Page 69 - Desire to Disaster

“Renounce all worldly relationships. Give up wealth, the
companionship of beautiful women, your home, your
profession, and the activities of preparing and cooking food.
Instead, practise alms for food and travelling on foot all the
time. Study and meditate upon the scriptures all day. Practise
penance. Lead the life of a seeker. This is the best way to rid
yourself of past karmas. This is our path too.”

The king was delighted to hear this! His perturbed mind was
becalmed by the thought that he could ameliorate his past
sins. He realised that he could fix his life. That there was
now a way out. He realised that if he did not change his
ways soon, he too would end up in naraka or nigoda and
suffer endlessly.

O reader, get away from the trap of sañsāra and begin your
journey on the path of self-control.

Although the king was convinced, he had a question that he
wanted answered. With folded hands, he respectfully asked,
“You had stated earlier that we were eating our own relative.
Why did you say that?”

The monk said, “Leave this topic, o king”.

The king insisted, “Please maharaj, please answer this
question. What is the problem?”

The monk said, “These is a problem. Disclosing someone’s
darkest secret is not appropriate.”

The king appealed, “O lord, if it has to do with us, there is
no problem in revealing it. Even if it is a personal secret, we
shall not be offended. We assure you of this. So please do
me a favour and tell us.”
Despite fervent declarations by the king, the monk hesitated
to reveal Sunanda’s secret.

Desire to Disaster 69