Our homes, society and nation are beset with numerous problems today. Lack of understanding, selfishness, extreme greed and hunger for power and wealth has brought about a multitude of problems. Pollution, malnutrition, escalating prices and increasing poverty and resulting crimes, global warming have taken their roots in our society and are flourishing. Wars, civil wars, internal strife have torn men and life apart. We have knowingly destroyed the forests and a variety of species of insects, birds, animal life and plant life. We have created all the ills in our society today – the lack of peace, balance and harmony. It is up to each of us to work for and re-establish harmony and peace in society. The story of the peaceful village given below teaches us how to take responsibility in our hands and act for welfare of all:
There was a peaceful village where all villagers lived their simple lives in harmony. As time passed, there was a disturbance in the balance. Soon unrest, conflict and intrigue infested the village. The elders of the village held a meeting to address the situation. One of them suggested that a wise Guru who lived in a forest near the mountains be invited to the village. His inner peace would instantly influence all and he would be able to give a solution which would bring back peace and joy to the village. So one of the elders traveled the long distance and invited the wise Guru with due honor and respect to visit the village and help them out.
In due course of time the Guru came to the village. The entire village was gathered to greet him. His radiant face and peaceful eyes calmed everyone. One of the elders came forward and offered respects to him and explained the problem faced by the villagers: O noble one, we are now facing discontentment and disharmony in our village. There is a lot of planning and plotting to disturb and take over power but none of us know how to overcome our problems. Please show us the way and teach us to live in harmony with all.
The Guru smiled at all of them. He took out four dolls from his bag. They were made of different materials – stone, clay, cotton and sugar candy. He asked for four glass containers with water to be brought. He asked all the villagers to watch, observe and understand what he was doing.
The Guru took the stone doll and immersed it in the water of the first container. Nothing happened. Next, he took the clay doll and immersed it in the water of the second container. After a few minutes, the clay began dissolving and turned the water muddy. Then he picked up the cotton doll and submerged it in the third container. The cotton absorbed all the water and the doll became puffed up and looked grotesque. The last doll made of sugar candy was immersed in the fourth container. After some time, it started melting and soon dissolved completely leaving behind a clear water solution.
Then the Guru asked all the villagers what they understood from the demonstration. There was no reply from anyone. So the Guru explained to all:
The stone doll did not do anything to the water. It was not affected by it either. Some people are like that. They live in the society but do not contribute to the welfare of the society in any way. They are indifferent or selfish. Many people are like the clay doll which turned the water muddy. Their presence pollutes the environment and society. They create murkiness and chaos wherever they go. Many know only to take all the goodness of the people around them but not give back anything in return like the cotton doll which absorbed all the water. The sugar candy doll gave itself totally to the water and dissolved in it, making the water sweet. It gave of itself in full and spread sweetness all around.
Then the Guru asked the villagers: Which kind of life is the noblest? The villagers replied in one voice: The life of the sugar candy doll! Then the Guru taught the villagers how to bring about a change in their society – that each of them should make efforts in the right direction. Peace and harmony were restored in the village.
We must learn the lessons taught by the Guru and practice them – the lessons of taking responsibility for actions of self, self improvement and self transformation. When the individual transforms, the family transforms. When the family transforms, the society and nation transforms. Let us use the willpower, wisdom and grace from our practices of SitaRam japa and meditation in establishing peace in family and society.
