Stories of Jivavarta: Nothing, Everything by Shon Mehta (Parable)

Once upon a time, there was a king. He was a good person, but he had one problem—he felt unhappy all the time. He worried about many things: the future of his children, the safety of his kingdom, and his own health. Because of his nature, the king could never enjoy anything.

One day, the king’s minister told him about a great sage known for helping people with their problems.

Immediately, the king visited the sage’s ashram and shared all his troubles.

“Wise One, help me with my problem. I am never happy. What should I do?” asked the king with hopeful eyes.

“Always remember—nothing in life is so important that you should worry so much. Life is just emptiness. All this worry will only push you toward an early death. So, henceforth, whenever you feel unhappy, keep saying: ‘Nothing is so important that I should worry so much.’” advised the sage.

“This is such an easy thing to do,” the king said to himself.

The king returned to his kingdom. Though he doubted the usefulness of the sage’s remedy, he followed it nonetheless.

Whenever he began to worry, he would say to himself, “Nothing is so important in the world that I should worry so much.” Each time he repeated this, he felt a little less unhappy.

Time passed, and the king became more cheerful day by day. To celebrate, he organized a grand gala. He ordered the entire kingdom to be decorated and invited the great sage.

On the day of the gala, the king walked around with the sage and his minister, inspecting the arrangements.

“What beautiful flower decorations,” said the minister, admiring the tiny blossoms.

“Oh yes, certainly. They look so beautiful. In fact, life itself is beautiful. Everything in life is important for our happiness,” said the sage.

Hearing this, the king felt a little surprised.

He wondered, “This sage is so dual-minded. What does this mean? A few months ago, he told me nothing is important, and now he says everything is important.”

Just as the king was about to ask his question, the sage replied with a mischievous smile, “I know what you’re wondering. But life is like that. Nothing in life is so important that you should worry so much. Yet at the same time, everything is important for our happiness. The happier you become, the more things you’ll discover that can bring you joy. If one truly wants to be happy, one will find joy in almost everything—no matter how small, like that tiny flower decoration. 

So remember: ‘Nothing is important, yet everything is important.’”

Original Publication: https://www.shonmehta.com/2012/12/nothing-everything.html

Reflection: Can something be both insignificant and deeply meaningful at the same time?

The Paradox of Meaning: Reconciling Emptiness and Significance

Abstract This parable explores the philosophical paradox presented in the story of a troubled king and a wise sage: “Nothing is important, yet everything is important.” Drawing on concepts from Advaita Vedanta, Stoicism, Buddhism, and existentialism, it examines how detachment from worry and appreciation of life’s details can coexist. The king’s transformation illustrates that peace arises not from rejecting life’s events, but from reframing their significance. Happiness, then, is found in the balance between letting go and leaning in.

Essay The tale of the unhappy king reveals a timeless philosophical tension. Burdened by fears of the future, the king seeks relief from a sage, who advises him to repeat, “Nothing is so important that I should worry so much.” This echoes Advaita Vedanta, Stoic, and Buddhist teachings: suffering stems from attachment to impermanent things. As the king practices detachment, his mind lightens.

Yet, as joy returns, he begins to notice beauty in small things. The sage later declares, “Everything is important for our happiness.” This reflects existentialist thought, meaning is not inherent but created through engagement. Thus, happiness lies in embracing life’s paradox: nothing is important, yet everything is important.

Jivavarta is a fictional land created by Shon Mehta, where epic tales of power, survival, and social upheaval unfold, as seen in her novels The Timingila and Lair of the Monster, along with many other stories and parables set in this richly imagined world.