Raja Janaka and the Pundits

Divine Life Society Publication: Wisdom through Stories - Adhyatma Yoga by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivananda

Some Pundits criticised Raja Janaka.
"Raja Janaka is a worldly man
How can he be a Jnani or a sage?"
Raja Janaka wanted to teach them a lesson
He called all Pundits
And gave them a very good feast
Many tasty preparations were served
All the Pundits were rejoicing.
They saw a sword hanging above their heads
The sword was tied by means of a hair.
They all trembled
They all mixed everything and ate hurriedly.
They came to the Durbar
Raja Janaka asked
"O Pundits, what all things you ate today?"
Were they all nice according to your taste?
The Pundits replied,
"Our minds were on hair only
We do not know anything
We did not relish anything"
Janaka said,
"O Pundits! Similar is the state of my mind
My mind is fixed on Brahman alone
I do not know anything of this world."
The Pundits put down their heads in shame
They now realised the state of a Jivanmukta.

Excerpts from: Raja Janaka and the Pundits - Wisdom through Stories - Adhyatma Yoga by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivananda