Persistence!

 

In the game of dice with his brother, King Nala staked gold, silver, chariots, horses & clothing & lost every time. As game continued, Nala’s mind became feverishly maddened as he wagered all his possessions & lost them one after another. The king’s friends tried to persuade him to quit before he lost everything, but nothing they said could dissuade him. When citizens heard from king’s ministers how Nala was losing everything at dice, they crowded outside gambling arena

 

King Nala was a very beloved ruler & so citizens couldn’t bear the thought of losing their magnanimous protector. Nala’s charioteer went to Damyanti & informed her of the situation. He requested her to go & inform the king that citizens don’t want Nala’s downfall & want to dissuade him from gambling any further. She rushed to the arena & choked with emotions said-O King! All citizens & your councilors are waiting at the gate. They’ve come here out of loyalty, so pls go & meet them

 

However, Nala was firmly in clutches of Kali & also in frenzy because of gambling, didn’t even turn his head to reply to his wife’s piteous appeal. When citizens were informed, they reluctantly returned overcome with grief & shame

 

The match between Nala & Pushkara continued for many days. Nala, with each throw lost more & more. Damyanti continuously thought about how her husband had become deranged & bereft of all good sense. Being apprehensive of disaster & seeking her husband’s welfare, she called for her most trusted maidservant Brhatsenā & said-Go & summon state ministers in the name of King Nala. Inform them of all that has been lost in gambling as well as whatever might remain

 

When ministers heard from maidservant that king wanted to see them, they exclaimed: Oh! That’s a good fortune. When news spread, all citizens once again crowded at the palace gate, their hearts filled with new hope. Damyanti again went & informed her husband how people were anxious to see him. Nala couldn’t be distracted from gambling even for a moment & didn’t reply

 

Once more Damyanti had to return filled with shame & despair. She knew that the dice were rolling against her husband every time & he had lost almost everything

 

Damyanti then made arrangements with royal charioteer Vārsneya to send her twin son & daughter to Kundina, at her parents home. She then waited for the fateful moment when Nala will lose all & be kicked out by his wicked brother Pushkara from his own kingdom

 

The mind is restless & unsteady & when under the sway of senses causes doom. The mind goes up & down & If we let it’s mood determine our life’s decisions, we are in for a big shock as the mind would make us believe that life’s most worthwhile things are the most worthless.  

 

We cannot expect our mind be steady but if we persist in our pursuance of worthwhile things and bear the temporary sway of the mind, then we can equip ourselves to endure the unfavorable phases of the mind & succeed in doing worthwhile things. This persistence is best supported when we follow the path of spiritual elevation & stable it in surrender to divine Lord

 

Thoughts? #gameoflife


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