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Long ago, a Mughal king ruled over Delhi. Unlike the modern city, the then Delhi was a small town bustling with activity. The city was often known as "Basti" which means a place where people stay in small groups.

One night, when the king was asleep in his palace, he heard the sound of footsteps on the roof of his chamber.
The king called out, "Who is it on the roof?"
He heard a mellifluous voice explain that he was searching for his lost camel.

Hearing the voice, the king thought that someone who is searching for his lost camel on the roof should be either a fool or a thief. Summoning his guards, he ordered them to search and produce before him the one who had trespassed into the palace area. After a futile search, the guards returned empty-handed. The person had mysteriously disappeared. The king was surprised by this incident.

The next day, the king was seated on his beautiful throne in the royal court hall. Spiritual saints and learned scholars were debating on the ways and means to attain God. Then, a renunciate 'Sãdhu' appeared at the entrance of the courthouse and said in a demanding tone, "I need permission to stay in this choultry for a few days". The guards stopped him from entering the hall and explained, "This is the royal courthouse. The king summons his court here. This is not a choultry where a wanderer can rest." However, the Sãdhu in an unrelenting tone replied, "Son, listen to me carefully. I had been to this very place 50 years ago. There was an old man seated on this throne. Around him were a few people, different from those present today. Then, I came to this very place 20 years ago. There was a middle aged man seated on this throne. Now, I see a young man seated on this throne."
He then questioned, "Is not the place where the occupants keep changing over a period of time called a choultry? What else could it be termed?"

The king, who had been listening to the whole conversation, recognized the voice of the Sãdhu to be that of the person whose foot steps he had heard over his roof the previous night. At once, he welcomed the Sãdhu and said mockingly, "You reply with all beauty, smartness and intelligence. But, was it not foolishness on your part to search for a lost camel on my palace roof top?"
The Sãdhu, staring blankly at the king, retorted, "Is it not foolishness to try to attain God, sitting on the throne?"

Hearing this unexpected reply, the king, thanks to his spiritual maturity, instantly got dispassion and determination ('Vairãgya'), understood the crux of the whole story, renounced his royal life and became a Sãdhu. He lived on the banks of the Yamuna spending his time meditating on the Lord.

In those days, there were many routes to reach Delhi. Travelers from far-flung villages would often enquire the renunciate about the route to 'Basti', that was Delhi. The Sãdhu showed a particular direction following which travelers ended up in a grave yard instead of Delhi. Tracing their way back, they openly chided the Sãdhu and accused him of misleading them.

Apologizing for his deed, the Sãdhu explained, "O! beloved ones, the root cause of the problem is the misinterpretation of the term 'Basti'. 'Basti' also signifies a place where people settle permanently. Cities like Delhi are those where people stay temporarily. They queue up in huge groups merely to go to the graveyard. Only the one who reaches the grave remains there permanently. Only he lives in internal and external peace. Hence, that is the true 'Basti'. People who keep working without any rest, are troubled because they get little time to live in peace. It is for a permanent rest that God has created this."

So, before the end of his life does not an intelligent person by waking up and destroying his mind, get permanent rest here itself?

-Courtesy
Stories For Meditation by
Sri Shãntãnanda Puri Maharãj

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