The story who formed my being....

The readers of this blog must have realized this by now that my father has a strong impact on my life. He possess a very special place in my life and whatever I think and convey has some of his input and some of his shade. He is the only person in my life who has played unlimited number of roles for me. He has not only been a father but also a teacher, friend, philosopher, guide, secret-sharer, mood-en lightener, story-teller, inspirer, motivator, charioteer of my life-chariot, and Jupiter of my sky. There are many other beautiful pieces of our relation but the most prominent bridge that connects me and him is ideals, values, philosophies and lessons. I have grown up listening to his stories from my childhood. Of course some of them are extremely philosophical and spiritual but some of them are practical too with always a lesson at the end. They are.. from my childhood when I was 4 years old..till date.I would like to share one of them with the readers which holds the most important place among all the stories. This story marked the school of thought I follow and formed my being. I would also like to let you know if you are not a person who like to bear philosophies, do not read. Please read only if you have some place for philosophy and spirituality in your life.

Long back, there was a king who used to rule a state. He was very righteous, kind and unbiased ruler. Everyone used to feel secure and equal under the shade of his supremacy. He used to disguise himself and roam around his state's streets and markets to know if anyone is in need or despair. One day, after disguising himself, he went to the main market. It was a busy day in the market and he was walking around when he saw an old and poor woman selling something. The woman was very weak and looked like she was starving from days. She had a basket full of garbage with her which she was trying to sell, and everyone passing around was making fun of her because of that.The king decided to help her. He went to her and asked" Mother, what are you selling?"..."I am selling my poverty, son. I am a poor woman and I haven't eaten anything for so many days. I didn't have anything left in my house so I decided to collect the garbage of my house and sell it" She replied. The king felt bad that under his reign, someone doesn't have anything to eat. He bought her basket of garbage and gave her some money. She blessed her and left. After making some more rounds of market and helping people, he returned to his palace and ordered his guards to keep the basket in his treasury.

Later that night after having dinner, the king was spending time on the terrace of his palace. Suddenly, he saw a lady wearing bright clothes walking out of his treasury and leaving. He rushed to her and asked " Who are you? Why did you walk out of my treasury?"..." I am Lakshmi, the goddess of Wealth. You have given shelter to poverty in your treasury where I was residing till date. Now, there is no place for me so I am leaving. Poverty and wealth can't stay together." She said. The king let her go.

After some time, he saw one more lady with bright clothes walking out of his treasury. He followed her and asked " Who are you? Why are you leaving my place?" " I am Shakti, the goddess of Power. You invited poverty at your place and because of it, the goddess of wealth left. Wealth brings power and I am not able to stay here any more." She replied to the king. He let her go also.

Some time later, he saw one more lady walking out of his palace this time. He approached her also and asked the same question.She said." I am goddess of Fortune. Without goddess of power and wealth, there is no sense with me staying here any more. Fortune always stays with power and wealth around her. With me walking out now, your kingdom has no future as you let go the supremos who were protecting your state from evils. " The king didn't say any word and let her go.

When he was returning back to his palace, a man with a glow on his face and bright clothes was walking out of his palace. The king walked towards him and asked his question. He replied..." I am Dharma, the god of righteousness, truth and virtue. I am leaving you now. All the predominant gods have left your place and I believe I am the only one left here. I will also have to go where others are. "

The king leaned down to his feet and folded his hands and said" No my lord, I can't let you go with others. To follow Dharma only, I bought the old woman's poverty. My dharma as a king tells me to take care of my people, help them in their time of need, look after and protect them. It is only for Dharma I decided to let go all the supremos from my state. If you also leave, then whatever I have done to the old woman and to my people so far has no meaning and no justification. I will accept destitution, calamity and misfortune...but I am not ready to leave Dharma. I am sorry I can't let you go. I request you to return back to my palace." Lord Dharma returned back.

After few hours, when the king was about to go to sleep, he saw all the three goddesses coming back to him. He asked them the reason. They told" Without Dharma, we don't have a path or a direction. It is only dharma who leads our way. He is the beginning, journey and the destination of our being. We are directionless with not having him around and our whole existence can't be justified. We would not leave your kingdom and will return where we belong. " The king sought their blessings and went happily to his palace.

When my father finished this story, I couldn't make much sense out of it. I was only 5 years old then. But over the years, I have realized the true meaning of this story and the lesson. My father asks me often" What is it that you can't let go? Ask yourself." And I remember the story...... always......every moment....