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8. THE PIGEON

A male and a female pigeon once lived happily in a forest. The male pigeon loved the female pigeon dearly and took trouble to fulfill all her wishes. Many little ones were born to them. They brought up these little ones with much care. Once, when the parent pigeons were out in search of food, a hunter caught these little ones in his net. On return, the two pigeons saw this and cried out in anguish. The female pigeon out of compassion for her young ones jumped into the net and voluntarily got caught in it. The male pigeon pained at the now empty home cried out, "Without my children and wife this home has become an empty dwelling. I will also quit this home." And he, too, fell into the net. The hunter, his job completed, carried the pigeons home.

Similarly, a man who is caught in a family, loses his mental peace, faces the dual feelings of joy and sorrow, bears the burden of the family and thus meets destruction. This human birth is the doorway to Moksha. Yet, if one even after attaining this birth is, like the pigeon, attached to his family he is derided by the Yogis as 'Aaruda Pathi' (one who falls down after having attained a high status). Hence, it is not good to be deeply attached to or love anyone or anything. This misplaced affection/attachment leads a man to misery. So one should remain detached.

9. THE PYTHON

The python never goes out in search of food but instead lies down in a place and eats whatever prey comes in its way! A yogi, too, should not strive to obtain his food but remain effortless and eat whatever comes his way. He should accept whatever he gets to eat, be it tasty or otherwise. If on any day no food comes his way he should go without it deeming it to be his destiny. In spite of possessing physical and mental strength or remaining unoccupied (without any work) or winning over his sleep as well as his senses, the yogi should always remain at rest.

10. THE OCEAN

Just as the ocean's depth is not conspicuous the yogi, too, should, inwardly, be totally dispassionate and do deep sadhana though outwardly appearing to be otherwise. The ocean's state remains the same irrespective of whether the rivers flow into it or not; so, should be the state of a yogi. Whether possessed of the senses or not he should remain unruffled. Not swayed by likes and dislikes, the yogi should always remain calm and composed.

To be continued......