The Story of the Saint and Cholera
Once, a saint met the personification of cholera while traveling to Mecca for the sacred Haj. The saint asked cholera, “How many people will you kill this time?”
Cholera answered, “Not more than 500.”
However, the actual number of people who died was 3000. On his return from Mecca, the saint met cholera again and reprimanded him, saying, “I never knew you were such a big liar. You said you would kill only 500, but over 3000 have died.”
Cholera quietly answered, “I killed only 500. The remaining people were killed by fear!”
Moral of the Story
This story highlights the destructive power of fear. Even when a threat is real, the fear it generates can cause more harm than the threat itself. This principle is particularly relevant in our modern world, where media often amplifies fear for various reasons.
Lessons to be Learned
- The Power of Fear:
- Fear can be more harmful than the actual danger. Just as cholera killed 500 people, but fear killed the rest, our own fears can cause significant harm if not managed properly.
- Impact of Media:
- Modern media often amplifies fear to increase viewership and profits. Constant exposure to fear-inducing news can make us overly anxious and hesitant to engage in normal activities, affecting our mental and physical health.
- Turning to Krishna for Fearlessness:
- Instead of succumbing to fear, we should turn to the Supreme Lord Krishna, who assures fearlessness to those who sincerely surrender to Him. The Srimad Bhagavatam (11.2.37) explains that fear arises when we turn away from the Lord and misidentify ourselves with the material body.
- Importance of Devotional Service:
- Engaging in unflinching devotional service under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master can protect us from fear. When we accept Krishna as our worshipable deity and guide, fear cannot touch us.
- Avoiding Mundane Distractions:
- To avoid unnecessary fear, we should turn a deaf ear to mundane news that distracts us from our spiritual path. Instead, we should focus on hearing and speaking about the glories of the Supreme Lord, which can instill fearlessness in us and others.
Reflection from Srimad Bhagavatam
The Srimad Bhagavatam (11.2.37) provides profound insight into the nature of fear and how to overcome it:
bhayam dvitiyaabhiniveshatah syaad ishaad apetasya viparyayo asmrtih tan-maayayaato budha aabhajet taḿ bhaktyaikayesham guru-devataatmaa
“Fear arises when a living entity misidentifies himself as the material body because of absorption in the external, illusory energy of the Lord. When the living entity thus turns away from the Supreme Lord, he also forgets his own constitutional position as a servant of the Lord. This bewildering, fearful condition is effected by the potency for illusion, called maya. Therefore, an intelligent person should engage unflinchingly in the unalloyed devotional service of the Lord, under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master, whom he should accept as his worshipable deity and as his very life and soul.”
Conclusion
The story of the saint and cholera teaches us the importance of managing fear and turning to the Supreme Lord for protection. By focusing on devotional service and avoiding fear-inducing distractions, we can cultivate a state of fearlessness.
Prayer
Let us pray for the wisdom to overcome fear and focus on our spiritual path:
“O Supreme Lord Krishna, guide us to overcome fear by turning our attention to You. Help us to engage in devotional service under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master. May we find fearlessness in Your shelter and inspire others to do the same.”
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
Request for Sharing
Please share this moral and instructive story with others so that everyone can benefit from hearing about Krishna and His dear devotees.
