By giving up oneself to God one obtained a release from the fears of the world. It was not a loss. Shri Nathji illustrated this theme with a very beautiful parable, which is given below:
A sheep was lost in the jungle. It became afraid of the wild animals there, all of which were keen to devour it.
If I must be killed and eaten, then let it be so by the lion-the king of the jungle! the sheep said to itself, at least there will be glory in such a Death.
The sheep went and lay down outside the cave of the lion. Later, in the day, the lion emerged from the cave, and saw the helpless sheep sleeping in front of his lair. He was moved with pity for the sheep. The sheep awakened and trembled at the sight of the lion.
Take my life, O thou King of the jungle! it said, I would rather die at thy hands than at the hands of these lesser animals that roam this jungle!
O sheep! said the lion, you have come to me for shelter! I cannot devour you! You have given yourself up to me! I shall now protect you from all the wild beasts that exist here!
And the lion called together all the beasts of the forest and said to them: This sheep is under my protection. Let no animal harm it or he will be answerable to me!
The sheep thanked the lion and went out into the forest, fearless and free.
To give one’s life to God was not to lose it, but to make it eternal and to live in the world, fearless and free.