The stories of Karnik and Appasaheb in Chapter 33 present a powerful contrast to teach a unified lesson about acting on devotional impulses. Karnik's story is a model of success: when confronted by Narsing Maharaj, he immediately and joyfully gives a Rupee, acting on his first good impulse. In contrast, Appasaheb's story illustrates a common struggle. He makes a grand promise but hesitates and is filled with doubt when an opportunity to fulfill it appears in an unexpected form. As Chapter 33 explains, the mind is full of "resolves and counter-resolves," and these two stories show the beneficial outcome of nurturing one's initial good inclination versus the difficulty that arises from second-guessing it.
How do the stories of Karnik and Appasaheb in this chapter contrast with each other to teach a single lesson?
๐ Chapter 33