Can a Marwari attain moksha?

Question: Second question: Osho, I am a Marwari—can I also attain moksha? They say that in Akbar’s time the people of Hoshiarpur were very distressed that they couldn’t even tell the name of their town; whoever they told would start laughing, “Ah, Hoshiarpur!” The name itself must have brought the bad reputation. The name is bad—Hoshiarpur, “City of the Clever.” If you call yourself clever, people will laugh—praising yourself with your own mouth! Anyone would laugh. That’s how people must have begun to think them fools: they don’t even have the sense that one shouldn’t call oneself clever. A delegation from Hoshiarpur went to Akbar: “Something must be done. We are not fools, but we’ve been maligned. It’s fraud. Investigate if you wish.” Akbar agreed and sent ministers. The people of Hoshiarpur welcomed them lavishly, won their hearts. The ministers were delighted: “Who says they are fools?

Osho, I am also a Marwari. Is there any hope for me?

Harikrishna! Even God lost to a Marwari. For you there is only hope. Don’t worry. Wherever you go, you will succeed. Whatever you do, you will succeed. If anyone wants to learn the secret of success, let them learn it from you. A Marwari doesn’t know how to lose. A Marwari doesn’t know how to be disheartened. Why do you worry? A prisoner asked another Marwari prisoner, “How did you land up here?” The Marwari said, “I was in a stubborn standoff with the government.” The first asked, “What do you mean?” The Marwari replied, “I, too, used to print notes—just like the government.” A standoff with the government! A Marwari’s stubbornness goes even with God—and God has to give in. So don’t you worry at all. There was a man who printed counterfeit notes. Once, by mistake, he printed a fifteen-rupee note. He thought, In the city no one…

Osho, are you truly an admirer of the Marwaris’ intelligence? Is being a Marwari really a matter of honor and pride? And can I become a Marwari too?

Chandulal and his wife got off a train. Outside the station he said to her, “See, you’re as forgetful as ever. You left your umbrella right there in the compartment. Good thing I remembered—so I brought not only my umbrella but yours too.” His wife said, “Oh Ram! But neither of us brought an umbrella from home.” Chandulal was taken aback for a moment, then said, “Bless Lord Rama—when He gives, He tears open the thatch and showers it down!” Chandulal’s son Jhummaan came home gleefully and said, “Papa, Papa, today I ran behind the bus all the way home and saved a full fifty paise. Now do you admit I’m truly your son!” Chandulal boxed his ears and said, “You good-for-nothing, you’ll ruin me one day! Idiot—if you’d run behind a taxi you could have saved three rupees, and you ran behind a bus to save only fifty paise!…

Question: Final question: Osho! Is there nothing at all praiseworthy in Marwaris? That is why Jain monks are honored in Marwar. Marwar is a base for Jain monks. And the reason is: a Marwari is impressed only by the Jain monk. He says, “Ah! What an astonishing renunciation!” Because he himself cannot leave ten paise, and these have left everything. Naturally a great respect arises in his heart for them. It is surprising that in this world, the greedier people are, the more they honor renouncers. In that sense, there is some Marwari-ness throughout this whole country. The degree of honor for renunciates in this country is proof that our craving for wealth is great, our greed is great. Because of that very greed, the one who becomes capable of dropping it, we say: he has done something extraordinary! A miracle! A magic!

Question: The first question: Osho! About thirty years ago in Jabalpur, when a pandit was disputing topics like moksha, Daddaji said, “You may know the scriptures and doctrines; I only know that this is my last birth.” On another occasion, he went to Kashi on work and attended a muni’s satsang. Finding Daddaji a stranger, after the discourse the muni asked, “I haven’t seen you here before!” He said, “Yes, I am not from here.” He asked, “Where have you come from, and where will you go from here?” He said, “I have come from Nigod and I will go to moksha.” Five years ago, when he had a heart attack, seeing Mother anxious he said, “Do not worry. I still have five years of life left.” Osho, please shed compassionate light on the mystery behind these proclamations of his. Yog Bhakti! We are all strangers here.