Empathy!


Rām mind was engrossed with injured Laxman & even while releasing multitude of arrows at Rāvan, he spoke to Sushena (the doctor)-Heroic Laxman has fallen to Rāvan’s prowess & this is causing extreme grief to me. My energy to fight is dissipating seeing my brother lying unconscious & bathed in blood. He’s dearer to me than my life & of what use is life or happiness to me, if he meet’s death


My valor is feeling shy, bow & arrows seem to fall from my hands, limbs sink & my vision is overcome with tears. Even victory in this battle can’t give pleasure to me. What pleasure can the moon create for a man who has lost his vision? If Laxman is killed, I’ve no use for war and as he followed me in forest, I too will follow him to the abode of Yama


Wives may be obtained everywhere, relatives too but I can’t find a brother, born of the same womb anywhere. I will not be able to face Mother Sumitra ever. What I’ll say to Mother Kaushalya & Kaikeyi? I’ll not be able to face Bharata & Shatrughna when they’ll ask me about Laxman. It seems I’ve done very sinful act in previous birth to be in this predicament


Vānaras saw Rām thus lamenting, his mind reeling and distressed in grief & pitiably sighing his breath repeatedly


Comforting Rām, Sushena said-Give up this notion, which is causing despondency in you while you’re in the battlefield. Laxman is still alive. His countenance hasn't changed, his face is glowing & his eyes are bright. Don’t worry, he is all with his life


Highly learned Sushena approached Hanumān standing nearby & said-With great speed please go to mount Aushadhi (Mahodaya), which has been already described to you by Jāmbavan. Bring the precious herb Vishalyakarani, which grows on the southern peak, Savarnakaraani, Sanjivakarani & Samdhanakarani in other directions


Hearing his mighty Hanumān immediately sprung to mount Aushadhi. As he reached there, he could not locate the 4 herbs precisely, which he was asked to bring. He became thoughtful. But as the time was less, a thought arose in Hanumān, whose strength was unlimited-I’ll go back taking this mountain peak itself


Both Rām & Hanumān are displaying a very important element of our consciousness, which is empathy. We should cultivate concern for the suffering of others which others are going thro’ or would in future. To have empathy, we need to have an inquisitive mind that seeks to understand the lessons ever present in our environment. Being open to what we can learn from others will help us appreciate the struggles of others and feel a connection we might have missed


Reflective listening also helps us not only to decipher other’s words but also the feelings behind them. Seeing people for their potential rather than for who they were in past or they are in present. Everyone is a pure soul with an eternal relationship with Supreme Lord. Remembering this can help us see beyond people’s material conditionings, thus allowing us to help & take care about them


Thoughts? #gameoflife

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