Parables of Rama
by Swami Rama Tirtha | 102,836 words
Stories in English used by Swami Rama to illustrate the highest teaching of Vedanta. The most difficult and intricate problems of philosophy and abstract truths, which may very well tax the brains of the most intellectual, are thus made not only simple and easy to understand but also brought home to us in a concrete form in such an interesting and ...
Story 215 - The maid servant who sought nothing but king's grace
On his birthday, a King ordered his servants and others to ask for anything and they would be granted the same. Some wanted money, some desired emoluments, promotions etc and as promised, the King granted all their requests. But he noticed a maid-servant with dirty clothes, standing with a sorry face in one of the corners of his palace. The King was surprised to see her in such a condition. He drew her attention to the fact that his birthday rejoicings were being held everywhere and that all his employees were happy. He asked her the reason of her being indifferent to all those happy celebrations. He then asked her as well to be happy and to demand from him anything which she may like.
The maid-servant said, 'Yes, my lord, I will surely demand something from you. But, I am afraid, you may not be in a position to grant my request.'
The King assured her that her demand would be fulfilled without fail. Let her only speak out her desire.
The maid-servant, then, asked the King to extend his hand, she caught hold of it and said, 'Your Majesty, I only want your hand in my marriage. I do not want anything else. I hope, your Majesty will honour your word most willingly.'
The King was taken aback, but having already confirmed his promise, he had no option but to keep-up his words. He married her.
Similarly, we should ask from God nothing but God Himself. If God is ours, the entire pleasure of His Universe is ours. There remains nothing to be desired. We should, therefore, demand from God Himself. This is the way for fulfillment of all the desires, if any. They, whose all the desires are fulfilled, get the real peace in life. Seek God and be happy and peaceful.