KNOW YOUR TRUE SELF
O"KNOWING YOURSELF IS THE BEGINNING OF ALL WISDOM." — ARISTOTLE
nce upon a time in the ancient city of Ujjain, there lived a mighty king. He had an only son, who was a spoiled brat. The king was so enraged with his son that one day, in a fit of anger, he banished the prince from his kingdom.
The prince, who was used to a life of luxury, had no skills to earn a living. He went to the neighbouring province and started singing and dancing on the streets. For 10 years, the prince lived the life of a homeless tramp, completely forgetting that he was ever a prince.
When the king became old, he grew anxious about the future of his kingdom. So he asked his prime minister to search for his only son and bring him back so he could succeed him in ruling the kingdom. The prime minister went out in search of the prince. After a great deal of inquiry, he reached the neighbouring province and found the whereabouts of the prince. He halted his chariot in front of a house where the prince was begging for alms. The prime minister stepped down from the chariot and approached the beggar. He immediately recognised the prince, bowed to him and said, “The king has pardoned you and asked you to return to your kingdom.”
In a split-second, the young beggar’s face was transformed and he threw away his begging bowl. He commanded the prime minister — “Bring me a pair of good shoes and good clothes, and in the meantime, make arrangements for my bath.” With the stride of a prince, he walked to the chariot and stepped aboard. The people who were giving him alms were bewildered — “You just forgot us in a moment!” The prince calmly replied, “I remembered you as long as I had forgotten who I was. Now I know who I am. I know I am a king. I have always been a king.”
My dear readers, just like the prince, you need to remember who you are and acknowledge your true self. With the understanding of your true self, you are no longer obligated by external powers or authority; you are no longer a prisoner of past experience or present conditions. You shall experience a deep sense of harmony and balance, and begin to live a life fulfilling your true potential.