Parable Of The Philosopher And The Broken Mirror

Divine Life Society Publication: Parables of Sivananda by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivananda

Once there lived two friends, Ram and Gopal. They were both philosophers. By Vichara and Anvaya-vyatireka, Ram learned to see the Glory of the Supreme Self reflected in and through all the universe. But Gopal continued to remain a theoretical philosopher, condemning the universe as an illusion and dream containing nothing but evil and vice.

One day, after a long time, Ram called on his friend. Gopal discussed for a long time, as usual, the evil in this universe, and in the end asked Ram what present he had brought for his friend. Ram, after thinking a while, produced a broken piece of mirror from his pocket and handing it over to Gopal, said, "This is my little and humble present. It will help you to understand your own beauty and charm, which you cannot otherwise see."

Gopal learnt a lesson, and from that moment began to visualise and understand the Glory of the Supreme Self reflected in all  the universe.

Nothing is useless in this world.

The non-self exists to reflect and glorify the Self. Otherwise how can you know the existence of the Self?

Verily, the non-self is the mirror that truly reflects the Self for us to cognise.

So, too, evil is the mirror for good. 'The presence of sages and saints is easily cognised amidst an assembly of ignorant men.

Learn to see the good reflected by the evil, and say, "Evil exists to remind me of good, the perishable exists to remind me of the Imperishable," and so on.

Truly, this universe is a mirror that reminds us of God. Learn not to condemn it as an illusion and dream, but to utilise it to feel the presence of God.

Excerpts from: Parable of The Philosopher and The Broken Mirror - Parables of Sivananda by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivananda