Day 248 - The Story of Sikhidhvaja and Cudala

Day 248 -  The Story of Sikhidhvaja and Cudala

Vasistha began:

Rama, like the noble King Bhagiratha, you should remain steady and unmoved in life. Now, let me tell you the story of Sikhidhvaja, a king from the Malva kingdom. Sikhidhvaja was wise and virtuous, ruling his kingdom justly from a young age after the early death of his father. As spring arrived, he began to yearn for a companion, and his ministers, understanding his desires, arranged his marriage to Cudala, a princess from the Saurastra kingdom.

Sikhidhvaja and Cudala were deeply in love, inseparable in their devotion to each other. They shared everything—knowledge, wisdom, and the joys of life—so much so that they seemed like one soul in two bodies. Their love was pure and strong, akin to that of the divine couple, Vishnu and his consort.

Vasistha continued:

For many years, they lived in happiness, but as time passed, they began to reflect on the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures. Realizing that all earthly joys were temporary and ultimately unsatisfying, Sikhidhvaja and Cudala turned to spiritual study, seeking something that would free them from sorrow. They concluded that only through self-knowledge could they find true peace.

Cudala, in particular, delved deep into self-inquiry, asking herself, "Who am I? How did ignorance and delusion arise?" She realized that the body, mind, and ego were not her true self—they were merely illusions, while the true self was pure consciousness. She understood that consciousness remains unchanged, even when it seems to identify with the world’s illusions.

Vasistha concluded:

Cudala eventually attained enlightenment. She realized that all of existence is pure consciousness, eternal and untainted by the illusions of the world. With this understanding, she found supreme peace, free from all delusion and mental agitation. In her enlightenment, Cudala saw that all beings were essentially the same pure consciousness, and she rested in the ultimate state of liberation.