Spiritual discipline within Hinduism
...nd bonding. Drona, a learned man and the teacher of the seven princes, tests his students on their battle and archery skills. All his students posses powers and abilities and bear great strength. For the final test Drona places a fake bird on top of a tree and orders his students to aim at the bird and hit his head, hitting the given target. Drona asks everyone the same question about what they see. Everyone states they see the bird and their teacher, and the others. Drona is disappointed and none of the answers up to his expectations. Disappointed Drona calls upon his last student, Arjuna. Arjuna is the youngest of the seven princes, and is yet the keenest and the sharpest of them all. As ordered, Arjuna takes an aim as the target and holds steady. When Drona asks him about what he saw, Arjuna replied he saw nothing but the birds head. This was exactly the reply Drona was looking for. Pleased, he allowed Arjuna to continue. Arjuna shot an arrow, succeeding and hitting the target in the head. This act depicts the concept of spiritual keenness and discipline. This shows how Arjuna’s spiritual concentration was of much greater importance, than the strength of his fellow students. It was only through his spiritual focus and determination, that he was able to attain the best aim among his rivals. Spiritual discipline is about having the power and abilities, but using them knowingly and wisely. When Arjuna is gifted the sacred weapon by Drona, he warns him of using it justly and under fair circumstances. In the story of Rama and Ravana from the Ramayana, there is a great emphasis on the spiritual concentration and discipline during warfare. Ravana, is strong and seemingly invincible. He has immortal heads and arms, but when it comes to his heart, it is as vulnerable as a new born child. He had gained all the physical strength he could ever want, but as far as the spiritual strength of his heart was concerned; he had none. Therefore his heart had collapsed and given away. Another example of spiritual discipline is clearly depicted within the morals of Rama. When Rama ha...