Crown to Consciousness

Once there was a king, kind, wealthy and living in comfort of his palace. His eye glimmered with innocence, his face always carried calm expression. He used to dress himself in soft fabric Angrakha and a Dupatta that flew with the wind. He used to wear his crown and adorn himself minimally so he could perform his task energetically. He always carried himself with grace and a rose in his hand. The king didn’t pay much attention advices he get from his advisor for they had always been around trying to teach him things. He was open hearted and so would follow his heart’s will. The king had loving relationship with Mahadev, his favourite God. Everyone loved him, some found him risk taker while others called him the foolish but everyone agreed he was great human. The King would spend his days doing admin work, talking with his friends about beautiful girls he could marry, eating fruits from his royal garden. Nothing was essentially missing from his life. The king was carefree because there was no other competition for him so he basically had nothing to lose.

One day, something unexpected had occurred in his beautiful village. The whole sky turned black with clouds and poured rain which otherwise would be sunny. The water in river was roaring and birds disappeared to seek shelter. The sound of thunder travelled to his palace where he was reading book. The royal messenger came, wet and shaking with his turned red. He said softly, “King, the flood has come in the kingdom - people have lost their lives, lost their homes, farm crops have got flooded. The scene outside the palace is hard to witness”. The King was taken aback. He realised he just lost his friends, adviser, supporters, etc. He was left thinking what to do. He couldn’t stand that a lot had come to end. He was in panic, crying and overwhelmed with emotions. He couldn’t accept that all these things had ended. The word spread fast and people in palace started to doubt him, call him names and incapable behind his back.

The king was true devotee of Shiva. He went to Mahadev’s Temple. He meditated and did Pooja as per the rituals. For days king was not sure what to do as the rain kept pouring. The king was heartbroken and sad. His hands shaking when he offered flowers to his lord. He didn’t show it but he felt the pain deeply. He felt like it was his fault and he failed at his duty both. On one afternoon, while meditating, Mahadev revealed to him that the title “KING” gave him power to do whatever he wanted and also ego. He was informed that if he was just another man he would have compassion or have rescued who he could. But because the title of king was so heavy on him he is unable to let it go and take action that can help. The king understood and bowed down to Mahadev, the Creator of all that is.

The king went to his kingdom and like a layman, he himself helped people with burial, last rites and extended emotional support to the grieving people. He helped people build broken house. He helped in bringing wood for fire, went to hunt, he talked young ones around him to do the same. He saw there was water flooded in some area and so he found nearest waste field and dug hole to harness the water. The king helped in all way he could.

Looking at his effort his people started to appreciate him but some would call him out for stooping low. Looking at the admiration he was receiving (something he wanted so desperately, because of his ego) he realised it’s trap for his soul. The king would smile and just do his work. He realised that his purpose was to rule, built and govern the village back up and this time so that floods can do no harm. He found builders who could raise the ground level, built walls to keep the river water in control something no one in that time knew. He didn’t care about others and their judgement because Mahadev has revealed to him that the title was heavy on him. He decided that this loss can happen but he can put mechanism in place that helps people escape in right time so lives are not lost. Seeing the death of his old life, he was reborn in many ways. He realised the temporary nature of life and lived for vision of creating safe space.

 After days, the water level dropped, the homes were built, the comments from people had vanished. the people first time saw the king as their King. The King realised that the pain of loss made him value of what he once got to enjoy but it also bring him chance to start new and built differently. He learned that he is someone capable of creating new structures in his life. He no longer hung out with his friends and spoke of beautiful women. He sat with people who would add value to his vision. He took fearless actions. He had already learnt that his ego is keeping him in confinement of what he thought was true potential of him. Yet something in him felt unresolved. He went to Mahadev!

He asked God furious, “Why did it end in the first place? I had to do a lot of work to get out of it. Was I not enough as I was?” The God smiled and said, “You are and will always be enough. But enough for what you want to be? Those who passed away? Enough for friends who spoke about Maya?” “Those who left gave you pain. Pain taught you to expand your potential as king, as man and as human. They didn’t leave because you were not enough. They left because you needed to learn that you are enough to do whatever you desire. They left because your desire to be taken seriously as king was not even known to you. They left so you learn what you want actually. Once you know what you want, I arranged all things for you to realise your desire. That desire led you to break free from Ego (Anhakar). You saw loss, it brought you down to earth. Once you were down, you found your way up to ladder again but this time I was holding your ladder. Cause you were building something you are capable of. So you are enough, you always were enough to realise that you are a King without needing any title.”

The tears of awareness ran down the king’s eyes.

Disclaimer

This is an original work by Starseed Apothecary. Any reproduction, adaptation, or distribution is strictly prohibited. This story is a work of creative expression and is not intended to depict historical or religious truth.