Vedanta Deshikar: The Saint of Simplicity

Once upon a time, there lived a revered saint named Vedanta Deshikar. A man of great virtue, he led a simple life with no desire for wealth or luxury. His days were filled with devotion, and he dedicated himself entirely to the service of God.

Each day, Deshikar would go from door to door, humbly begging for alms, content with whatever food was offered. In the same town, there was a wealthy man who greatly admired Deshikar and wished to gift him something valuable. However, knowing that Deshikar would never accept riches, the man devised a plan.

One day, when Deshikar arrived at the man’s door, the wealthy admirer placed a few gold coins secretly into the rice he offered. Deshikar accepted the rice and returned home. As he prepared to eat, he noticed something unusual mixed with the rice.

Calling out to his wife, he said, “There are worms in the rice.” With careful hands, he separated the gold coins from the rice grains, considering them impurities that did not belong in his meal. Without a second thought, he threw the coins away, as if they were of no value.

To Deshikar, the gold held no importance, for he believed that wealth could cloud one’s path to spiritual purity. His simplicity and commitment to his beliefs inspired all who heard of this act, reinforcing his reputation as a saint who lived by his principles.

**Moral of the Story:** True virtue lies in the ability to remain unaffected by worldly temptations. Deshikar’s story teaches us that simplicity and detachment from wealth bring inner peace and a pure heart.