In English
Love transforms man's animal nature
In ancient times, the sages performed rigorous penance in the forests, living among wild animals. With no weapons in their hands, they relied on their spirit of love to protect them. They performed their penance with love for all beings. Their love transformed even the wild animals which lived at peace with the sages. Love transformed even tigers into friendly beasts. Today because men have lost the feeling of love and are filled with selfishness and greed, they have become "tigers" (man-eaters). You read in the papers about the death of "Tigers" in Sri Lanka. Who are these "Tigers"? They are men who have turned into "Tigers." Today men are becoming man-eaters. In ancient times, tigers turned into creatures with love. It is to transform man's nature from the animal to the human that love has been serving as a powerful force. The hearts of men in the olden days were soft and loving. Although love inherently is soft and compassionate, in certain situations it assumes a stern form. This is because, even out of love one has sometimes to use punishment. The harsh words and the punishment are associated with love. When it rains, it is a downpour of drops of water. But sometimes the rain is accompanied by hailstones. The hailstones are hard, but they are only water in a condensed form. Likewise, softness or punishment are different expressions of love. Sometimes, even devotees use harsh words about the Divine. , who regarded and as his mortal enemies, wanted by some means or other to get rid of them. Despite all his stratagems, could not get hold of them. On the pretext of performing a sacrifice, he sent to bring and to . was a kind hearted man, full of devotion to the Lord. Although he did not relish the prospect of going to and to bring them to , he could not disobey his master's orders. He reached and conveyed to and and and , 's invitation to and and asked them to arrange for sending the two lads with him.