Of Saints, scorpions and solicitude…

Compassion, a quality that seems to be one that mankind needs the most was perhaps instilled in me by a story that I read when I was only 8. I was a lone child and often was all alone at home as both my parents were working. Books and the TV were my companions. My mother used to buy me a lot of books which had wonderful stories and beautiful illustrations in vibrant colours. I loved to read them and look at the pictures. The story that stands out in my memory after all these years is one of “the sage and the scorpion”. It runs like this

A sage, while bathing in a river, happened to see a scorpion caught in the swirling waters and fighting to save itself from drowning. He scooped it up with his hands and true to its nature the scorpion stung him. Agonized by the unbearable pain, he dropped it. When he realised that it would be swept away to its death, he picked it up again only to be stung repeatedly. This went on for a while and a curious onlooker ridiculed the sage and asked him :

“What are you doing? Why do you keep picking this evil creature that stings you repeatedly? Let it drown.”

The sage, in spite of the pain, smiled at him and replied :

“It’s the nature of a scorpion to sting and that of a saint to be willing to endure that pain and try to save it or any other being in need.”

This saying influenced me very much and made me realise how beautiful our lives could be if we showed compassion towards all fellow beings. Life is not only about loving and taking care of people who are related to us. It’s about helping people and other beings whom we know can offer us nothing in return.

“Every selfless act, Arjuna, is born from Brahman, the eternal, infinite Godhead. He is present in every act of service. All life turns on this law, O Arjuna. Whoever violates it, indulging his senses for his own pleasure and ignoring the needs of others, has wasted his life. But those who realize the Self are always satisfied. Having found the source of joy and fulfilment, they no longer seek happiness from the external world. They have nothing to gain or lose by any action; neither people nor things can affect their security. Strive constantly to serve the welfare of the world; by devotion to selfless work, one attains the supreme goal of life. Do your work with the welfare of others always in mind.”
― Bhagavad Gita

You can read the full story at:
https://alltimeshortstories.com/moral-stories-saint-and-a-scorpion/