Ego swells us up and bursts our entrails

According to the ancient classical texts of RAmAyaN, Sugriva had an elder brother, BAli. He was a prosperous and very strong king of the monkey-like aspects of those times. BrahmA ji had cherished him, with favour of imbibition of strength from his opponent, in any kind of fight it may be. None of his opponents could defy his strength, as he could absorb fifty percent of his strength.

Ego rose within BAli. HanumAna ji knew this and, He introduced Sugriva to Lord RAma. One day, HanumAna ji was sitting under a tree in deep meditation. At the same time, BAli came rushing, destroying the tranquil flora and fauna, and uprooted the tree, under which HanumAna ji was sitting. He was shocked. He declared BAli, to be aware of his deeds; otherwise, his ego shall destroy him. Lost in deep ignorance, BAli didn’t pay heed to His words. He started blabbering bad words for RAma. Despite of several warnings, BAli continued with those actions. HanumAna ji challenged him for a fight. BAli, intoxicated in ego, announced a fight the next day, with HanumAna ji. The preparations were done for a freelance fight over a field, for the next day.

At night, just prior to the fight, BrahmA ji gave vision to HanumAna ji. He asked HanumAna ji to avoid the fight, scheduled for the next day. HanumAna ji said that He was ready to forgive BAli for all his deeds, but His words have binded Him. BrahmA ji asked Him to place His ninety percent of the energy, at the divine feet of Lord RAma, and take it back on returning from the fight. He agreed.

The time of the fight arrived. The opponents faced each other. As BAli stood against HanumAna ji, five out of ten percent of the energy was imbibed by him. The immense packets of energy, were enough for BAli, disrupting his vasculature. BrahmA ji, through his conscience, asked BAli to run breathlessly, to save his life. Obeying the command, ran endlessly for miles, then stopped for sucking some breaths. BrahmA ji asked him about the cause of such anomaly with the body. BAli accepted that the energy of HanumAna ji was enormous for him to be borne. His body could not manage the intensity of the transcendental power. BrahmA ji asked him to return back and apologize for his deeds, rather, he could be destroyed. He obeyed, and apologized. HanumAna ji guided him towards the path of devotion, and asked him, to chant Thy name, at each breath.

MORAL: We think that we are at the doorstep to transcendental infinity, but, our physical body may not be prepared to receive such an enormous bulk in one go. We ought to have perseverance and faith in the path to ETERNAL INFINITY.