There is a popular criticism nowadays that religion has made India
passive , or worse , that it has turned her into a race of cowards. The story
of GITA is a fitting reply to that shallow criticism. And the following story
of Janaka and Shuka is a fine illustration of non-attached work.
JANAKA and SHUKA :
Vyasa , the great composer of the BRAHMA SUTRAS , a grand
study of all the wise sayings scatterd by the ancient sages in the different
Upanishads , had a son named Shuka. He taught his son everything he knew, so
that by the time the boy was a teenager he had already attained the knowledge
of a Brahman.
One’s own ideas
about spiritual truths must at some point be confirmed by the teachings of the
wise. This ensures that the spiritual aspirant has indeed reached the highest
state. When Shuka was a teenager , his father sent him to visit Janaka , the
king of Mithila , who was famous for his wisdom. Alone , Shuka undertook the
trek to Mithila to listen to Janaka’s sermons.
Janaka had an
intuition that Shuka was on his way to Mithila , and he made preparations
accordingly.
When Shuka reached
the palace of Janaka , the guards barely noticed him ; they offered him a seat
but nothing else. And there he sat for 3 days. Though he was the son of a
scholarly father, the palace staff showed no interest in him or his
credentials.
But suddenly, after a
few days , everything changed. The officials of the kingdom came to give Shuka
a grand welcome. They led the lad to a beautifully decorated , well-furnished
room. Now the teenager was an honoured guest , and for eight days he lived in
splendour. Then the officials came again and escorted him to the court of
Janaka.
But neither the
three days of neglect nor the eight days of pomp and circumstance could disturb
the serenity of Shuka. For, in his wisdom , he had gone beyond the customs ,
manners, and fashions of society.
As Janaka sat on his
throne , beautiful girls entertained the ministers and guests with dance and
music. It was in tht midst of much merriment that Shuka was presented to the
king. Janaka handed him a saucer of milk , full to brim. He asked him to walk
around the huge riotous room seven times holding the saucer , taking care not
to spill even a drop.
Obviously the boy
was asked to perform a very difficult feat. But Shuka passed the test. His mind
remained glued to the saucer of milk inspite of all the voluptuous
distractions. He returned to the king with the saucer full. Janaka was highly
pleased. He told the boy :
“My child , I am only repeating what you already know and
what your father has already told you when I say that you have attained the
sublime knowledge of Brahman. You have nothing more to learn.Please go back
home.”
......
Those who attain the highest knowledge have this kind of
non-attachment. Both Janaka and Shuka exemplified it. Whoever , be he a monk or
a house holder , wants to attain the knowledge of the ultimate has to undergo
this discipline. But non-attachment does not mean indifference. There must be
enthusiasm , and there must be perseverance. Success or failure must not make
one elated or dejected. Calmness of Mind should be maintained under all
circumstances. Even if we have a little of this renunciation and non-attachment
, our life will become more peaceful. Difficulties will come , Bereavements and
sorrows may confront us , but they will not overwhelm us. We will have the
power to overcome them and remain undisturbed.
