Aim of Spiritual Life

[Guest guest]

Hello,

 

I feel the aim of spiritual life is to be free from sorrow and also

make others free from sorrow, to whatever extent possible. This story

brings this out very graphically. I hope you enjoy it.

 

With love,

Gomu.

 

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Siddhartha was the prince of the Sakhya dynasty. When he was born,

the royal astrologer predicted that he will become a great monk

or a great king. Siddhartha's father wanted him to be a great

king, and so the prince grew in the palace in total isolation from

the rest of the world. The king made sure that every comfort was

arranged for the prince so that he does not know pain and misery

at all. The prince became a master in all the sciences and arts

that were to be known to prince.

 

The prince was married to the beautiful princess of a neighbouring

kingdom - Princess Yashodhara. Soon they had a handsome boy born

to the happy couple. They named him Rahul.

 

At this time, the prince wanted to see the outside world. The king

also felt that the exposure was necessary for him to be able to rule

the kingdom well in future. Also, now that the prince had settled down

well in life, the king thought that all possibility of he becoming

a monk was ruled out.

 

For the first time, the prince went out of the high walls of the

palace campus. Channa, a loyal and wise man was his charioteer.

The prince was overjoyed by the beauty of the world outside the

palace. He was enchanted by the richness and splendour of nature

spread wide around him.

 

Suddenly he spotted a man who was frail and weak. He was coughing

incessantly and his face showed great pain. This sight was very

new to Siddhartha.

Siddhartha: " Channa, why is this man looking so different ? "

Channa : " He is ill, my lord. He has a disease. "

Siddhartha: " Oh. Disease ? Why has he got a disease ? "

Channa : " Everyone gets diseases, my lord. It is the tax one

has to pay for the body. "

Siddhartha: " Oh. There are many diseases ? "

Channa : " There are countless number of diseases, my lord. "

Siddhartha: " I too can become diseased ? "

Channa : " Yes, my lord. "

Siddhartha: " Yashodhara too can become diseased ? "

Channa : " Anyone can become diseased, my lord. "

Siddhartha: " Is there any way out ? "

Channa : " By proper medical treatment, one may become cured, my lord. "

 

That night, the prince could not sleep well. He was thinking about people

who cannot afford medical treatment for diseases.

 

Next day, again he went out with Channa. He saw an old man walking with

great difficulty with a stick. Again, this was new to the prince.

Siddhartha: " Channa, why is this man finding it difficult even to walk ?

Is he diseased ? "

Channa : " He has an incurable disease called old age, my lord. "

Siddhartha: " Even our royal physician cannot cure it ? "

Channa : " No, my lord. None on earth can cure this disease. The disease

only aggravates everyday. "

Siddhartha: " Can it be avoided ? "

Channa : " No, my lord. Everyone has to face this disease. "

Siddhartha: " Even me ? "

Channa : " Yes, my lord. "

 

That night too, the prince could not sleep. The fact that everyone without

exception has to face old age filled his heart with great pain.

 

Next day, again he went out with Channa. He saw four people carrying a dead

body. Many people we following the them, visibly sad.

Siddhartha: " Channa, why are they carrying that man ? Is he old and cannot

walk ? Why are the others crying ? "

Channa : " He is dead, my lord. He has left the body. "

Siddhartha: " Everyone has to leave the body ? "

Channa : " Yes, my lord. Everyone has to leave the body one day. "

Siddhartha: " For how long can one be in the body ? "

Channa : " One cannot say that, my lord. Death can come at anytime. "

Siddhartha: " Even I may die, even today ? "

Channa : " Yes, my lord. Any moment anyone may die. "

Siddhartha: " Even children die ? "

Channa : " Yes, my lord. No one is an exception. Everyone is sure to die,

and that too, anytime. "

Siddhartha: " Can I take my loved ones with me when I die ? "

Channa : " No, my lord. One has to leave everyone behind. "

Siddhartha: " Even my dear Yashodhara will not come with me ? "

Channa : " No, my lord. No one can accompany the dead. Even if such a

provision is there, the body is precious to everyone above

everything else. No will leave their body for the sake of

another. "

Siddhartha: " Can I atleast take my precious diamond ring with me ? "

Channa : " No, my lord. All your possessions are yours only as long as

the body lasts. When you leave, you cannot take even a grain

of sand with you. "

Siddhartha: " Can I atleast continue to be in the palace ? "

Channa : " No, my lord. You cannot even do that. People will keep you in

the palace only as long as you have this body. When you die,

even if you want to be in the palace, the people in the palace

will chase you out. "

 

Siddhartha spent the whole night thinking. " Diseases come to everyone. Some

diseases can be avoided, some can be cured. There is a disease called old age,

which comes to everyone after many years of living. This disease cannot be

avoided, nor can be cured. It only aggravates everyday. Then there is death.

It can snatch way the body anytime, from anyone. Along with the body, one

has to leave all relations and possessions. " He became very gloomy.

 

Next day, again they went out. The prince was very grave. He saw a monk. The

face of the monk was peaceful and there was a soft smile on the monk's face.

The peaceful countenance of the monk created a deep impression in the prince.

Siddhartha: " Channa, how come this person seems to be so happy ? Does he not

know that the world is full of disease, old age and death ? "

Channa : " The knows all these only too well, my lord. He has gone beyond

all sorrow. His body is also subject to all the problems. But,

they cannot disturb his peace. "

Siddhartha: " Then why don't everyone be like him ? "

Channa : " That requires the performance of a lot of austerities. It is

not possible for an ordinary person to attain his state. "

 

That night, Siddhartha thought, " The world is full of sorrow and misery. Some

people have gone beyond all sorrow. But, most of the people are suffering.

There must be some way for everyone to be free sorrow. I will find the way.

If I succeed, it will make so many people happy. I will not rest till I find

the way. Even if I lose my body in the process, I do not lose anything. " So

thinking, we left the palace at the mid of the night.

 

This is the spiritual quest. Spiritual quest is quest after freedom from all

sorrow; freedom from all miseries. Not only for the individual, but for the

benefit of everyone. Spiritual aspirants are not chasing a non-existent

shadow, as many worldly people think. It is a real quest for the benefit of

the seeker and everyone in the society.

 

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Email: gomu

Phone: +91 80 6689904

Webpages: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/1863

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/2973

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