Natural Health: Arrogance Corrupts Body and Soul

By Sudhamahi Reghunathan

The village was situated along the main highway. Many travellers stopped here for rest or a cup of tea. One young man used to enjoy listening to the travel accounts of such people and so tried to meet as many of them as possible. Over the years he found everybody talking of the dignity and magnificence of King Sanatkumar. He heard people describe the king as very handsome, as having a brilliant halo and others as saying his very appearance was inspiring.

The young man set forth on a journey to see king Sanatkumar himself. He travelled for many long years. Finally when he was of a ripe old age, he reached the gates of the palace and knocked on the doors. The guards were reluctant to entertain an old ragged looking man. - But I have travelled years to see the king and I must be given permission instantly, - implored the old man.

Intrigued by such a request, the king allowed his guards to let him enter. On setting his eyes on the king, just woken up from bed, the old man went into rhapsody. - What a man! What aura! What stature! What a nose! What a smile! What beautiful teeth! - The old man praised the king for more than half-hour. The king was delighted. He felt he was discovering himself all over again.

That half-hour changed the king so much that no sooner had the old man paused for a breath, the king said, - O good man, do you find me so wonderful? So handsome? So majestic? Do come back and see me when I am adorned, I will look even better. Now I am wearing my nightclothes, wearing no jewellery, no finery. Come to my court, you will see me at my best. -

Accordingly, two hours later, the old man was led to the court. The king meanwhile had ordered the best of his ornaments to be brought out and was wearing all the finery he had. He sat in a stupor with a glassy smile. He was not in this world at all. He was waiting for the old man to come and praise him. In the meanwhile he asked for some extra perfume, one more ring and even a peacock feather for his crown. What new words will the old man find, wondered the king. He had already used most of the adjectives!

The old man came in and bowed before the king. Then he was silent. The king waited and waited and he felt his ears were getting tired of waiting.

- Well? - he said enquiringly as he stood up and showed himself in full to the old man. The old man frowned. - It is all gone, - he said. - You look horrible. You have no beauty left. -

The king was shocked and taken aback. When he found his voice, he raged with anger. - When I was poorly dressed, you praised me and described my beauty. Now I am dressed in all royal finery and you say I have lost my beauty? I think you have lost your sanity, - said the king.

- No sir, I am not wrong. Call your physician and check your health. You will find you are ridden with diseases. Your brilliance is gone, - reiterated the old man calmly.

The physician was called. Indeed the king was found to have many diseases. Everyone was stunned. How did this happen? - Your arrogance caused it, - said the old man.

Says Acharya Mahaprajna, - Today the medical world is of the opinion that most diseases are psychosomatic. Arrogance affects the body as it does the mind. It affects not only the arrogant person, it inflicts pain on the entire family, society. If a chief is arrogant he spreads sorrow. The path to happiness is to replace arrogance with humility, anger with forgiveness, crookedness with straightforwardness and greed with contentment. This paves the path to veetaragatha or detachmentÓ.