The Best Character
| The Best Character | |
|---|---|
 The story of the discourse revolved around Vikranta and Alarka, who were the king of Kashi (current map pictured) | |
| Speaker | Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar |
| Date | March 1963 |
| Place | Jamalpur |
| Location in Sarkarverse |
 |
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.[1]
Synopsis
Story
In this discourse Sarkar told a story of ancient India. Long ago there was a lady name Madalasa. She was a great sádhiká (spiritual aspirant). She agreed to marry Chitrasena, king of Kashi, only on one condition that he would not interfere in their future children's education and upbringing, and if he does so she would leave her immediately.[1]
The marriage took place and the couple had three sons— the first son was named Vikranta and the third son was named Alarka. Madalasa started giving spiritual education to Vikranta. Her teachings were full of spiritual knowledge. When Vikranta was an infant, she used to recite a lullaby to Vikranta—[1]
| “ | Shuddho’si buddho’si niraiṋjano’si saḿsáramáyá parivarjito’si; Saḿsárasvapnaḿ tyajamohanidrám Madálasollápamuváca putram. |
” |
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."[1]
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,[1]
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.[1]
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.[1]
After the departure of Madalasa, Chitrasena had Alarka involved in material pursuits. Alarka started developing bad habits and finally there was hardly any evil to which he had not gotten habituated. At this time Chirasena died and Alrka became the king of Kashi.[1]
But even after becoming the king of Kashi, Alarka was always engrossed in his own entertainment and had no time in hand to look after his state or its people. Naturally the condition of the people of the state started deteriorating and the officers' exploitation increased.[1]
Vikranta, who was a Sannyási at this time, heard about the condition of the state and its people and felt very anxious. He wanted to teach his younger brother a lesson and guide him into the right path. Thinking this, he went to the king of Kaushala, gave him his identity and requested him to attack and conquer Kashi. The king of Kaushala was a moralist. He assented to the proposal and attacked Kashi. Kashi was easily conquered. Alarka fled away forests.[1]
After conquering Kashi, Vikranta thought his younger brother had got a lesson and he would come back to Kashi and rule the kingodm in a better way. Thinking this, he went back to his place. But at that time Alarka was staying in the forsts. So, the king of Kaushala started ruling Kashi too.[1]
In the forest Alarka found himself helpless and in trouble. Suddenly his eyes fell upon the ring and the suggestion of her mother, Madalasa, came to his mind, which was conveyed to him by his father, Chitrasena. He immediately broke the ring and found two pieces of advice written in it—[1]
- "Do not have any desire, but if that be not possible, then have the desire for mokśa [non-qualified liberation]."
- "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 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.[1]
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.[1]
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.[1]
Sarkar ended his story here.[1]
Sarkar's question — Who's the best character?
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.[1]
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—[1]
A great majority in society, and actually speaking almost all, do commit mistakes. They repent, too, and are always desirous of correcting themselves, of improving themselves. Alarka will inspire all such persons. These persons can get new hope in Alarka, thinking that if a man like Alarka could rise to great heights, why can’t they? Alarka will keep encouraging them to rebuild their careers in a nicer way.
Publication
The discourse of Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar was included in Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 31.[1]