Power is the Reciprocal of Desire – Ascetic Power

From my “Philosophical Writing” Archives:

ASCETIC POWER 

Power is the Reciprocal of Desire

Philosophical Musings

By

VIKRAM KARVE

  

It will be best for me to relate a story – probably apocryphal – which illustrates the concept of ASCETIC POWER 

THE STORY OF EMPEROR ALEXANDER AND PHILOSOPHER DIOGENES

Alexander the Great – the Emperor of the World – had conquered all Lands and Seas. 

He considered himself the “Son of a God”. 

All knelt before him in veneration and reverence. 

One day – early in the morning – Emperor Alexander the Great was riding with his Army through Greece.

Suddenly – he saw a man lying naked in the sand – by the side of a river – basking and sunbathing – in the early morning sunlight.

Curious at seeing this bizzare sight of the prostrate naked man – Emperor Alexander rode towards the naked man. 

The man who was basking in the sun seemed to be totally indifferent to the distinguished visitor and his entourage.

The naked man remained prostrate – and he made no attempt to get up. 

He totally ignored the Emperor Alexander the Great sitting majestically on his horse.

An angry soldier shouted at the naked man: “You there – do you know in whose presence you are...?”

“Who is he...?” the prostrate naked man answered lazily.

The naked man did not stir – and he made no move to get up.

The astonished soldier proclaimed: “Wretched man – you are in the presence of His Exalted Highness – Alexander the Great – Emperor of the World.”

“Oh...” the naked sunbather said impassively – and he continued to lie down. 

The naked man casually looked up at Alexander the Great – mounted imposingly on his horse – and – the naked man said to Alexander: 

“I am Diogenes...”

“Ah – so you are the philosopher Diogenes...!!!” Alexander exclaimed. 

“Yes. I am Diogenes...” the naked man said.

Emperor Alexander said to Diogenes: 

“I have always wanted to meet you – I have heard so many stories about you. My Dear Diogenes – I am impressed by you. I will grant you anything you wish. What do you desire...? Tell me – what do you desire...? Diogenes – ask for anything in the world – and it will be yours...”

Still lying prostrate on the sand – Diogenes said to Alexander: 

“Please could you move a little to the side – and get out of my sunlight – because you are blocking the sun and spoiling my sunbath. That is all I want from you – just move a little to the side…”  

MORAL OF THE STORY

Power is the reciprocal of desire. 

If I desire something from you – then you have the power – to either grant – or withhold – what I desire from you. 

If I do not desire anything from you – then you have no power over me. 

A desire can be any form. 

It can be tangible – like material wealth – or even intangible – like love, appreciation etc. 

In his time – Emperor Alexander the Great was the most “powerful” man on earth.

But – he had no power over Diogenes – because Diogenes did not desire anything from him.

This story illustrates the fact that: 

You cannot have power over someone who desires nothing from you. 

That is Ascetic Power – the highest form of Power – when you desire nothing from anyone.

Do you have “Ascetic Power” –  at least over some people – in some situations – some of the time...?

VIKRAM KARVE

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Disclaimer:

1. These are my personal views based on my observations and life experiences and the stories and examples quoted may be apocryphal.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

 

This Article written by me 30 years ago in the 1980s and posted online many times including in my blogs - for example at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2010/10/power-and-desire.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/03/power-is-reciprocal-of-desire-story.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/10/ascetic-power.html etc