Page 139 - Kailaspati: Paramhans Hansdevji Avadhoot

Twelfth Taranga
in order to make us understand ‘who is free’, ‘who is in chains’, ‘who is a real King’ and ‘who is an ideal subject?’, Baba told us a story: Once a King went out hunting in a nearby forest. There in the forest was a sage, seated under a tree. seeing the sage, the King said, “Who are you?” The sage said, “Who are you, please?” in reply the King said, i am a Badshah (i.e. a King)”. On hearing this, the sage said, “i am the Shahenshah (i.e. the Emperor)”. The King said, “how could you be the Shahenshah? had you been so, you could have had many an attendant, guard and soldier with you. Besides, you have no gorgeous dress on and you seem to have no money with you. so how are you then the Shahenshah?” The sage in reply said, “Guards and soldiers are required when one has an enemy. i have no enemy at all. People put on rich robes out of love for fancy. i am without any hobby or fancy. and as for money, why should i be in need of money? i have no expenses, i need no article for my use. in fact, i am in need of nothing.” On hearing these words, the King said, “in fact, one who has no enemy, no fancy or hobby or no expenses is Shahenshah indeed.”
Baba then added:
चाह गई सचंता गई, मिमें िहह प्रवाह जीस मिमें संतधोष है, वधो है शहेिशाह
cāha gaī ciṃtā gaī, manameṃ nahi pravāha jīsa manameṃ saṃtoṣa hai, vo hai śahenaśāha
That day, sadhubaba told us another story. Once at night two thieves came across each other. initial introduction over, the first one asked the other, “Which things do you steal?” in reply, the other said, “Whatever is left behind by mistake by the farmers in the course of their work in the field, is stolen by me.” On hearing about stealing of such petty things, the first one said, “What a fool you are! Why are you so obsessed with those insignificant things? Let us go to the Palace of the King and there you will see many
Third Volum: wmoftd TiTanT 117