Page 52 - Courage Redifined

5. Keep the Mind Undisturbed...

At times the prostitute would tell Kamlata, “Look dear, your
husband met a sudden death and now you have no joy in life.
Your youth is at its peak but you cannot derive any happiness
from it. Are your relatives or friends going to come and check
your activities ? Do not waste your youth like this.”Kamlata
Brahmini felt relaxed in the shelter provided by the prostitute
and felt obliged under her favours and replied, “Yes, you are
right.” What was right here ? She did not have the awareness
that, if you are supposed to think about only sensual pleasures
and not protecting your purity and character when your youth
blossoms, then the birth of donkeys and dogs are way better.
In this human birth we have to restrict ourselves.

For eg. while walking on the road, we see a beautiful lady
and get attracted towards her. But we cannot go and hug her
at that moment. But dogs or donkeys don’t need to restrict
themselves. They can enjoy themselves without any control.
Then is that birth good ? Should we pray to God, “Lord!
Do not give me a human birth. There are so many barriers
to my happiness here. Instead the births of dogs, donkeys,
etc. are better where there are no barriers.” Do you want to
ask God to give you such a birth ? No. Why not ? Because,
restriction is not troublesome but beneficial. Those who do
not have any restrictions or check on themselves, become like
demons who cannot discriminate between the right and wrong
and thus constantly keep going on the wrong track. There is
no boundary for their desires. Will they become happy then ?

42 Courage Redefined