Arrogance!

 

Sri Hanumān in disguise came & lay down on the narrow path leading to heaven. He knew that Bhima was his brother & so desired his welfare. He was afraid that Bhima might be defeated or cursed for storming into heavenly regions due to his arrogance & so he blocked the path

 

Hanumān lay as if overcome by drowsiness & yawning he slashed his tail so that a thundering sound echoed through mountain caves & its peaks crumbled. Bhima saw this & hearing awesome sound, his hair stood on end. He looked everywhere trying to find cause of the disturbance. Soon he came upon Hanumān, whose body glowed with great effulgence

 

Letting out a loud shout, Bhima fearlessly approached but the Vānara hero simply half-opened his eyes & glanced at him indifferently. In a soft voice Hanumān said-I’m ill & was sleeping here quite peacefully. Why did you wake me? You’re a rational human being & so can understand virtue. Why you’re needlessly killing so many living beings when you should be showing kindness instead?

 

I warn you not to proceed further on this path, because region ahead is only accessible to those who’ve performed austerities. These areas are meant for demigods & not mere mortals. Spend some time here, rest & then return to where you came from

 

Bhima introduced himself & also asked about Hanumān’s identity. I’m simply a Vānara, Hanumān replied & I’ll not allow you to pass, for to do so will mean your destruction. Bhima didn’t like these words & in response threatened saying either to let him pass or face consequences

 

Hanumān replied: I’m too sick to move & if you like you can jump over me

 

Bhima said-I’ll not do that as Supreme Lord dwells in everyone’s body & I don’t want to disrespect Him. Otherwise, I would’ve jumped over entire mountain just as Hanumān leapt over Lankā

 

Vānara said-Who is this Hanumān? Bhima said-He is my brother & hero of Rāmāyana, the transcendental pastimes of Lord Rām. Endowed with all mystic powers, he easily jumped 100 yojanas across the sea to Lankā. I’m equal to my brother in all respects & so you better move aside or else witness my prowess as I send you to the abode of Yamarāj

 

Hanumān knew that Bhima was intoxicated with pride of his strength & thus didn’t become angry. He said-You should’ve compassion for me in consideration of my old age. I don’t even have strength to get up. Pls move my tail & pass

 

Hearing this Bhima thought: I’ll grab this stupid Vānara by tail & hurl him to his death. He then casually grabbed the tail with his left hand but much to his amazement, he couldn’t move it by even an inch

 

Arrogance keeps us not only in ignorance but also makes us forgetful about the extent of our ignorance. This is a very pathetic state to be in when we think that we already know the situations and what to do but infact we don’t even have a clue about the truth. Arrogance blinds us & keeps us away from seeking knowledge

 

We can protect ourselves by becoming receptive to Bhagvad Gita wisdom of following spiritual path for inner satisfaction & outer contribution that raises us beyond arrogance & ignorance

 

Thoughts? #gameoflife

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