A very old gentleman started narrating his unfortunate tale with tears in his eyes. He said, "Maharaj, my wife died when I was young, leaving me three sons who were very young then. People urged me to marry again, but I did not, lest there be the risk of the children's being ill-treated by the step-mother. I raised them, paying personal attention to their food, clothing, and education, even disregarding my own comforts. After the children had grown up, I opened independent businesses for them, supplying adequate capital to each. I got them married. The sons are doing well. But they and their spouses now say to me, 'Go away. We do not want you. Get away from here'. Somehow suppressing the sobs bursting forth while narrating this, he added, 'Maharaj, giving up all my happiness I discharged my duty in regard to my children so sincerely. Why should I obtain such an undeserved fruit?' The people around also felt sorry on hearing the tale of the suffering of the old man. ShriMaharaj said affectionately, "Alas, it is quite wrong indeed for the sons to act thus; nor is it in their interest. But the question you asked in the end is not rational. Consider this: what is duty ? Whatever one is bound to do is termed 'duty'. Now if one is bound to do something, then where does the consideration as to how the other person behaves, crop up ? That is, the resultant fruit may not bear any relation to performance of duty. The fruit of any action is obtained in accordance with one's accumulated lot. So be content that you have done your duty excellently; and realizing that the present condition has befallen in accordance with your accumulated lot, do not brood over it. Provide a diversion for your mind by engaging it in nama, and secure your real welfare."
