Something to Learn from the Porcupines…

happyalways 

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It was the coldest winter ever. Many animals died because of the cold.

 

The porcupines, realizing the situation, decided to group together to keep warm. This way they covered and protected themselves; but the quills of each one wounded their closest companions.

After awhile, they decided to distance themselves one from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen.

 

So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the earth.

Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. They learned to live with the little wounds caused by the close relationship with their companions in order to receive the warmth that came from the othersThis way they were able to survive.

 

What we learn is:

In this world, no two people are hundred percent compatible with each other. Moreover, we can’t live in isolation. To survive, we have to live in the society, we have to live with the family. So, we have no choice, but to be patient with others accept them as they are. We need to adjust with them and at times we will have to compromise also, but with compassion. Certain things we may have to tolerate and at times we have to sacrifice for the sake of relationship. These are needed for the sustenance of any relationship.

      

The best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect people, but rather, when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others and can admire the other person’s good qualities.

 

“maatraa-sparshaas tu kaunteya sheetoshna-sukha-duhkha-daah /

aagamaapaayino nityaah taams titikshasva bhaarata /”

(“The contacts of senses with the objects, O son of Kunti, which cause heat and cold, pleasure and pain, have a beginning and an end; they are impermanent, transitory, fleeting; endure them bravely, O descendant of Bharata.)”

– Bhagavad Geeta, Ch. 2, v 14

 

Just learn to live with the little pin-pricks in life!

 

“Be what you are and say what you feel…because

those who mind don’t matterand

those who matter don’t mind.

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7 thoughts on “Something to Learn from the Porcupines…

  1. JayanthiCV

    The pictures are of hedge hogs. Not porcupines. If we survive by wounds. Yes.

    1. happyalways

      There are several species of porcupines and this is one of them. You can google “images of baby porcupine” and get these pictures. They are not hedge hogs.
      No two people in this world are hundred per cent compatible. Therefore, if two people have to live together, they need to have lots of patience and understanding, acceptance, adjustment, compassion, compromise, tolerance and sacrifice (PAACCTS). Without these no two people can ever live together. Hence we need to live with the little pinpricks in life.

  2. Sanjay chauhan

    Great message from animal …but human being even having brain don’t try to think..very sad. We should definatly learn.

  3. Chintu

    The truth of life that contact with sense objects is bound to bring pain and pleasure,joy and sorrow; and the lesson from the life and situations faced by porcupines drives home the message of Krishna so well.

  4. Pr Narendraprana

    Hari Om Swamiji.

    A Very new, nice and appropriate example of tolerance and acceptance.

    Thanks with regards.

    Pr. Narendraprana

  5. Atharva Bonde

    Hari Aum and Pranam.
    Swamiji, thanks for throwing light on the pristine concept of the ‘equanimity of mind’, through a simple but deep story.
    Thanks for reminding me that we get what we deserve not what we desire! Thus we should accept what we have got and what we are getting and what we will get, equanimously.
    Hari Aum!

  6. Atharva Bonde

    Hari Aum and Pranam.
    Swamiji, thanks for throwing light on the pristine concept of the ‘equanimity of mind’, through a simple but deep story.
    Hari Aum!

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