THE GOD-MAN The Life, Journeys and Work of Meher Baba with an ...

THE FINAL DECLARATION 243Master. During his reign, there was a youth from outside his empire who longed desperately to see God. 'Imust see him', he said, 'as clearly as I see these external things.' And he decided to see Janak and ask hishelp. For two months he walked through sun and rain without food. This was about seven thousand yearsago. There were no automobiles and airplanes then. Finally he arrived at the courtyard of Janak's palace.The guards accosted and stopped him. He stood outside the wall, crying aloud for Janak, shouting his name,his glory and his fame. At last Janak heard him, and asked his ministers to inquire who he was. 'I am alover of God', he replied, 'I want to see God. Janak must show me God.' Janak had him brought in and saidto his ministers, 'Throw him in prison'. So he was thrown into jail. The youth thought, 'This Janak, whocalls himself all-knowing, must know that I am seeking God, yet he sends me to prison'. After a few daysduring which the youth had had no food nor drink, Janak ordered him to be brought to audience. Janaksaluted him with folded hands, and ordered his ministers to give him a bath, to feed him, and to treat himlike a prince. He was brought to the palace and seated on Janak's throne. 'Let him enjoy this state for threedays', said Janak. The youth did not grasp what Janak had in mind, and of course he did not know how tomanage the affairs of state. Poor people came begging, ministers came for advice; he didn't know what todo, so he kept quiet. Finally he appealed to the ministers to ask Janak to free him from this uncomfortableposition. Janak came, ordered him to get down from the throne, and asked him which he preferred, life inprison or life on the throne. The boy said, 'They are both prisons, but of different kinds'. Janak thendirected him to go, and to return after twelve years."The youth left the palace, roamed about India, became a rich man, and took the name of Kalyan, whichmeans 'happy in every respect'. After twelve years he returned to Janak, this time rich and prosperous. Theguards again checked him, asking who he was. 'I am the rich Kalyan', he said; Janak, on hearing this, sentword for him to go away for a few more years. So Kalyan returned home and, in the course of time, losteverything that he possessed. After twelve years he returned to Janak who again asked who he was. 'I amthe miserable Kalyan', he replied. Janak then sent him away again for twelve more months."During this time Kalyan started pondering. 'What is this? When I first went to Janak, I had nothing but Iwanted to see God. Then I was thrown into prison. Then I was placed on the throne. Then I became rich.Then I became poor. What does all this mean?'"When he returned to Janak's palace after twelve months, one of the