The Path of Self-Realization: The Story of King Keshidhwaj and King Khandikya

Among the ancient stories of India, there are tales that do not just describe power, kingdoms, and victory, but the inner transformation of the human soul. One such beautiful story, spread throughout the scriptures, is the story of two royal brothers — King Keshidhwaj and King Khandikya — both of whom attained self-realization. Their journey shows how spiritual awakening can change human life, decisions, and values. This story reflects a time when the light of wisdom guided the lives of kings, warriors, and even common people.

The Legacy of Renunciation

Across traditions — Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, and others — India has witnessed countless individuals renouncing worldly life for the welfare of the soul. Even today, highly educated young people leave everything behind to become monks. Such sacrifices are celebrated, because they reflect the eternal human search for liberation. This story shows how powerful the awakening of the soul can be — a force strong enough to renounce kingdoms, wealth, power, and authority.

Two Great Kings

In ancient times there lived a king known as Dharmadhwaj, a yogi deeply engaged in meditation. He had two sons:

• Amitdhan, the elder

• Kushadhwaj, the younger

From Amitdhan’s lineage was born Khandikya, and from Kushadhwaj came Keshidhwaj. Both cousins were Kshatriyas who followed the path of action, sacrifice, and knowledge. A war broke out between them. Keshidhwaj defeated Khandikya and took the throne. Khandikya left with his ministers and priests into a deep forest, where he lived a peaceful, contemplative life.

Meanwhile, Keshidhwaj continued to perform rituals and sacrifices with devotion and purity.

The Nature of Rituals

In ancient times, sacrifices (yajna) were often performed to fulfil desires: the birth of a child, expansion of a kingdom, healing, protection from enemies, or spiritual merit.

This is called karma-kand — external rituals to fulfil inner desires. Even today, when something doesn’t work, people follow rituals, fasts, or offerings to satisfy their wishes. But the deeper purpose of rituals is transformation — to move beyond desire into knowledge.

A Turning Point: The Death of a Cow

During a yajna, Keshidhwaj’s milk-giving cow was accidentally killed in an uninhabited forest. This was considered a grave sin in ancient times.

The king asked sages what penance should be performed. None could answer. They said only one person possessed the knowledge of such penance — Khandikya, his defeated cousin living in the forest. It was a moment of humility. The king decided to seek knowledge from the very enemy he once defeated. He travelled to the forest where Khandikya lived.

The Question of Revenge

When ministers saw Keshidhwaj approach Khandikya, they advised him: “Kill him now. You will gain his kingdom and wealth.”

But Khandikya replied with astonishing wisdom: “If I kill him, I will gain the earth for a few days. But if I spare him, I will gain divine victory for eternity.” He understood a great truth — earthly victories are temporary; spiritual victories are eternal.

This thought reflects a deep maturity of mind. Today, humans chase small pleasures, becoming slaves to the senses. But true power lies in saying “no” to desire, and “yes” to wisdom.

Receiving Knowledge

Keshidhwaj bowed before Khandikya and asked him the method of penance for the killing of the cow. Khandikya explained the entire process. Keshidhwaj returned to his kingdom, performed the penance with devotion, and completed the yajna. Later, the king realized something was incomplete — he had not yet offered Guru-Dakshina to Khandikya.So, he returned to the forest.

The Greatest Guru-Dakshina

The ministers of Khandikya advised him: “Ask for the entire kingdom. Take back your throne.”

But Khandikya smiled: “The kingdom of Earth is temporary. Why should I ask for something that fades with time?”

When Keshidhwaj asked him to request anything, Khandikya replied: “Teach me the knowledge that destroys all suffering.”

The king was surprised. He asked why Khandikya did not desire his kingdom. Khandikya explained:

• A Kshatriya’s duty is to protect the kingdom.

• Asking for a kingdom creates attachment and bondage.

• Desire for power exists only where ignorance exists.

• It is against the dharma of a warrior to beg for material gain.

Thus, he chose wisdom over wealth.

The Knowledge of Truth

Keshidhwaj taught Khandikya the essence of spiritual wisdom:

• Ignorance makes us believe the impermanent is permanent.

• Ego makes the body appear as the Self.

• The soul is different from the five elements — earth, water, fire, air, and space.

• When the body ends, what remains with us? Nothing except the purity of the soul.

• All actions done for the body lead to bondage.

• Actions done as duty without attachment lead to liberation.

Just as a pot is made with clay and water, so the body is sustained by food and water. What is there to be proud of? When the dust of desires is washed away by the warm water of knowledge, the world settles down like dust, and the soul shines in its eternal purity.

This is the path to moksha — freedom from suffering.

The Result of Self-Realization

After receiving the rare knowledge, Khandikya went deep into the forest to meditate.
Keshidhwaj crowned his son and left for penance. Self-realization ignites the light of wisdom. It destroys ego. It frees the mind from attachment.Even the king of the earth became ready to renounce everything — his throne, his power, his wealth — to attain the truth of the soul.

This is the power of self-realization.

Conclusion

This story shows a profound truth:

• When the soul awakens, the world loses its grip.

• What appears valuable becomes insignificant.

• The desire to possess becomes the desire to understand.

• Power becomes duty, not pride.

• Kingdom disappears, knowledge remains.

Ancient sages were sent to Earth so that humanity could receive the knowledge of liberation. Today, our minds are full of desires, fears, tension, and attachment — but the path is the same:

Knowledge. Yoga. Self-Realization. Liberation.

Just as this story must be read again and again to truly understand its depth, so must the path of knowledge be practiced repeatedly in life.

The joy of the inner world is far greater than the fading pleasures of the outer world.