Three in one

[Guest guest]

Source: Chinna Katha

http://www.saibaba.ws/stories/storiesparables.htm

 

Three in one

 

There was a small kingdom in which strangely enough all people where

quite happy and very healthy. In course of time both the ruler and

ruled grew proud of this rare good fortune and claimed it to be a

reward of their personal righteousness. Since all of them were

healthy, there was no physician in the kingdom. One day, a physician

came to its capital city and was happy to find that there was no

other physician to compete with him in his profession in the whole

kingdom. But whenever he entered into conversation with the people

and enquired after their health, they would say: " Oh! We are

brahmajnanis, no illness can touch us. We are the fortunate few

chosen by God and blessed by Him with health and happiness. Why do

you tarry here, better go elsewhere to earn your living " . The

physician however did not want to leave the city and was also

hopeful that this snobbery of the people will not last long.

 

Once the king suddenly fell ill. The physician was summoned to the

royal presence. He was pleased that God had given him an opportunity

to display his talent. He treated the king with reverence and great

attention. The king was slowly but steadily improving. However, he

said: " Sir, I really thank you for your treatment but can you not

cure me quickly? I am not used to lying down like this for days

together " . The physician wanted to teach the king and the people a

lesson. He said: " Oh king, there is a quick cure, but I am afraid, I

may not be able to get what I want for preparing the medicine " . The

king said: " you need not doubt the capacity either of my ministers

or my people. They will be ready to procure anything you may

require. They are all brahma jnanis. They will not bother about any

type of strain or sacrifice on their part to get their beloved king

cured. Come, tell me what you want " . The physician said: " My Lord! I

am glad that you are so confident " . I require 1/4 pound of flesh

from the body of a brahma jnani - that is all " . " Oh! How simple! " ,

exclaimed the king. The king immediately sent word to his minister

and commanded him to get at once 1/4 pound of flesh of any brahma

jnani in the city " .

 

The minister returned very late in the evening, very sad and

dejected. The king asked eagerly " Why so late? Come on, where is the

flesh? " . The minister pleaded, " Oh! King, I am sorry, I could not

get what you wanted. When I made the people know of what you need,

everyone said: 'Oh, I am not a brahma jnani. Do you think that

brahma jnanis will be found in cities such as this?' How can we say

confidently that we are all brahma jnanis? " .

 

The king was surprised to hear this and looked at the physician

pitiably. The physician said: " Oh king!, do not feel sad. This is

the way of the world. One may claim to be anything but to actually

live up to that high ideal is extremely difficult. You are now

recovered. Nothing is wrong with you. I need no human flesh. I

planned this little drama, only to let you know the truth. Pardon

me " .

Each person is " three in one " , i.e. what he thinks of himself, what

others think he is and finally, what he really is.