Golden Steps To Salvation

Author(s): Padmasagarsuri
Publisher: Arunoday Foundation

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In the same manner, we too should discard our passions thinking that life is only a drama in which we have to play our roles and then exit from the stage of life.
Another means of attaining detachment is to be constantly aware that we are going to die. Emperor Bharata's detachment was based on this kind of contemplation. One day, Lord Rishabhadeva praised his detachment in his discourses.
The next day a goldsmith was telling people, “A father is praising his son; what wonder is there?" These words fell on the ears of the King who happened to be passing by in disguise. On the third day the goldsmith was summoned to the court. The minister gave him a golden vessel containing oil and said, "Take this in both your hands, go round the city and come back. Even if a single drop of oil falls to the ground, your head will be cut off. If the entire oil is safe in the vessel, the vessel will be given to you as a reward."
The goldsmith set out carrying the vessel. According to the order of the minister, at various places in the City, dances and musical concerts had been arranged. But, the goldsmith returned to the King's palace without allowing even a single drop of the oil to fall any where.
The minister, giving the vessel to him as a reward said, “You criticized the Emperor. It is only to give you an answer that this trouble has been given to you. Just as on account of the fear of death all your attention was concentrated on the golden vessel containing oil, the constant contemplation of death keeps him detached from life. That is why Rishabhadev who had discarded all passions, praised him. It was not praise given to a son but to an Emperor who is free from all attachments."
The goldsmith delighted by the event, went away.
Here is an example of another King by name Janaka. He was called Videhi (the bodiless one) because of his detachment. One day, his minister asked him, "Oh, Lord! Though you have a body why are you known as a