On
one occasion, Emperor Parikshith fell at the feet of the Sage Suka and asked
for instruction on one point that was causing him dire doubt.
"Master! One riddle has
been worrying me since long. I know that you can solve it for me and that no
one else can. I have listened to the narratives of the lives of my forefathers,
from the earliest, the great Manu, down to those of my grandfathers and father.
I have studied these stories with care.
I
observe that in the history of every one of these, there is mention of Sages
(Rishis) attached to the monarch, some learned scholar-saints who are members
of the court, attending durbars and sharing the business of government!
What
is the real meaning of this amazing association of scholars (who have renounced
all attachments and desires, who have realized that the world is a shadow and a
snare and that the One is the only Reality) with kings and rulers playing
subordinate roles and counseling them when asked? Those revered elders will
not, I know, engage themselves in any activity without sufficient and proper
reasons. Their behavior will ever be pure and unsullied. But, this makes my
doubt unsolvable. Please enlighten me".
Suka
laughed at the question. He replied, "You have asked a fine question, no
doubt. Listen! The great sages and holy scholars will always be eager to share
with their fellowmen the truth they have grasped, the sanctifying experience they
have won, the elevating deed they have been privileged to perform, and the
Divine Grace they have been chosen to receive; they seek nearness to those who
are in charge of administration, those who are adepts in ruling over peoples,
with the intention to use them as instruments for establishing and ensuring
peace and prosperity on earth; they implant high ideals in their minds, and
holy ways of fulfilling them; they prompt the performance of righteous actions,
in accordance with just laws.
The
monarchs too invite and welcome the sages, seek out the scholars and plead with
them to be in their courts, so that they can learn from them the art of
government and act according to their counsel. The monarch was the master and
guardian of the people; so, they spent their days with him for the estimable
purpose of realizing, through him, the yearning of their hearts: "Lokaassamasthaah
Sukhino Bhavanthu - May all the Worlds be happy".
They
were eager to see happiness and peace spread over the world. Therefore, they
tried to equip the kings with all the virtues, fill them with all the moral
codes of discipline, arm them with all branches of learning, so that they may
rule the realm efficiently, wisely and with beneficial consequences to
themselves and their subjects.
There
were other reasons, too. Listen! Knowing that the
Granter of Joy to humanity, the Mentor of human morals, the Leader of the Solar
line, the Dweller in the Heaven of Eternal Bliss, will take birth in a royal
line, Sages who had the foresight to anticipate events, gained entry into the
durbars of rulers so that they may experience the bliss of contact with the
Incarnation, when It happens.
They
feared they may not get such access later, that they may miss the Bliss they
could well garner. So, they profited by their vision of the future and
established themselves in the royal capital, in the thick of the community,
longing for the Advent.
"To
this venerable group belonged Vasistha, Viswamitra, Garga, Agasthya and other
sages (rishis). They had no wants; they were monarchs of renunciation; they
sought nothing from any one. They were ever content.
Continued……
Love.
