A well-known spiritual parable appears in different forms in Indian bhakti, Sufi, and folk teaching traditions. It doesn’t belong to one single canonical text, but it is often told by saints and teachers to explain detachment, ego, and responsibility.
The Story (common version)
A king summons three unmarried men to his court.
They refuse to go.
One says: “I am free. Why should I bind myself to a king?”
Another says: “I fear losing my independence.”
The third says: “I have nothing to gain.”
The king lets them be.
Years later, all three men get married.
Now—without being summoned—they begin visiting the king regularly, seeking his favor.
The King asks:
“Earlier you would not come even when I called you.
Now I have not called you—why do you come?”
Their replies:
“Now I have a family to protect.”
“Now I need wealth and security.”
“Now I fear punishment if I displease power.”
The Teaching / Symbolism
Unmarried state → symbolizes inner freedom, detachment, fearlessness
Marriage → symbolizes attachments, responsibilities, ego, fear of loss
King → symbolizes power, authority, the world, or even God
Core Message
A person without attachments is fearless and independent.
A person bound by possessions and relationships becomes obedient—even servile—to power.
In spiritual discourse, this story is often used to explain:
Why renunciates are fearless before kings
Why householders seek favor from authority
How attachment creates fear
Why freedom is not about status, but about non-dependence
Kabir, Dadu Dayal, and later Vedantic and Sufi teachers use similar metaphors, even if this exact story isn’t written verbatim in their works.
Know Thyself 