Jainism: Mahavira - An Emperor Of The Inner Kingdom

By Compiled by Swami Chaitanya Keerti

Once a famous king came to lord Mahavira - his name was Prasenjit. He came to Mahavira and said, "I have everything that this world can offer. I am deeply contented. There is nothing more to achieve. All my ambitions are fulfilled. Only one thing goes on and on in my mind: What is this meditation? What is this Dhyan ? I am ready to buy it, whatever be the cost. This is the only thing that has been haunting me: What is this meditation? dhyan? samadhi ? Only one thing I am lacking; in my treasuries, only one thing is lacking and that is samadhi, dhyan . You give it to me. I have heard that you have attained it, so you can give it to me! And don't bother about the cost."

Mahavira said, "There is no need to come to me, so far away from your capital. In your capital itself there is a very poor man; he may like to sell it. And he has attained. You better go to him."

Prasenjit returned to his capital and immediately went to the man. Along with him went many bullock carts loaded with gold coins, diamonds, emeralds and other expensive gifts. All the treasure in bullock-carts was emptied before the house of the poor man. The king said, "Take all these, and if you need more, I can give more, but where is that dhyan ? Give me that!"

The poor man started crying, and said, `I may be poor, but this is impossible. I would like to thank you for all your riches you have brought to me, but the bargain is not possible. Meditation is a state of being -- I cannot give it to you. I am ready to give my life if it is needed. I love you, respect you; I am ready to give my life. You can take it right now, you can cut my head. But meditation, samadhi , how can I give it to you?'

Just see: Even life can be given, but not Dhyan. Dhyan is higher than life. You can sacrifice your life, but you cannot sacrifice samadhi. It is impossible! And life can be taken from you, anybody can kill you -- samadhi cannot be taken from you. Nobody can take it, purchase it, steal it, kill it. Even life is not a real treasure. That which cannot be taken away from you is real treasure. Even death cannot take it away from you. That is the criterion.

Whatsoever you have, always put it to the criterion: whether death will take it away from you or not. That should become a constant contemplation. You have money -- will death separate you from it or not? You have prestige, political power, fame, beauty, physical strength, body, whatsoever you have, put it to the criterion: whether it will be taken by death, whether you will be separated from it, or not. And you will find that, except samadhi, everything will be taken by death. That's why Sufis say it is better to die to all these things which will be taken by death finally. Eventually they are going to be taken away. Die to them, and arise in samadhi -- because that is the only thing which is deathless.

The king had everything. He had employed many wise men. But he could not have learned anything. In the first place, the wise men must not have been very wise. In the second place, when you employ a wise man, how can you learn anything from him? You have to become a servant to a wise man; you have to fall at his feet and surrender, only then can you learn, because learning is possible.... Wisdom is just like water flowing downwards. Water goes on moving downwards, finding holes and valleys and lakes, and filling them. Become a lake-like phenomenon; near a wise man, become a valley. Don't try to be the peak of the ego, become a valley, and suddenly you will be filled.

Compiled by Swami Chaitanya Keerti
Osho Rajyoga Meditation Centre, New Delhi

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