King Janaka and Ashtavakra

King Janaka read somewhere that enlightenment can happen in the time it takes to swing one’s leg over a horse in order to put one’s foot in the stirrup. The king challenged all his pandits and spiritual advisors to demonstrate the truth of this statement by giving him enlightenment while he was mounting a horse, or admit that the statement was not true. Only the sage Ashtavakra accepted the challenge. He took the king to the forest and allowed him to half-mount his horse.

Then Ashtavakra said, “I can give you enlightenment in an instant, just as this book says, but first you have to agree to some conditions.”

When you go to the Sadguru for enlightenment you must give an offering, a flower or some fruit. But if the Guru himself asks for something, you must give it, otherwise he will not grant what you are seeking.

The king promised him that he would agree to any condition that Ashtavakra stipulated.

Ashtavakra said, “First you must agree to to give me all your possessions, including your kingdom.” Janaka agreed without any hesitation.

“Next,” said Ashtavakra, “You must hand over your body to me. Once it is mine I can do whatever I like with it.” To this Janaka also agreed.

“Finally,” said Ashtavakra, “You must hand over your mind to me.”

Janaka was very impatient. On hearing that this was the last condition, he said “Yes” and swung his leg over the horse. Before he could reach the other stirrup he attained enlightenment. At that precise moment he became paralysed, one foot in the stirrup and the other in mid-air. Having handed over his mind to his Guru, he could no longer even complete the act of mounting the horse because his mind and body were no longer his.

This is how enlightenment happens. First, you must want it badly enough, so badly that you are willing to give up all your possessions and all your attachments, including the attachment to the body. Then you have to give up your mind. 

How to do that? Mind is nothing but thoughts, so if you can stop your thoughts, even for an instant, you have given up your mind. In that moment you have true peace, and once you have it, that moment never goes away.

You asked, “Can you explain how a single person can cause the world to be a more peaceful place just by being quiet?” This story is the answer. Janaka got enlightenment in no-time, and in that no-time he found out what peace is.