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Yagnavalkya was a great Rishi. King Janaka was one of his disciples, the Rishi while teaching, appeared to be bestowing more attention on the king. This was not to the liking of other disciples. They felt that the master was partial to the king. One day when the lesson was in progress, the king's city Mithila was in flames. Unperturbed, the king was absorbed in the subject. But the other disciples ran to their huts to safeguard their petty belongings. Equanimity, adherence to an ideal and absorption in the work we do are but Karma Yoga.
Viswamitra gave up worldliness and wanted to ascend to the heights of spirituality. But he was caught in the web of kama when Menaka enticed him into indulgence. He had to overcome all the impediments such as kama (lust) krodha (anger), lobha (miserliness), moha (delusion), mada (pride) and matsarya (envy) for attaining spiritual illumination and tranquillity of mind.
Escapism and dependence are both bad in life. Let's stand on our feet and face the problems boldly. Let us solve them or dissolve them successfully. Never should we run away from them. Nor should we depend upon somebody to solve our problems.
In the woods of our lives, when we are accosted by the tiger of problems, let's not run away, let's also not seek somebody's help. Let us find a way out by climbing up the tree.
Let us be bold and strong. Let us be self-reliant and resourceful. Let us not disturb God to solve our small and silly problems. Let us help ourselves. We only make our destiny. Self-pity is weakness. Self confidence is strength.
"He is an atheist who does not believe in himself. The old religions said that he was an atheist who did not believe in God. The new religion says that he is the atheist who does not believe in himself."--- Swami Vivekananda
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