Parable of The Ant and The Lizard - HH Sivananda

Sivananda Parables by Swami Sivananda

Parable of The Ant and The Lizard With a grain of sugar, the ant is enjoying its meal. Two young men are watching the self-forgetful way in which the ant is applying itself to the task. Fast runs a lizard, to devour the ant. At a little distance it halts for a while to take proper aim. One young man says: "Look, the lizard wants to eat the ant. It is the Law of Nature. It is written in the law that the ant is the lizard's food. Watch." The other young man says: "No. We should not idly stand by, while the lizard swallows the ant. I will prevent it." Saying so, he tries to catch the lizard with its waging tail. Lo, a part of the tail is in his hand, but the lizard proceeds unaffected. Instantly he covers the ant with the cupped palm of his hand. Its fury made futile, the lizard discovers that the ant is well protected, and vanishes. Even so when a Sadhaka tries to meditate, the old Vishaya-vasanas come to swallow his Sadhana-Sakti. While he remains for a while absorbed in the joy that meditation on God gives him, the formidable foe from within rises to attack. The pessimistic foolish gives up effort, in despair. But, the wise one does not. Often in his underestimation of the power of darkness, he tries to give a straight battle to the enemy. The evil Vritti is not caught thereby, but it escapes his grasp and draws nearer. The light of wisdom dawns in him and he quickly covers the Antahkarana absorbed in meditation with the powerful shield of the Name of the Lord and total self-surrender to Him. Thus shielded by the Omnipotent Name, he remains safe and his meditation proceeds unhampered. The evil Vritti, its power totally lost vanishes. Yield not to despair. Wrestle not with evil. Cultivate its opposite virtue. Take refuge in His Divine Omnipotent Name. Taste the Immortal Bliss.