The Encounter:
A Hindu saint, during his visit to the river Ganges for a bath, observed a group of family members on the banks, angrily shouting at each other. Turning to his disciples, he smiled and posed a question, “Why do people shout in anger at each other?”
The disciples pondered for a while. One of them replied, “Because we lose our calm, we shout.”
“But why should you shout when the other person is just next to you? You can convey your message in a soft manner,” asked the saint.
The disciples offered various answers, but none satisfied the saint.
The Saint’s Explanation:
The saint then explained, “When two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance themselves greatly. To cover that distance, they must shout to be able to hear each other. The angrier they are, the louder they have to shout to bridge that distance.
Love and Proximity:
He continued, “What happens when two people fall in love? They speak softly because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is either nonexistent or very small. When their love deepens, they whisper. Eventually, they need not even whisper; they only look at each other and understand. That is how close two people are when they love each other.”
Maintaining Closeness:
The saint looked at his disciples and said, “So when you argue, do not let your hearts distance from each other. Do not say words that increase that distance, or else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return.”
Lessons to be Learned:
- Control Anger: Anger creates an emotional distance between people. When we are angry, we tend to shout to bridge this gap. It’s important to remain calm and composed to maintain closeness.
- Communicate with Love: Speaking softly and with love keeps hearts close and relationships strong.
Teachings from Srila Prabhupada’s Books:
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna emphasizes the importance of controlling one’s mind and senses. In Bhagavad Gita 6.6, Krishna says:
“Bandhur atma’tmanas tasya yenatmaivatmana jitah anatmanas tu satrutve vartetatmaiva satru-vat”
“For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will remain the greatest enemy.”
Srila Prabhupada explains in his purport that controlling the mind and maintaining peaceful relationships are essential for spiritual progress. Anger and uncontrolled emotions distance us from our spiritual goals and create barriers in our relationships.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Krishna, Please grant us the wisdom to control our anger and the strength to speak with love and kindness. Help us to maintain close relationships with those we care about and to bridge any distances that may arise with compassion and understanding. May we always remember Your teachings and strive to live in harmony with others.
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
Conclusion:
By understanding the power of words and the impact of anger on our relationships, we can strive to communicate more effectively and lovingly. Let us always remember the saint’s wisdom and the teachings of Lord Krishna to lead a life filled with love, compassion, and understanding.
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