Twenty four Gurus (3)

1. THE EARTH

The vow of the Earth is forbearance. The earth is inhabited by innumerable things - Living and Non-living. The Earth bears all the atrocities committed on it by man and beast with much patience. I learnt forbearance from the Earth: that joy and sorrow are the consequences of our ‘prarabhdha karma’ and that all are bound by karma. Any obstacle in our path has to be borne calmly. This I learnt from the Earth. And from the mountain that is nothing but earth again, I learnt that all activities should be for the benefit of others. From the tree I learnt to live for others. It not only provides shade but also gives away the flowers, the fruits and its own bark.