An Indian Folklore
This is a story of the Mighty Elephant and the Tiny Fish.
A wealthy merchant often visited the holy city of Haridwar where his guru lived. He loved to listen to his guru’s discourse, even though he failed to appreciate all the concepts and ideas the sage presented.
For instance, he could not understand why his guru laid great emphasis on the need for the surrender. He appreciated the value of action; it was through hard work that he had grown wealthy. He understood the value of alertness. Because of his own alertness he could excel in the world of commerce. He always bought and sold things to his profit. He also understood how important love and trust were. He was happy because these were the values which ruled the relationship between himself and the members of his family – his wife and children.
But of what value is surrender?
One day it rained heavily. Never in the near past had the city of Haridwar experienced that kind of rain.
Suddenly the guru caught hold of the merchant and dragged him to the shore of the Ganges. Turbulent and mightily forceful was the flow and the noise it made was fearful. Huge boulders, big trees and several animals were being carried away by the current, under a threatening sky heavy with dark clouds and dazzling with frequent lightning.
The guru pointed his finger in a certain direction. The merchant was amazed to see a colossal elephant battling against the violent current, but was losing the battle. The sound of his trumpet was suppressed by the cracks of thunder. The mighty creature of the wilderness was totally helpless.
The mighty elephant disappeared as they looked on.
Next the guru pointed his finger at the stream close to the shore.
There a tiny fish swam against the current with ease and a total abandon.
Said the guru:
“He who is surrendered to Him, is protected by Him;
They tiny fish swim against the current while the monarch of the forest is swept away by it.”
The merchant bowed to the guru and both returned to their abode.
The message of the story is:
Only in the times of great crisis, are we reminded of the Force that runs the Universe. That our ordinary life is nothing less than a miracle is forgotten by the illusion of an arrogant “I”. That we are given the opportunity to experience the Vastness of the Creation in a tangible, palpable way, is perhaps experienced when we deeply surrender to the Greater Presence – within us, around us.