Stories, Insights, and the Philosophy of Life

Stories, Insights, and the Philosophy of Life

India has been a land of timeless stories, and storytelling has held a profound place in Indian culture. The Indian tradition places a significant emphasis on the art of storytelling as a means of passing down knowledge from one generation to the next. It’s a shared belief that stories hold the power to influence lives, and it’s rare to encounter an Indian whose life hasn’t been touched by the stories passed down through their families. Let me share with you one such story I’ve heard. Over the years, I’ve come to understand its deeper meaning.

The Story

In a distant and prosperous kingdom, there lived a man. He was renowned as the mightiest warrior the land had ever witnessed, with tales of his battlefield valour echoing far and wide. His legendary courage and unwavering resolve in the face of conflict led to his appointment as the commander-in-chief of the king's army. His elevated position bestowed upon him the finest luxuries, wealth, servants, and a magnificent palace in which he resided with his beautiful wife.

Each morning, at the break of dawn, the general would engage in the practice of warfare in the courtyard of his palace while his wife observed from a concealed balcony above. This daily ritual persisted for years, and each day, the general emerged victorious in his make-believe war games. No one in the kingdom or vicinity could challenge the general, and his reputation continued to soar. Every day, as he trained, his wife silently watched. When he emerged victorious, she thanked God earnestly and took immense pride in being the consort of such a remarkable man. Life couldn’t have been more beautiful.

Until one fateful day...

The wife was shocked to see her husband defeated during his daily exercises one morning. When he returned to his chambers, dishevelled, she inquired about what had gone wrong. He offered no response and carried on with his daily routine. The wife initially dismissed this incident, attributing it to a possible lapse in her husband’s health. However, doubt began to gnaw at her from within. The following day, she anxiously awaited her husband’s training, her optimism tinged with uncertainty. As she anticipated, her husband faced defeat once more. In her concern for his well-being and reputation, the wife confronted him repeatedly but received no explanation.

This pattern persisted for days on end. The wife, genuinely worried for her husband, continued to press him with the same question each day. Then, one day, the general yielded to his wife’s relentless inquiries. He confided in her, revealing that the king had summoned him to his private chambers many months ago. On his way there, he passed the royal swimming pool, where he beheld the king’s daughter, the princess, swimming. He confessed that he had never seen such beauty in his life. From that day forward, the image of the princess swimming etched itself into his memory, resisting all efforts to erase it. He was deeply embarrassed to harbour such thoughts, especially when he had a loyal, devoted wife like her. This inner turmoil left him feeling guilty and unable to concentrate on his training, thus resulting in his continuous defeats.

This revelation surprised the general's wife, yet she felt empathy for her husband. His reputation was founded on honour and self-discipline, and his willingness to admit his faults and feel remorse was a testament to his honesty and the need for help. She resolved to assist her husband in overcoming this predicament. She asked him how she could be of assistance, and he confessed his strong desire to be with the princess. However, he recognized the ethical dilemma of such an affair, given his marriage and the king’s likely displeasure. The wife contemplated this moral quandary and responded, “My lord, I love you, and whatever brings you happiness and peace is my utmost desire. Your assumption that the king would disapprove of this affair is correct, and you could not reach the princess alone. She requested time to devise a solution to their predicament.

A few days later, she approached the general with her plan. They decided to exile themselves from the kingdom and settle in a distant place. She would then return to the kingdom and become a servant to the princess. She would work diligently, gaining the princess’s trust and subtly alluding to the deep love someone held for her. Once she had the princess’s trust, she would arrange for a meeting at a designated location where the general could rendezvous with her. This plan would fulfil her husband’s wish while allowing her to witness his contentment and peace.

Though the plan seemed almost too fantastical to be true, the general’s situation was not improving, and he reluctantly agreed to it. The couple fled the kingdom. After several days of travel, they stumbled upon an old, dilapidated temple, where they decided to rest. The wife saw this as an opportunity for her husband to pass the time while she returned to the kingdom to initiate the second phase of their plan. The general gazed at the rundown temple, uncertain about how to occupy himself during her absence.

She assured him that he could look after the temple, which would keep him occupied. She encouraged him to contemplate what he cherished most. With these words, she left.

Following her plan, she returned to the kingdom and became a servant to the princess. She patiently earned the princess’s trust through years of loyal service. Gradually, she hinted at someone's love for the princess. The princess, intrigued but cautious, was not yet convinced by the words of a servant.

The general’s wife understood that this endeavour would take time.

And it did take time. After many years of devoted service, the general’s wife finally gained the unreserved trust of the princess. The princess's curiosity about the person who loved her so deeply had piqued by now. She agreed to accompany her servant to the temple, where this mysterious admirer awaited. Overjoyed by the prospect of her dedication and hard work bearing fruit, both women set out for the temple.

Upon reaching their destination, the general’s wife was astounded to find that the once-decrepit temple now appeared rejuvenated. Trees now surrounded the temple, with meticulously arranged flower beds filled with the most fragrant blossoms. Birds had built their nests in the trees, filling the air with their joyful chirping. In this lush, vibrant setting, the temple gleamed like a diamond amidst a coal mine. As the two women ascended the temple steps, they encountered a man seated in deep meditation in one corner. The general’s wife recognized him as her husband, though he now sported long, flowing hair and a beard, with a countenance radiating a saintly aura.

She approached him and whispered, “My lord, I have fulfilled my promise. The princess, whose beauty captivated you, I have brought her to you.” The general, his eyes still closed and his serene countenance undisturbed, replied, “Whom are you talking about? I have seen the most beautiful thing in the world. There is nothing more that I wish to see.”

Interpreting the Story

This story serves as a powerful medium for conveying profound ideas, reflecting the age-old Indian tradition of using narratives to impart complex philosophical and religious concepts and moral teachings. A skilled storyteller, much like a magician, weaves a vivid narrative, leaving the interpretation to the listener’s imagination. The story's essence is rooted in Hindu philosophy.

At first glance, the story might seem to lack a satisfying conclusion. However, a deeper examination reveals the core of Hindu religious ideology, emphasizing that “God is found in everything, provided we concentrate hard enough to find Him/Her.”

Hinduism teaches that the soul continuously seeks to unite with the creator, but its connection with the physical body limits it. The material world often clouds the mind's ability to connect with God. This is the fundamental theme of the story. The general, entrusted with the temple's care and contemplation, accidentally embarks on a path to self-realization. The physical act of tending to the temple quiets his mind, while his love for the princess occupies his thoughts. This process mirrors transcendental meditation, where practitioners focus on a single object to still their wandering minds. Over the years, the general’s dedication to both physical activity and meditation has transformed him into a calm and composed individual, ultimately enabling him to transcend the thoughts of the princess and reach a state of spiritual enlightenment. His proclamation, “I have seen the most beautiful thing in the world, there is nothing more that I wish to see,” reflects the story’s true message.

Yet the story holds more layers of meaning. Deeper exploration and introspection lead to a richer interpretation, showcasing the inherent beauty of Hindu philosophy and its teaching stories.

On a philosophical level, the story depicts the continuous battle within the human mind. The story’s characters and activities symbolize aspects of real life. The kingdom symbolizes the material world, abundant and opulent, providing every material luxury to the general public.

The general embodies the human soul—strong, powerful, and technically adept. The soul, bound to the physical body, perpetually pursues a goal defined within the context of the material world. While it possesses the ability to attain these material objectives, the true calling of the soul is different, creating a disconnect between its pursuits and its ultimate purpose.

The princess symbolizes the ultimate goal—the union with God and eternal peace. Even a mere glimpse of this transcendent state can redirect the soul from its current material pursuits and guide it toward enlightenment. This is the intense love, desire, and longing that the general experiences upon encountering the princess.

In the story, the wife represents the human intellect, a constant companion to the soul, much like a devoted spouse. The intellect is dedicated to the soul’s objectives, working to fulfil its desires. Without the wife's dedication and effort, achieving anything would be impossible. This illustrates that the soul and intellect must work together to attain enlightenment. However, the soul itself must provide the impetus for this journey, as the intellect, like a blindfolded horse, will follow its guidance.

The temple in the story serves as a metaphor for the heart. The vicissitudes of the material world have wounded and tarnished the heart, as symbolized by the dilapidated temple. The princess, embodying the light of spiritual enlightenment and peace, must liberate and cleanse the heart of its impurities to achieve the ultimate goal of enlightenment. The process of tending to the temple symbolizes the dedication and perseverance required to cleanse the heart and restore it to its original state. Just as it takes time for the heart to deteriorate, it also takes years of unwavering commitment to restore it. This task falls to the human soul—precisely what the general undertakes in the story.

Therefore, achieving all conditions leads to the ultimate goal of enlightenment. This is the story's profound message.

In essence, this tale encapsulates the timeless wisdom of Hindu philosophy, reminding us of the eternal battle within the human mind, the importance of a harmonious partnership between the soul and intellect, and the transformative journey that leads to spiritual enlightenment. It invites readers to seek the profound truth that “God is found in everything, provided we concentrate hard enough to find Him/Her.”