The Sage And The River

Somewhere in the green mountains of Himalayas, two sages were walking along the banks of the river Ganga. It was the time of monsoons, the clouds were thick and the green in the trees was richer than ever. The river Ganga was raging high with turbulence. The sound of the gushing water was echoing in the valley.

The older of the two sages asked the other, “Look at the river, what do you notice?”.

The other sage replied “It looks magnificent! Flowing with so much freedom and exuberance. She seems so carefree”.

“Oh yes indeed. So why don’t you swim through this river and get to the other side?” asked the grey- bearded sage.

“That’s impossible! I will be swept off.” said the younger astonished sage.

The elderly sage then asked “How about you fetch some water from the river then”.

The younger sage was astonished and said “But the water is too muddy and it cannot be consumed. Surely you must be knowing that”.

The wise sage then said “Yes my friend, I am absolutely aware of it. But see how the river that you once started describing as magnificent later became muddy for you. On the other hand, in the season of winter the same river is completely different. The water then is much more stable and clear. You can easily get to the other side. You can even quench your thirst with that water and give it to others too.

Mind is like a river and its sediments are its thoughts.When the mind is agitated and excited, it’s on a rampage. The sediments of its thoughts are unsettled. This kind of a mind cannot quench anyone’s thirst and is hazardous for everyone. Whereas a simple and peaceful mind is like river in the winter season. Its sediments are settled. The water can quench the thirst and one can cross the rive with ease. A person with such a simple mind has an absolute control on himself. He may not seem magnificent but his thoughts are clear and people in his surroundings benefit from him”.