Intelligence

In ancient India, there was a unique kingdom which had its own unique rule. In this kingdom, anyone could become the King and rule - assisted by Ministers , informed capable ministers and officers, any person could discharge his duties and also enjoy all the powers and privileges of a King. He could rule the kingdom for five years.

The catch was that, after enjoying power for five years, he would be banished from the kingdom and sent to a huge forest at the periphery of the kingdom. This forest was so huge and difficult that this person could never escape. He could not go to the other side nor could he come back to the kingdom. There was a very wide and deep river, with all kinds of crocodiles and sharks between the forest and this kingdom. So the chosen person after finishing his tenure as a kind would have to live in the wild forest, infested with wild animals. That meant certain death.

Every citizen alone had to decide whether to become the King or not. When one looked only at the enjoyments, one felt like becoming the King. But, when one thought about the later situation, one did not feel like. So, many did not desire to become the King. But, some people became King and decided to enjoy thoroughly. They enjoyed all the advantages during those years. But, what happened was, as the fifth year approached, they were mentally in the forest only. As the final days came closer and closer, they became tense; became worried; and on the last day, they pleaded with the ministers - 'can you extend it for one more day?’. Or, 'why do you send me to the forest? Why cannot you give me a small place in some corner of the Kingdom?' - they used to plead and scream.

But, the ministers were very strict with the rule. On the last day, even as the King screamed, the boatmen took the King across the river to the forest. This went on for long.

Then came an intelligent King. He also ruled the Kingdom very well, thoroughly enjoying all the benefits of a King. But they found this King was a unique and different one; because, when the fifth year came, unlike all other Kings, this King was thoroughly enjoying himself. He did not seem to worry about the terrible forest. They were all surprised. They did not know the secret. And came the last day. Generally, on the last day, the King will plead with the ministers. But this King did not do any such thing. In fact, he was thanking all the ministers and saying 'good bye'. When he came out, the boatmen came to drag him, as with others. But, this King said, 'do not touch me. I am coming by myself. Why should you drag me?' The boatmen were surprised!

The King got into the boat and continued to be very, very cheerful. The boatmen could not resist their curiosity and so asked, 'how come you are so cheerful?' The King answered, 'I knew that anyway after five years I will be sent away to the forest. But, when I was the King, I had all the powers. So, during those five years - while I enjoyed the kingdom and its powers - I made a small Kingdom carved out of the huge forest. I used those five years to make another Kingdom, where everything has been set. Buildings are there. Even people who wanted to migrate to that Kingdom have been sent. Its Constitution also has been framed. Ministers are there. Officials are there. And this new Kingdom will have a new King. Do you know who it is? It is myself! Because I have made the Kingdom, who else will be the King? Therefore, I am entering this new Kingdom. And I am going to be coronated tomorrow. All my new ministers will now be waiting to welcome me!"

The END

Discussion Points

• the wise KIng knew that eventually he would have to retire to the forest so her prepared for that from day one. He created a small new kingdom for himself while he enjoyed his tenure as the king.

• Intelligence is in  preparing for the future while enjoying the present Kingdom. Every human being is like a King of that Kingdom. Human being is given a Kingdom, called the kingdom of youth. During which time, we have got all the powers. All the privileges. All independence. We have got physical strength. Fitness. All faculties are at our disposal. We can thoroughly enjoy. We can do whatever we want to. But, for maybe 20 or 30. But, after a few years of this youth, every human being will be banished. Banished means, what? We will lose the Kingdom, called youth. And, we will be banished into the huge forest. The forest is called Old age- in which we will lose all our powers. Our privileges. Our faculties. Everything will be lost. And there will be all kinds of wild animals - in the form of degenerative diseases. We do not know which wild animal will attack from which direction; and, whether we will survive the attack or not!

• Since everyone will have to face old age, we all have got a choice. We can be like the unintelligent Kings of our Kingdom, thoroughly enjoy the youth and we than enter the forest with a fearful mind; or, we can be like the intelligent king of the story. We are so intelligent that we can thoroughly enjoy the youth and at the same time we can prepare for the old age, by converting that also into a Kingdom, so that, instead of being fearful of it, we can be cheerful!

• ‘What should be the preparation?' “And when should the preparations start? Remember, it took the King 5 years to build the Kingdom. Therefore, for us the preparation should start when? When we are young! STORY CREDIT: This story is taken from lecture by Swami Chinmayananda. Please visit https://www.chinmayamissionmumbai.com/ for more such lectures.