Vol. 6, The Alchemy of Happiness Purity of Life Ideal
Once in the Panjab some little girls were playing together when Maharaja Ranjit Singh passed by. He was taking a walk, disguised as an ordinary man. One little girl said, "I am going to marry a millionaire"; another little girl said, "I am going to marry a general." Then a third little girl who was a Rajput, a caste which is known for its pride and chivalry, said, "I am going to marry the king of this place, the Maharaja." Ranjit Singh, who was old enough to be her grandfather, overheard this and was greatly amused. He told the parents of that girl that when the time of her wedding came they should apply to him, and then a dowry would be given to her by the state so that she could be happy all her life.
Years passed and the king died; and the time came for the parents to think about arranging their daughter's marriage. When the question was put to the girl she said, "How can it be? I have been married already. Did I not give my word? Is it not enough?" They said, "It was a word given in your childhood, it meant nothing at all. It was play, and the Maharaja is now dead." She said, "No, I will not hear another word about it. I am the daughter of a Rajput, I have given my word and I will not go back on it." This is an extreme ideal; it has a fanatical aspect, but nevertheless it is an ideal.
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