Bondage and Freedom

Author(s): Chitrabhanu
Publisher: Divine Knowledge Society

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petty king, Koshalraj was indeed great, for he cared more for the physical and moral welfare of his people than for power and glory. He believed in love, compassion, friendliness, forgiveness; he preached these virtues and practised them, so that his people had the highest admiration for him. A man of such virtues cannot but influence others around him. Not only his own people but those of the neighbouring kingdom praised him and expressed their devotion for him. Virtue is like an inner fragrance; not only he who has it, but all those who come in contact with him can breathe this fragrance. And so it was that people from far and near, were uplifted by his moral influence.
Kashiraj, his neighbour, was soon filled with envy. He thought it was most unjust that his subjects should sing praises of Koshalraj who, after all, was a petty king. He was too dense to realize that people respected Koshalraj for the greatness of his soul. Blind with fury, Kashiraj determined to teach him a lesson, to humble him before all. He gathered a large army and marched upon his neighbour's kingdom.
Koshalraj guessed the reason of this uncalled for attack. It could not be that the mighty Kashiraj coveted his little kingdom. It was because he was jealous of the love and devotion that people showed him. He knew, too, that his people would soon be overpowered and slaughtered. It was his duty to avoid this unnecessary bloodshed. The friendliness and
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