” “Plain bread would be enough!” replied Shripati.

That night, Rohini suggested to her husband, “We have so much wealth, so why not buy some nice sarees and ornaments for me?”

“We have some wealth, but that does not mean we must spend it! What use are costly sarees and ornaments? How do we suffer without them?” replied Shripati. Rohini remained silent.

Unexpected Servants

The next morning, as Shripati emerged from his bedroom, he was greeted by two men and two women. “Why have you come here?” he asked them.

“We are your servants, sir! We have been employed by the queen of this household!” they cheerfully announced.

“What! Four servants at a time! No, no. I don’t want you! Go away!” shouted Shripati.

However, Rohini appeared and asked her husband to be quiet. “Why not have four? Our means should allow us to maintain forty servants,” she said, assigning tasks to the new employees.

Learning to Enjoy Wealth

Shripati was served delicious dishes at lunch, but he grumbled, “I am done!” Rohini responded, “Don’t complain, or the servants will laugh. What is the use of possessing wealth if we don’t enjoy the good things in life and entertain others?”

A few days later, Rohini visited the town and returned with various items for herself and Shripati.

Realization and Regret

“Shripati screamed, ‘I am ruined! I am finished!'” he wept. “How can I be at peace? I always remember what you told Lakshmi at the well and realize that I have been deceived!” confessed Shripati.

“Oh, that!” sighed Rohini. “But I spoke no lie. I said I can adjust myself to any circumstance. If we had no wealth, I would cope with poverty. Since we are wealthy, why should we put up with false poverty?”

A Visit to Jagapati

Shripati contemplated, “If my situation is like this after marrying a girl with no desires, what must be the misery of poor Jagapati, who married a girl with many desires?” He decided to visit his friend’s house, expecting to find Jagapati in ruin and Lakshmi frustrated. To his surprise, he found Jagapati full of enthusiasm and Lakshmi looking content. Their small household appeared neat and orderly.

A New Perspective

After enjoying some plain food, Jagapati said, “My friend, I have often thought of visiting you, but I can never find the time! How are you?”

“I am fine; don’t worry. But what keeps you so busy that you can’t visit?” asked Shripati with curiosity.

“Look for yourself! We have planted many saplings and are working hard to build an orchard,” replied Jagapati.

Understanding True Happiness

“Is your wife helping you? Does she demand costly ornaments and sarees?” asked Shripati.

“No, never!” replied Jagapati. “But I heard her saying she fondly desired such things!” said Shripati in surprise. Just then, Lakshmi appeared and said sweetly, “Brother! What I said that day was true. Who does not desire many things? But I am never sorry for not having them. I’m happy to work for our prosperity. Maybe I will get them in the future!”

Shripati returned home a wiser man, understanding that true happiness lies not in wealth but in contentment and cooperation.