To keep on changing continually is in the very nature of human being. In fact it is because of one historic change that human race had come into being. It is said that monkey is an ancestor of man. And at one point of time in the long long past this ancestor shed his tail and a miracle took place. The tailless monkey became man! The disappearance of the existing tail was a remarkable change in monkey’s anatomy. And because of this change human race came into existence.
Thenceforth, human beings kept on changing continuously. He stopped moving naked as he did earlier. Instead, he covered his body with the leaves of trees in the beginning and later on by cloths. He stopped eating only roots, bulbs and fruits as he did earlier. He discovered the art of making fire and gained knowledge in cooking. Eventually, he learnt to express his feelings through language.
One would not find these changes amongst animals. They are today just as they were thousands of years ago. Numb, dumb and naked. No changes in their food habits and habitats. A tiger would not eat vegetables even if he is extremely hungry. And a cow would not eat meat. Man eats both. Man stopped dwelling on trees. He built a house and stayed in it. The existence of things like travelling, fashions, tastes, elections, etc, show that man has keen interest in change.
All great events in the world took place because of various changes. On the advice of sage Narada, Valya, a bandit changed. Later on this very same gangster became seer Valmiki who composed the great Indian Epic – the Ramayana.
After conquering the kingdom of Kalinga, king Ashoka took a round of the battlefield sitting on the horse back. Many dead bodies of the warriors were seen scattered across the field. Numerous wounded soldiers were writhing with pains. Ashoka saw a woman crying aloud at some distance. He went to her and said, “See, today is a day of victory. And instead of rejoicing, you are crying here. I am king Ashoka the great. Tell me what do you want”. The woman said instantly “My Lord, here is my only son lying dead on this battlefield. You are indeed a mighty king. Would you please make him alive?” The king remained speechless. The victorious samrat was now defeated by an ordinary woman! This incident changed Ashoka. From then onwards he laid down his weapons and followed the path of Lord Buddha’s non-violence.
Joseph was a naughty and stubborn boy. One day he demanded for a new pair of shoes at his parents. But because of poverty his parents could not satisfy him. Thereafter Joseph resorted to crying. But it was in vain. After a while he went towards the village market place still sobbing. On the way he saw a person lying on the ground under a tree. The poor man was half naked and he was without legs! Joseph was moved by that sight. He began to think that a short while ago he was crying for new shoes. And here was a man who had no legs for shoes! This incident changed Joseph totally. Later in his life, this very same naughty boy led a noble and saintly life.
All wise men in the world appeal to the people for positive change. They say that a man is what he thinks. If he changes his thinking, he is changed.
