Race Against Time

King Khatvang was a famous warrior from the Solar dynasty. He was known for his unmatched strength and great courage. His name became legendary over time. At a later time, Lord Ram descended in this dynasty. In this blog, we will talk about King Khatvang and the value of time.

Celestial Summons

King Khatvang, a legendary invincible warrior renowned for his battlefield skills, received a summons from none other than Indra, the mighty king of the devatas, celestial beings. The call to arms was urgent—the devatas needed his unmatched prowess to conquer the fearsome asuras, demons who dwell in the netherworld. 

Indra: "King Khatvang, we are in dire need! The fearsome asuras of the netherworld are wreaking havoc! Only your unparalleled might can help us."

King Khatvang: "Indra, for the sake of righteousness, I will help you."

King Khatvang: The Wise

With valour that struck like lightning, King Khatvang charged into battle, leading the devatas to a resounding victory over the asuras.

In the aftermath of this epic confrontation, Indra, grateful for King Khatvang’s extraordinary feats, offered him a boon to fulfil his desires. King Khatvang turned down any earthly treasures or pleasures, for his heart and mind were eternally immersed in visions of Lord Vishnu, the ultimate divine essence. His devotion transcended all; his spirit sang of a higher calling beyond mere riches.

King Khatvang knew all too well that even the celestial beings, the devatas, were not immune to the allure of sensual delights. Countless souls dream of ascending to Svarg (heaven) in the form of a devata after death, yearning to indulge in the lavish pleasures that await them there. However, King Khatvang possessed wisdom beyond mere desire; he understood that the devatas could never lead him to the ultimate truth of God-realization. So, when presented with the enticing offer of a boon, his curiosity was sparked. 

Value of Time - 48 Minutes!

He boldly asked, “Can you reveal how much longer I have to live?” The devatas responded, “You have one muhoort of life remaining.”

Hindu scriptures specify that a 24-hour day is divided into 30 muhoort. Therefore, one muhoort corresponds to 48 minutes (24 x 60 minutes in a day / 30 = 48).

Anyone else would have been reeling in shock and devastation at such news, but King Khatvang was no ordinary man. With a surprising calmness and composed demeanour, he faced the revelation like a rock in a storm, ready to tackle whatever came next.

King Khatvang realised the value of time. In a whirlwind of urgency, he summoned an aerial vehicle to carry him back from the celestial realm of heaven to his earthly kingdom.

God-realisation

Upon his arrival, all ties to the material world faded away as he cast aside his attachments and plunged deep into meditation, seeking the divine presence.

King Khatvang was able to achieve God-realization within that brief hour because of past devotional practices. His journey from the edge of death to spiritual awakening in just 48 minutes was truly an extraordinary achievement.

Summary

King Khatvang, a celebrated warrior from the Solar dynasty, was renowned for his bravery and skill. He was summoned by Indra to aid the devatas in defeating the asuras, and his valour secured their victory. When Indra offered King Khatvang a boon, he inquired about his remaining lifespan and learned he had only one muhoort (approximately 48 minutes). Recognising the profound value of this brief time, King Khatvang swiftly returned to his kingdom, relinquished worldly attachments, and through deep meditation, attained God-realization before his time ran out.

Moral

This narrative underscores the importance of time and the potential for spiritual awakening even in a limited period. 

Let's Reflect

Knowing that even a legendary king like Khatvang had a finite amount of time, and how he chose to spend his final moments, how do you value your time? What truly matters in the grand scheme of things?