The double-edged sword
Not so long ago there lived a wise ruler who was loved and respected by all. His daughters found in him a warm-hearted father and his subjects a just leader. One day he invited his daughters to be present during court day. It was the day when his own brother was on trial. The brother of the Maharajah had made an attempt to have him quartered. Had hired mercenaries to kill his own brother. The girls’ hearts were crying. They all loved their uncle, despite his faults. And they also wept for their father, who loved his brother like no other. So how surprised they were when the Maharajah found the brother guilty of his crimes. “But father, how could you punish him when you love him so much?” He invited his daughters to walk with him through the lush oasis. “You see, all these plants need love, otherwise they won’t grow. And they need water and light to thrive. By giving them that, we respect their nature and the interaction of the whole. In return, they delight us with their beauty or give us food to refresh ourselves with.”
He pointed to a withered tree that stood forgotten in a corner at the back. “This tree was forgotten – and its vital fluids withered away. I ordered not to take the tree away because it taught me something important. If we do not give what nature and the other person needs, everything will be spoiled. If we only take, everything spoils, primarily we ourselves. But even if we do not take, it is not good for the tree. Then it collapses under the weight of its fruit and dies. The tree stands here
as a memorial. It reminds me of the different aspects of love.
Love is a vessel that receives and gives, that is the female side of love. And it is a double-edged sword in its masculine aspect.” He drew his sword to show it to his daughters: “One side separates and kills, the other side connects and heals.” “But Father, how can a sword heal?” “The sword also symbolizes knowledge, understanding. I can use the sword to open a wound in which the wood is stuck so that you can get it out. This understanding type of love knows when the scales of life are thrown off balance and the natural order of things is threatened. It then does not hesitate to act out of love.” “You mean to say, then, that for us, for everyone and also for your brother, it was an act of love to have his cruelty punished.” “I love him, and therefore I set the limit where he destroys what unites us.” “Thank you, Father, for that important lesson. We too will learn to use the double-edged sword.”
MAG. DR. VERENA RADLINGMAYR
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