The man with four wives ~ Ajahn Brahm

The man with four wives
~ Ajahn Brahm

A man, who was successful in life, maintained four wives. When his life was about to end, he called to his bedside his fourth wife, the most recent and youngest.

'Darling,' he said, stroking her legendary figure, 'in a day or two I will be dead. After death, I will be lonely without you. Will you come with me?'

'No way!' declared the illustrious girl. 'I must stay behind. I will speak your praises at your funeral, but I can do no more.' And she strode out of his bedroom.

Her cold refusal was like a dagger to his heart. He had given so much attention to his youngest wife. He was proud of her in fact he chose her as his escort to important functions. She gave him dignity in his old age. It was a surprise to find out that she did not love him as he had loved her.

Still, he had three more wives, so he called in the third wife he had joined in middle-age. He had worked so hard to win the hand of his third wife. He loved her deeply for making so many joys possible for him. She was so attractive that many men desired her; yet she had always been faithful. She gave him a sense of security.

'Sweetheart,' he said, grasping her tightly, 'in a day or two I will be dead. After death, I will be lonely without you. Will you come with me?'

'Absolutely not!' asserted the seductive young woman in businesslike manner. 'Such a thing has never been done. I will give you a lavish funeral, but after the service I will go with your sons.'

The third wife's future infidelity shook him to the core. He sent her away and called for his second wife.

He had grown up with her second wife. She wasn't so attractive but she was always there for him, to help him with any problems and give invaluable advice. She was his most trusted friend.

'Beloved,' he said, gazing into her confident eyes, 'in a day or two I will be dead. After death, I will be lonely without you. Will you come with me?'

'I'm sorry,' she said apologetically, 'I cannot go with you. I will go as far as your grave side, but no further.'

The old man was devastated. He called for his first wife, whom he had known seemingly forever. He had neglected her in recent years, especially after he had met his alluring third wife and distinguished fourth wife. But it was this first wife who was really important to him. working quietly behind the scenes. He felt ashamed when he saw her come in ill-dressed and very thin.

'Dearest,' he said imploringly, 'in a day or two I will be dead. After death, I will be lonely without you. Will you come with me?'

'Of course I'll go with you,' she replied impassively. 'I always go with you from one life to life.'

The first wife was called Karma. The second wife's name was Family. The third wife was Wealth. The fourth wife was Fame.

Please read the story once more, now that you know the four wives. Which of the wives is most important to take care of? Which will go with you when you die?

~ OPENING THE DOOR OF YOUR HEART, pp.218-19
by Ajahn Brahm

Image: https://www.deviantart.com/missnoserious/art/Ajahn-Brahm-646964857