The King’s Invitation

I remember a story. There was a king who had no son. He was getting old so he decided to adopt a prince to succeed him as king after his death. 

He fixed a date with his sentries that on a particular day the gates of the palace would be open from eight in the morning until eight at night. The king would be seated in the palace and he would conduct interviews to find the most suitable person to be chosen as his prince. So on this day, the gates were opened and people went inside. 

Everybody was allowed to enter and see the king in person. To see the king, you have to be looking your best. So a very good shower-bath was arranged for everyone who entered the palace, and then there were all kinds of perfumes for people to use. Then there was a place with many different kinds of very expensive dresses. You should be well dressed to see the king, so you could choose your own clothes from a huge variety of different kinds of gold and silver gowns and dresses. Then some lunch was arranged — you should be well fed before seeing the king. And then there was music and then dancing. After all this you are ready to see the king. You are fully satisfied.

Some people who were entering the palace were very fond of showers, so they spent their time in the sauna taking different kinds of baths and showers. Some were fond of perfumes, so they were trying out all the different perfumes that were there. Some were busy with all the different kinds of dresses. Some were gluttons, they were very fond of eating and drinking, so they were trying all the different varieties of food and different dishes which were there. Here in India when food is served, there are a hundred and one types of dishes in a good lunch, and everything was included here. After lunch there was music and then dancing. Everything was provided beautifully by the king.

The time was getting close to eight at night so a siren alerted everyone to get ready to leave. The people who were fond of perfumes had collected bottles and had filled their bags with those perfumes. Those who were fond of food had taken something for their wives and other relatives and friends — they were packing food to take away. Those who were fond of dresses were carrying bundles of dresses on their shoulders. Some were listening to the music, some were dancing. 

The sentries of the palace told them, “Now your time is up. You have to leave. You’re not allowed to take anything away with you. You were supposed to eat and to use the perfumes and enjoy the music only while here.” But people were so engaged, “Oh let me sit a little longer. It’s such nice music.” Those who were dancing said, “Please let us have some more time for dancing. We cannot leave this company.” 

But nothing was allowed. They were all pushed out of the gates. The time was now eight at night. 

The king called his secretary and asked, “What happened? No one came to me for an interview. What happened? Did you open the gates?” “Yes, yes, the gates were open for twelve hours,” replied the secretary. “How is it that no one has come to see me?” asked the king. “They were engaged in their own luxuries and needs,” came the reply. “We do not know if anyone went to see you or not.”

Samsara is exactly like this. No one went to see the king. If someone had gone and had been accepted, everything would have belonged to him. It is not allowed to take anything away. We came here to see the king but we got lost in luxuries, in the fulfillment of desires. When the time comes for the gates to be closed, we will not be able to carry anything with us. 

The king is waiting but no one goes. This dance drama is exactly like that. We came here to meet the king and sit on the throne but we forgot why we came. We got lost in infinite distractions.