Monday, October 10, 2011

You & Life – Superb Moral Story

Once an Emperor called upon all of his wise men and asked them, ” Is there any magical saying which works in every situation, in every circumstances, in every place and in every time. In every joy, every sorrow, every defeat and every victory? One answer for all questions? Something which can help me when none of you is available to advise me? “

All the Emperor’s advisers were baffled by the question. They all agreed on one solution on the suggestion of a learned scholar.Who gave them a note to be given to the Emperor.

And the note was to be opened whenever the the Emperor was in trouble.

Just a few days after, he was attacked by the neighboring country. The Emperor and his army fought bravely but were still losing the battle & the Emperor was trying to run away on his mount. The enemies were following him getting closer and closer. Suddenly the Emperor found himself standing at the end of the road – that road was not going anywhere. Underneath there was a rocky valley thousand feet deep. If he jumped into it, he would be finished…and he could not return because it was a small road…the sound of enemy’s horses was approaching fast. The Emperor became restless. There seemed to be no way.

 Then he remembered the note given to him by his loyal advisers and he opened it. It read “THIS TOO SHALL PASS”

The Emperor read it , again & again. Suddenly something struck him- Yes ! This too will pass. Only a few days ago, I was enjoying my rule. I was the mightiest of all the Emperors. Yet today, the Empire and all its pleasures have gone. I am here trying to escape from enemies. Like those days of luxuries have gone, this day of danger too will pass. A calm came on his face. He kept standing there. The place where he was standing was full of natural beauty.

The revelation of the message had a great effect on him. He relaxed and forgot about those following him. After a few minutes he realized that the noise of the horses and the enemy coming was receding. They moved into some other part of the mountains and were nowhere near him.

The Emperor was very brave. He reorganized his army and fought again. He defeated the enemy and regained his empire. When he returned to his empire after victory, he was received with much fanfare. The whole capital was rejoicing in the victory.

Everyone was in a festive mood. Flowers were being showered on Emperor from every house, from every corner. For a moment the Emperor said to himself,” I am one of the bravest and greatest Emperors. It is not easy to defeat me. With all the reception and celebration he saw an ego emerging in him.

At that moment something clicked his mind & he opened the note and read it again: “THIS TOO SHALL PASS”.

He became silent. His face went through a total change – from the egoist he moved to a state of utter humbleness. If this too is going to pass, it is not yours. The defeat was not yours, the victory is not yours. You are just a watcher. Everything passes by. We are witnesses of all this. Life comes and goes. Happiness comes and goes. Sorrow comes and goes.

Now as you have read this story, just sit silently and evaluate your own life. This too will pass. Think of the moments of joy and victory in your life. Think of the moment of Sorrow and defeat. Are they permanent ? They all come and pass away.

Moral: This life is so temporary, all its enjoyments & sorrows will finish one day. The only thing which will remain is our deeds and how we acted during the times of prosperity and adversity.