Acharya Prashant reminisces about a spiritual camp held six or seven years ago at the same location by the river. It was a long camp, lasting about a week to ten days, with many participants, including young college students. The sessions were intense, starting at 5 AM and continuing until 1 or 2 AM at night. The flow of the Ganga was just as strong then. During the day, when the sun became harsh, people would come to bathe in the Ganga. At night, it would get cold. To ensure the safety of the bathers in the fast-flowing river, the camp manager had appointed a couple of guards. They had tied a very thick rope to a rock on the bank. The rule was that whoever went for a bath must always hold on to this rope. This allowed them to go deep into the river and enjoy the current without any harm. The situation was that the Ganga had a strong current, and the young people wanted to go deep into the flow. To manage this, the arrangement of the rope was made. The rope was long enough for several people to hold it at intervals and go far into the river. Acharya Prashant then narrates an incident about a gentleman who was at the very front of the line of people holding the rope. After a while, it was noticed that he was being swept away. People from behind shouted, asking if he was holding the rope. He replied with full confidence that he was. However, he was being swept further away. It was then realized that the rope wasn't that long. The guards, who were swimmers, jumped in, went to him, and pulled him out. When they brought him back and asked what he was holding, it was discovered that he was holding the drawstring of his own pants. He was fully convinced he was holding the rope and wouldn't be swept away, but he was holding his own drawstring. This story is presented as a metaphor for the river of life. You have to enter this river; being alive means you must get into it. There is a lot of fun in it, but if you learn to swim, you can cross it. However, if you don't know how to swim and lack wisdom, this same river can swallow you and give your life a very bad end. For those who are at the beginning of their learning journey and want to find joy in it, it is very important not to let go of the rope given from this side. The ego, however, holds on to itself, its own drawstring. It relies on its own self-confidence and refuses to accept help. It's a ridiculous, frightening, and strange sight when a man, thinking he is holding a rope, is actually holding his own drawstring and believes he won't drown. The ego's nature is to hold on to its own drawstring and think it has a great support. We need support from outside ourselves so that one day we may not need any support. The help is not a burden; when you have fully benefited from it, you can put it aside. The one who helps you will also be happy that you no longer need assistance. But before that day comes, if you let go of the support due to ego or false self-confidence, it can be fatal.
