(I am writing here in my own words a story by Leo Tolstoy.)

Once there was a king who wished to get answers to three questions he considered fundamental to his responsibilities as a ruler.

What is the right time to begin anything?
Whom should I listen to and whom should I avoid?
What is the most important thing I can do at any given moment?

The king consulted many learned men. They gave him a variety of answers, ranging from drawing up schedules to consulting magicians and warriors. Not satisfied, the king ventured off into the woods to consult a hermit.

The hermit, frail and weak, was digging a hole when the king approached and asked him his three questions. The hermit did not answer, but simply continued his digging. Seeing his heavy breathing and tired body, the king offered to dig for him. When he had dug two beds, the king stopped and repeated his questions. But the hermit simply stood up, told the king to rest awhile, while he would do the digging. The king, however, did not give him the spade, and continued to dig till the sun sank beneath the trees. Then, he repeated his questions. Instead of answering him, the hermit looked up and said:

“Here comes someone running. Let us see who it is.”

A bearded man was coming towards them, hands pressed on his stomach, from which blood was flowing. He fainted before the king and the hermit, who delivered the best aid they could in the circumstances, and when the man awoke, thirsty, the king himself made the long walk to get him some fresh water.

When the king awoke the next day, having fallen into an exhausted sleep the night before, he found the man gazing intently at him.

“Forgive me!” said the bearded man in a weak voice, when he saw that the king was awake and was looking at him.

“I do not know you, and have nothing to forgive you for,” said the king.

The man revealed that the king had killed his brother and seized his property. As revenge, the man had gone after the king, and upon learning that the king had gone into the forest by himself, he had planned to ambush and kill him on his way back from the hermit. But the king’s bodyguards had found him and wounded him.

“I escaped from them, but should have bled to death had you not dressed my wound. I wished to kill you, and you have saved my life. Now, if I live, and if you wish it,” said the man, “I will serve you faithfully and will bid my sons do the same. Forgive me!”

The king was pleased to have made peace with an enemy — now a friend — so easily. He not only forgave the man, but promised to return his property and look after his health.

After the man left, the king went to find the hermit, who was planting seeds in the beds he had dug the previous day. Once again, he asked the hermit for answers to his three questions.

“You have already been answered!” said the hermit, still crouching on his thin legs, and looking up at the king, who stood before him.

“How do you say that, oh wise one? What do you mean?” asked the king.

“Do you not see?” asked the hermit.

“If you had not pitied my weakness yesterday, and had not dug these beds for me, but had gone your way, that man would have attacked you, and you would have repented of not having stayed with me. So the most important time was when you were digging the beds; and I was the most important man; and to do me good was your most important business.”

“Afterwards, when that man ran to us, the most important time was when you were attending to him, for if you had not bound up his wounds he would have died without having made peace with you. So he was the most important man, and what you did for him was your most important business.”

“Remember then: there is only one time that is important — and that is now! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power. The most important man to listen to is he with whom you are, for no man knows whether he will ever have dealings with any one else. And the most important thing to do is, to do good, because for that purpose alone was man sent into this life!”

I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I did, and I will leave you with three questions you can reflect on for your own self: Do you treat the present moment with the reverence it deserves? Do you give the person you’re interacting with your undivided, heartfelt attention? And does the work you do have a larger, uplifting purpose?

Warmly,
Hitendra

P.S. You can learn more about Purpose, one of the five Core Energies, in my book Inner Mastery, Outer Impact. I also invite you to share this newsletter with others in your circle who might be grappling with these questions, who might benefit from the actions of the king and the wisdom of the hermit.

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