The Art Of War – Osho Story and Meaning

A great swordsman, a great warrior, came back home and found that his servant was making love to his wife. According to custom, he challenged the servant — gave him a sword and told him to come out of the house and let it be decided; whoever remains alive will be the husband of the woman.

The servant did not even know how to hold a sword — he was a poor servant, he had never been trained in swordsmanship. He said, “Master, although you are following a convention, and respecting even a servant and giving him an opportunity, this is for you just a game. I don’t know anything about swordsmanship. At least give me a few minutes so that I can go to the greatest master — who lives nearby in a monastery, a Zen monk — to have some clue.”

The man agreed. He said, “You can go. And if it is needed, a few hours, or even a few days, or even a few months — you can get disciplined. I will wait for you.”

He went to the great warrior, the Zen master. The Zen master said, “Even years of training will not help you. Your boss is just second to me in the whole country — you cannot hope to compete with him. My suggestion is: this is the right moment to fight.”

The servant could not understand. He said, “What kind of puzzle are you giving to me: this moment is the right moment?”

And he said, “Yes, because you have one thing certain — your death. Now more than that you cannot lose. Your master has many things to lose: his wife, his prestige, his respectability as a warrior; he is a great landlord… all his money — his mind cannot be total while he is fighting. But you can be total. You have to be total — just a moment of unawareness and you are gone; you have to be totally alert. This is the right moment; don’t bother about any discipline — you simply take the sword and go.”

The servant came back within minutes. His boss said, “Have you learned anything?”

He said, “There is no need of learning anything. Come out of the house!”

And the way he shouted, “Come out of the house” …. The boss could not believe what magical change had happened to his servant. As he came out, the servant, according to convention, bowed down to the boss; the boss bowed down to the servant. That is, in Japan, part of their culture; even with the enemy, you have to respect his dignity, his humanity, his divinity.

And then the servant started hitting the warrior — knowing nothing about swordsmanship. The warrior was at a loss, because where any expert would have hit, the servant would not hit because he had no idea; he would hit somewhere where no expert would have ever hit. And he was fighting with such totality that the warrior started moving backwards, and as the warrior started moving backwards, the servant gathered more courage. He was moving his sword without knowing why — to what purpose, or where he was hitting. And since it has been decided that his death is certain, now there is nothing to worry about — all worries belong to life.

Soon he cornered the master. Behind, there was the wall surrounding the master’s garden. He could not move backwards anymore. He was so afraid of death, for the first time in his life, and he said, “Wait! You can have my wife, you can have my properties; I am renouncing the world, I am becoming a monk.”

He was trembling with fear. Even he could not understand what happened. From where did this courage come? From where this totality? From where this awareness? But it can be only in such special situations that without any discipline, just the situation can create so much awakening in you.

Osho – “The Hidden Splendor”

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What Is the Spiritual Moral / Meaning of Osho's “The Art of War” Story?

The spiritual wisdom embedded in this story unveils the power of total presence and fearlessness in the face of challenges. It signifies that in moments of adversity, when there is nothing more to lose, the courage to be entirely present emerges. The servant, faced with the certainty of death, experienced a radical shift in consciousness. This moral encourages us to embrace each moment with full awareness and fearlessness, recognizing that when faced with the inevitability of loss or challenge, our true strength emerges from a place of total presence and courage.

Furthermore, this story embodies the profound spiritual lesson of embracing the present moment and acting without hesitation. The servant, devoid of any training or expertise, surrendered to the immediacy of the moment. In his total engagement with the present, he acted with spontaneous courage and commitment. This moral invites us to release the burden of past conditioning or future fears and invites us to act with spontaneous authenticity and presence in every moment.

Additionally, the narrative encapsulates the spiritual principle of surrender and detachment. In the face of impending death, the servant relinquished attachment to life's possessions and fears. His surrender to the inevitable outcome brought forth a fearless state of mind, transcending concerns about life's attachments. It emphasizes the transformative power of surrender and non-attachment, revealing that in letting go, one finds true liberation.

Moreover, the story signifies the essence of humility and the recognition of human dignity. Despite the power disparity between the servant and the master, the servant honored the dignity of the warrior. The moral underscores the importance of acknowledging the inherent dignity and divinity in every being, regardless of their social status or circumstances. It calls us to embody humility, compassion, and respect for all beings we encounter on our journey.

Furthermore, the narrative embodies the spiritual principle of unexpected wisdom in innocence. The servant's lack of knowledge in swordsmanship led to a unique approach to combat. His innocence brought forth unexpected strategies, catching the master off guard. This moral encourages us to recognize the depth of wisdom that often arises from a pure and innocent state of mind, reminding us that sometimes, unconventional approaches can lead to profound solutions.

In essence, this story serves as a spiritual guidepost, urging us to confront life's challenges with unwavering presence, fearlessness, and humility. It highlights the transformative power of surrender, the wisdom that arises from innocence, and the importance of honoring the dignity of every being. Ultimately, it invites us to embrace each moment with full awareness, acting from a space of authenticity and courage, knowing that in total presence, true liberation unfolds.