The Rich Young Man - What You Cannot Give Up Owns You (Tyaga)

Dadi: "Guddu, if someone asked you to give up your favorite toy forever, could you do it?"

Guddu: "My favorite toy? That's hard, Dadi... I really love my toys."

Dadi: "Tonight's story is about a young man who couldn't give up his treasure, even for the greatest prize of all."

Guddu: "What kind of treasure?"

Dadi: "He was very rich - beautiful clothes, big house, probably hundreds of servants. But he was also sincere about spiritual things. One day, he came to Jesus and asked, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?""

Guddu: "He wanted to live forever?"

Dadi: "He wanted to reach God, beta. Jesus looked at him and said, "You know the rules - don't murder, don't steal, don't lie, honor your parents." The young man said, "I've done all these things since I was a child.""

Guddu: "So he was a good person!"

Dadi: "He was. And the story says Jesus looked at him with love. But then Jesus said something very hard: "One thing you lack. Go, sell everything you have, give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.""

Guddu: "*whistling* Everything?"

Dadi: "Everything. And here's what happened - the young man's face fell. He turned around and walked away, because he had great wealth and couldn't give it up."

Guddu: "He chose his money over eternal life?"

Dadi: "He did. And that's the teaching, beta. It's not really about money specifically. The question the story asks is: What can you not give up? Whatever that thing is - it owns you."

Guddu: "Owns me? How can a thing own a person?"

Dadi: "Let's think about it. If I told you to give up something and you absolutely couldn't - if just the thought of losing it makes you panic - then you're attached to it. That attachment controls you."

Guddu: "Like if someone really loves their phone and can't put it down even for a minute?"

Dadi: "Perfect example! For the rich young man, it was his wealth. For someone else, it might be reputation - caring too much about what others think. For another person, it might be comfort - never wanting to struggle or sacrifice."

Guddu: "I think I'm attached to my video games..."

Dadi: "*smiling* The test is this: if you were asked to give them up for something truly important, could you? If yes, you enjoy them but aren't controlled by them. If no, they have power over you."

Guddu: "So what should the young man have done?"

Dadi: "He should have trusted. He should have said, "This is hard, but if giving up my wealth brings me closer to eternal truth, I'll do it." He saw the right path but couldn't walk it."

Guddu: "That's sad."

Dadi: "Very sad. Jesus even said, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." Not because being rich is bad, but because the more we have, the more attached we become."

Guddu: "But Dadi, we need some things, right? We can't give up everything!"

Dadi: "It's not about becoming poor, beta. It's about being free inside. You can have things without being possessed by them. A wise person enjoys life's gifts but can let go when needed. The rich young man couldn't let go - that was his prison."

Guddu: "Like holding sand too tightly?"

Dadi: "*impressed* Yes! When you grip sand too tight, it slips through your fingers. When you hold it loosely, it stays. The young man gripped his wealth so tightly that he lost something far more valuable - his spiritual freedom."

Guddu: "I want to practice not being attached."

Dadi: "Start small, beta. Sometimes give away something you like. Practice sharing without calculating what you'll get back. Notice when you feel panic about losing something - that feeling is a signal that attachment has grown too strong."

Guddu: "And if I practice, I won't be like the rich young man?"

Dadi: "You'll be free, mera bachcha. Free to enjoy things without being controlled by them. Free to give when giving is right. Free to walk whatever path calls you, without looking back with regret."

Guddu: "Goodnight, Dadi. Tomorrow I'll share my favorite toy with my sister."

Dadi: "*kissing his forehead* That's my generous grandson. Small steps toward big freedom. Sweet dreams."