Conquering the World

What do you think will make you happy?
What is the goal you’re working towards in the hope that it will bring you peace?

The story of the young monarch and his question to the sage holds a kind of wisdom that may speak to us too.

The Monarch’s Visit

A young monarch once sought the counsel of a revered sage. Bowing deeply, he said:

“I have heard of your reputation as a teacher of wisdom. Your insight is respected far and wide. With all the power I have acquired, I can summon anyone to my court, to acquire whatever I desire.

But today, for the first time in my life, I have walked to someone — to ask for something I cannot acquire by force.”

He paused, then continued:

“I have conquered lands in all four directions. I have amassed wealth beyond measure. I have taken from the people until there is nothing more to take. Prestige, power, gold — all now belong to me.

And yet… I am not satisfied.”

“I am wondering whether acquiring more wealth will give me satisfaction. Would more power ease my restlessness? What if I double my kingdom, and still feel the same emptiness?”

“I have heard that you have the answer to my problem. That is why I have come to you.”

The Thirst for Truth

Bhai Gurdas, a revered Sikh scholar and poet, once wrote:

Just as a starving man roams in search of food,
Or the sick go from one doctor to another for healing,
Just as the bumblebee circles the lotus in search of nectar —
So too does the seeker wander, until they find one who can lead them to Truth.
And in time, they dissolve into it.

This was the state of the monarch.

The sage recognised that this was no idle curiosity. If it were merely an intellectual question, he would have stayed silent. The wise often avoid clever debates — they consider them a waste of sacred energy.

But when a question arises from the depths of the soul, it is different.

To respond to such a question is the teacher’s duty. In doing so, even their own practice is enriched. Soul-deep questions carry longing. They take the seeker to the search for truth. And finding the answers becomes so valuable to them, that they are willing to give up everything else in return.

The Condition

Sensing the monarch’s sincerity, the sage agreed to help — but with one condition:

“You must watch silently, without speaking.”

The monarch agreed.

The sage led him to a nearby well. In silence, he drew a broken bucket tied to a rope and lowered it into the water. He pulled it up — it was empty. He repeated the action. Again, the bucket came up dry.

Ten times, the sage drew water. Ten times, the bucket returned empty.

A Futile Effort

The monarch could no longer stay silent. He blurted out:

“Master, forgive me for breaking my promise. But I cannot hold back. Watching this is more painful than the question that brought me here.”

“This bucket has no bottom. You could keep lowering it forever — it will never be filled.”

The sage turned to him and said quietly:

“That is the answer to both your questions.”

“A bottomless bucket can never be filled.
And a heart without contentment can never be satisfied.”

He continued:

“You found it absurd to see me drawing water with a broken bucket. But you’ve been doing the same — sending out the bucket of acquisition into the world your entire life. You’ve used power, conquest, and wealth — again and again — hoping it would bring you peace.”

“Has it? Or is it time to stop this endless effort?”

The Key to the Problem

The sage’s words echoed a truth that wisdom traditions have long pointed to – 

वडे वडे राजन अरु भूमन ता की तृसन न बूझी ॥
Even the greatest kings and landlords are unable to quench their thirst for more.

लपटि रहे माइआ रंग माते लोचन कछू न सूझी ॥१॥
Intoxicated by the pleasures of Maya (worldly illusion), they cling to it. Their eyes are so blinded, they see nothing else. ||1||

बिखिआ महि किन ही तृपति न पाई ॥
No one has ever found true contentment in indulgence or corruption.

जिउ पावकु ईधनि नही ध्रापै बिनु हरि कहा अघाई ॥ रहाउ ॥
Just as fire is never satisfied by more fuel, the hunger of desire cannot be calmed—
Only by turning toward the Divine can one truly be fulfilled. ||Pause||

Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 486

Material things serve the body — but they cannot nourish the soul. The fire of desire only grows with more fuel. The way to calm the fires of greed, worry, pride, and craving is to turn inward. To connect with wisdom. With the Source.

References

Jaswant Singh Parwana, Bahiye Padhiye Paas 

Image Credit: Anxiety by Nicholas Roerich, 1938

Reflection Question

Is there an area of your life where you’ve stopped chasing — and found peace? What helped you make that switch? And how did it change you?