A King In The Pursuit Of Happiness For His People

His Majesty the king Tunga Bhadra issued a royal proclamation that a person who could answer his three questions would be given three thousand gold coins as a reward.

Tung Bhadra was the king of Aparajita in ancient India. He was famous for his bravery, charity, wisdom and justice. He treated his subjects like his family. In his kingdom, there was no poverty, no corruption, no treachery and no envy. Every one had means and resources for their livelihood and well-being.

The king was highly respected, affectionately loved and adored by his subjects. Every child in Aparajita was bred up with moral and ethical values as per contemporary assumptions.

Tung Bhadra had seven sons. They were all progressive in their thoughts but abrupt in their actions. Due to such nature of his sons, the king was a bit uncertain about the future. He thought and thought to get some idea to leave behind some wisdom for his people so that they would remain happy after his death without depending on their king.

Thought of Three Questions

One morning, the king while casually walking in his royal orchard mused if he could know the key to happiness! He consulted books of religion and faith, and some preserved manuscripts of wisdom of ages. He had selected the most important three questions and anticipated that the answers of these questions would certainly be ‘a key to happiness’.

The king summoned his courtiers and learned men in his court but no answer could satisfy any of his questions. Then he informed the people through public announcement.After hearing that hundreds of scholars and learned men from far off places responded. They came to his court to attend scholarly discourse.

First Question

The king asked the first question, “What is the most important time?” Some answered, ‘ the time spent in the service of God is the most important.’ And some said, ‘the time spent in performing our duties.’ Several answers were given but none could convince the king.

Second Question

“Who is the most important person?” was the second question. Someone answered, ‘the king’ ‘priest’ and another ‘the farmer’. The king was not satisfied with these answers.

Third Question

The king was worried that his efforts for seeking answers would go in vain. With a misty hope asked his third question, “What is the most important task?” A learned man answered, ‘the service of the king’, another scholar said, ‘the prayer’. Some said, ‘the service of poor and helpless’. The king was very disappointed. He was left with no option except to pray Almighty for the guidance.

One day, a courtier of another kingdom visited in the court of Tung Bhadra for some official duty. In the conversation he referred to some anchorite who lived in a deep forest and was known for his extraordinary wisdom and enlightenment. Hearing about such an anchorite, the king could see the beacon light. He further curiously asked about him. The anchorite had never left his abode in the forest. People could visit him there.

The King meets with the Anchorite

Next day early morning the king with a few trusted men rode on horses to meet the anchorite in the forest. Reaching near the anchorite’s abode, the king left his men and horses there. He alone proceeded to meet him. Seeing the anchorite the king bowed down his head with reverence. He asked the king to sit down on the ground in front of him.

The anchorite asked the king to explain purpose of his visit. The king told his three questions. The anchorite answered his first question, “the most important time is- ‘Now’. Because this time you are master whatever you want you can do.

Second question- Who is the most important person? The anchorite said that the person with whom you are at the moment is the most important person. Now I am your most important person and you are mine.

The anchorite replied third question- ‘the task you are doing at the moment is the most important’. You are listening the answers of your questions is the most important task. The king was fully satisfied with the answers. He expressed his most humble gratitude to the anchorite.

The king came back to his palace happy and relaxed. In due course of time he explained the key to happiness to his people.

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Disclaimer: The original version of this story was published on another platform. Link to original version: https://medium.com/illumination/a-king-with-a-key-to-happiness-59a072b5ef77