Page 103 - Courage Redifined

The wooden sticks started burning intensely but the fire had
yet not reached the center. It’s heat started increasing and
Kamlata felt that her body would burn anytime. Inspite of this
she did not get scared because her mind was pre-occupied by
all the grave sins she had committed of character loss, murder
of the King, prostitution and physical relations with her own
son. Compared to those low acts, the sorrow of burning was
negligible.

Getting roasted by the increasing heat from all four sides-
isn't this a cause of great pain and sorrow ? No, because in
her mind the sins committed by her were so painful that in
order to escape from its burden, she was ready to accept the
shelter of the glowing flames.

If one really repents his sins, then the fear of losing one's self
esteem by confessing those sins and the fear of attaining and
completing prayashchitta is negligible.

We cannot bear even a small pin piercing our fingertip. But
we can tolerate the doctor pierce the injection needle deep
inside. Why so ? Because the great benefit of good health is
in front of our eyes. Can we listen to someone who abuses
us ? No, but if our employer pays us well and occasionally
loses his temper and insults us, then we are ready to tolerate
the tough words. Can we bear hunger and thirst ? No, but if it
is peak season and there are a lot of customers, then a smart
businessman will readily tolerate his hunger and thirst.

This proves that it is not right that we cannot tolerate sorrows
because if a greater benefit is seen, the sorrows are tolerated
without a second thought.

Hence, if one visualizes great benefits due to religion then
the difficulties endured will not seem painful.

During winter season, if someone invites you early in the
morning at 4 a.m. to write their accounts related to the black

Kamlata's Misery 93