Thread by @shaleen_sharma

1-I came across this #Wonderful, Gem of a #Story – many years back!

And since then, it has grown within me – even possessing me at times!

Such is its sheer #Power!

Sharing the same with you (1/16)

@shashankupadhy_ @ijyotish

2-This #Story is a beacon of #Light for anyone pursuing any kind of #Sadhana

Don't know if it is from the Upanishads, but the one crafted it - must have been a #Spiritual #Genius (2/16)

#enlightenment

#प्रबोधन

3-Once there was a #King who couldn't sleep.

It's not uncommon for kings have so many things to worry about.

Most rulers even today will look for a woman, or a drink, or some amusement to divert themselves when they have #Insomnia. (3/16)

#संस्कृतिबोध

4-Many of our past rulers, though, had more refined #Sleep inducing methods.

This one was a poet, so as he strolled sleepless on his terrace he repeated to himself the first line of a #Poem he was trying to write. (4/16)

#वैदिकआचार

5-It was a poem on the appropriate subject of slumber or #Sleep
“Shete Sukham Kas Tu?!"

-शेते सुखम कस तु?! repeated the king.

'Shete Sukham Kas Tu? '

“Who is it that sleeps happily?” (5/16)

#सनातनशुद्धरूपसेविज्ञान

6-Without warning, from out of the darkness beneath him, came a rejoinder

“Samadhi Nishtah—समाधि निष्ठः

“He who is in permanent #Samadhi (spiritual trance)”

“Very good”, thought the king,

..and “Very true!” (6/16)

7-"OK, Shete Sukham Kas Tu?"

"Samadhi Nishtah"

"He sleeps well whose consciousness is ever connected

..to the Universal #Consciousness";

..that is the sort of sleep' that is truly #Valuable.

Good! (7/16)

8-Now, Ko Shatrur Iva? Ko Shatrur Iva? (को शत्रुर इवा ?)

“Who is the #Enemy?"

"Did he mean, the enemy of sleep?"

"Yes, and by extension enemies in general - the #Great #Enemy. (8/16)

9-He wanted something that would fit both meanings.

What is the use of poetry that does not have many layers of #Meaning?

"The king kept muttering, 'Ko Shatrur Iva?'

..until the voice he had heard before volunteered, (9/16)

10-“Nijendriyani” —“निजेन्द्रियाणी ” -'one's own #Sense #Organs.

They are the enemy of sleep.

When you fall in love with a woman will you be able to sleep without her?!

If you are obsessed with riches they are bound to keep you awake at night. (10/16)

11-And so it is with all the senses; they are the enemy of sleep and of #Samadhi.

“ Wonderful!” said the king.

"Ko Shatrur Iva?"

"Nijendriyani" (11/16)

12-And now,

“Mitrani Kani?”

..मित्राणि कानि? Who are my friends?"

“Jitendriyani” -

जितेन्द्रियाणी" -the conquered senses,

..came the voice, which was right yet again. (12/16)

#enlightenment

#प्रबोधन

13-You don't want to destroy your senses, like some of these #Yogis claim.

You want to bring them under your control and make them work for you.

When the king heard this last response he called down below to the speaker (13/16)

#संस्कृतिबोध

#वैदिकआचार

14- “Please be so kind as to show yourself, great poet!'

And who stepped out into the light but his own watchman!

“I never knew of your greatness before, the king continued.

“You must become my adviser! (14/16)

#सनातनशुद्धरूपसेविज्ञान

15-"No, your majesty, came the reply.

“I have been serving as your watchman

..because I wanted no one to know of my talents,

..so that I would to be left alone to do my own thing. (15/16)

#Sanatanaknowseverything

16-I answered you only because as your servant I felt an obligation to assist you.

Now I must leave your service

..and find a new place where I can live in #Peace and #Quiet.”

And off he went, in spite of all the baffled king's pleas.(16/16)

#knowthegreatestreligion