Shri Nathji was fond of telling the following parable:
A Mahatma approached the palace of a King and hailed the guards:
Is there any place in this tavern for me? I wish to stay the night!
Begone! said the guards, this is not a tavern, this is the palace of the King!
I see only a tavern! said the Mahatma, surely it will have a place in it for a traveller like me?
The King, who was watching the scene from the palace balcony, heard the Mahatma call his palace a tavern, and he said to the Mahatma:
O Sage! Why do you call my palace a tavern? Don’t you see I live in it?
I can see you live in it, O King–that is why I call it a tavern! replied the Mahatma.
Explain yourself, O Sage! said the King.
Listen, therefore, O King! said the Mahatma, who lived in this palace before you?
My father.
And before him?
My grandfather, and my ancestors.
Who shall come here after you?
My children.
And after them?
My grandchildren and their descendants!
Listen, therefore, O King! Who says this is not a Tavern–where so many have come and gone!
“Kaun kaihtaa hai ye Musaafirkhaana naheen hai jahaan itne aaye aur aakar chale gaye!”