One's Crown Jewel!


Sita said-O Hanumān! I will not advise you to kill these she-demons. There is an old axiom possessing merit, which was spoken by a bear in the presence of a tiger. Hear it from me


Once upon a time a tiger ran in pursuit of a hunter. The latter climbed up a tree, where a grizzly bear was already perched on a branch. The man in utter despair, threw himself on the mercy of hairy monster & cried-I place my life in your hands, do with me as you will. Fear not, replied the bear, the tiger would not be able to catch you. Later, the hunter was overcome with sleep & the bear allowed him to rest his head on its lap


From the foot of the tree, the tiger addressed the bear-Look here my dear bear, both of us are denizens of the forest. The hunter is our common enemy, he makes his living by killing us & is not our kith or kin. We have nothing in common with him. The moment he feels safe from my clutches, he will forget everything that he owes you & will return your kindness by seeking to kill you. Therefore, knock him down from the tree


The bear out of generosity sternly replied: Enough of this treachery & baseness. Having reached my abode, hunter has in a way sought asylum from me & is my honored guest. If I should place myself on your level & hand him over to your mercy, the finger of scorn would be pointed at me, as a monster of wickedness & as a wretch that betrayed one who sought shelter. I’m not going to hurl him down. I would be deviating from my duty if I do so


Soon after the hunter awoke & the bear, feeling tired & sleepy laid his head on his lap & fell into profound slumber


The tiger now turned to the hunter and said-Push the bear down & I’ll give protection to you. It matters very little whether you or he comes to relieve my pangs of hunger. The hunter thereupon pushed the sleeping bear. The bear, however, clutching at another branch escaped falling. The tiger seeing opportunity said to bear-The hunter sought to hurl you down and has thus wronged you, so you push him down now & cunningly smiled


Though pressed by the tiger again and again, the bear refused to hurl him and said


न परः पापमादत्ते परेषां पापकर्मणाम् ||

समयो रक्षितव्यस्तु सन्तश्चारित्रभूषणाः|


It is nature of things which is reflected, for eg fire scorches, water drowns, scorpions sting & cobras kill. A wicked heart will assert itself & will harm others but one who walks the path of righteousness would not even dream of taking offence at others. He would not seek to pay back ingratitude with injury. Truth is the brightest jewel that ever shines on the head of righteousness


The bear closed his ears to all the arguments given by tiger to drag him away from his purpose & watched over the safety of hunter all night long until the tiger left in despair


It is one's choice to act as per Dharma otherwise how different we will be from others who are Adharmic


One's Crown Jewel is his adherence to principles


Huge lessons for us. The choice is ours


Thoughts? #gameoflife

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