Shesh naag avatar, Balarama continued his narration to Subadra:

Suka was stunned to hear the word 'Grihaspati' meaning householder. Sukadeva hated to become a family man. He instantly refused. Veda Vyasa tried to make Suka understand. But all went in vain.

Vyasa said at last, "Listen, Suka my last advice. Go and meet Janaka, the King of Mithila. He was both my disciple and master. King Janaka is a master in Moksha Shastra. Like how Sri Narayana wears Maya but never has an attachment towards it, Janaka has all the riches, palaces, men and women, but is never attached to it. He can enlighten you about the 4 basic life stages or Ashramas. Visit Mithila, but one condition, go through the streets and roads and know the joy and sorrow of the world."

[NOTE: Janaka mentioned here is the descendant of Sita's father. Rulers of Mithila are generally called as Janaka]

Sukadeva accepted. He walked to Mithila and observed the kingdom. He went through the streets to reach the Royal Palace of the King. As he reached the gate of the Palace, he was denied entry. The Guards went to Janaka and told him about the arrival of Suka.

He was welcomed warmly. Suka left his upper clothes, bag, and plate in the entrance and reached the court. Suka said to Janaka, "O King, My father wished me to become the disciple of yours and learn the art of Moksha which I got half from Lord Siva. Please accept me." Suka observed the riches and royal women in the palace. He felt that Janaka is not the right teacher for him. Janaka is a glorious saint. He understood the humiliation of him by Suka's mind.

Janaka decided to test Suka deva. A soldier came in haste and said, "O King, the military base is on fire. The soldiers are in grave danger, My Lord". Janaka replied expressionless and emotionless, "Everything happens with God's will."

Suka was shocked. He thought, "Janaka is not at all fit to be a King. I don't know how come he is the disciple and master of my father. He should have gone to rescue the people who are in the fire as the army is the base of the Kingdom."

Another guard came and screamed, "O Lord, the city is on fire. Citizens are in grave danger! Please protect us!". Janaka again replied, "It happened with God's will" and stayed emotionless.

Sukadev was puzzled and thought, "He is arrogant and very attached to his royal palaces and he does not care about his citizen's lives! What a King I have met?!"

Now a messenger came and said, "O Lord, the palace is on the fire." Janaka replied the same. But Sukadev was horrified and got up immediately and said, "My garments and bowl is out. I should protect it." As he was about to move, Janaka caught hold of his hands.

"Now tell me, who is attached and who detached? Who is renunciate and who is arrogant?" asked Janaka.

Sukadeva was startled by the question. His face showed how low he felt. Sukadeva realized his mistake. He was arrogant that he was a renunciate but actually he was not.

He realized that Janaka was a man who was not attached to the worldly pleasures. He was only doing his duties. Janaka was a perfect man and hence people praise him.

Sukadeva said, "O Mithila Naresh, Forgive me. Please accept me as your disciple and enlighten me."

Janaka replied immediately, "NO".

TO BE CONTINUED......

(Published on 22nd June 2020, Monday)

NEXT EPISODE: Janaka tests Suka again

(Image credits: Google)