Adversities Are Opportunities - Stories from Ancient India

By Swami Sunirmalananda

Adversities are Opportunities is a collection of a few stories from epics and Puranas retold for today's reader. These ancient stories were told at various periods of times in the past but they all teach us that we should never be disheartened under whatever circumstance life may land us in for the simple reason that things are bound to change for the better.

The whole of Sanatana Dharma or Vedanta is a long lesson in positive thinking and positive living. Through stories anecdotes philosophical texts and so on Vedanta teaches positive thinking at all stages of life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781312353664

Book preview

Adversities

are

Opportunities

Stories from Ancient India

ADVERSITIES ARE

OPPORTUNITIES

Stories from Ancient India

Retold by

Swami Sunirmalananda

Sri Ramakrishna Math

Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004

Published by :

Adhyaksha

Sri Ramakrishna Math

Mylapore, Chennai - 4

© Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai

All rights reserved

ISBN 978-81-7823-670-4

Printed in India at

Sri Ramakrishna Math Printing Press

Mylapore, Chennai - 4

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Since ages, stories have appealed to the heart more than philosophy. A simple story, parable, anecdote or example teaches far more than a thousand words. Whether it’s the refined intellectual or the simple seeker—all love to learn through examples. And remarkable examples abound in Indian literature, especially ancient. Ancient India developed several systems of writing to bring light to different types of human mind. Though every form—hymns, verses, mantras, sutras, etc—is supremely important, and has illumined millions down the centuries, stories and mythological literature have always appealed more. The stories themselves may appear strange to us, but the spirit and moral they carry are important.

The whole of Sanatana Dharma or Vedanta is a long lesson in positive thinking and positive living. Through stories, anecdotes, philosophical texts, and so on, Vedanta teaches positive thinking at all stages of life. Why is positive thinking so essential? We are essentially divine. But we think we are limited, helpless beings and this is negative thinking. Many suffer—especially in advanced and advancing nations— from depression, guilt, failures, meaninglessness, etc. Swami Vivekananda wrote: ‘In every soul is infinite strength; and should you turn yourselves into cats and dogs by harbouring negative thoughts? Who dares to preach negativism? ...I feel as if a thunderbolt strikes me on the head when I hear people dwell on negative thoughts.’ The purpose of Sanatana Dharma is to make us understand our real nature, our essential divinity, which is beyond all existential sorrow and suffering.

Adversities are Opportunities is a collection of a few stories from epics and Puranas, retold for today’s reader. These ancient stories were told at various periods of time in the past, but they all teach us that we should never be disheartened under whatever circumstance life may land us in, for the simple reason that things are bound to change for the better. Swami Sunirmalananda, who retells these stories, is a monk of the Ramakrishna Order. He was Editor of Prabuddha Bharata, an English Monthly of the Ramakrishna Order. We thank Swami Mahatapananada for providing the cover photograph. Hope our readers will benefit from this book.

Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi Jayanti

17 December 2011

INTRODUCTION

This book has a few principal objectives.

First, Adversities are Opportunities briefly retells a few well-known ancient Indian tales for the present world. Indian culture is drawing the world’s attention today. The world’s interest in Indian philosophy, literature, history, religion and so on is gradually increasing. Tales from ancient India also are drawing attention. However, to some, ancient stories appear meaningless and ‘impossible’. The sages, who gave us our ancient literature, have made it clear that the stories and incidents from the epics and Puranas have a higher purpose—of teaching strength, courage, religion and spirituality to the common people. So a few stories retell themselves here, trying to bring us the positive message of hope. They show us that there is no reason to be despondent, worried or to feel guilty. These apparently ‘impossible’ stories gently take us out of the darkness of hopelessness, weakness and suffering and lead us to the light of hope and courage.

Second, the ancient civilization of India has stood the test of time. It is deathless because of the fundamental principle it discovered long ago and teaches always: that behind all the multiplicity and change, there is the changeless, deathless, eternal Consciousness—the Self or Atman. All that is negative is in the multiplicity, the superficial and the sense world, which is temporary. All power, goodness and strength is in the Eternal, the permanent, the supreme Consciousness. Through her philosophy and stories, this ageless nation has been delivering the message of faith and hope since long. Some stories here echo a few of those principles. Though many excellent books on positive thinking and successful living are filling the stands, the stories in those books are from recent times. India has been telling us similar stories since ages, as the book tries to show.

Third, Adversities are Opportunities tells us that we can always change for the better. However terrible our situation might be, we can definitely improve. Some of the stories in this book show that adversities can be transformed into privileges, and problems can be converted into opportunities.

Fourth, Adversities are Opportunities shows us that a positive self-image is a must for success in life. Vedanta teaches us that nothing is impossible for the strong-willed soul. You’ll ask: ‘If so, why do we fail?’ We fail because we do not put all our concentrated effort and try hard to attain the goal, with prayer and with the faith that we shall win in the end. The heroes of some of the stories in this book bring us the message that nothing is impossible.

Adversities are Opportunities contains some stories which say that genuine, selfless intentions can change everything. Can intention transform everything? Of course, says Swami Vivekananda: ‘We are what our thoughts have made us. ... If matter is powerful, thought is omnipotent.’ While negative thinking is dangerous, positive thinking is most beneficial. Willed thought is intention. We should have noble intentions. Noble intentions lead to positive reality.

The stories in this book are hundreds of years old, and are interspersed with the immortal words of Vivekananda. May they inspire the reader, is our prayer.

CONTENTS

Achieving the Impossible

1. Eye of the Fish

2. The Lost Husband

3. Search for the Lost Wife

4. The Stone-woman

5. The Lamp of Faith

6. The Great War

Success in Stressful Situations

1. Entering the