In a small village, there was a locksmith’s shop where a skilled craftsman worked daily, unlocking many locks and creating countless keys. Even a young child would come to the workshop every day to learn the trade. The child observed how a small key could effortlessly open a strong lock.
One day, the child asked the locksmith, “Uncle, a hammer is powerful and made of much more iron than a key. It’s also bigger in size. Yet, it takes a long time to break a lock with a hammer, while such a small key can open it so easily. How does the key unlock such a strong lock?”
The locksmith smiled and replied, “My child, when you strike a lock with a hammer, you’re trying to break it by force. But a key works differently. It gently enters the lock, touches its inner mechanism, and fits inside without causing any harm. Then, with just a small turn, the lock opens smoothly.”
The Important Lesson:
What a profound truth has been expressed! Just as a small key can open a strong lock by gently touching its inner workings, in life, no matter how strong or powerful we are, unless we touch the hearts of others, we won’t earn their respect or care. Like a hammer blow that tries to forcefully open a lock but ends up breaking it, if we try to achieve things through sheer force or power, we may fail. Force alone cannot touch people’s hearts.
Similarly, to reach God, we must call out to Him from our hearts with love and devotion every day. Our heart is like a locked door, and grace—the grace found in the divine names given by a true teacher—is the key. When we sit in meditation and remember the Lord each day, these hymns and simran (remembrance) act as the key that will unlock the door to our spiritual realization.
Now we must reflect and understand whether we want to be like a hammer, controlled by the ego, or whether we want to form the key by immersing our minds in hymns and simran.
This story serves as a reminder that true power lies not in force or brute strength, but in gentle, thoughtful actions that connect deeply with the hearts and spirits of others. Just as a key delicately and precisely opens a lock, our actions should be guided by kindness, understanding, and love to truly make a positive impact on the world around us and our spiritual journey.
