Blessed are the meek, for they shall Inherit the Earth

Today we had a class on design by Ms. rashmi Korjan, and she was talking on how designers have to have a leg in so many diverse fields. In the talk an interesting thing came out.

She was telling that how we all achieve to increase our sphere of knowledge. But as this sphere increases, so does the area that is in touch with the unknown. It means that a person who has a small sphere of knowledge knows less as well as knows less about his ignorance. A person who knows more, also knows more about his ignorance because a large part of his knowledge is in touch with unknown. I have drawn a diagram to show it more explicitly.

So eventually it comes to mean that the person also is there fore more aware of his or her weakness and there fore should be more humble than the rest of the people. That is as good as saying that if you are wise, be humble.

This isn't the first time that I heard this argument. Long ago some body...I think my mom or my dad had told me the following story.

"Each year the river Ganges used to have a big flood that used to sweep away everything. The river used to swell up and engulf its banks. This feature was watched by a Bunyan tree year after year to its fear that one day the tide might reach it and take it away. But the tree also watched one thing that when the water used to go down, the banks used to look spot clean without any tree or shrubs, but one grove of bamboo. After watching the bamboo survive for some time one day the tree finally asked the bamboo, that what's the secret. How does it survive the anger of the mighty Ganges so easily? To which the bamboo replied: You see my friend, when the tide comes and water stands flowing with full force uprooting everything, I just lie low and don't try to resist the waters, because I know that I am not that strong. So I just fall down, submerged, and water flows over me and I don't get uprooted. Those who try to resist it, are uprooted. But when the water is down, then I get up to my usual self again."

So in the face of adversity, one must lie low and let the bad time pass and then when the time has passed, get up on its feet again.

Another similar story is the one often found in forwards and emails in management schools......I am putting them here:

Management Lessons

Lesson Number 1
A crow was sitting on a tree, doing nothing all day. A small rabbit saw the crow, and asked him, "Can I also sit like you and do nothing all day long?" The crow answered: "Sure, why not." So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the crow, and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Management Lesson: To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.

Lesson Number 2
A turkey was chatting with a bull. "I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree," sighed the turkey, "but I haven't got the energy." "Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?" replied the bull. "They're packed with nutrients." The turkey pecked at a lump of dung and found that it actually gave him enough strength to reach the first branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally after a fourth night, there he was proudly perched at the top of the tree. Soon he was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot the turkey out of the tree.

Management Lesson: Bullshit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.

Lesson Number 3
A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold, the bird froze and fell to the ground in a large field. While it was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on it. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, it began to realize how warm it was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him! Management Lesson:
1) Not everyone who drops shit on you is your enemy.
2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.
3) And when you're in deep shit, keep your mouth shut!

Lesson Number 4
The boy rode on the donkey and the old man walked. As they went along, they passed some people who remarked, "it was a shame the old man was walking and the boy was riding." The man and boy thought maybe the critics were right, so they changed positions. Later, they passed some people that remarked, "What a shame, he makes that little boy walk." They decided they both would walk! Soon they passed some more people who thought they were stupid to walk when they had a decent donkey ride. So they both rode the donkey! Now they passed some people that shamed them by saying "how awful to put such a load on a poor donkey." The boy and man said they were probably right so they decided to carry the donkey. As they crossed a bridge, they lost their grip on the animal and he fell into the river and drowned.

Management Lesson: If you try to please everyone, you will eventually lose your ass.

Coming back to what I was saying, that therefore, humility is considered to be a virtue and its not that the Indian Mythology is devoid of citing. But the beauty is that the learning have been put in small subliminal messages.

If you would remember, when the war in Mahabharat was about to start, both Duryodhan and Arjun went to Krishna to ask for help. Duryodhan arrived first at krishna's palace. But found that Krishna was sleeping, and thinking that it would be improper to wake him up, waited. As there was no place to sit, he sat close to his head. Then Arjun came and sat near the foot of the bed. When kirishna woke up, his eyes fell on Arjun, and he saw him sitting there. Then he noticed Duryodhan. When they both asked for his support, Kirishna said that because I saw Arjun first, he has the first right to ask. While duryodhan kept on saying that he should be given the chance to ask first as he came before Arjun. The matter was solved when Arjun allowed Duryodhan to ask first, and out of his ignorance, Duryodhan asked for Krishna's Chaturangini Sena. Arjun being smarter asked for Krishna or the god himself to be on his side.

Some similar story is regarding why does God Vishnu carry a foot mark on his chest.

Once, sages from different places had gathered on the banks of the Saraswati river. A debate started among them as to who was the greatest among the three; Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu or Lord Mahesh. When they were unable to come to any conclusion, they chose Bhrigu as their representative to personally test all the three deities and to decide as to who is the greatest.

His first visit was at Lord Brahma's abode. Bhrigu neither bowed in reverence nor greeted Him. Brahma felt insulted but did not lose his temper.

After that, Bhrigu went to 'Kailash Parvata' to meet Lord Shiva. Seeing Bhrigu approaching, Lord Shiva wanted to embrace him. But Bhrigu who wanted to test his greatness, replied sarcastically: "Since you don't follow the right course, I will not accept your respect and service".

Hearing Bhrigu's words, Lord Shiva lost his temper and ran after him with his 'Trishula' (trident). At last Parvati intervened and requested Lord Shiva to spare Bhrigu.

Ultimately, Bhrigu went to Vaikunthloka to see Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu was relaxing at that moment.

Maharshi Bhrigu kicked Lord Vishnu on his chest. Lord Vishnu woke up as a result of the blow, bowed in reverence and said: "O Lord, be seated, I was not aware of your arrival, hence I could not welcome you. Forgive me! Your feet must be in pain as my chest is hard as 'Vajra' (mace)".

Saying this, Lord Vishnu started pressing his legs and further said: "O Brahmin, you have been most gracious to me, as the soil of your feet would remain on my chest forever."

But Out of all these stories, the biggest promoter of humility are the stories of Christ. Only once does he lose temper, I think, when he is in the temple and he throws out money lenders. And nothing compare to the grand promise laid down

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Godspeed