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The Best Character: Difference between revisions
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'''''The Best Character''''' is a discourse of [[Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar]]. He delivered the lecture in March 1963 at Jamalpur, India. In this discourse Sarkar told a story of ancient India.<ref name="EE">The Best Character Electronic Edition Version 7.5</ref> | |||
'''''The Best Character''''' is a discourse of [[Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar]]. He delivered the lecture in March 1963 at Jamalpur. In this discourse Sarkar told a story of ancient India.<ref name="EE">The Best Character Electronic Edition Version 7.5</ref> | |||
== Synopsis == | == Synopsis == | ||
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which meant— "O my son! You are that [pure] Entity; you are that all-knowing Entity; you are that spotless Entity. This world is a passing show, is ever-changing. It is all like a dream. O my son, awaken from your sleep of ignorance and realize the Reality."<ref name="EE" /> | which meant— "O my son! You are that [pure] Entity; you are that all-knowing Entity; you are that spotless Entity. This world is a passing show, is ever-changing. It is all like a dream. O my son, awaken from your sleep of ignorance and realize the Reality."<ref name="EE" /> | ||
Thus Vikranta grew up in such spiritual environment and when he was twelve years old, he renounced everything and took to sannyása. This was a big blow for Chitrasena, the king of Kashi,<ref name="EE" /> | |||
The second son of Madalasa and Chitrasena also | The second son of Madalasa and Chitrasena also followed the footsteps of Vikranta and became a sannyási. Now Madalasa started educating her third son Alarka. One day when Madalasa was teaching lessons to young Alarka, the king was walking outside her palace. When he heard those spiritual teachings, he grew angry. He entered into the room of Madalasa, asked her to stop teaching those lessons and told from that day he would take responsibility of Alarka's education.<ref name="EE" /> | ||
Madalasa reminded Chitrasena about his promise and told him that he had broken his promise by interfering into her children's education and upbringing and prepared to leave him. Before leaving him, she gave him a ring and asked him to give it to Alarka and ask him to break open the ring whenever he will be in a great trouble. Saying this Madalasa left Kashi.<ref name="EE" /> | Madalasa reminded Chitrasena about his promise and told him that he had broken his promise by interfering into her children's education and upbringing and prepared to leave him. Before leaving him, she gave him a ring and asked him to give it to Alarka and ask him to break open the ring whenever he will be in a great trouble. Saying this Madalasa left Kashi.<ref name="EE" /> | ||
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# "Do not keep any type of company, but if that be not possible, keep good company, satsauṋga." | # "Do not keep any type of company, but if that be not possible, keep good company, satsauṋga." | ||
Alarka thought it was not possible for him to become desire-less as he had committed many evils, but he could try to follow the second advice and decided to keep good company. Thinking this he went to the hermitage of Astavakra Rishi, a renowned saint, who was living in the same forest at that time. Alarka started living in | Alarka thought it was not possible for him to become desire-less as he had committed many evils, but he could try to follow the second advice and decided to keep good company. Thinking this he went to the hermitage of Astavakra Rishi, a renowned saint, who was living in the same forest at that time. Alarka started living in the hermitage of Astavakra Rishi. Gradually he lost all desire for material pursuits. At that time, finding neither Vikranta not Alarka, the king of Kaushala was ruling Kashi too.<ref name="EE" /> | ||
Days passed, one day Vikranta thought he had Kashi | Days passed, one day Vikranta thought he had Kashi conquered only for welfare of his younger brother and he must be ruling Kashi nicely. Then he wished to go to Kashi and meet his brother himself. On the other hand, Alarka also felt, Vikranta must be ruling excellently and only because of him, he had got the taste of spiritual life and wished to thank him for this. He too started his journey towards Kashi.<ref name="EE" /> | ||
The two brothers met on the way to Kashi. They felt very glad after seeing each other after a long time and started their journey towards Kaushala. When the king of Kaushala got the information of the two brother's arrival, the king of Kashi himself came to meet them and requested them take back their kingdom back. But neither Vikranta nor Alarka was ready to accept the offer , as both of them already got the taste of spiritual life. They asked the king of Kaushala | The two brothers met on the way to Kashi. They felt very glad after seeing each other after a long time and started their journey towards Kaushala. When the king of Kaushala got the information of the two brother's arrival, the king of Kashi himself came to meet them and requested them take back their kingdom back. But neither Vikranta nor Alarka was ready to accept the offer, as both of them already got the taste of spiritual life. They asked the king of Kaushala to look after Kashi too. Firstly the king of Kaushala disagreed, but later he had to surrender to the two brothers.<ref name="EE" /> | ||
Sarkar ended his story here.<ref name="EE" /> | Sarkar ended his story here.<ref name="EE" /> | ||
=== Sarkar's question — | === Sarkar's question — Who's the best character? === | ||
After ending the story, Sarkar asked his listeners to give their opinion on who | After ending the story, Sarkar asked his listeners to give their opinion on who was the greatest of the three — Vikranta, Alarka, or the king of Kaushala? People around Sarkar started expressing their views. The views were diverse, some thought that Vikranta was the best, others thought that Alarka was the best, and so on.<ref name="EE" /> | ||
Sarkar listened to all of the answers and then gave his own opinion. He told that all three characters - Vikranta, Alarka and the king of Kaushala - were great. However, Alarka was not only great himself but also encouraged and inspired others to be great. Sarkar concluded—<ref name="EE" /> | Sarkar listened to all of the answers and then gave his own opinion. He told that all three characters - Vikranta, Alarka and the king of Kaushala - were great. However, Alarka was not only great himself but also encouraged and inspired others to be great. Sarkar concluded—<ref name="EE" /> | ||
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== Publication == | == Publication == | ||
The discourse of Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar was included in [[Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 31]].<ref name="EE" /> | The discourse of Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar was included in [[Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 31]].<ref name="EE" /> | ||
== See also == | |||
* ''[[Refuge for All]]'' | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Discourses of Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar]] | [[Category:Discourses of Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar in 1963]] | ||