In a bustling city, a king made it a habit to wander its streets each evening. One evening, he noticed a young guru sitting quietly under a tree. Intrigued by the guru’s calm demeanor, the king approached him, apologizing for interrupting his meditation and inviting him to the palace. The young guru, however, revealed that he wasn’t meditating; he was simply sitting happily. Impressed, the king persuaded him to come to the palace, where he provided him with a luxurious room, servants, and expensive amenities.
Months passed, and the king began to worry that he had corrupted the guru by introducing him to such luxury. He decided to confront the guru, asking him what the difference was between them, given that the guru was now living a life of comfort. The guru smiled and suggested they go to the riverbank for the answer.
At the riverbank, the guru proposed that they both leave for another city. The king hesitated, citing his responsibilities. The guru then explained that this hesitation highlighted their difference: the guru could be happy anywhere, with or without luxury, because his happiness came from within, not from external factors. This realization helped the king understand that true happiness lies within oneself, independent of external circumstances.
The Victorious King and the Fraudulent Promise
There was once a victorious king who had won every battle yet still found himself unhappy. One day, a fraudster visited the king, claiming he could provide him with a divine garment under certain conditions. The fraudster requested a private room with a locked door and a storage box, along with a promise from the king to send vast sums of money whenever requested, without question.
After several days and substantial payments, the fraudster knocked on the door, and the king eagerly opened it, hoping to see the divine garment. The fraudster insisted that the box be opened in front of everyone in the palace and that only those born to one father and one mother could see the garment. The king, pressured and fearful of being exposed, pretended to see the non-existent garment, as did everyone else.
However, a small girl in the crowd shouted that the king was not wearing any clothes. Her innocent honesty exposed the fraud, teaching a crucial lesson: just as the king was deceived by the fraudster, we must be cautious and discerning, not blindly trusting everything we are told. True wisdom requires questioning and critical thinking.
The Jain Guru and the Young Disciple
In another tale, a young disciple wished to serve a Jain guru. He knocked on the guru’s door, announcing himself as Vikramaditya. The next day, he simply stated, “I have come.” This routine continued for months, each time the disciple announced his presence. Finally, one day, he knocked without saying anything. The guru opened the door and declared that the disciple had attained wisdom, sending him on his way.
This story underscores the importance of humility in the pursuit of wisdom. The disciple’s initial declarations were rooted in ego and self-importance. Only when he let go of his arrogance and simply presented himself without words did he truly attain wisdom. The guru’s acceptance signified that wisdom comes with the abandonment of the ego.
Conclusion
These stories collectively emphasize profound life lessons. True happiness is found within, not in external luxuries or achievements. Wisdom requires a discerning mind and the courage to question what is presented as truth. Finally, the journey towards wisdom necessitates humility and the shedding of one’s ego. By internalizing these lessons, we can lead more fulfilled and enlightened lives, relying on our inner selves rather than external validation or material possessions.
