Eastern Direction

-Prabhu Shankar


‘Swami! I want to open a sweet shop. I have seen two places. Which would be suitable?’ Govind asked.
After ascertaining his star, date of birth, details of the place, etc. the Swami said, ‘That shop whose direction is towards the East would be suitable.’
Govind presented his offerings to swami, and said, ‘Thanks, Swamiji!’ With folded hands he paid his tribute, and walked away. Within a month his business was at its peak.
He came back to Swamiji. ‘Your prediction was auspicious, Swamiji!’
Swamiji burst into laughter. On the southern side of the shop, there was a bus stand. Every evening, after getting down from the buses, office-goers, college and school students, and people would walk on the right side. The shop with the eastern direction would be in front of them. They would surely buy the eatables from there. The other shop Govind had seen was facing the west. In hurry nobody will look at it. And who’d cross the road to come to this shop? So the east-facing shop was most suitable! Swami thought, ‘It was pure common sense and these gullible people see it as my prediction!’ He smiled to himself. Immediately the thought of his family came to his mind and the smile disappeared!