Why the anvil does not strike back

Oct 14, 2009, 12.00am IST
Stephen Isaac.

Look at the anvil. It gets struck repeatedly but not once does it strike back.


ould any one of us hold up the anvil as a role model? Even so-called spiritual leaders are ready to get into a fierce argument to uphold their version of the truth, claiming it to be the only truth, the absolute truth.

Is it possible that truth can be two or three different things? I don’t believe so, because truth is so simple. My definition of the truth which will coincide with what every great master or prophet has revealed and simplified, is not to tell a lie for any reason, not to use abusive language of any kind, not to hurt or harm any of God’s creation mentally or physically. To help whenever given the opportunity, never discriminate on the basis of colour, caste, creed or position. To receive whatever is our lot – that falls to us whether good or bad as our just reward for the moment, understanding that we can change the bad to good, by thinking and doing good deeds.

Each of us has the potential to follow these simple rules, but it takes a lot of courage to implement them, because most of us are already bound in chains created by our upbringing, culture, rituals and customs, and this simple knowledge that can set us free, is scary.

This is what a great Master said: The weak are burdens to the weak, but to the strong they are a pleasant charge. Seek out the weak; their weakness is your strength.

The hungry are but hunger to the hungry, but to the ones who are full, they are an opportunity for service. Seek out the hungry; your fullness is their want.

The blind are stumbling blocks to the blind, but they are mileposts to the seeing. Seek out the blind; their darkness is your light.

I personally don’t see anything complicated in these statements. It simply says, step out of your chains and inhibitions and start helping others with whatever you possess in abundance. This is a step towards the truth, because every person – rich or poor, bad or good – has some good in them that can be used. This step in knowledge also leads to a love that doesn’t discriminate. God loves everything He has created equally, so why do we choose a particular being or item, to shower our love on, ignoring everything else which needs the same love. Love is the Law of God.


We have all heard this saying “Love is blind”, meaning it sees no fault in the beloved. This kind of blindness is the height of seeing. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everybody had this kind of blindness, then they would never see any fault in anybody or anything, ever?

This kind of love neither lends or borrows, neither buys nor sells and when it gives, it gives its all, and when it takes, it takes its all. Its very taking is a giving and its very giving is a taking making it the same today, tomorrow and forever.

This kind of love is like the anvil, absorbing vibrations of all kinds all the time, yet remaining calm and steady, giving and taking constantly. Love is an active force which we should use to guide our every move and step, every wish and thought. And the byproduct of this love is peace, within and without. I wish this love on every living being on this Earth, because a love that singles out a fraction of the whole has already doomed itself to grief.