Interest versus Principal

Hazur Maharaj Charan Singh had got himself a new tonga, and one weekend he travelled in it from Sirsa to Sikanderpur, on a visit. In those days, this was the only conveyance which could go from the main road to the house and farm, since the road was neither paved nor tarred. Hazur Maharaj Ji’s father owned an old buck-board, which is like a carriage.

When at Sikanderpur, it was Great Master’s routine to go to the farm and the sugar mill every morning. Hazur Maharaj Ji strongly wished for the Great Master to go in his tonga and managed to have this request conveyed to him through Shadi, the Great Master’s personal attendant.

While the Great Master was getting ready to go, Hazur Maharaj Ji’s father was standing near his buck-board, in which to take the Great Master to the farm. So when Shadi conveyed Hazur Maharaj Ji’s request, the Great Master looked at him and his new tonga, but went towards the buck-board, saying: “One’s own son is the best of sons, one’s own husband is the best of men amongst men.”

Hazur Maharaj Ji’s father drove the Great Master away to the farm and the sugar mill. Naturally, Hazur Maharaj Ji was greatly disappointed and his face fell, but he did not say anything. The next weekend, he again came to Sikanderpur in his tonga. As usual, in the morning the Great Master got ready to go to the farm and the sugar mill. Hazur Maharaj Ji stood near his tonga and his father had the buck-board ready.

Hazur Maharaj Ji did not have the courage to get his request repeated.

The Great Master – to the great joy of Hazur Maharaj Ji – got into his tonga, saying to Shadi, “Interest is dearer than principal.”
_{Treasure Beyond Measure}