In his early years, Maharaja Dashrath accidentally killed Shravan Kumar while hunting. He was then cursed by Shravan's father that he would die longing for his son in the same way as Shravan's father was dying yearning for his. (The reason for this curse is a story in itself - I'll write about that separately).

This curse turned out to be the only ray of hope for Maharaj Dashratha when he remained childless many years after his marriage. He knew that curse of Shravan's father will definitely be fulfilled, which gave him hope that he will have a son sooner or later - only then he could die grieving for him.

This incident beautifully shows that there is some good in the bad, and some bad in the good. The curse gave him hope that he will have a child, and having a child ensured that he will die grieving for him.

There is another incident from the Valmiki Ramayana that strengthens this belief.

When Sugriva was sending his associates in different directions of the Earth in search of Sita, he was giving them detailed directions to various countries and guiding them on the route to be taken.

Prabhu Shriram was shocked to see this knowledge of Sugriva and asked him,

"How come you know so much about the geography of the earth ?"

To this Sugriva replied,

"When I was wandering around in fear of Bali, there was no shelter anywhere on the whole earth... and in the quest to find a safe place, I searched the whole earth and therefore I know exactly about the direction,town and geography of mother earth."

Now if Sugriv had not faced this crisis, he would not have the knowledge of the land and it would have made it difficult to locate Mother Sita.

Hence, it is beautifully called out in the ancient tales: -

"Compatibility is food, adversity is vitamin, and challenges are a boon and those who can learn to take all the three in the right way are the once who will achieve all the success."

So, if you are happy with the happiness you get today, then do not panic in days of misery for who knows how the adversity might turn into an opportunity later on.

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