When we have an intense desire for something or someone, we lose our reasoning power and common sense. We attach features and qualities which do not exist to the object of our desire. We are so infatuated with imaginary features of the object of our desire that we make a laughing stock of ourselves. We can see this commonly when we are attracted to a member of the opposite sex and are infatuated with the person. Our friend and family wonder as to what we see in that person whom we consider as the ultimate. This holds true for any object of desire, which may be a car, a dog, a pen, the latest model of the cell phone, a particular dress or jewel. We wonder why others do not appreciate our choice or our desire for it. We fail to see that desire has put blinkers on us and we are not able to see reality. This lesson is taught well by Tenali Raman in the story below:
Raja Krishnadeva Raya ruled over Vijaynagar Kingdom. He was a good king and worked for the welfare of his subjects. But nevertheless, he was the King and could not tolerate being crossed out nor corrected by anyone. Once, the King dreamt of a palace. It was beautiful and artistically designed and floated in the air. It moved from place to place as per the wishes of the owner.
Suddenly the King woke up with a start and the dream shattered. But the dream palace haunted him. So he summoned his ministers and courtiers and told them about it. No one dared to laugh at the King. All of them made the right noises and comments and praised the King and the magnificent floating palace. Then the King made a public announcement: Anyone who makes such a palace for me will be given a fee of a hundred thousand gold coins!
The ‘yes’men at the court woke up when they heard the announcement. Had the King become mad? How was it possible to build a floating palace? But they did not dare to tell the King that his desire was absurd and that he had become insane. After a few days, some senior minsters and well wishers met the King privately and informed him that it was not possible to build such a palace and it existed only in dreams. But the King had lost his reasoning power. The intensity of desire for the palace made him insist that it was possible to build it and that it would be built at any cost. He threatened the ministers and well wishes with dire consequences if they did not produce an architect who could design his dream palace.
All the ministers were worried and they approached Tenali Raman for help in convincing the King about the futility of his desire. Tenali Raman was a favourite of the King and also a minister at the court. He was a great scholar, philosopher and a man of wit and wisdom. He was of common sense and practicality. He agreed to help them out.
A few days later, an old man came to the King’s court seeking justice. Because of his advanced years, he could barely walk. The King asked him what his problem was and promised him justice. The old man cried bitterly. All of his savings had been looted. He had nothing left. The King was very angry. He asked the old man to name the culprit and promised to hang him unto death. The old man hesitated and then said he would name the person provided the King assured him that he would not punish him. After the King gave his assurance, the old man said: Your Majesty, you were the thief!
The King turned red with rage but recalled his promise. The old man spoke out: Sire, last night, I dreamt that you came with your court of ministers and looted me of five thousand gold coins. I have lost all my life savings!
The King could not contain his anger. He roared at the old man in anger: You old fool! How can you pretend that what you saw in a dream is real? Dreams are not true. They come and go in sleep.
The old man replied: Sire, dreams are true. If your dream of a palace hanging in air can come true, why can’t my dream come true? The old man stripped off his wig and beard and showed his true self. It was the King’s favourite minister – Tenali Raman. He bowed before the King and said: O Nobel Sire, forgive me. But I could not see any other way of convincing you. The King burst out laughing and remarked that Tenali was very shrewd and wise.
The only way to live a life of commonsense, peace and balance is through mantra japa of SitaRam and meditation. Following the teachings of the Guru shows us the way to overcome intense desires for material things and balance our lives with divine love and bliss.
