SAINTLY KING JANAKA – STORY
(Read somewhere. Rewritten by Rajan)
King Janaka was the king of Mithila and father of Sita Devi, the consort of Lord Rama.
He ruled without violating the dharma and he attained liberation even doing his assigned duty as a king. He is considered as the best example for performing our assigned duties while following devotion.
This incident proves his strict adherence of dharma:
A brahmana committed a serious offense in the court of Janaka.
(Read this story also: POOR BRAHMANA AND VAISHAK MONTH – STORY)
King Janaka ordered him to go out of his country.
The brahmana asked: “Dear King. Please tell me what is the border of your country so that I can crosss it and go”
King Janaka started to think:
“I think my country is spread all over the world”
After some time, he thought:
“No, No. My control is restricted to this Mithila”
After some time, he thought:
“Oh, My control is restricted to this Palace only”
He could not accept that also. He thought:
“Sorry, not even this palace. My control is only upto this body”
His thoughts did not stop with that.
“How can I say that I have my control over my body? Though I apply my control, this body will one day stop working. So, I have no control even over my body”
Now, he became clear. He thought:
“Oh, I have no control on anything around me, even on my body. How can I say my limits of control to this brahmana?”
Now, he spoke to that brahmana:
“Oh Brahmana, sorry. I don’t find anything in my control in this world. SO, I can not order you to go out of my control. This world is that of God. Nothing is mine. So, you can live anywhere you want, even in this Mithila itself.”
The brahmana asked:
“Oh King. Though you have this country to rule, you say that you have no control on anyone.How?”
King explained all his thoughts.
Now the brahmana disappeared. In his place the Dharma Devatha was standing.
She spoke:
“Oh King. I came as a brahmana just to test your adherence of dharma and to declare to this world. I have never seen a Brahma Nishta like you”
Then, she disappeared.
This is the reality of our position in this world. We own nothing. But, we are claiming ownership for everything. We always hesitate to help others in need with stone like heart.
When we leave, we will not take even a pin with us.
So, we too should follow dharma like the king Janaka.