Acharya Prashant explains that the presence of beggars in metro cities is not due to a lack of natural resources or basic needs, but rather an attraction to the urban environment and a calculated exploitation of the common man's value system. He asserts that beggars have deciphered the psychological code of urban dwellers, understanding that people feel pity based on their own ego and sense of pride. This pity is described as a mutual conspiracy between the giver and the taker, where both share the same underlying value system. He argues that true begging is not what is seen on the streets, but rather a state of mind where one's inability or incapacity is used as an entitlement to demand favors or resources. He further elaborates that this mindset of 'incapacity as entitlement' is prevalent throughout society, from corporate employees seeking special favors due to personal problems to individuals who feel entitled to help simply because they have children or heavy luggage. Acharya Prashant draws a sharp distinction between the common beggar and the 'Bhikshu' of Shri Buddha. While the common beggar seeks to satisfy desires and ego, the true Bhikshu has renounced all goals and lives on the grace of existence. He concludes by suggesting that many people choose their professions, including begging or staying in dependent roles like certain domestic setups, because the 'return on effort' is high and it aligns with their internal quality of mind, rather than being a result of mere circumstance.
