Lobhanashana: Defeating Greed

When greed becomes its own punishment

Two tales where greed destroys itself. In The Greedy Merchant, a cheating trader falls into his own trap. In The Miser's Gold, Tenali shows that money hoarded uselessly might as well not exist. Both stories prove that lobha (greed) is its own worst enemy.

The Greedy Merchant

"Tenali, I've been cheated!"

A man named Ramaiah burst into the royal court, red-faced and angry.

"Tell us what happened," King Krishnadevaraya said.

"I sold my prize horse to that merchant, Dhanapati!" Ramaiah pointed at a well-dressed man who looked very calm. "He promised me five hundred gold coins. But when I counted the money at home, it was only four hundred! He cheated me of a hundred coins!"

Dhanapati smiled smoothly. "Maharaja, this man is confused. I clearly counted five hundred coins into his hands. Perhaps he lost some on the way home? Or perhaps he's trying to cheat ME."

"I'm not a thief!" Ramaiah shouted.

"Neither am I," Dhanapati said coolly. "But one of us is lying."

The king looked troubled. There were no witnesses. How could he determine the truth?

Tenali had been observing Dhanapati carefully. The merchant was too calm, too smooth. He'd seen this type before.

"Maharaja," Tenali said, "may I ask Dhanapati a few questions?"

The king nodded.

"Dhanapati, you're a successful merchant. You must handle money every day."

"Of course," the merchant said proudly. "I've traded goods across the kingdom for twenty years."

"Then you must be very good at counting coins quickly."

"The best," Dhanapati boasted. "No one counts faster than me."

"Excellent!" Tenali clapped his hands. "Let's have a demonstration. I'll bring five hundred coins. You count them in front of everyone, as fast as you can."

Dhanapati hesitated for just a moment, then agreed. How could he refuse without looking suspicious?

Servants brought a chest of coins. Dhanapati began counting, his hands moving expertly.

"...four hundred ninety-eight... four hundred ninety-nine... five hundred!" He finished triumphantly.

But Tenali was frowning. "Count them again."

Dhanapati counted again. "Five hundred exactly!"

"Interesting," Tenali said. "Now, Dhanapati, count them one more time. But this time, count OUT LOUD from the very beginning. And slower."