Principal Dr. Jagdish Lachhani
jagdishlachhani@yahoo.com
Lesson
In ancient times in Hastinapur, there lived a brave warrior king named Pandu. He had five sons; named Yudhishtir, Bhim, Arjuna, Nakul and Sahdev. Being sons of King Pandu, they were called Pandavas.
After the death of King Pandu, his brother Dhritrastra became the King. He had hundred sons. They were called Kauravas. Kauravas eldest brother was Duryodhana. King Dhritrastra appointed Guru Dronacharya to teach Pandavas and Kauravas.
Guru Dronacharya taught them not only virtues related to Dharma (Religion) like strength, Justice, compassion, austerity, humanity but also the art of war.
Guru Dronacharya used to ask questions next day, whatever he taught them previous day in order to know whether they have grasped his teachings or not. Pandavas & Kauravas were giving answers to the questions asked.
One day a strange thing did happen. That day Guru Dronacharya asked every pupil questions as usual. First he called Yudhishir asking, “Prince, have you grasped yesterday’s lesson?”
Yudhishtir bowing his head in humanity replied in negative.
Gurudev Dronacharya was bit perplexed and said, “You have not been able to grasp this small thing?” “No, Gurudev, I have not been able to grasp”, answered Yudhishtir very politely.
“It is a great surprise”, uttering Gurudev called Duryodhana and asked him, “Have you?”
Duryodhana took pride and answered, “I had grasped then and there only, Gurudev”.
“Narrate…”
Duryodhana started answering, “Always speak the truth, don’t be angry, to take pity on all creatures, injustice is a sin.”
That is right. Go and sit on your place. Then he questioned all other turn by turn and they all answered.
Lastly Guru Dronacharya once again called Yudhishtir and asked the same question, “Now, you must have learnt?”
“No Gurudev”, was the answer.
“Hundred and four have answered in your presence, still you have not been able to reply?”
“Sorry, Gurudev”.
Guru Dronacharya got annoyed and lost interest in teaching the other Princes.
Next day Guru Dronacharya asked Yudhishtir same question but he had not learnt on that day, too. When Yudhishtir did not answer again, then annoyingly Guru Dronacharya asked him, “How many days do you need to learn a small thing like this?”
“I have been trying hard to learn Gurudev, as soon as I am able to learn I will come and tell you myself.”
Annoyed Gurudev started teaching other Princes.
At last, after a couple of days, when Dronacharya was teaching Pandavas and Kauravas, Yudhishtir came near to Guru Dronacharya and most humbly stood and submitted to Gurudev; “I have learnt the lesson, now”.
Hearing this Kauravas laughed at him. Yudhishtir’s brothers got into rage on seeing Kauravas laughing, but there was no sign of any anger on the face of Yudhishtir.
But Guru Dronacharya had forgotten all about this. He asked, “Which lesson? Tell me.”
Yudhishtir firmly answered word by word, “Always speak the truth, not to get angry, be merciful on all living creatures, injustice is a sin”.
Astonishingly Guru Dronacharya asked, “Why did you take so much time for learning this?”
“I beg your pardon for this weakness Gurudev.”
Yudhishtir spoke most humbly, “I have been endeavoring continuously, the day you taught us the lesson. Speak the truth always, don’t do injustice to anyone, be merciful on all living beings, stop hunting and eating non-veg, don’t get in rage….Gurudev, I started practicing but could not get success soon. Every day I used to get annoyed on servants, and sometimes I spoke lies also….”
Guru Dronacharya was surprised and asked, “Were you putting my teachings in your daily life?”
“If I don’t put them in my day today life, then what is the use of your teachings, Gurudev? So long, I have not put your teachings in my practical life, I have no right to say that I have learnt the lesson.” Yudhishtir submitted most humbly.
“Oh, you have taken my lesson seriously to your heart”? Guru Dronacharya asked.
“Yes, Gurudev, I have taken your lessons by heart and I act accordingly. If I don’t put your teachings in my life, then it is of no use to sit in the class”… Yudhishtir continued, “Gurudev, I have taken a serious note of your teachings. Gurudev, I take a vow and promise that I will speak the truth always, never get into rage, shall be merciful on all living creatures and never do injustice.” Saying this Yudhishtir fell on Gurudev’s feet.
“I have been privileged my son to have a disciple like you” and Guru Dronacharya lifted Yudhishtir and gave him hug with bosom heart and said, “Yudhishtir your name will blossom in the Universe and all will call you Dharamraj.”
And rightly Yudhishtir is known as Dharamraj till this day.
Shiradh
It was Shiradh day of Saint Eknath’s father. He got prepared many delicious foods to feed the Brahmins.
Now, he was waiting for Brahmins to come.
Suddenly a person wearing torn clothes appeared before him. He prayed to Saint Eknath, “Sir, I am hungry for past many days, have mercy on me or else I would die of hunger.”
“Come Mahraj come in” and Saint Eknath made him sit on Asana and fed him to his full belly.
While he was taking food, Brahmins arrived.
Saint Eknath moved forward to welcome them.
When Brahmins saw that a poor man was taking food before them, they became very angry; they shouted that food prepared for them is being given to the beggar.
“Are you a Saint or Pretender? You have invited us for this insult or for feeding us Shiradh for your ancestor’s peace of mind?”
Eknath with folded hands prayed to Brahmins, “Respected Brahmins, this destitute was dying of hunger, had I not fed him, I would have been a worthy of great sin. You may kindly forget this and come in and accept my food peacefully.”
“No, we are going empty stomach, you pitras will also starve of hunger and you will go to hell.”
Brahmins were ready to go in anger, without taking food, calling Eknath names.
Suddenly destitute’s face enlightened and all saw Eknath’s father’s image on his face.
Eknath uttered to retreating Brahmins, “I have been very much satisfied by feeding this poor man. I would have not got so much satisfaction by feeding you.”
On seeing Eknath’s father’s image in the face of destitute, Brahmins ashamed on their behaviour.
Guru and Disciple
Guru JagatSingh was a world famous wrestler. People from all over the country came to him for wrestling training. He had many disciples, but Gopal was very dear to him. Guru wished from his core of heart that Gopal should earn a name in wrestling and become world famous.
Guru taught him many techniques of the game; thus Gopal became a superb player in very short time.
After seeking Guru’s permission, he set upon a tour. He wanted to earn fame & name among the famous wrestlers of the world by beating them and prove himself the best one.
Thus he became quite famous in a very short span of time. Guru JagatSingh was also happy to hear his disciple’s popularity. There is a saying that sometimes fame also turns one in vanity. It happened with Gopal too. Ego came into Gopal.
There was a very big function. The main item of this programme was wrestling competition.
Wrestlers had come there from all over the world to take part in the competition. Audiences were very enthusiastic. Guru JagatSingh was special invitee in the function.
Today, Guru JagatSingh was very happy. He wanted to see his dear disciple from very close look. Competition started. Gopal won the laurels in the beginning. People were in big claps. When Gopal beat a very renowned wrestler, ‘Sher-e-Hind’ audiences were all praise to him.
Competition of wrestling was over. Gopal sighted his Guru JagatSingh in first row of audiences. He got a whim in his mind. It would have been better, if I had won my Guru also. I would be very famous. Thus he threw a challenge, “Is there anyone who could dare to fight with me?” And he was looking at his Guru, as he was challenging him.
People sitting around Guru JagatSingh also understood that Gopal was challenging his Guru openly.
Guru JagatSingh looked his disciple Gopal. He was quiet for some time.
Gopal repeated his challenge looking at Guru JagatSingh.
Guru thought, “Now it is time to break his ego.” He got up from his seat.
People gave him a big clap.
JagatSingh came forward.
Now Guru and disciple were opposite to each other.
Disciple was lost in vanity but Guru had a glimpse of smile on his face.
Both came very close.
Guru gave him a master stroke than the disciple Gopal could not stand and fell down on the ground.
Audience saw all this and began clapping.
After the function was over, Gopal went to the Guru, bowed his head in shame.
He fell down on Guru’s feet.
His ego got shattered.
Guru JagatSingh forgave him.
Sacrifice
There was a hillock far from the seashore. Beyond the hill, there was a village in the valley.
Ramchandra was a sarpanch (leader) of the village. His house was on the hill top.
He watched the villagers from his hilltop house. The inhabitants of the village were farmers, more or less.
During the harvest time, villagers came together in Joy and Play music and dance. They were arranging get together and fair before harvesting.
Men, women, children, young and old from the neighboring villages, in colorful clothes also participated in the fair every year.
Fair was in full swing. Everybody was happy and gay. Some were busy in shopping and others were enjoying khel-tamasha (Entertainment programmes).
Ramchandra’s family members were also enjoying the fair.
From the hill top, Ramchandra used to look at sea or sometimes watching people enjoying fair.
Suddenly he got frightened and got up from his seat abruptly.
He looked again towards the sea. He saw the sea was moving retreat in a peculiar way.
Ramchandra thought the waves of the sea do not retreat dangerously even in high tide, why has it been so today?
Where there was sea water earlier, there appears to be sand heaps now.
Suddenly it came to his mind younger years. He got frightened on remembering his young years; when he was too small, when sea waves had retreated in the same way.
He had seen sand heaps that time also. All neighboring villages also had immerged into water. Thousands of men, women & animals were dead.
Ramchandra looked at the sea again.
He saw a lot of movement of waves and felt that sea will perhaps swallow whole village and neighboring people at a time.
What to do? He got confused for some time. People were merrily enjoying movements on seashore.
Ramchandra started shouting with full throat, but who hears in the fair, which was at its peak?
He thought if people do not move out of sea-shore and ascent hill, their death is sure and certain. Sea will certainly swallow them.
He shouted to his best, but nobody could hear him.
Suddenly a bright idea came to his mind.
He set his house on hill top on fire. Soon fire engulfed his house.
Flames of fire where touching the sky.
This attracted the people’s attention.
People ran a race towards hill top for fire fighting. As soon as people reached hill top, sea waves got retreat dangerously but people had reached out of sea range.
Ramchandra had set his house on fire to save the people from certain death. But he had no regrets for this.
He was in totally peace.
On reaching hill top, people came to know that Ramchandra’s house was not on fire, but he had set his house on fire, in order to save people from death.
People thanked Ramchandra for this noble deed.
Freedom
Once upon a time there was a farmer, who worked very hard in his fields from morning to evening. One day he was coming back from fields after hard work to his home.
It was sunset. His bullock cart was full with wood.
His bullock cart was now moving through plains after crossing the jungle.
Suddenly his cart came to stop. Bullocks stopped moving forward. Farmer, when raised his sight, he saw a bear infront of his bullock cart.
When bear came close, the farmer asked, “What are you looking for? Oh, bear!”
“I am in search of a shelter anticipating coming winter,” bear replied in fright.
“Are you also afraid of the cold?” asked farmer surprisingly, “I think you are more powerful than cold.”
“Alas! had it been so, I could have torn cold with my paws and eaten away. Then I would not have been worried for my shelter and food.”
Farmer wondered that even a powerful beast like bear could be worried for cold and hunger. “What could be done, can’t get a pray in severe cold,” sighed the bear.
“Well, if I could provide you food and place to live, will you stay with me?” asked farmer.
“Yes, yes, why not? But tell me what work will you take from me?” asked bear.
“I will only chain you, no any particular work from you. There are a lot of honey bees in my fields. I get plenty of honey from them in summer season. You have to guard by sitting there. In front of you nobody would dare to come to steal my honey.”
Bear accepted the offer happily and joined the farmer in bullock cart.
First day farmer’s wife fed bear well. Then bear was chained. Time passed. He spent some time in peace. But after sometime he felt fade up. He remembered his past days of freedom. Now slavery was pinching him like anything.
One day farmer’s wife brought a pakwan made from maida and milk. That day a dog and a cat were also with him. Dog was freely moving and cat was jumping in joy. Seeing dog and cat free, bear felt more aggrieved.
Bear had seen cow grazing freely before. He felt hurt that day too. He thought for a little comfort, I chose prisoner’s life unnecessarily.
Bear was kept thinking prisoner’s life.
One day bear found his master happy and in good mood. Bear said to him, “For a short while, I want to take stroll in your fields. Will you keep me free for a short time?”
The farmer removed his chain from his neck. The bear was free now. He went jumping away from boundary. He felt himself in heaven. From a distance he shouted and told his master, “Master, I will not come back to you now. You gave me very delicious food and warm place to live; many many thanks for that.”
Saying this, bear disappeared in the jungle.
Winter was in its peak. Even the trees were covered with snow. Bear ran and moved very far. He sat under a tree and took rest. Tree leaves gave him good breeze and he said to himself, “Freedom is very sweet. In slavery, good and delicious food and fine place to live cannot be compared with free life.”
Bear shed tears of joy.
Noble Sacrifice
Children, you must have heard the name of Rishi Dadech, and you must have heard his birth story. Now let us get acquainted with Rishi Dadech’s life and his noble sacrifice.
Rishi Dadech’s mother’s name was Shanti and his father was Maharishi Atharva.
Dadech was truthful and compassionate from his childhood. He was disciple of God Shankar. He used to worship God Shankar from his childhood. When he grew up, he sought his father’s permission and set for Himalayas for meditation. There he kept meditating for countless years.
In ancient times, there was always war between Devtas and Rakshas. Devils took pleasure in harassing and harming people and sages were always in quest of welfare of the world.
Virtrasur was the king of devils. He was very powerful. He and his companions were very wicked.
Virtrasur defeated sages and captured Heaven. Sages (Devtas) could not match him, nor could they kill him because in the past life, Virtrasur had been disciple of lord Shiva. No worldly weapon could kill him; this was a boon (Vardan) bestowed upon him by lord Shiva.
All Devtas took King Indir with them and went to God Brahma for guidance and help. Indir came forward and prayed to Brahma, “Father, Virtrasur has caused us immense harassment. It has been difficult to even protect ourselves. Kindly suggest us the way out to protect & save ourselves from wicked Virtrasur.”
Brahma told them, “One should not lose patience in adversaries. Don’t worry, I will tell you the way to kill him.”
Brahma continued, “On the bank of river Saraswati, there is Maharishi Dadech’s ashram. Go to him. Get him acquainted with your problem. Tell him to give his bones in donation.”
On hearing this, Devtas gor astonished and said, “Bones? What will be the use of bones?”
Brahma explained to them to make weapons from the bones of Maharishi. “With weapons made from his bones, you will be able to bring an end to Virtrasur.”
Indir asked, “How shall we demand bones from Maharishi?”
Brahma, while explaining them said, “Maharishi has taken birth for welfare of mankind. Go to him, your task will be positively fulfilled.”
After saluting Brahma, all Devtas including Indir went to Maharishi Dadech’s ashram.
On the bank of river Saraswati, Devtas reached Maharishi Dadech’s ashram, which was in quiet and pure environments.
On seeing Devtas, Maharishi was overjoyed and asked them, “I am privileged to seek your audience. You are most welcome in my ashram. My body and soul is ready for your service.”
Indir said to Maharishi, “God, your services are known all over in three lokas: (Akash, Dharti, Patal). Your welfare deeds are even sung by Gandhravas.
Patal Kanyas (Virgins) are even singing songs in your praise.”
Maharishi Dadech felt humiliated on hearing his praise and said,” I am very glad to see you. Please accept my hospitality. You have made the ashram pure by putting your feet on ashram.”
A little pause.
Maharishi continued saying, “Now please tell me, what service I can do for you?”
Indir Devta stood and prayed, “Bhagwan! Vistrasur’s wickedness keeps us harassed, Devtas are his specific targets. We won’t be safe, till Virtrasur is alive.”
Maharishi Dadech was very much disturbed on hearing this.
He went in deep silence and enquired, “What help can I render you to bring an end to Virtrasur?”
Indir replied very politely, “Sir, you have to give your bones to win over Virtrasur.”
Maharishi got up, raised his hands towards sky, and uttered, “End of Virtrasur, Devtas’ victory over Rakshas. This is my blessing to you.”
Indir prayed that according to Brahma, “Virtrasur can only die from the weapons made of Maharishi Dadech’s bones.”
On hearing this, Rishi was very much pleased to his heart, came forward and gave a hug to Indir and said, “Devraj! Why did you take so much time to tell? My body is here before you.” Dadech blessed Devtas and went into Samadhi.
Shining reflection appeared on his face like a twinkle. There was unique shining on his face. In few moments, he stopped his breath with power of his meditation to bring an end to his life.
Devtas got weapons made of his bones and brought an end to Virtrasur.
Devtas got trumpet over Demons and got rid of wicked Virtrasur.
Children, because of this act of noble sacrifice, Rishi Dadech is remembered in the world till today.
Minister’s Justice
This story is of the days, when sumras ruled Sindh.
In later part of thirteenth century, Dodo ruled over Sindh. On one hand he was a brave warrior, and the other hand, he was a good ruler too. He had an urge for his subjects welfare and well being.
He was just also.
Todarmal was his minister, who was looking after the justice portfolio.
King Dodo loved him much because of his intelligence & way of handling his department.
He used to impart justice with wisdom, that left people wonder struck.
One day a peculiar case came before him in the court.
One person’s ten coins went missing.
It so happened that he kept his ten coins in his oil tin, went to bazar for shopping his household things. He got tired, as the bazar was at a distance on his way.
In order to relax, he sat under a thick papal tree.
He kept that tin, containing ten coins on the nearby stone.
By chance, he got asleep. When he woke up, he was astonished to see tin there, but coins were missing.
He looked around but could not find anyone there.
This was the case, brought to his court.
Minister told his sepoys, this is a clear cut case. Coins must have been stolen by the stone.
“Bring that stone here. I will punish it in the court.”
This news spread in the town like wild fire. Whosoever heard this, was perplexed. People knew that the minister was wise and just, but that they could not fathom stone punishment.
Darbar was on. Minister was sitting on his place.
The person who had lost his coins was standing before the minister.
Minister shouted at stone and asked, “Tell me the truth, have you stolen the coins?”
Has any stone ever answered?
After asking him three times, it did not answer. He ordered his sepoys to whip it and remove its skin.
People present thought that the minister is joking and they burst into laughter.
On people’s laughter, minister got in peak of rage.
Out of annoyance, he uttered, laughing in the court is a crime.
He ordered sepoys to arrest the people who laughed.
Laughter in the court is an act of offence. All these be imprisoned for three days.
All people got frightened and prayed to him with folded hands, “Sir, this is our first offence. We, therefore most humbly, beg your pardon, for punishment with fine, and be pardoned.”
Minister, after thinking for a while, said, “OK, we do that way this time.” He ordered one sepoy to bring one tub of water.
Sepoy brought a tub of water in the court.
Minister looked at people present. He said, “Now all of you put one coin each in this water tub, this is the fine for you to pay,”
Then he came near the water tub and sat on the chair.
On hearing the order, people who had laughed became happy and thought, “It is better to pay fine, which is nothing than to get imprisoned for three days.”
Then they started putting a coin each in the tub and moved aside.
Minister was watching this with an eagle eye.
As soon as one person dropped one’s coin, minister shouted and said, “Stop, we have got it” and ordered his sepoy to arrest the person, saying, “This fellow is the thief.”
On getting minister’s orders, sepoy searched him and got other remaining nine coins from his pocket, which were soaked in oil.
It so happened that when this person put his coin in water, oil got spread in water. Thus in no time, minister realized, as to who had stolen the coins.
Now people also realized as to why minister had asked for stone in the darbar.
Rightly so, minister knew pretty well that it will look odd to people, as to why minister had asked for stone in darbar. Then many people will come in darbar to see this fun.
Among that lot the thief will also be there and it so happened.
The thief had to confess his guilt.
Minister gave severe punishment to the thief and returned coins to the concerned person.
Everybody had praise for minister’s way of imparting justice.
Praising minister, people left for their homes.
Guru’s Wisdom
Darbar was not called on that day also. From days, king was deeply aggrieved. His elder son had not returned from his tour. He had been a prey to a dangerous lion in a jungle. When this sad news of Prince’s death reached the palace, a deep grief spread all over.
People liked king the best. Due to grief of his son, King gave away his daily routines. Thus many weeks passed away.
How much time will go like this? If this goes on like this, state will come to stillness. Army of state will become lazy and idle and if the army becomes idle and lazy, enemies can attack the state and conquer it. Some wise people of the state whispered among themselves. Now question arose who to apprise to King about it?
After deep thought Raj Purohit and Chief Minister went to King’s Guru. King’s Guru was a sage yogi. He stayed deep in jungle. Meditation was his only asset.
King had offered his Guru many times diamonds and jewels, but he had never accepted. Not only that but he had never taken food in King’s Palace. Fruit was his only food. Seeing his spirituality and abstinence, King considered his Guru more than God.
Raj Purohit and Chief Minister reached Guru’s cottage. They touched Muni’s feet with their foreheads. Then with folded hands, they prayed, “Guruvar, our King is deep driven in grief due to his son’s death and had given his daily routines. How long will this continue? Kindly give good counsel to the King so that he should resume his day today functions. This is the reason of our coming to you.”
Guru went deep in stretch. After a little pause, he uttered, “You are right, this is not correct. I will come to your Palace tomorrow.”
Raj Purohit and Minister returned. Next day Guru came to the Palace as he had promised. He saw, King was deep driven in grief. Queen was also sitting by his side. She was also in grief.
Many servants and maids were also present in the Palace, but atmosphere was silent and gloomy. Silence was spread all over.
After reaching near the King, Gurudev burst into laughter and asked the King, “Why are you so silent? What has happened? Why there are no audience in Darbar? You are even silent after seeing me. No greeting, no Namaskar….!”
After hearing Guru’s utterance, King in depression thought, Guruji knows that my son is dead, instead of giving me solace, he is making fun of me.”
King looked Guruji with lowering sights once again. He still saw some symptoms of smiling on Guru’s face.
King then uttered nothing, nor he offered seat to Guruji.
Guru asked the King, as to why he did not answer his query?
Here King’s grief turned into rage. In rage, he lost his temper and conscious “I have lost my young son and you are laughing? Have you learnt this from meditation? Instead of giving me solace, you are hurting with these questions. You are my Guru, therefore I am quiet, had there been anybody else, I would have got him hanged.”
Raj Purohit and Minister were standing nearby. They were very much shocked; but Guru kept smiling on hearing King’s utterances. Guru told the King, “You are my disciple, I know your pain of heart, therefore I do not consider your rage as bad. You have always been respecting me, it matters little for me, if one day you have disrespected me. Sages are above respect and disrespect, but you must think over whom has God of death spared? In your state itself, how many sons of many people have gone in the hand of death of God? Have you ever been in grief for them? You have stopped daily routines, is it correct? You are sensible; therefore I am leaving this decision to you. Now I go back. I shall come back after a week.” Uttering these words, Guru left the palace.
After Guru’s departure, King came to senses, got very much disturbed. What I did this. I have dishonoured my Guru in my own house! He realized his mistake. What could be done now! He set on foot after Guru but could not get him. King went to Guru’s cottage also, but he was not there.
King returned dejected. In depression, he could neither eat nor sleep well.
One week passed away. King did never hope that his Guru will ever come to him, but Guru did come back to Palace exactly after a week.
Seeing Guru, King failed down on Guru’s feet. He was weeping unhaltingly. “Due to my son’s grief, I have lost my conscious. Kindly forgive me my sin.”
Guru lifted the King lovingly and said, “You have not committed any sin. You have considered your son’s grief above your duty. It is because of that I had to do this. After realizing my burst and insult, you could forget your grief. This was a good thing. No one could move in the world by remembering one’s grief, can’t do his duties. Arise, take over reigns of your state and do your duties towards your people.”
Saying this, Guruji left the Palace. This opened the eyes of King. He forgot his son’s grief and started doing his daily routines regularly.
Right Path
There was a King, very whimsical. A thought came to his mind to do something good, so that he can open an account in Dharamraj’s books and get a place of privilege in Heaven. But due to his whims, he could not fulfil his desires.
While thinking to build a temple, he would rethink, perhaps building of guest house for pilgrims would be better and start building and yet again he thinks of some other things.
One day an aged saint came to his Palace. King became happy to see him. He said to him, “What should I do to get place in Heaven?”
Saint read his mind and said to the King, “Selfless service to others will give you a place in Heaven.”
Next day the king called Darbar and instructed all to be present.
Darbar was on.
Everybody was anxious to hear the King and reason for assembly.
King came.
All got up and saluted the King.
The King started saying, “Yesterday an aged Saint had advised me to do the selfless service in order to get seat in Heaven. Now, I have called you for suggestions because I have vowed to serve you.”
Hearing this all were perplexed thinking that they were the servants of the King, what service they could get from him?
They could not answer.
The King got deeply confused. Next day he got announcement made, “The King has decided to serve people. Anyone who wants service can get it done from our King.”
Whosoever heard this announcement, laughed and whispered among one another, “Has King gone mad?”
The King waited for a day and two and even few days more, but nobody came to him for service.
Now the King got worried not because nobody came to him for seeking service, but because how could he get his account opened in the books of Dharamraj in order to get place in Heaven.
But King was never to surrender. Next day he took an arch and bows, rose on horse and took a path towards jungle, thinking that any passer by wanting to seek right direction, I will show him right direction and earn blessings, but here also he could not get success. Seeing King’s peculiar dress, people got frightened. He got wandering till evening. Thus, while wandering he got tired but could not get opportunity to serve anybody. He came back to his Palace quite dejected.
Next day, he did not wear princely dress but only ordinary clothes. Again he rode the horse towards jungle.
Reaching at mid forest, he got down from his horse, tied his horse with a tree, and started walking.
While walking, he met a wood cutter. He went towards him and said, “Brother, you must have tired cutting wood. Give me your axe, so and wood, I shall carry it for you.”
Wood cutter looked towards King surprisingly and answered, “I have still enough strength in my arms. You go forward and you will find an old woman. Go and help her and seek her blessings.”
The King proceeded in that direction, where an old lady lived in a little hut. Standing outside her hut, King said to her, “Mother, where are you going?”
“Son, there is a pond nearby, where I am going to take bath,” answered the old lady.
“Come, I will lift you on my shoulder,” the King said.
The old woman stared at King and said, “The King of our land is also engaged in this task. It is indeed madness.”
“Madness! Is it some one’s service madness?” the King asked.
“Service in itself is not madness. Asking someone for service is madness. Oh! My son, tell me, the King is protecting his people. If he rules them and serves them honestly and judiciously, keep people happy, is it of less importance?” old lady explained to him.
The King got enlightened. He touched old lady’s feet and said to her, “Mother, I am the King of this land. Saint only gave me right direction, but you have shown me the right path. You have enlightened my path.”
While saying this, he proceeded towards his Palace.
