Arjuna's Shaking Hands

Long ago, early one morning, the sky was turning pink and gold.

Arjuna stood at the edge of a wide, open field. He was strong and good and brave. But today, he felt very small.

Today was a very big day. He had been getting ready for it for a long, long time. And now that it was here, his heart felt heavy.

His hands began to shake. His mouth felt dry. His thoughts flew around like busy birds, this way and that.

"Krishna," he said softly, "I don't think I can do this. My hands are shaking. My mind will not keep still."

Krishna was Arjuna's dearest friend. He came and stood close. He put a warm hand on Arjuna's shoulder. His eyes were calm and kind, like a still lake.

"I am here," said Krishna. "Be steady, my friend. Be calm inside."

Arjuna took a breath. "But how?" he asked. "How can a mind stay calm on a day like this?"

Krishna smiled. "Have you ever watched a tortoise?"

Arjuna nodded.

"A tortoise knows how to rest," said Krishna. "Gently, it draws in its head and its legs. It goes into its shell, slowly and softly. It does not rush. It does not worry. It simply goes in, and stays quiet."

"Your mind can do that too," Krishna said. "When the noise outside is too much, go gently inside. Rest in your quiet place. Be steady, my friend. Be calm inside."

Arjuna closed his eyes. He breathed in slowly. He breathed out slowly. The busy birds in his mind began to settle down.

Krishna spoke again, softly. "Now think of the ocean. So many rivers flow into it, day and night. Big rivers, small rivers, fast rivers. They all pour in."

"Does the ocean jump up? Does it spill over?"

"No," said Arjuna slowly. "The ocean stays calm."

"Yes," said Krishna. "It is so deep that it stays calm. Thoughts and feelings will flow into you, like rivers. Let them come. Be deep, like the ocean. Be steady, my friend. Be calm inside."

Arjuna opened his eyes. The sun was rising now, warm and golden. A cool breeze moved across the field. Far away, a bird began to sing.

He looked at his hands. They were still. He felt his heart. It was slow and strong.

"I feel steady now," said Arjuna. "Thank you, my friend."

Krishna smiled. "I was always with you," he said. "And I always will be."

Arjuna stood tall. The big day was still big. But now his mind was calm, like a deep blue ocean. And he was ready.