How to Win the Struggle for Existence

We are all busy with the "struggle for existence" that refers to the competition for resources needed to survive, which can occur in human society or in nature. This survival process is best elaborated through a story.

The Cow and the Tiger

Once upon a time, a cow went to graze in the jungle. Suddenly, she saw a tiger racing towards her. Terrified, she fled, fearing the tiger would catch her at any moment. Desperately searching for a way to escape, she spotted a shallow pond. Just barely evading the tiger’s reach, she jumped into the pond, and in the heat of the chase, the tiger blindly followed her and fell into the pond.

To their dismay, the pond where they landed was filled with deep mud. After tumbling over each other, the cow and the tiger found themselves stuck in the deep mud up to their necks, unable to free themselves despite their struggles. The tiger snarled at the cow, roaring, “I will enjoy crunching your bones between my teeth!”

Do you have a master?

Furiously thrashing about, the tiger soon became anxious, realizing there was no escape. The cow, however, smiled and asked, “Do you have a master?”

The tiger, disdainful, replied, “I am the king of the jungle. Why would I have a master? I am the master!”

The cow said, “You may be the king of the jungle, but here, your power can't save you.”

“And what about you?” retorted the tiger. “You’re going to die here too!”

The cow smiled and said, “No, I am not.”

“If even I, the king of the jungle, can’t free myself from this mud,” snapped the tiger, “how can you, an ordinary cow?”

The cow gently replied, “I can't free myself, but my master can. When the sun sets and he finds me missing, he will come looking for me. Once he finds me, he will lift me up and take me home.”

The tiger fell silent, glaring coldly at the cow.

Sure enough, at sunset, the cow’s master arrived. Seeing her plight, he lifted her to safety. As they walked home, the cow and her master felt renewed gratitude for each other and pitied the tiger, whom they would have gladly saved, if only the tiger had allowed it.

Moral of the Story

This story is a mirror reflecting our own lives. The cow represents a tranquil heart, the tiger represents a selfish mind, and the master represents a spiritual teacher, a Guru. The mud symbolizes the real world, and the chase denotes the life struggle for existence. 

Image Credit: Gemini

It’s good to be independent, but not to an extreme. Everyone needs a partner, a coach, a mentor, or a Guru who looks out for him. Having one doesn’t mean you’re weak; it means you can be stronger with his help.

The Spiritual Lesson

This tale is a reflection of the human experience, prompting readers to identify with the characters and the situations. It suggests that the complexities and challenges faced by the characters are symbolic of the universal struggles we all deal with.

• The cow represents a tranquil heart. The cow, often seen as a docile and patient animal, symbolizes a heart that has let go of attachment and resistance. It represents a state of surrender, acceptance, and peacefulness. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for a person who has found inner tranquility and is not easily swayed by external circumstances.

• The tiger represents a selfish mind. The tiger, known for its ferocity and pride, symbolizes the ego, which is often driven by desires, fears, and a sense of self-importance. It represents the restless and insatiable nature of the mind, constantly seeking gratification and control.

• The master represents the spiritual teacher. The master is a figure of wisdom and guidance, often associated with spiritual teachers or mentors. In this context, the master represents the one who can help us transcend our ego and find inner peace, much like a Guru in many spiritual traditions.

• The mud symbolizes the real world. Mud is often associated with impurity, chaos, and the material world. In this allegory, it represents the complexities, challenges, and distractions of everyday life. It signifies the real world as we perceive it, with its inherent limitations and imperfections.

• The chase denotes the life struggle. The chase of the cow by the tiger denotes the ongoing conflict between the heart and the ego. It represents the human struggle to balance desires, fears, and spiritual aspirations within the complexities of life.

In essence, this simple story indicates that our lives are a constant interplay between our ego-driven desires and our deeper spiritual yearnings. The world, with its challenges and distractions, provides the backdrop for this internal conflict. The goal, as suggested by the presence of the master, is to find a path towards surrender and inner peace, transcending the ego and finding harmony within oneself.