Home Alone

Humans are social beings and right from birth we are always in company of others. In childhood we spend time playing with brothers, sisters or friends. As we grow up and enter youth, we move out from family and spend more time with our friends. In course of time, we meet that someone special with whom we want to share our next phase of life. In due course, we might have our own family and then we start spend our time & energy in raising the family. In a matter of few years, life comes to a full circle. In all these years, we have spend time with so many people, however we have hardly spend time with our own self.  

We are too busy interacting with others and projecting an image outside that we don't get time to see what is inside us. There could be hidden talents within us, which we have not explored due to societal pressure or lack of time. Some of us may like to sing, listen to music, dance or paint but we don't do it as someone else is around us or we are too busy taking care of others. Living in a society has its advantages, however sometimes being in the company of others prevents us from expressing our own self. The everyday expectations from family & relationships can be a big drain on the physical and mental health. 

Great thoughts, new discoveries and innovative ideas have come out when people have gone in solitude and touched their inner core. Sages/philosophers across ages and continents have emphasized the importance of being alone and then doing contemplation. Reminds of the famous line from Pt. Bhimsen Joshi's bhajan, "chod kar duniya ke maje, baith ekaant mein, dhyaan kar Hari ke charan ka, phir janam nahi payega".Once in a while, we should just take a break from our regular life, our friends/family and go to some place where no one knows us and spend a few days there. We can just be, in our own company. It'll help to rediscover a newer aspect of ourselves and bring in fresh new ideas/thoughts to last till the next break. In many countries, after completing the basic education, children take a break. They go around visiting countries, learning new skills, doing odd jobs and trying to find out what to do in life. This can bring more clarity about what one really wants from the life or can even bring in much bigger question about what life is. 

Staying alone for long time has its downside as well. Solitude can also bring out our worst fears and insecurities to the fore as well. This is another side of us which we have ignored but by being alone, they come out more strongly and if one is not prepared, then they can make one go crazy or start hallucinating. This is where a master or Guru is required, who can guide us through and show the right way. After the goal is achieved, its time to come back to the society and share the fruit with others. Rightly said by the protagonist in  the movie  Into the Wild  "Happiness is only real once shared"

Brothers Across Ages

There is something special about the bond between brothers. Historically, men have gotten together to hunt, explore new areas & conquer new territories. These pursuits develop a special relationship between them as they help each other in overcoming various challenges. Boys grow up together playing games and sharing dreams about their future. In course of time they grow up & look for a different kind of  companionship to share their softer feelings. However, there are certain aspects of their life which they can only share with their brothers. Being a husband doesn't allow them that freedom which they can enjoy with their brothers. 

Throughout history, there have been many brothers and their relationships were different & very interesting. The best of them is between Rama & his brothers. All of them were extremely dedicated to each other. Ram-Lakshaman and Bharat-Shatrughna were never separated and its said that Rama could tolerate the separation of Sita but couldn't stay on earth once he asked Lakshmana to go away. Then, we had Krishna and Balaram, they had tremendous love for each other and although they had disagreements but Balaram would never go against Krishna. We also had the Pandavas, where all the brothers were committed to each other and stayed together even in the most adverse of situations. Interestingly, even the Kauravas all 100 brothers fought together. The feeling of brotherhood runs strong even among other creatures. We have Sampaati, the elder brother of Jataayu, who saves his younger brother from getting   burnt when they both tried to go near the sun. Ravana and his brothers also had great love for each other(only his lust and ego, came in between). Both, Vibheeshan and Kumbhakarna wanted good for Ravana and even advised him to give away Janaki and have peace with Rama. Even Vaali and Sugriva had a very good relationship, till Vaali lost his sense due to pride and arrogance. Even the demons Hiranyaksha and Hirankashyapa were highly fond of each other and shared common hatred towards Naarayana. 

When brothers are of almost same age, then their relationship becomes more like friendship. As it was with Krishna and Arjuna. They become like one soul in two bodies. Their love for each other was even more than love for their families. When Arjuna takes the vow to kill Jayadrath or else kill himself, Krishna is extremely worried and says to his charioteer Daruka, I can live without Rukmini, my son Pradyumna or even Balarama but I can't see this earth without Arjuna. He asks Daruka to get his chariot ready with all the weapons, in case Arjuna fails to accomplish the mission, he would forget his oath  destroy the whole Kaurava army himself.  It was the same with Arjuna, once Krishna departs this earth, he lost all interest and immediately start his final journey. 

The relationship between brothers, if it is of love and friendship, then it leads to great heights but if ego, jealously comes into play, then it leads to downfall. 

Krishna hosts Durvaasa

The famous sage Durvaasa, known for his short temper openly challenged anyone to receive him as guest. Knowing his short temper and as his name suggests(difficult to reside), no one was brave enough to risk getting cursed in failing to please the great sage. Krishna invites Durvaasa to come and stay at his place. Now Durvaasasa, shows why he is so difficult to please and also why the ways of Rishis are impossible to understand. 

 On certain days he would eat the food sufficient for the needs of thousands of persons. On certain other days he would eat very little. On some days he would go out of the house and would not return. He would sometimes laugh without any ostensible reason and sometimes cry without reason. One day on entering the palace he burnt all the beds and covers and then told Krishna, that he wants to eat porridge without delay.  Krishna got hot porridge to be made available. Durvaasa ate some and then told Krishna to smear the porridge on all his body.  As told, Krishna smeared the porridge on his body and head. Now, Durvaasa saw Rukmani , and then laughingly smeared porridge all over her. Then he asked Krishna for a chariot and then instead of horses, yoked Rukmani there. He then rode that chariot and set out of the palace. If this was not enough, he kept striking at Rukmani with a whip (as if she was an animal) in Krishna's presence. Everyone in Dwaaraka, was amazed at this act of Durvaasa and also at the respect and reverence shown by Krishna to the Rishi, in-spite of all this cruel acts of the Rishi. Then suddenly Durvaasa jumped off the chariot and ran away. Krishna and Rukmani both ran behind the sage. After a while the sage stopped and then said the following to Krishna. You have subdued wrath by your nature and I'm very pleased with you. He further blessed Krishna by saying, as long as there is desire for food among humans and deities, till then people will like you as they like food. Further, your palace would be restored to its previous beauty or better.  He also blessed Rukmani  to be the best among among all women. Now, comes the surprise about the porridge!!

He says, as long as you live, you'll never have to fear from any injury to those parts of your body where you have smeared porridge and he's disappointed that Krishna didn't apply porridge to the sole of this feet.  The all knowing Krishna only smiles. The ways of saints and Krishna are unfathomable. 

Ref: This incident is from Mahabharata, Shanti Parva, and  narrated by Krishna to his son, Pradyumna to tell him how much Brahmanas are to be respected. 

Atithi Devo Bhava

I was on a bike trip with my cousin to Tunganath(highest of the panch Kedar's) in Uttaranchal. We were about 10Km away from our destination when the bike tyre got punctured. My cousin got a lift and took the tyre to nearest puncture repair shop, which was about 20Km downhill. I thought of waiting at a small tea stall nearby and keep a watch on the bike and luggage. With nothing to do, I got chatting with the tea-stall owner over cups of tea. It soon starting getting dark with ominous clouds threatening with heavy mountain rain. There was no sight of my cousin and I was getting a little worried on what to do next. I was also worried on what to do once the  tea shop owner decides to close the shop and asks me to leave. What happened next was really interesting. He told me to wait at the shop, while he goes to the village and get some stuff. By the time he came back, it had started raining really heavily(only those who have witnessed mountain rains can appreciate it). He told me that he went to get provisions for making dinner and then he made an excellent dinner of daal + rice for me. The rains had become even worse by then and it was pitch dark. I couldn't even see 10m ahead and was wondering what had happened to my brother. The shop owner on the other hand told me not to worry and made arrangements for me to sleep in the shop basement. Long story short, i had a wonderful sleep in that cozy basement and found to my amazement that my cousin had somehow comeback in the night and we continued our journey further.

I was really amazed at the hospitality of these people. Providing shelter and food to an unknown person, without asking anything.These people who live in small one room house with very basic facilities have a much bigger room in their hearts. We, who live in multi-bedroom houses can not even tolerate our friends and relatives staying for more than a couple of days. Few years back, it was very common to have people from extended family and family friends coming and staying for days. 
All that seems to distant history as people have become more focused on their smaller families.

Our scriptures are replete with stories about the importance attached to Atithi(someone who comes unannounced). The Taittriya Upanishad even equates Atithi with divine by declaring "Atithi Devo Bhavah". The ancient thinkers wanted us to see divine in everyone and showing reverence to an unannounced guest was a hallmark of our culture.The beauty and greatness of sanatana dharma lies in these traditions. There is an interesting story about Krishna hosting Sage Durvasa for sometime in Dwaraka and how Durvasa tried every trick to find mistake in Krishna and his family's conduct. In the end, he is happy and gives many boons to Krishna and Rukmini. That story is very very interesting, may be covered in another post... 

Investment & Charity

We all make investments in the expectation that they would help us in the time of need. Investments can be classified based on when they start giving us returns, some of them might be short term(1-2 year), some medium(5-10  yrs) and some real long term(beyond 10 yrs ). Again, smart investors  don't put all their money in one instrument, as they want to shield themselves from vagaries of the market and time. So they invest in gold, property, stocks and various other options. They keep getting rewarded from their investment and live a life of prosperity with all the comforts of this material world.

Now, drawing an analogy here, what should we do for attaining prosperity in the spiritual world. Charity is the investment which can help us grow in the spiritual work. There is a story in Mahabharatha of a Brahmana, who attained to the highest sate of SriVaikuntha, just by donating a handful of rice.  Similar to material investment, we should do charity of different types. Some, which is very easy like feeding birds, animals or someone who is hungry or giving clothes to the needy. This is like short term investment. Some of the charity should be for causes like education, healthcare which helps the society in general and can be like medium term investment. Some of it should be set aside for religious & spiritual institutions which is like long term investment and would give results in this or next lives. Now, intelligent investors don't brag about their investments, similarly while doing charity the following line from Taittriya Upanishad should be remembered 

shraddhayA deyam |  Give with Faith,
 ashraddhayA.adeyam |  Give not without Faith;
 shriyA deyam |  Give in Plenty,
 hriyA deyam |  Give with Modesty,
 bhiyA deyam |  Give with Awe,
 saMvidA deyam |  Give with Sympathy.

Weeds

What is the purpose of weed(before you get started, I am not referring to marijuana!!) in the nature. Are they a complete drag on the natural resources or  do they contribute in someways for the well being of flowering/fruit bearing plants. I got some of these questions when i was "de-weeding" few flowering pots which I have got in my terrace garden. I had an interesting observation, those pots which had these small grass like weed had more moisture content in the soil compared to those which had none. They were helping the flowering plants to survive the intense heat. What we consider as worthless has a lot more value and rather than being an enemy, are a friend. Is it  possible that these plants like each other and enjoy each other's company. By removing the weed, are we in way making the so called good plants unhappy.

 In the wild there is no such thing as weed. In nature we can not find such separation between weed and flowering plants. Nature doesn't differentiate between the two and both of them live happily in a symbiotic relationship. It is we humans who classify the plants as good or bad and then create artificial environments(in our terrace gardens/glass houses).

We can draw some parallels with our society as well. We have both good and not so good people.
The not so good people are required for the success of the good. No leader howsoever good, can survive without the support of these people. A great leader is able to identify the good qualities and make use of them for his success. Rama could make use of monkeys(who are fickle-minded, good for nothing)  to construct the bridge and win war against the powerful Ravana. Some battles can't  be won by being goodie-goodie, and you need to apply brute force, treachery, deceit to win. At these times, we have to look towards these not so good people to act. Krishna shows this excellently in the Mahabharatha, he used Ghatotkacha(a rakshasa) to nullify the Shakti of Karna. He again encouraged Bhima to hit Duryodhana below the waist. This kind of act would never be done by a dharmic person like Yudhishtira. The bad looks bad to us because we don't know how to use it. For the wise, there is no such difference between good and bad.