The boy completed his education and took up a small job. One day, in that village, there was a folk festival (Jatra). The womenfolk of the village donned their best clothes and jewellery to attend the festival. The mother also went with tattered clothes. The son could not bear to see that sight. He said, ‘Mother, you have no good clothes or any jewellery. I am distressed to see you like this. Please let me know what ornaments you wish to have, mother!’ The mother replied: ‘This is not the right time. I shall let you know at the proper time.’
Thanks to the good behaviour and diligence of the lad, he rose to higher positions in service. Once again, he returned to his mother and asked what ornament she desired. ‘I shall get them as far as I can,’ he said. The mother told him that she wished three ornaments, but she would disclose what they were later on.
The son in the course of years reached a very high position. Once again he entreated: ‘Mother, I have now some money. Please let me know what jewels you would like. I shall get them for you.’ The mother said ‘Dear son! I am now not in a state when I can wear jewels. However, there are some ornaments in which I am interested and I shall tell you what they are.’
Drawing the son nearer to her, she said, ‘In our small village, I am grieved to find that the children have to go to distant places for education. My first ornament that I desire is that you should set up a primary school in the village. Secondly, our people have no facilities for medical relief even for small ailments. I spend sleepless nights thinking about their plight. If you set up a small hospital for the village folk, that will be your second ornament for me. The third ornament is something, which you have to do by yourself. In the days to come, your reputation may grow. If anybody asks, ‘who is your mother?’ you may mention my name. Your conduct must be such that you will uphold your mother’s name. You must share with others the benefits of the education you have received. Do not go after wealth. The worshipper of Mammon will not yearn for God. The seeker of God will not seek for wealth. Observance of this is the third ornament I desire from you.’
The young man who heard these words from his mother and later became famous and earned the people’s esteem was none other than Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. He earned a great name in Calcutta.
Ishwar Chandra’s mother shed tears of joy when she realised the great fame her son had achieved. ‘Having begotten such a son, my life has been redeemed. It does not matter what happens to me hereafter,’ she said to herself. That is why, the saying goes: ‘The father does not rejoice merely at the moment of a son’s birth.’ These days, the petty-minded people celebrate the birth of a son with the distribution of sweets, etc. This is not a sign of wisdom. It is said: ‘The father rejoices when people praise his son for his great qualities.’ The father may feel that a son has been really born to him when he hears the praises of his son for his character and good qualities. (SSS Vol.26, pp. 156-157)
You must have listened to the list of offerings of gold ornaments by some devotees. (During 70th Birthday celebrations) What is the ornament for Bhagavan? Only Bliss. Love is the Ornament. He is Beauty itself. Why cover Him with a shower of jewellery? A sculptor craves a beautiful idol. Why submerge that beauty under clothes, jewellery and garlands? All these are artificial. Natural beauty alone gives real joy. Do not take the trouble to bring such ornaments. You should not entertain such thoughts at all. (NNSG Vol.3, pp. 55-56)