Value: Truth, Duty
Sub-Value: Motivation, Self-confidence
Image courtesy:nicholaskotar
A king had many elephants, but one elephant was very powerful, obedient, sensible, and skillful in fighting skills. In many wars, he was sent on the battlefield, and he used to return only after getting victory for the king.
Therefore, he was the most loved elephant of the king. Time went by and there came a time when the elephant started getting old. Now he was not able to perform as before. Therefore, now the kings did not even send him to the battlefield but still retained him as a part of his team.
One day the elephant went to the lake to drink water, but his feet got stuck in the mud there and started sinking. He tried a lot, but he could not remove himself from the mud.
People came to know from the sound of his screams that the elephant was in trouble. The news of the trapping of the elephant also reached the king. All the people, including the king, gathered around the elephant and made various efforts to get him out. But, after trying for a long time, they realised there was no way out.
At that time, Gautama Buddha was passing the road. Gautam Buddha first inspected the site of the incident and then suggested to the king that the battle drums should be played around the lake. The listeners felt bizarre how the trapped elephant would come out by playing the drums.
As soon as the drums of war started ringing, so did the change in the gesture of that troubled elephant.
At first, the elephant slowly stood up, and then, came out of the mud on his own, shocking everyone. Gautama Buddha made it clear to everyone that:
“There was no lack of physical ability of the elephant, only the need to infuse enthusiasm in it – to maintain enthusiasm in life, it is necessary that humans maintain purposeful thinking and mindset and do not let despair dominate.
Learning
In today’s challenging times, we all need to inspire ourselves and people around us with the hope and motivation by playing, if need be, the battle drums that we will again celebrate the abundance of good health, Joy, and happiness in near furutue.
(Source: https://www.takeela.com/play-the-battle-drums/)
You can listen to the story on Sai Prem podcast at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1498462/episodes/8807754-play-the-battle-drums
Sai Balsanskaar 