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The king of a small country used to look out of the window every day. He saw a beggar sleeping under a tree near the palace. People would throw food into the beggar’s bowl. On waking up the beggar would eat the food and go to sleep again.
“What an enjoyable life this beggar has, with food to eat whenever hungry, and sleeping undisturbed all the while! Very much unlike me. I have to eat only the food which my physician permits and shoulder the burden of administration. I am not even able to have sound sleep when I want”, the king thought.
On his part, the beggar thought, “What a splendid life the king has! Rich food, spacious and ornamental palace, people to do his bidding and no worries. I must be a king at least for a day.” One day he expressed his desire to a courtier passing by. The mischievous courtier conveyed this to the king. Instead of getting angry, the king had the beggar brought to the palace and said, “You can live the life of a king, but you must abide by the rules of the palace.”
This beggar thought this was no problem. The very first day he had to wait long for the food. It was bland too, though nutritious. He thought he could sleep as he used to, but he was forced to sit on the throne and listen to people’s problems. At night he could not sleep, frightened by the swords dangling here and there. He realized that the king’s life was not easy and opted to be a beggar always.
Whether a king or beggar, one needs good food, sound sleep and peace of mind. That is the real blessed state!
“What an enjoyable life this beggar has, with food to eat whenever hungry, and sleeping undisturbed all the while! Very much unlike me. I have to eat only the food which my physician permits and shoulder the burden of administration. I am not even able to have sound sleep when I want”, the king thought.
On his part, the beggar thought, “What a splendid life the king has! Rich food, spacious and ornamental palace, people to do his bidding and no worries. I must be a king at least for a day.” One day he expressed his desire to a courtier passing by. The mischievous courtier conveyed this to the king. Instead of getting angry, the king had the beggar brought to the palace and said, “You can live the life of a king, but you must abide by the rules of the palace.”
This beggar thought this was no problem. The very first day he had to wait long for the food. It was bland too, though nutritious. He thought he could sleep as he used to, but he was forced to sit on the throne and listen to people’s problems. At night he could not sleep, frightened by the swords dangling here and there. He realized that the king’s life was not easy and opted to be a beggar always.
Whether a king or beggar, one needs good food, sound sleep and peace of mind. That is the real blessed state!
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(Compiled from the Tatvaloka - The Splendour of Truth)
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