Acharya Prashant addresses a question about what can be gained from his teachings by stating that, in reality, nothing will be gained. He affirms the questioner's doubt, explaining that the need to gain something only arises from a sense of lack or deficiency. Without this feeling, the desire to acquire anything does not arise. To illustrate his point, he tells the story of a three-handed monkey. A monkey was born perfectly normal, but humans immediately put a chain around its neck. From the moment it opened its eyes, it saw the chain and believed it was a part of its body, a third hand. This belief became so ingrained that when given the chance to be free, the monkey refused, considering the chain an integral part of itself. As it grew, it became a teacher, pitying other monkeys for lacking a third hand and teaching them that their lives were incomplete and that they needed to achieve something. The monkey gained respect in its society for having something special. This created a system where young monkeys were conditioned to feel a sense of lack and the need to achieve. This story is a metaphor for how humans are conditioned by society to feel incomplete and constantly strive for external achievements. The speaker then recounts a story about Buddha. When asked what he gained by leaving his kingdom, wife, and child, Buddha replied that he gained nothing but was freed from tension, restlessness, turmoil, hatred, and fear. Similarly, Acharya Prashant explains he is not here to give anything new but to help people get rid of their burdens, their madness, and their false beliefs. He asserts that everyone is already complete and beautiful as they are. The problem is the constant, restless desire to become something else, a poison instilled by society, media, and family. He concludes by saying that the day one stops needing to reach somewhere or achieve something, that day will be beautiful, as all desires will be fulfilled. The goal is not to gain anything but to be free from the unnecessary burdens one has taken on.
