{"id":4338,"date":"2013-07-13T01:55:18","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:55:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=4338"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:55:18","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:55:18","slug":"16-courage-vol-02-words-of-long-ago-volume-02","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/02-works-of-the-mother\/01-cwmce\/02-words-of-long-ago-volume-02\/16-courage-vol-02-words-of-long-ago-volume-02","title":{"rendered":"-16_Courage.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n

\n
\nTwo <\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

 <\/span>Courage
\n<\/font> <\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\n                        \u00a0<\/span>Y<\/font><\/span>ou fall into the water. You are not daunted by the great watery
\nmass. You make good use of your arms and legs, grateful to the teacher who
\ntaught you how to swim. You grapple with the waves and you escape. You have
\nbeen brave. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>You
\nare asleep. \u201cFire!\u201d The cry of alarm has awakened you. You leap from your bed
\nand see the red glare of the blaze. You are not stricken with mortal fear. You
\nrun through the smoke, the sparks, the flames, to safety. This is courage. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Some time ago I visited an infant school in <\/span>England<\/span>. The little school-children were between
\nthree and seven years old. There were both boys and girls, who were busy
\nknitting, drawing, listening to stories, singing. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The
\nteacher told me, \u201cWe are going to try the fire-alarm. Of course there is no
\nfire, but they have been taught to get up and go out promptly at the
\nalarm-signal.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>He
\nblew his whistle. Instantly the children left their books, pencils and
\nknitting-needles, and stood up. On a second signal they filed out into the open
\nair. In a few moments the classroom was empty. These little children had
\nlearned to face the danger of fire and to be brave. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>For
\nwhose sake did you swim? For your own. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>For
\nwhose sake did you run through the flames? For your own. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>For
\nwhose sake would the children resist the fear of fire? For their own. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The
\ncourage shown in each case was for the sake of self. Was this wrong? Certainly
\nnot. It is right to take care of your life and to defend it bravely. But there
\nis a greater courage, the courage which is shown for the sake of others. <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage – 175<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Let
\nme tell you the story of Madhava as it was recorded by Bhavabhuti<\/span>.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>He
\nis kneeling outside a temple and hears a cry of distress. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>He
\nfinds a way to enter and looks into the sanctuary of the goddess Chamunda<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>A
\nvictim is about to be slain in honour<\/span> of this
\nterrible goddess. It is poor Malati. The girl has been carried away in her
\nsleep. She is all alone with the priest and priestess, and the priest raises
\nhis knife just as Malati is thinking of Madhava whom she loves: <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 <\/span>O Madhava! Lord of my heart, <\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 <\/span>Oh, may I after death live in thy memory. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0 <\/span>They do not die whom love embalms in long and
\nfond remembrance. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

With a shout, brave Madhava leaps into the
\nchamber of sacrifice and engages the priest in mortal combat. Malati is saved. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>For
\nwhom did Madhava show courage? Was he fighting for himself? Yes \u2013 but that was
\nnot the only reason for his courage. He was fighting also for the sake of
\nanother. He had heard a cry of distress and it had touched the brave heart in
\nhis breast.  <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>If
\nyou give it some thought, you will recall having seen similar deeds. You have
\nsurely seen a man, woman or child helped by another human being who came
\nrunning in response to the cry of alarm. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>You
\nmust also have read in the newspapers or in history about similar acts of
\nbravery. You have heard about firemen who rescue people from blazing houses; of
\nminers who go down into deep shafts to bring out their companions imperilled<\/span> by flood, fire or poisonous gas; of men who
\nventure into houses shaken by earthquake and who in spite of the danger from
\ncrumbling walls, pick up and carry out the helpless people who <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage – 176<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

would otherwise die beneath the ruins; and of citizens who for the
\nsake of their town or their country confront the enemy and undergo hunger,
\nthirst, wounds or death. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>So
\nwe have seen what is courage to help oneself and what is courage to help
\nothers.  <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>I
\nshall tell you the story of Vibhishan the hero. He braved a danger that was
\ngreater than the danger of death: he braved the fury of a king and gave him the
\nwise advice that others dared not voice. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The
\ndemon-king of Lanka was Ravana of the Ten Heads. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Ravana had stolen lady Sita away from her
\nhusband and carried her off in his chariot to his palace on the <\/span>
\nisland<\/span> of <\/span>Lanka<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Sumptuous was the palace and delightful the
\ngarden in which he imprisoned the princess Sita. Yet she was unhappy and every
\nday she would shed tears, not knowing whether she would ever see her Lord Rama
\nagain. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Glorious Rama learnt from Hanuman the
\nmonkey-king where his wife Sita was held captive. He set out with noble
\nLakshman, his brother, and a great army of heroes to the rescue of the
\nprisoner. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>When the demon Ravana learnt of the arrival of
\nRama, he trembled with fear. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The
\nadvice he received was of two kinds. A crowd of courtiers thronged around his
\nthrone saying: <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cAll is well; have no fear, O Ravana. Gods and
\ndemons you have conquered: you will have no difficulty in conquering Rama and
\nhis companions, the monkeys of Hanuman.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>When these noisy counsellors<\/span>
\nhad left the king, his brother Vibhishan entered, knelt and kissed his feet.
\nThen he rose and sat at the right hand of the throne. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cO
\nmy brother,\u201d he said, \u201cif you wish to live happily and keep the throne of this
\nbeautiful <\/span>island<\/span> of <\/span>Lanka<\/span>, give back the <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage – 177<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

lovely Sita, for she is the wife of another. Go to Rama and ask
\nhis forgiveness, and he will not turn away his face. Be not arrogant and
\nfoolhardy.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>A
\nwise man, Malyavan, heard these words and was glad. He exclaimed to the king of
\ndemons: <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cTake your brother’s words to heart, for he
\nhas spoken the truth.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cBoth of you have evil designs,\u201d replied the
\nking, \u201cfor you take the side of my foes.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>And
\nthe eyes of his ten heads flashed with such fury that Malyavan fled from the
\nroom in terror. But Vibhishan, in the bravery of his soul, remained. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cSire,\u201d he said, \u201cin the heart of each man
\nthere is both wisdom and foolishness. If wisdom dwells in his breast, life goes
\nwell with him; if it is foolishness, all goes ill. I fear that you harbour<\/span> foolishness in your breast, O my brother, for you
\ngive ear to those who give bad advice. They are not your true friends.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>He
\nfell silent and kissed the feet of the king. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cWretch!\u201d cried Ravana. \u201cYou too are one of my
\nenemies. Speak no more senseless words to me. Talk to the hermits in the woods
\nbut not to one who has been victorious over all the enemies he has fought.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>And
\nas he shouted he kicked his brave brother Vibhishan. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>So,
\nwith a heavy heart, his brother rose and left the king’s house. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Knowing no fear, he had spoken frankly to
\nRavana; and since the ten-headed one would not listen, Vibhishan had no choice
\nbut to leave. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Vibhishan’s<\/span> act was one of physical courage, for he did not
\nfear his brother’s blows; but it was also an act of mental courage, for he did
\nnot hesitate to utter words that the other courtiers, physically as brave as
\nhe, would not have let fall from their lips. This courage of the mind is known
\nas moral courage. <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage – 178<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Such was the courage of Moses, the leader of <\/span>Israel<\/span>, who demanded from the Pharaoh of Egypt
\nthe freedom of the oppressed Jewish people. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Such
\nwas the courage of Mohammed, the Prophet, who imparted his religious thought to
\nthe Arabs, and who refused to be silenced even though they threatened him with
\ndeath. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Such was the courage of Siddhartha, the
\nBlessed One, who taught the people of <\/span>India<\/span> a new and noble path, and was not
\nterrified by the evil spirits who assailed him under the Bo-tree. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Such was the courage of Christ, who preached
\nto the people: \u201cLove one another,\u201d and was not intimidated by the pontiffs of <\/span>
\nJerusalem<\/span> who forbade him to teach, nor by the
\nRomans who crucified him. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>So
\nwe have noted three kinds, three degrees of courage: <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Physical courage for oneself. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Courage for the near one, the friend, the neighbour<\/span> in distress, the threatened motherland. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Finally, the moral courage that enables one to
\nstand up to unjust men, however powerful they may be, and to make them listen
\nto the voice of right and truth.  <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The
\nRajah of Almora<\/span>, in order to repel some invaders who
\nhad raided his mountain country, enrolled a number of men in a new regiment and
\nprovided each one with a good sword. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cForward, march!\u201d commanded the Rajah. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Instantly the men unsheathed their swords with
\na great clang and flourished them with loud cries. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cWhat is this?\u201d demanded the Rajah. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cSire,\u201d they replied, \u201cwe want to be ready so
\nthat the enemy does not take us by surprise.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cYou can be of no use to me, you nervous and
\nexcitable men,\u201d he told them. \u201cGo home, all of you.\u201d <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage – 179<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span>You
\nwill notice that the Rajah was not impressed by all this noise and waving of
\nswords. He knew that true bravery needs no clamour<\/span>
\nand clash.  <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/span>In
\nthe following story, on the other hand, you will observe how calmly the people
\nbehaved and yet how brave they were in face of mortal peril at sea. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Towards
\nthe end of March 1910, a Scottish vessel was carrying passengers from <\/span>Australia<\/span> to the <\/span>Cape of Good Hope<\/span>. There was no trace of a cloud in the sky
\nand the sea was calm and blue. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Suddenly the ship struck a reef six miles off
\nthe west coast of <\/span>Australia<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Immediately the whole crew was on the move,
\neach man hurrying as whistles were blown. But this noise was not the result of
\nconfusion and panic. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>An
\norder rang out: \u201cMan the boats!\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The
\npassengers put on their life-belts. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>A
\nblind man led by his servant walked across the deck. Everyone made way for him.
\nHe was helpless and all wanted him to be the first to be saved. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>A
\nshort time later the ship had been evacuated, and soon it sank. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>On
\none of the life-boats a woman began to sing. And in spite of the sound of the
\nwaves which at times drowned her voice, the oarsmen could hear the refrain
\nwhich put strength into their arms: <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Pull
\nfor the shore, sailors, <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Pull
\nfor the shore. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

The shipwrecked people reached the shore
\nat last and were taken in by some good fishing folk. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Not
\none passenger had been lost. In this way four hundred <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage – 180<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

and fifty people had saved themselves by their quiet courage. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Let
\nme tell you more about this calm courage that accomplishes useful and noble
\nthings without show or flourish. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>A
\ndeep river ran past an Indian village of five hundred houses. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The
\npeople of this village had not yet heard the teachings of Lord Siddhartha, and
\nthe Blessed One decided to go to them and speak to them of the Noble Path. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>He
\nsat beneath a great tree which spread its branches over the riverside, and the
\nvillagers gathered on the opposite bank. Then he began to speak and preached
\nhis message of love and purity. And his words were carried over the flowing
\nwaters as if by miracle. Yet the people of the village refused to believe in
\nwhat he taught them, and murmured against him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Only one of them wanted to know more and
\nwished to come closer to the Blessed One. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>There was neither bridge nor ferry. And the
\nold legend tells that, strong in his courage, the man began to walk upon the
\ndeep water of the river. And so he reached the Master, greeted him and listened
\nto his words with great joy. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Did
\nthis man really cross the river, as we are told? We do not know. But in any
\ncase he had the courage to take the path that leads towards progress. And the
\npeople of his village, touched by his example, then paid heed to the teachings
\nof the Buddha; and their minds were opened to nobler thoughts.  <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>There is a courage which can make you cross
\nrivers and another that enables you to take the right path; but even more
\ncourage is needed to stay on the right path than to enter it. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Listen to the parable of the hen and her
\nchicks: <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage – 181<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Siddhartha, the Blessed One, used to instruct
\nhis disciples to do their best and then to trust that the best would bear its
\nfruit. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cJust as,\u201d he said, \u201ca hen lays eggs and
\nbroods on them and never thinks of fretting: `Will my little chicks be able to
\nbreak out of their shells with their beaks and see the light of day?’ you too
\nshould have no fear: if you are persistent in the Noble Path, you also will
\ncome to the light.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>And
\nthis is true courage: to walk the straight path, to brave storm, darkness and
\nsuffering and to persevere, moving ever forward, in spite of everything,
\ntowards the light.  <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Long, long ago, when Brahmadatta<\/span>
\nruled in <\/span>Benares<\/span>, one of his enemies, king of another
\nland, trained an elephant to wage war on him. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>War
\nwas declared. The splendid elephant bore the king his master up to the walls of
\n<\/span>Benares<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>From the top of the walls, the people of the
\nbesieged city hurled down boiling hot liquids and shot stones with their
\nslings. At first the elephant retreated before this terrifying rain. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>But
\nthe man who had trained him ran towards him crying: <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cO
\nelephant, you are a hero! Act like a hero and pull the gates to the ground!\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Encouraged by these words, the great creature
\ncharged and burst through the gates, leading his king to victory. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>This is how courage triumphs over obstacles
\nand difficulties and opens the gates to victory.  <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>And
\nsee how an encouraging word can give help to man and animal alike. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>A
\ngood Muslim book gives us an example of this in the story of Abu Sa<\/span>\u00ef<\/span>d, the poet with a brave heart. <\/span>
\n
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage – 182<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n
\n

<\/span><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span>His
\nfriends, who had learnt that he lay sick with fever, came one day to ask for
\nnews of his health. His son received them at the door of the house, a smile on
\nhis lips, for the patient was feeling better. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>They came in and sat down in the sick man’s
\nroom and were surprised to hear him chatting with his usual good humour<\/span>. Then, as it was a hot day, he fell asleep, and so
\ndid all the others. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Towards evening, they all awoke. Abu Sa<\/span>\u00ef<\/span>d ordered refreshments to be served to his
\nguests and incense to be lit so that the room might be filled with fragrance. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Abu
\nSa<\/span>\u00ef<\/span>d prayed for a while, then he rose and
\nrecited a little poem of his own composition: <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Despair not in your grief, for a joyous hour
\nwill come and take it all away; <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The burning simoon<\/span>
\nmay blow, and yet change into a gentle breeze; <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>A dark cloud may rise, but it passes away and
\nbrings no flood; <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>A fire may kindle and yet be smothered,
\nleaving chest and casket untouched; <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Pain comes but also goes. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Therefore be patient when troubles come, for
\nTime is the father of wonders; <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>And from the peace of God hope for many
\nblessings to come. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>They all returned to their homes delighted and
\nstrengthened by this beautiful poem of hope. And so it was that a sick man
\nhelped his friends in good health. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Whosoever
\nis courageous can give courage to others, just as the flame of one candle can
\nlight another. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Brave boys and girls who read this story,
\nlearn how to encourage others, and be courageous yourselves.
\n <\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage – 183<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Two    Courage                           \u00a0You fall into the water. You are not daunted by the great watery mass. You make good use of your…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[123],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4338","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-02-words-of-long-ago-volume-02","wpcat-123-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4338","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4338"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4338\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4338"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4338"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4338"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}