CHINNA KATHA FROM BHAGAVAN’S DISCOURSE. No. 17.

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17 - 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.