There was a King in ancient India who had four wives. Naturally, he loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with all the riches in life. He thought that she love him too.
The King was also very proud of his 3rd wife and always showed her off to neighbouring kingdoms.
The King's 2nd wife was his confidant. She was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times.
As for the King's 1st wife, she was his loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, the King did not love the first wife, that's why he married 3 other wives. In fact he hardly took notice of her!
One day, the King fell ill and he knew that he was going to die. He thought of his 3 wives (except the 1st wife) and wish that they will follow him so that he can continue to enjoy life with them in the other world.
The King was also very proud of his 3rd wife and always showed her off to neighbouring kingdoms.
The King's 2nd wife was his confidant. She was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times.
As for the King's 1st wife, she was his loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, the King did not love the first wife, that's why he married 3 other wives. In fact he hardly took notice of her!
One day, the King fell ill and he knew that he was going to die. He thought of his 3 wives (except the 1st wife) and wish that they will follow him so that he can continue to enjoy life with them in the other world.
So he asked the 4th wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed you with the best luxuries and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No way!", replied the 4th wife, and she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.
The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No! ", replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold.
He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?" "I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!", replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave." Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated.
Then a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go." The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!"
The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No! ", replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold.
He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?" "I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!", replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave." Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated.
Then a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go." The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!"
So the 1st wife followed the King to the graveyard on to another world.
In truth, we all have the 4 wives in our lives: Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die. This is because everything is impermanent, and we always have unsatisfactoriness, i.e. we want more even if we have it good. This is because there is actually no self in us, what we have is just our consciousness.
Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, no matter how much we had, they will all go to others and will not follow us.
Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave. They will separate from us when we go away.
And our 1st wife is our Soul. Often neglected in our pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go. Many a times our Soul is our inner self, the part of us that 'just knows'.
In truth, we all have the 4 wives in our lives: Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die. This is because everything is impermanent, and we always have unsatisfactoriness, i.e. we want more even if we have it good. This is because there is actually no self in us, what we have is just our consciousness.
Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, no matter how much we had, they will all go to others and will not follow us.
Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave. They will separate from us when we go away.
And our 1st wife is our Soul. Often neglected in our pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go. Many a times our Soul is our inner self, the part of us that 'just knows'.
Our Soul is also our Karma, for whatever we do (consciously with volition) in this life, we will have to face the consequences. Whatever sow, you will reap. If you do good, your karma is positive, and when you leave this world, your karma will follow you and you will reap the benefits of good karma in your next life, if you believe in re-birth. Even if you think there is no rebirth, you will not doubt that everything has a soul, even non-living things. So my friend, take care of your soul, or your karma WHILE YOU ARE ALIVE.
By Andy Ng, Chief Trainer at Asia Trainers, details of our courses at here. Related articles:
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