Stories from VEDANTA

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.”

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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.