Meditation and Enlightenment

Author(s): Chandraprabh
Publisher: Jityasha Foundation

Page 78

Stages of Trance : Solitude, Silence and Meditation/73
"Nothing will happen if there is only happiness, only joy around a person". The monk further said, "Open this talisman only when the clouds of misery overshadow you from all the sides, you become disappointed, and no path is left”. The monk gave the talisman to the emperor. Thereafter, the emperor used to remember the talisman now and then, and he felt like opening the talisman to read the ‘mantra'. But at the same time, he also remembered the condition laid down by the monk.
A very long time passed off. The emperor forgot the talisman. Unfortunately the ruler of a neighbouring Kingdom invaded the emperor's. The emperor fought bravely, but he was defeated and fled for life on the horseback. The enemy soldiers were following him on their horses. The emperor was running away fearfully listening to the hoof-beats of the enemy horses. At last the king reached the dead end of the way. He thought : 'What will happen now? I will be killed'. The enemy soldiers were closing in towards him on their horses. Suddenly, the emperor's palm fell on his arm, and he remembered about the talisman. The monk had told him to open the talisman and read the 'mantra' written within when he felt helpless from all sides. The emperor immediately opened the talisman, and read the 'mantra' therein. On the paper was written-'This would also pass off'. On reading this the emperor suddenly felt infused with a new strength, and he found that the hoof beats of enemy horses were also not being heard then. The emperor heaved a sigh of relief and thought : I was an amperor. Now that time is no more, and now I am not an emperor. This time would also not last. This moment of distress would pass off too. The king got a new strength and he re-organised his scattered military power. He invaded the neighbouring Kingdom and regained his lost crown and territory.
On an auspicious new moment the coronation of the emperor was being held when suddenly he remembered about the 'mantra' and became sad. His face withered. The people seated in the royal court inquired : “While being crowned, you are standing unhappy. What is the secret of this ?” The emperor said, “It is such a formula of life, such an experience which I have recognised