A long time ago, a king who had ruled for many years began to notice that his hair was turning gray. One day, he decided to hold a grand festival at his court. He invited kings from neighboring lands, his friends, and most importantly, his revered Guru. A famous dancer was also invited to make the event more entertaining.
The king had set aside some gold coins for his Guru and instructed him to reward the dancer if her performance was good. The dancer performed all night, and as the festival continued, it reached the Brahma Muhurta, the time just before dawn. The dancer noticed that the tabla player was dozing off, which could spoil the rhythm and get her punished by the king.
To wake the tabla player, the dancer recited a verse (Doha):
“The night is almost over, just a little time remains,
Each moment is slipping away,
Do not let this opportunity pass,
Lest you carry the burden of regret.”
This verse, which had profound meaning, awakened the tabla player, who began playing with renewed focus.
Hearing this verse, the Guru was deeply moved and offered all the gold coins he had to the dancer. The princess, too, was touched by the verse and gave her precious Nolkha necklace to the dancer. The prince, upon hearing the verse, was so inspired that he removed his crown and placed it before the dancer.
The king was astonished by what he saw. He thought, “The dancer performed all night, but it was just one verse that made everyone offer their most valuable possessions to her. What is going on?”
The king stood up from his throne and, in a mix of surprise and suspicion, asked the dancer, “What magic does this verse hold that you, a mere dancer, have plundered all of us?”
Upon hearing this, the king’s Guru, with tears in his eyes, began to speak: “O King, do not call her a mere dancer; she has now become my teacher. This verse opened my eyes. I have spent my whole life meditating in the jungle, and yet I was about to ruin my meditation by watching her dance. Brother, I am leaving. With these words, the Guru took his belongings and returned to the jungle.”
The king’s daughter then spoke: “Father, I am young, and you have been too busy ruling to think about my marriage. Tonight, I almost ruined my life by planning to elope with your elephant keeper. But this dancer’s verse stopped me. It made me realize that I should not bring disgrace upon you. Perhaps tomorrow I will find a proper suitor.”
The prince also said, “Maharaj! You are growing old, yet you have not revealed your secrets to me. I had planned to meet with your soldiers tonight and kill you. But this verse taught me that patience is a virtue. Sooner or later, I will learn what I need to know, and I should not rush to commit such a sin.”
Hearing all this, the king had an epiphany. He felt a deep sense of self-awareness and immediately decided, “Why shouldn’t I now pass on the throne to the prince?”
Without further delay, the king crowned his son as the new ruler and told his daughter, “My dear, all the princes of the land will soon arrive at the court. You may choose your husband by placing a garland around the neck of the prince you favor.”
The princess did as her father instructed, and the king, having handed over his responsibilities, left everything behind and went to live with his Guru in the jungle.
Seeing all this, the dancer reflected, “If just one of my verses could bring about such positive changes in so many people, why can’t I change myself?” In that moment, the dancer had her own awakening. She decided, “From today, I will stop dancing. O Lord, please forgive my sins. From now on, I will only recite Your name.”
Lessons to Be Learned
- The Power of Words: A single verse or statement can profoundly impact the lives of others, leading to significant positive changes.
- Self-Reflection: The dancer’s verse led everyone, including herself, to reflect on their actions and decisions. True change begins with self-reflection.
- Importance of Forgiveness and Letting Go: The king, the Guru, and the dancer all realized the need to forgive themselves and others, letting go of their past mistakes to embrace a new path.
- The Right Timing: The verse was recited at the perfect moment, showing that timing is crucial in delivering a message that can bring about transformation.
Quote from Sastra
- Bhagavad Gita 18.66:
“Sarva-dharmān parityajya, mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja;
Ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo, mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucah.”
(Abandon all varieties of dharma and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions; do not fear.)
Prayer
O Lord, guide me towards self-awareness and inner peace. Help me to reflect on my actions and words, ensuring they bring positive change to myself and those around me. May I find the strength to forgive myself and others, and let go of past mistakes. Grant me the wisdom to recognize the right moments to act and speak, and let my heart be filled with Your divine love and grace. O Lord, may my life be a testament to Your teachings, and may I always seek refuge in You. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.
