Sunday, December 11, 2011

The King Develops Faith

Sham S. Misri

There was a king, who was cruel, and, had no faith in saintly or godly people. Once, he fell very ill. All the royal doctors were called but he remained confined to bed. His illness deepened. One night, as the king slept, he had a dream. In the dream he saw a holy man appear  before him who said, " All is not well in your kingdom. Everyone has become very selfish, and the people are annoyed. Common people fight in the name of  religion, caste, and creed. A king is responsible for these  ills affecting his country. That is why you've fallen so."

The king promised the holy man that he would look into the affairs of the kingdom with care as soon he felt better. Then the holy man told him that he could be well if he ate some leaves of Tulsi (basil).But, the leaves had to  be given to him by a sacred man who had faith and worshipped God for many years.

When the king woke, he gave orders to the ministers to find such a holy man of faith.
They reached a temple. In the temple  a holy priest had worshipped God for many years. The king’s ministers sent messengers to bring the holy man to the king. The holy man , refused and said that he was bound by his vow not to leave the temple. The only way out was to bring the king to the temple.

This message was given to the king, and, the King set off in a chariot along with many people. As they reached the temple, there was a storm. They halted under a tree, and, a saint  came that way. The saint asked these people where they were going. The king told him the reason behind his journey, and about his illness. The saint boldly replied that the king would be cured if he had faith on the holy man of the temple. The king went  inside the temple and asked the holy man to treat him. The holy man gave the king some sacred Tulsi leaves to eat. Then the king left. The king ate these Tulsi leaves and within days was hale and hearty. From that time onwards the king developed faith, and, treated his people well.

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