Laila – Majnu Story

It is reported that Majnu said,”To know Laila you will need the eyes of Majnu.”

The king of his area called Majnu and said. ”You are mad! I know your Laila – an ordinary girl, jet black – nothing special. I feel sorry for you, so here are twelve girls from my palace – they are the most beautiful women of the country. You can choose any one you like. Seeing you cry, my heart also cries.”

Majnu looked at them and said,”There is no Laila among them. They cannot even be compared to Laila, they are not even worth the dust of her feet.”

The king said,”Majnu, you are mad…!”

Majnu said,”That may be so, but I must tell you one thing: to see Laila you will need the eyes of Majnu.”

Majnu is right. To see the beauty of trees you need an eye for art – there is no other proof. If one wants to know love, one will need the heart of a lover – there is no other proof.

Butchers see skin, the beloved see being;
Skin is superficial, being is eternal.
With butcher inside, one cannot canvass beauty;
And with ghetto inside, one cannot realize beauty.

-Nisarg

{Inspired by story of Ashtavakra.}