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Swabhava or the intrinsic trait is hard to overcome. It goads us to follow its dictates. A rat is a rat. It never improves or acquires the qualities of another species. Man having evolved from the sub-human species has in him the traits of all of them. With difficulty he should practise self-control to overcome the animal instinct and to be worthy of a human being. And from the human to the divine, he has to grow by fostering love of all. If he allows ego and the animal instinct in him to overpower him, he is likely to become selfish and haughty and thereby may have to revert to be an animal once again.
A rishi once took pity on a small rat. The timid creature constantly was afraid of a cat. So he changed it into a cat. But its fear continued; it was now afraid of a dog. Therefore it was promoted by the rishi to the next higher species to make it fearless and free. At one stage he made it a tiger so that it could be totally fearless. But the ungrateful creature became haughty and pounced upon the rishi who had elevated it to the present state. Its unworthiness was noticed by the rishi and reverted it to the position of a rat. If we are not to utilise our human form for further progress through love and service, we are likely to be reverted. Let us avail ourselves of the human life to grow to be divine through love and service.
An elephant was walking majestically. On the way was a small frog heckling at the mighty elephant. The petty frog was proud enough to make fun of the giant elephant. The frog was found with a rupee in its hand, proudly displaying it to the elephant. Wealth of any type is likely to make us arrogant causing thereby a fall and reversion.
Let not our eyes go up with pride. Pride goes forth on a horse back, only to return crest fallen begging its way.
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