A situation becomes difficult when we are not sure how to handle it effectively. There are two ways by which one can approach the problem. One, by realising that everything is transitory and so this situation is not permanent. Secondly, by thinking of innovative solutions.
A learned man reached old age without a paisa in his hand. He was living in very pitiable conditions with not even one meal per day. This problem of his did not belong to the first category … he had to think of an innovative solution.
Even though he was in rags he decided he would call on the king. Right at the first entrance he was stopped and yet he managed to pass through every point to finally go right up to the king. To everyone’s surprise, he was presented in court.
He bowed before the king and said, “Your majesty, accept my greetings. I have come as your guest.”
The court was appalled. How could a man like him be the king’s guest? The king asked him, “Good man, who invited you? What work would a man who cannot even help himself, be able to do in the king’s court?”
The man smiled. “Do you not recognise me? Do I need an invitation?” he asked. The king looked intently at him and said he did not. But now he was beginning to get angry. He commanded his minister to inquire who had let this man in. “Who are you?” he bellowed. “Your brother, sire, and do I still need an invitation?” said the man bowing to the king. A loud gasp filled the court and the king lost his temper. “How are you my brother? You are a fool. You are mad. Get him out of here.”
As the guards advanced to hold the man by his arms, the man spoke, “Your majesty, you have not recognised me. I am your cousin on your maternal side.” The king could not understand how.
The man said, “Your majesty! My mother’s name is misfortune and your mother is called fortune. Both fortune and misfortune are sisters and so I am your mother’s sister’s son – your cousin.”
The king was astonished. He was truly impressed with what the man had said. The whole court was silent as they encountered this idea. The king gave the man many gifts and embraced him as one would a brother and sent him home.
Man forgets that no condition is permanent. If one is ill, so long as it is not a terminal illness, one can turn it into a condition of health with some effort. If today sorrow is being experienced, tomorrow we may face happiness and joy. One who has the ability to accept this possibility will never face sorrow or ill health, nor will he ever be disappointed, for he knows that things keep changing.
Indeed, one day a man may face misfortune; another day fortune may smile on him as she did on this man. He awakened his dormant energies and so salvaged the situation instead of wallowing in self-pity and poverty. This is the teaching of anekanta – like coal can turn into diamond, we have infinite possibilities within ourselves. Moreover, change is the true nature of life, so we need never give up hope.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Acharya Mahapragya’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."
Courtesy: Times of India, Speaking Tree, 18th March, 2019
A situation becomes difficult when we are not sure how to handle it effectively. There are two ways by which one can approach the problem. One, by realising that everything is transitory and so this situation is not permanent. Secondly, by thinking of innovative solutions.
A learned man reached old age without a paisa in his hand. He was living in very pitiable conditions with not even one meal per day. This problem of his did not belong to the first category … he had to think of an innovative solution.
Even though he was in rags he decided he would call on the king. Right at the first entrance he was stopped and yet he managed to pass through every point to finally go right up to the king. To everyone’s surprise, he was presented in court.
He bowed before the king and said, “Your majesty, accept my greetings. I have come as your guest.”
The court was appalled. How could a man like him be the king’s guest? The king asked him, “Good man, who invited you? What work would a man who cannot even help himself, be able to do in the king’s court?”
The man smiled. “Do you not recognise me? Do I need an invitation?” he asked. The king looked intently at him and said he did not. But now he was beginning to get angry. He commanded his minister to inquire who had let this man in. “Who are you?” he bellowed. “Your brother, sire, and do I still need an invitation?” said the man bowing to the king. A loud gasp filled the court and the king lost his temper. “How are you my brother? You are a fool. You are mad. Get him out of here.”
As the guards advanced to hold the man by his arms, the man spoke, “Your majesty, you have not recognised me. I am your cousin on your maternal side.” The king could not understand how.
The man said, “Your majesty! My mother’s name is misfortune and your mother is called fortune. Both fortune and misfortune are sisters and so I am your mother’s sister’s son – your cousin.”
The king was astonished. He was truly impressed with what the man had said. The whole court was silent as they encountered this idea. The king gave the man many gifts and embraced him as one would a brother and sent him home.
Man forgets that no condition is permanent. If one is ill, so long as it is not a terminal illness, one can turn it into a condition of health with some effort. If today sorrow is being experienced, tomorrow we may face happiness and joy. One who has the ability to accept this possibility will never face sorrow or ill health, nor will he ever be disappointed, for he knows that things keep changing.
Indeed, one day a man may face misfortune; another day fortune may smile on him as she did on this man. He awakened his dormant energies and so salvaged the situation instead of wallowing in self-pity and poverty. This is the teaching of anekanta – like coal can turn into diamond, we have infinite possibilities within ourselves. Moreover, change is the true nature of life, so we need never give up hope.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Acharya Mahapragya’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing."
Courtesy: Times of India, Speaking Tree, 18th March, 2019