King in Distress

Once a king called upon all of his wise men and asked them, " Isthere 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 King's 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, if the King
finds himself alone and there seems to be no way, only then he can
see it. The King put the small piece of paper under his diamond ring.

Some time later, the neighbours attacked the Kingdom. 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 into it, he would be finished...and he could not
return because it was a small road...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, and
he remembered the message hidden in the ring. He removed the paper
and read the message. The message was - " THIS TOO SHALL PASS"

The King read it . Again read it. Suddenly something struck 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 his pleasure have 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.
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. Everyone was in a festive mood.
Flowers were being showered on King from every house, from every
corner. People were dancing and singing. For a moment 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 ego
emerging in him.

Suddenly the diamond of his ring flashed in the sunlight and reminded
him of the message. He open 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.

Now as you have read this story, just sit silently and evaluate your
own life. This too will pass. Think of the moments of joy and victory
in your life. Think of the moment of sorrow and defeat. Are they
permanent ? They all come and pass away. Life just passes away. There
is nothing permanent in this world. Every thing changes except the law
of change. Think over it from your own perspective. You have seen all
the changes. You have survived all setback , all defeats and all
Sorrows. All have passed away.The problems in the present, they too
will pass away. Because nothing remains forever. Joy and sorrow are
the two faces of the same coin. They both will pass away.

You are just a witness of change.
Experience it, understand it, and enjoy the present moment -
this too shall pass!