There was a festival celebrated in the court of the King of Kolkata. As part of the festival, there was a play arranged for the entertainment of the guests. The play needed a 5-year-old girl for a small part, and the whole palace was searching for a little girl to play the part.
The queen heard the commotion and thought of a plan, “Let’s dress up the prince as a princess, he is of the right age, and nobody will know.” The Director of the play thought it to be a brilliant idea; they dressed the little prince in a little girl’s attire. After the play, the queen was so awed by the prince’s cuteness as a girl that she brought an artist to paint a picture of the prince. After many years when the prince was about 20 years of age, he was once walking around in the old rooms of the palace; in one of the storerooms, he found a picture of a girl. The prince thought, “That’s a beautiful girl”. Below the portrait, the date of the painting was written. The prince made some calculations and realized the princess must be of the same age as his now.
The prince was thrilled; day and night he fantasized about the princess imagining how she
should look now. The wise old minister who observed the prince’s behavior changes realized that the prince has been smitten by love. “What is the story, my prince? You seem to be lost in your own thoughts these days without
any interest in the matters of the kingdom?” asked the wise old minister. “It’s nothing.” said the prince trying to avoid him. “Please, you must tell me, I might be of some help.” assured the minister. “Maybe he can be of help,” thought the prince. “There is a girl I’m in love with,” he said. “Aa ha! That’s the matter,” smiled the minister. “What is her name?” he asked. “I don’t know,” answered the prince. “Who is her father? That might help us find her.” “I don’t know,” again said the prince. “Where did you see her? We can try to find her there again.” The minister tried to help. The prince was a little embarrassed; he took the minister to the old storeroom and showed the picture of the princess. “But that’s a little girl,” said the minister. “Well, she seems to be of the same age as you, My Lord,” said the minister looking at the date below. There was something about that picture that felt familiar to him. Suddenly a smile appeared on his face as the realization dawned on him. “Now tell me wise one, where can I find her?” asked the curious prince. “Oh, my Lord, it’s your picture,” – smiled the minister. Then the old minister explained everything about the picture. As soon as the prince realized it was his own old picture, suddenly, all his desire for the princess vanished.
Message: Once a person realizes his own real self, all the worldly desires vanish.
Source: Akhand Jyoti Magazine 2020 Sept-Oct