Shiva's Blessings

On a visit to Tehran in 1976, Prabhupada told a story. Lord Siva and his consort Parvati were once passing through a town disguised as ordinary people. On their way, they passed a beggar in the street. “This poor man is begging, so why don’t you give him something,” Parvati said to Lord Siva. 

“Even if I give, he will not be able to enjoy. He is so unfortunate,” Lord Siva answered. 

But Parvati again requested him to give the beggar something, so Lord Siva consented. 

“Take this,” Lord Siva said to the man, and he gave him a watermelon containing a great treasure of gold and jewels. 

On receiving the watermelon, the beggar thought, “What shall I do with this?” And he sold the watermelon to a man for only a few cents. 

Prabhupada then explained how we are as unfortunate as the beggar. Krsna is giving perfect knowledge, but like the beggar, we are not taking advantage.