The King and the Brahmin

Sham S. Misri

Long ago, in India, there lived a king. He was a kind and generous ruler. He distributed free food to the poor and needy and built hospitals for the sick and old, and rest-houses for travelers along the roadside. The king was pleased with himself for having done so much for his kingdom. One day he saw two birds flying over him and talking. "Be careful while passing over the King” one of them said. "The glow of his fame may burn you to ashes."  

"You must be joking" replied the partner, "as if the King is greater than the humble cart-man". The king understood their conversation and became thoughtful.

"Who is this cart-man?"  The king thought carefully. "How could he earn more merit than me?” The King felt restless and could not sleep. Next morning, when the king woke up he called his ministers and told them about the bird talk he had overheard.

"Now go and search for this cart- man" the King ordered, "He is the most pious of all men." A big search was done to locate the cart-man.  Many days passed and finally they were told by a peasant that the cart-man lived in their village. All the king’s men then saw a poor cart driver. He was sitting on the ground and engaged in his own thought. "Our king wishes to meet you" said the king’s men. "Well, here I am," said the cart-man, without moving from his place. "The king can come here if he wants to see me." The attendants were surprised. "What does our king want from this man?" The king was happy to hear that the cart-man was found. He decided to see the cart-man in his village. The King took with him some army men and some gold jewellery. When the King reached there, he introduced himself and said, "I have heard a great deal about you. I am told that you are one of the rarest Brahman."

The king told the cart-man "I will give you all that you desire, and in return you give me the supreme knowledge of Brahman."The cart-man smiled, and told the king, "Oh king! The knowledge of Brahman cannot be purchased. You are not yet ready to receive the supreme knowledge. Go home." The sad king returned to his palace. He was sad, always wondering, "What do I lack?" His sadness and sincere anxiety to know Brahman, made him humble. His ego disappeared. The King became a different person. He decided to go to the cart-man once again. Upon reaching the cart-man the king requested to impart him the knowledge of Brahman. "Enlighten me" the king cried out "I have no peace. Your knowledge has more richness than my kingdom. This time the cart man saw that the king had lost all his pride. There was true desire for knowledge.  He picked up the king and said, "I bless you, O honest king. All the knowledge that is mine is yours as well." The king could realize that the cart man was poor but rich by knowledge.