Who is the most important person? What is the most important time?

What is the most important

karma? Once upon a time, a king got up in the morning with these three questions on his mind. In
the royal court, he asked his ministers and other courtiers. Some said the king was the most
important person, the time of ones death was the most important time, and serving ones religion
was the most worthwhile karma. Many others had different answers like ones child or ones parent
was the most important person, the time of birth was the most important time and charity was the
most important karma. Some said God was the most important person, many said it was the farmer,
some replied it was the soldier and so on and so forth.

The king wasnt satisfied with the responses. The three questions were put to his subjects too but no
one could provide a satisfactory answer. Finally, his chief minister suggested that the king should
visit a sage who lived on the top of a certain mountain. Promptly, the arrangements were made and
the king was on his way with his entourage. It was a steep climb and a few hours later he found
himself outside the cave of the yogi. As was the custom, he left his sword outside the door,
prostrated before the sage and posed his questions. In response, the sage took him to the edge of a
cliff, a nearby high point overlooking the entire kingdom. The king was looking at his vast
dominion and feeling good about his life thus far when he was interrupted by a voice behind him.
Turn around, it said.
The king turned back and saw the sage pointing the sword at kings heart, just a few millimeters
away.
O King! the sage continued, do you know now, whos the most important person, whats the
most important time and whats the most important karma?
The king was startled. After his heart skipped a beat, a calm feeling swept over his entire being and
his eyes twinkled. He bowed as much in reverence as affirmation. The sage handed back the sword.
The king expressed his gratitude and went back to his palace.
His courtiers asked him the next day if he got a satisfactory answer and if so, they were quite eager
to know as well, they said.

Yes, said the king. The sage answered all three questions in an instant. Just when I was in awe
looking at my colossal kingdom from the edge, I realized the most worthwhile karma for me was to
continue to love my subjects, to care for them was the most important karma, indeed. I was a king
because of my subjects, I realized. And then the sage appeared with my sword in his hand. I was a
few moments away from death. I realized the most important time was now. At that moment my
past didnt matter and I had no future. Now was the only moment I had. Now is the only time I
have. Now will be the only time Ill ever have.
The king went quiet in reflection. A minute ticked by.
And, Your Majesty, the minister said, who is the most important person?
You.
Me?
Yes, you. But not you.
Your wisdom is beyond my grasp, Your Grace.
The most important person is the person you are with, the king clarified. Therefore, you are the
most important person right now.

When I first came across this story by Leo Tolstoy, I thought only if one could remember these
answers, major aspects of their life would undergo an automatic transformation. The person you are
with now is the most important person. When you give your sole attention to the person you are
dealing with, you boost their self-esteem, you make them feel important, they feel cared, they feel
respected. All the other positive emotions sprout naturally. And undoubtedly, now is the most
important time, the most important moment. This is the only moment we can act in. In essence, this
is the principle of mindfulness to give your attention to the present moment. To be able to love,
to be able to care is the most important karma, its the most worthwhile thing you can do with
yourself, with others, with your time, with your life. When you are with yourself, be with yourself,
love yourself; when you are with someone else, give them your undivided attention. Youll
accomplish lot more in lot less.

And, what is the most important feeling? Is it success? Is it feeling in control? Being in love? To be
loved? Is it to feel important? No, not in my world. The most important feeling, in my view, is to
feel contented. Contentment is the most important feeling. When you are contented, you feel strong,
you feel peaceful, you overflow with love and compassion, you sleep in peace, you wake up happy,
all struggle disappears and everything looks in place. To quote Shakespeare:

And this our life, exempt from public haunt,

Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks,
Sermons in stones, and good in everything.

When you are with yourself, you are the most important person; dont devote your thoughts and
energy to meaningless grudges of the past. Negative thoughts have never propelled anyone into
positivity. Go on now! Be with the person you are with, doing the most important karma.