I hope you’re doing well out there wherever you are in the big wide world.
Today, I’d like to share with you a profound story that speaks to how we can navigate life’s challenges successfully with wisdom.
Long ago there lived a great sage named Pulastya.
He was one of the great seven sages, or saptarishi, that established the Vedic tradition on Earth.
Pulastya devoted his life to spreading dharma (righteous living) through scriptures, hymns, and mythical stories.
One day, during his travels, Pulastya came to a river crossing.
As he approached the river, he noticed a scorpion drowning in a whirlpool near the bank.
Filled with compassion, he stepped into the water to save the creature.
But, as he stepped back to the riverbank, the scorpion stung his hand.
Startled by the pain, Pulastya dropped it back into the water.
His hand quickly began to redden and swell with pain, yet he couldn’t ignore the scorpion drowning again.
Without hesitation, Pulastya moved to save it.
This time, he used two hands and scooped up the scorpion along with some water, preventing the scorpion from stinging him.
He gently placed the scorpion on a rock by the riverbank.
As Pulastya prepared to continue his journey, a man approached him looking puzzled.
“Sir,” the man said. “You are a very curious person.”
“I observed everything that just happened. The scorpion stung your hand, yet you went back to save it a second time?”
“Why?”
Pulastya smiled warmly and replied, “It is the scorpion’s nature to sting, just as it is the sage’s nature to never leave the path of righteousness, regardless of circumstances.”
“It is the duty of the righteous to serve, as I served the scorpion, irrespective of its sting or the pain it may cause.”
He continued, “The scorpion stung me because of my lack of wisdom, not due to any fault of its own.”
“By applying the ‘water of wisdom,’ I was able to help the scorpion without being harmed.”
“My friend,” Pulastya concluded, “This world is like that scorpion. It’s nature is to sting. Yet, if you handle it with wisdom, you will not be harmed.”
“Let this be a lesson: do not fear this world, live with wisdom and be the friend of all.”
With those words, Pulastya crossed the river, leaving the man in awe of the profound wisdom he had just heard.
What did you think?
Did the story resonate with you?
I love this story, because it beautifully expresses how to successfully address the challenges in the world with wisdom.
When we handle challenges with wisdom, we can avoid the sting of fear, anger, hatred or avoidance that arises with them.
The world will always have its sting.
The question is: how do you apply the ‘water of wisdom’ to the challenges in your life?
Something to reflect on.
