Spiritual Stories: Post #56 “Alms for a King”

August 17, 2007

MURUGA SARANAM

19th August 2007

Spiritual Stories: Post #56 "Alms for a King"

Dear Members..

The 56th story in the series of spiritual stories by Bhagwan Ramana Maharishi is all about how the knowledge of the self helps in day to day affairs. Though in this case it is a king it can be suitable for any house holder like you and me. Though it is possible I don't know if we can practice or whether it is necessary to practice this approach. Even then the story still insists to me that with a better knowledge of the Higher Truth, it becomes easy and meaningful to fulfill your day to day affairs in a right manner becomes easy and meaningful.

May All Glories be to The Lord of Mercy, Our Eternal Guru, Skandagurunathan !

Skandagurunathanukku Arohara !!!

Muruga Saranam

With Best Regards

Meyyappan S

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The Story begins here

Alms for a King

IN VASISHTAM

, THERE is a story about Bhagiratha, before he brought the Ganges down to the earth. He was an emperor but the empire seemed to him a great burden because of Atmajignasa (Self-enquiry). In accordance with the advice of his guru and on the pretext of a Yagna (sacrifice), he gave away all his wealth and other possessions. No one would, however take the empire. So he invited the neighbouring king who was an enemy and who was waiting for a suitable opportunity and gifted away the empire to him. The only thing that remained to be done was leaving the country. He left at midnight in disguise, lay in hiding during day time in other countries so as not to be recognised and went about begging at night.

Ultimately he felt confident that his mind had matured sufficiently to be free from egoism. Then he decided to go to his native place and there went out begging in all the streets. As he was not recognised by anyone, he went one day to the palace itself. The watchman recognised him, made obeisance and informed the king about it, shivering with fear. The king came in a great hurry and requested him (Bhagiratha) to accept the kingdom back, but Bhagiratha did not agree. "Will you give me alms or not?", he asked. As there was no other alternative, they gave him alms and he went away highly pleased.

Subsequently he became the king of some other country for some reason and when the king of his own country passed away, he ruled that country also at the special request of the people. That story is given in detail in

Vasishtam. The kingdom which earlier appeared to him to be a burden did not trouble him in the least after he attained jnana.

Ends

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