Page 95 - Kailaspati: Paramhans Hansdevji Avadhoot

Within days, the King translated his wish into reality. Casting aside his empire, his queen, his son and everything, he began to live in a desolate but holy place on the bank of a river, far away from his empire. None accompanied him, no one was allowed to meet him, not even those who wished to. he took no clothes, food-stuff or money with him. he used to go begging once a day and used to cook with whatever he got by way of alms which he ate in the afternoon. The rest of his time, he remained in deep meditation. he used to use his hand as his dish and took shelter under a tree.
Devoted as he was for a good many days, he had his heart and soul purified. he then realised that an emperor is one who is self-content and who is sans (without) desires and physical needs and that one who knows no fear is even superior to a King. he is indeed the King of all kings. he also realised in his heart of hearts, happiness is in giving and not in having. This is how he spent his days.
The Kings under the Emperor wanted to meet him. But they learnt that their Emperor had taken to the life of a Fakir after having given up everything for good. They however did not know that their Emperor had been living in a solitary place. On enquiry, they came to learn about the fact. The Kings desired to meet their Emperor and to see how the sovereign Emperor had been living all alone in a forest. in order not to disturb his meditation without any prior permission, they sent an old and wise envoy to their Emperor. The Emperor consented.
One afternoon when the Emperor was about to take his food, cooked in an earthen pot, he saw the Kings approaching him. Leaving aside his meal, he accorded a welcome to all of them. Meanwhile, seeing the Emperor and others present there, a dog made away with the container. Everyone’s notice was drawn to it. Even when the dog was running past him, he saw it and laughed a little. all the Kings present felt really sorry for it. They knew that a Fakir does not go begging twice a day and that he would remain starving. But what made the Emperor laugh made them curious. On enquiry, he said, “When i used to wallow in luxury in my domestic life, one crore of donkeys were engaged to carry provisions and reinforcement for me. and now only one dog, in my
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