Based on The Faith Book by Kadamba Kanana Swami
The Fall into the Unknown
High in the hills, where the winds whisper ancient secrets and trees cling to sheer cliffs, a traveler wandered too far from the path. With a single misplaced step, the ground beneath him gave way, and he tumbled down the rocky slope. In desperation, he grasped a branch jutting out from the cliffside—his only lifeline.
A Cry in the Darkness
Suspended between heaven and earth, fear gripped his soul. Below him yawned a deep abyss. Above, the cliff wall stretched out of reach. Trembling, he cried out into the vast sky, “Is anyone there? Help me!” But the forest answered with silence. Then, from deep within, he called again—this time not to man, but to the Divine. “O God, if You are real, please save me!”
The Voice of the Lord
To his astonishment, a gentle, deep voice echoed from the heavens: “Let go of the branch.” The man blinked. “What? Who said that?” The voice came again, calm and firm, “Let go. Trust Me.”
The man clutched the branch tighter, his knuckles white with fear. “Is there anyone else up there?” he shouted. But no other voice replied.
Clinging to Fear
All night he hung there, unwilling to release his grip. The branch dug into his hands, the wind bit at his skin, and his strength began to fade. “I cannot let go,” he whispered to himself. “I cannot fall. I must survive.” He believed in God—but not enough to surrender.
The Morning Revelation
When the sun finally rose, golden light poured over the cliff. A rescue party found the man—still hanging, exhausted and nearly unconscious. With great care, they pulled him up… only to reveal a shocking truth:
He had been dangling just one meter above solid ground.
The Faith That Lets Go
This story is a parable of our own struggle. We cling to our plans, our fears, our false securities—even when the Lord asks us to surrender. We cry for help, but refuse to trust when He responds. The gap between us and peace is often just the distance of one release—one leap of faith.
A Verse to Remember
sarva-dharmān parityajya
mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo
mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucah“Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.”
— Bhagavad-gītā 18.66
