There was a prosperous city ruled by a very erudite ruler. He was generous, compassionate, and a very astute statesman. In battle, he was unsurpassed, and lore’s of his valor were sung by minstrels far beyond his kingdom.
Towards his final days on earth, he began reminiscing pages of his life. They flashed before him like a kaleidoscope.
He was born dark, swarthy, and rugged. He was not exactly a princely prototype in looks. But he was just and adhered to principles taught to him by his teachers. He revered amongst his teachers one who was impartial and not leaning towards intolerant factions. He was the second born to his father who was king. He grew up into a worthy warrior, just administrator and able prince. His older sibling was weak, immersed in sensual pleasures and was a slave of the upper caste brahmins who wanted to rule the land by proxy. His aged father was being pressurized by most people to concede and name his successor. They wanted the first born to be king as it would suit their whims. The king though aged, was mature and decided to name his second born as his successor. Rebellion broke out in his peaceful kingdom fueled by the ambitious priests. The newly appointed king rode out to quell the revolt and was advised by his father to desist killing a single priest. There was the inevitable bloodshed followed by defeat. The first born fled to the forests never to return.
The king ruled justly and wisely. He was a terror to his enemies who saw in him literally the dance of death. He fostered religious tolerance and was a balm to the poor and weak. His edicts were structured in plaques and pillars in prominent areas of his kingdom. His radical but benevolent changes were welcomed by his subjects just like mid-summer showers.
He was happily married with two children. His son was born with his mother’s beauty while inheriting his father’s intellect and wisdom.
There was a very beautiful courtesan in the kingdom who was the cynosure of all eyes. Her whereabouts and parentage were not known. As an infant, she was noticed by some citizens in the abundant palace mango groves. They adopted her and taught her all the fine arts. She grew into an extremely beautiful and accomplished woman. Her dance swayed the very Gods and people from far and wide came to witness her performance. The king fell madly in love with the beautiful courtesan, despite being happily married and a father of two lovely children. Their love was tender, and they spent many lovely years together. Whenever he was weary after thoroughly intense administrative meanderings, he found solace in her company and dance. She never interfered in the affairs of the state or any administrative matters. She was only happy in his company and was always there for him when he needed her.
Time flew and the king began to grow old. He had named his successor, his son who was being groomed to be the perfect fit for a noble and just monarch. His visits to the courtesan began decreasing and he found solace in other scholarly pursuits. He began writing detailed chronicles of his battles and more importantly his tenets of an unbiased governance. He was willing to name a stranger as his successor if the stranger demonstrated qualities superlative to his son.
The courtesan who was years younger to the king was saddened that he no longer found solace in her lovely ivory palace or in her company. She began taking solace in the upkeep of fine arts and training younger girls in music, dance, and painting.
At this time, there was a young monk who by his spiritual awakenings had attained great stature despite his young age. He was noble, learned, and wise. He went round teaching the tenets of peace, truth and sincerity. People came from far and wide to listen to him. They touched his feet with reverence. The courtesan too heard of him and attended his preaching in disguise. She was intrigued that such a handsome man was ordained to be a monk without experiencing the sensual pleasures of life. She saw his handsome face and lithe muscular body and was entranced by him. Returning to her palace, all she could do was think of him. Food, water, and sleep evaded her. This was not so with the king, she thought.
Determined to meet the monk, she decked herself in all her finery and went to meet the monk. Several men would die to be looked at by her, let alone be spoken to by her. Yet, the monk barely glanced in her direction and walked away. She who was beauty incarnate could not and would not accept this. Hence, she walked up to him and bowing low before him she asked him to visit her palace. He refused to come to her palace as he said it was not yet the time for him to meet her. She could not understand this, and hence pleaded with him. She who had never even asked anyone anything in her life, was begging him with tears streaming down her eyes. Gently, he asked her to leave as it was not yet time for him to visit her.
Shivering and moaning, she dragged herself away from him and went back to her palace pining for him. If he walked the streets of the city, she ran to her window to catch a glimpse of him. Everybody felt very sorry for her and tried to comfort her. But she withdrew inwards and did not let anyone near her. This continued for some time.
In an unfortunate turn of events, many people in the kingdom were infected with leprosy. It spread across the underprivileged masses, infecting few random nobles too. These patients who contracted the disease were reviled and shunned by all in society. They were kept in separate huts in settlements on the outskirts of the city. Thus, the further spread of the disease could be stemmed.
The courtesan contracted the disease, and her beautiful face and figure were deformed by horrible sores leaking pus and blood. Once courted by all, she was shunned now and sent out of her palace. Men who once vied to be even glanced upon by her, were now abhorred by her very presence. They decided to throw her out of the very city which had adopted her as a child and lavished its love and care on her. Her very sight was a sore to all eyes and some wicked people even pelted stones on her.
Although the king heard of these events, he desisted from helping her directly. He built abodes for the lepers on the outskirts of his kingdom and made sure the inmates had food and water.
The courtesan could not even eat anything and was famished. She was physically and mentally broken and decided to end her life. One day, she woke up to the kind voice of and touch of a stranger. Looking hard, she recognized the monk. He said softly that this was the time he was waiting for to come to her. Without any hesitation, he bathed her, washed her wounds, and dressed them. He dressed her in simple clothes and fed her. She chided him for doing this as she was now ugly and uncouth. Whereupon he said that it is her soul which was more beautiful than her outward appearance which he could see. He took her to his monastery and nursed her until she was able to eat and walk again. All her wounds healed, and she was whole again. She began attending his discourses and realized the true power of God and inner spiritual beauty. She lived many years ordained as a monk helping multitudes.