THIS LIFE IS A TAVERN

 THIS LIFE IS A TAVERN

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FROM THE PARABLES OF MY FATHER, HH SHRI BHOLA NATHJI, A GREAT SPIRITUAL LUMINARY OF OUR TIMES, WHO GAVE PEACE AND BEATITUDE TO COUNTLESS FOLK DURING HIS LIFETIME, AND RELIEVED THEM OF THEIR SORROWS AND SUFFERINGS, AND WHOSE WORDS AND BLESSINGS STILL GO OUT TOWARDS HUMANITY FROM HIS CELESTIAL ABODE.

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Despite the repeated injunctions, messages and warnings of the many Saviours and Avatars and Holy Men, who came into this world, people have not changed over time. They still continue to cling to the world as if it is their real home, and forget that they have to leave it one day to go to another world. This world is all that matters to them.

To illustrate this maxim, HH Shri Bhola Nathji would often narrate this parable he had composed, to awaken the eyes of humanity.

THE KING AND THE HOLY MAN

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The Holy Man and the Tavern

Shri Nathji was fond of telling the following parable:

A Holy Man approached the palace of a King and hailed the guards:

"Is there any place in this tavern for me? I wish to stay the night!"

"Begone!" said the guards, "this is not a tavern, this is the palace of the King!"

"I see only a tavern!" said the Holy Man "surely it will have a place in it for a traveller

like me?"

The King, who was watching the scene from the palace balcony, heard the Holy Man call his palace a tavern, and he said to the Holy Man.

"O Sage! Why do you call my palace a tavern? Don't you see I live in it?"

"I can see you live in it, O King–that is why I call it a tavern!" replied the Holy Man

"Explain yourself, O Sage!" said the King.

"Listen, therefore, O King!" said the Holy Man "who lived in this palace before you?"

"My father."

"And before him?"

"My grandfather, and my ancestors."

"WilL you remain on this throne forever?

"No! I too shall have to go!"

"Who shall come here after you?"

"My children."

"And after them?"

"My grandchildren and their descendants!"

The Holy man said:

"Listen, therefore, O King! " WHO SAYS THIS IS NOT A TAVERN WHERE SO MANY HAVE COME AND GONE?"

"KAUN KAIHTAA HAI YE MUSAAFIRKHAANA NAHEEN HAIN JAHAAN ITNE AAYE AUR AAKAR CHALE GAYE!"

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COPYRIGHT

PRIYA NATH MEHTA

SON OF:

HH SHRI BHOLA NATHJI