Story of Crow & Swan!

 

As Salya provoked Karna repeatedly, he harshly replied: My claims are factual as I’ve a special arrow that I have been worshipping for years. After killing Krsna & Arjun with that arrow I’ll take great pleasure in killing you with your relatives. Why do you take such pride in yourself, thinking that you come from a royal family? Your subjects, the Madrakas, have habits like those of mleccchas & you’re son of such a Madraka women. I’ll not kill you right now despite your harsh words, for I want to avoid displeasing Duryodhana. Still, if you continue to anger me with your insulting words, I’ll surely crush you to death with my mace

 

Despite this warning, Salya said: O Karna! You’re speaking like a madman! My dynasty is amongst the most exalted Kshatriya families. In fact, befitting my aristocratic lineage, I’ll continue driving your chariot & thus keep my promise intact, despite your cruel words

 

Salya told Karna a story: On the other side of the ocean there once lived a pious Vaishya who was very wealthy. He performed many sacrifices & gave generous charity. He was very pure, peaceful & contended. He had many sons that were also pious & kind to all living beings. The kingdom where he resided was ruled by a very righteous king

 

There was a crow that maintained himself by eating food remnants left on vaishya’s children’s plates. And yet, due to being fed so sumptuously, the crow became puffed-up. As a result, he acted arrogantly toward those who were his equals & superiors

 

One day some great white swans almost equal to Garuda in terms of speed & range of flight came to the shore of the ocean. When the vaishya’s sons saw the wonderful swans, they jokingly said: My dear crow, you’re superior to these big birds. Due to inflated ego, the crow accepted these words as factual. He went to the flock of swans & said: Who is your leader? Kindly point him out to me

 

When the crow was led to the chief swan, he arrogantly challenged him to a flying competition. Hearing this, all the swans laughed heartily & said: O crow, we’re residents of the Mānasa lake & we can fly at will. How can you even dream of flying with us?

 

The foolish crow replied: First I’ll display 101 varieties of flying styles. Then you can choose whatever style you like & we’ll compete by flying in that way

 

The king of swans said: Dear crow, I only know one kind of flying. So, I will fly in that way while you fly as you choose

 

Many crows assembled & they all began to laugh, thinking that the swan would not be a match for their brother. The swan & crow then flew upwards. As the swan soared thro’ the sky with his single graceful style, the crow displayed all 101 of his flying tricks. As the swan slowly flew out to sea, the crow followed him doing his fancy manoeuvres. All assembled crows seeing this, cawed loudly thinking him victorious. Conversely the swans laughed derisively as their leader picked up speed, leading the foolish crow further out to sea

 

Finally, the crow became exhausted & as he could not see the island within the ocean, he became afraid. The swan continued to fly effortlessly, but slowed down so that the crow could catch up. Being very tired & short of breath, seeing no place to land, the crow desperately came alongside the swan. He begged the swan to pls rescue him & bring him back to land

 

The crow suddenly fell int water. Seeing him on the verge of death, swan said: Just before you were boasting about your flying ability. If you’re actually superior, why you’ve fallen into water? The crow admitted his false pride & promised to never again insult others

 

Hearing this the swan picked up the crow by his feet & returned to where all the swans & crows were waiting. After the putting the crow down, the swan departed along with his flock

 

Thereafter, the defeated crow lived as very humble & peaceful life

 

Pride comes before the fall. When we place ourselves higher than our merit, we come crashing down when our false claims are tested by life’s inevitable challenges. But sometimes, even after the fall, we still rationalize our actions & continue in our destructive conceit

 

Therefore, it is important that before our final fatal fall, we must be humble & purposeful. This can only happen when we are God conscious & acknowledge that we are just playing our parts in His grand plan. He is the Supreme & only controller and we are His servants

 

Thoughts? #gameoflife

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