Once a king called upon all of his wise men and asked them, " Is there a
mantra or suggestion which works in every situation, in every circumstances,
in every place and in every time. In every joy, every sorrow, every defeat
and every victory? One answer for all questions? Something which can help me
when none of you is available to advise me? Tell me is there any mantra?"
All the wise men were puzzled by the King's question. They thought and
thought. After a lengthy discussion, an old man suggested something which
appealed to all of them. They went to the king and gave him something
written on paper, with a condition that the king was not to see it out of
curiosity.
Only in extreme danger, when the King finds himself alone and there seems to
be no way, only then he can see it. The King put the papers under his
Diamond ring.
Some time later, the neighbors attacked the Kingdom. King and his army
fought bravely but lost the battle. The King had to flee on his horse. The
enemies were following him. getting closer and closer. Suddenly the King
found himself standing at the end of the road - that road was not going
anywhere. Underneath there was a rocky valley thousand feet deep. If he
jumped into it, he would be finished.and he could not return because it was
a small road.the sound of enemy's horses was approaching fast. The King
became restless. There seemed to be no way.
Then suddenly he saw the Diamond in his ring shining in the sun, and he
remembered the message hidden in the ring. He opened the diamond and read
the message. The message was - " THIS TOO SHALL PASS"
The King read it . Again read it. Suddenly something struck him- Yes ! This
too will pass. Only a few days ago, I was enjoying my kingdom. I was the
mightiest of all the Kings. Yet today, the Kingdom and all his pleasure have
gone. I am here trying to escape from enemies. Like those days of luxuries
have gone, this day of danger too will pass. A calm came on his face. He
kept standing there. The place where he was standing was full of natural
beauty. He had never known that such a beautiful place was also a part of
his Kingdom.
The revelation of the message had a great effect on him. He relaxed and
forgot about those following him. After a few minutes he realized that the
noise of the horses and the enemy coming was receding. They moved into some
other part of the mountains and were near him.
The King was very brave. He reorganized his army and fought again. He
defeated the enemy and regained his empire. When he returned to his empire
after victory, he was received with much fanfare. The whole capital was
rejoicing in the victory.
Everyone was in a festive mood. Flowers were being showered on King from
every house, from every corner. People were dancing and singing. For a
moment King said to himself," I am one of the bravest and greatest King. It
is not easy to defeat me. With all the reception and celebration he saw an
ego emerging in him.
Suddenly the Diamond of his ring flashed in the sunlight and reminded him of
the message. He open it and read it again: "THIS TOO SHALL PASS".
He became silent. His face went through a total change - from the egoist he
moved to a state of utter humbleness. If this too is going to pass, it is
not yours. The defeat was not yours, the victory is not yours. You are just
a watcher. Everything passes by. We are witnesses of all this. We are the
perceivers. Life comes and goes. Happiness comes and goes. Sorrow comes and
goes.
Now as you have read this story, just sit silently and evaluate your own
life. This too will pass. Think of the moments of joy and victory in your
life. Think of the moment of Sorrow and defeat. Are they permanent ? They
all come and pass away.
Life just passes away. There is nothing permanent in this world. Every thing
changes except the law of change. Think over it from your own perspective.
You have seen all the changes. You have survived all setbacks, all defeats
and all sorrows. All have passed away. The problems in the present, they too
will pass away. Because nothing remains forever. Joy and sorrow are the two
faces of the same coin. They both will pass away.
You are just a witness of change. Experience it, understand it, and enjoy
the present moment - this too shall pass!
