Life's mantra

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 Kings 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 paper under his diamond ring.

Some time later, the neighbors attacked the Kingdom. The 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 in to it he would be finished and he could not return because it had enemy. 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. He remembered the message hidden in the ring. He opened the paper and read the message. The message was – this too shall pass.

The King read it. Again read it. Suddenly something stick 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 its pleasure were 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 had moved in to some other part of the mountain and were not 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. Every one was in festive mood. Flowers were being showered on the King from every house, from every corner. People were dancing and singing. For a moment, the King said to himself, I am one of the bravest and greatest kings. 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 opened 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.

One is just a witness of change. Experience it, understand it, and enjoy the present moment…..this too shall pass.