Bondage and Freedom

Author(s): Chitrabhanu
Publisher: Divine Knowledge Society

Page 32

His simplicity, his magnanimity could have moved a heart of stone. The whole court rose to its feet and burst into a thunderous applause of “Long live Koshalraj! God bless our King and Father!”
Kashiraj got down from his throne of gold and stood humbly before Koshalraj in his tattered clothes. "Forgive me," he said, “Forgive me for all my meanness, for all my cruelty to you. I was blind with jealousy, but the scales have fallen from my eyes and now I can see you for what you are. You are God's messenger to mankind. You have been sent to enlighten us, to show us the path of virtue. I can now understand why your people are so devoted to you and why I can never take your place in their hearts. It is because of your boundless love for them. Love begets love, and they love you with all their hearts. Love conquers all-even hatred and jealousy and enmity. I stand repentant before you and beg you to take back your kingdom, and let me go back to mịne.”
But Koshalraj would not accept this offer. He had renounced the world. He had no desire for wealth or power. However, he offered to stay, and work for the welfare of the people. To feed the hungry, to tend the sick, to console the bereaved, that would be his work till the end of his life. Kashiraj had to content himself with this. He knelt before Koshalraj and called him his guru and prayed to him for his blessings and guidance. A king may be great because of his
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