KING'S GRACE & GOD'S GRACE

[Guest guest]

KING'S GRACE & GOD'S GRACE

Source:http://www.ramakrishnamath.com

 

Once upon a time a King by name Sundaravadanan who ruled over the

kingdom of Kannapuri. He was great in all respects except that he

never believed in God.

 

One night, he was traveling through his city in disguise. He heard

two beggars begging loudly. One was invoking Lord Rama's grace and

the other was invoking the King's grace.

 

The King was intrigued and had both the beggars brought to the

court. His minister asked the question, " Yesterday, you both were

begging. One of you said " Rama's grace and other said Kings grace.

Now what does that mean? "

 

One who said Rama's grace replied, " Sir, this whole world is

protected by the Lord Rama. He is the one who gives wealth and

riches to everyone " .

 

The minister now spoke to the other beggar. He replied, " Sir, God is

invisible. King is the visible God. If he so desires, he can make

anyone rich "

 

That night, the King argued with the minister that one who called on

the King was the clever beggar. The minister however disagreed. He

said, " However a man may try to help, if the receiver does not have

God's grace it will never reach him. "

 

The King decided to put " King's grace " and " Rama's grace " to test.

 

The next day a King's order was announced. " On the Rama Navami day

the King will distribute presents to everyone. All can come and

receive the presents. "

 

Accordingly people gathered. The two beggars were also present. The

King gave out a new piece of cloth and a pumpkin to everyone. When

the " King' grace " beggar's turn came up, the King recognized him and

whispered something in the minister's ears. The minister went in and

brought a pumpkin. The pumpkin and the cloth were given to the

beggar.

 

After sometime, the King and his minister went around the city in

disguise. They noticed that the " Kings' grace " beggar still begging

the same way.

 

The King summoned the beggar to the court the next day and asked

him, " Are you still a beggar despite my presents? " The beggar

replied, " King! I sold the pumpkin in the market for 2 silver coins.

How can I become rich with that?

 

The king replied, " You are a fool. That pumpkin had precious jewels

and pearls. If you had only cut open the pumpkin you would have

become rich. "

 

After sometime when the King was on his rounds he noticed a rich man

in a palanquin. The minister recognized him as " Rama's grace " beggar.

 

This man was also summoned to court.

 

The King asked, " Aren't you the beggar who used to beg in the

streets? How did you become so rich? "

 

This man replied, " King! By the grace of Rama. I was to feed the

brahmins on a particular day to bring peace to my dead father. All I

could purchase was a pumpkin. But, to my surprise, I found jewels

when I cut open the pumpkin. By the grace of Rama I became rich "

 

The King understood that one truly required God's grace to prosper

in this world.

 

GOMU <gokulmuthu