Defintiton of love!

Love!! The definition of the word “Love” varies widely among people/relationship. A mother would describe

love for her children in a different way than a wife would do it for her husband. In the similar fashion, a sister would describe her love for her brother differently than a friend for the other friend.

But when we look deeper, all these diverse definitions narrow down to a single statement, which is “True love is unconditional”. The love God has for his/her children, the love Buddha had for humanity, the love Mother Teresa had for mankind and the love Gandhi had for truth….

Literal meaning of “Unconditional “ is “not subject to any condition” but the mankind love for everybody/everything is dependent on several conditions. We might not realize it until the person/thing keeps fulfilling our conditions but the moment they/it starts violating those, our love for them starts turning into anger and exasperation, sometimes it does end up with hatred.

Now, as far as my understanding says, the relationship of “Love” and “Hatred” is similar to the relationship of “Water” and “Fire”. Both can never exist in the same sheath. So, if you have somebody/something, whom/which you loved someday and now don’t, wake up! It wasn’t true love…Your consciousness might fake it as “true love” for you but nothing changes the reality. Your love was only love; it was never “true love”.

The extraordinary people-Chapter 2

At 5 AM in the morning, Chennai central, some day in 2012:

The train had just reached Chennai central and I was busy enjoying the dawn, a rare phenomenon to be witnessed especially for a night person like me. Suddenly my phone started ringing…It was Mom. She asked-Did you reach safely? I said-Yes Mom, I am safe and sound. You don’t worry. She again shooted- Did I have breakfast?

Period. What breakfast! Are you kidding me!! I usually wake up after 9 AM. Can’t even imagine having my breakfast at 5 AM. Anyway, I replied-Mom, I am at the railway station and need to catch the bus for Ruby’s home. Will call you later. Bye…And I rushed to the bus station.

At 5:20 AM:
 
I succeeded in catching an empty bus that too direct! Lucky me, isn’t it? Well, it was almost a 1 hour journey, thought to give myself some rest after settling down and God knows when I dozed off, only to wake up while the bus was crossing my bus stop!! I stood up and started screaming- Hey, that was the bus stop , I was supposed to get down. Stop the bus! Stop the bus! The conductor came near me and said- Keep quite. The bus will only stop at the next bus stop. I said- What! Next bus stop! Are you kidding me? How am I supposed to go back that too in this weather? The conductor gave a “that’s not my problem” look and left. For the record, it had rained very heavily the last night and the road was full of mud. Anyway, I got down from the bus when it reached the next bus stop.

At 6:40 AM:

I looked around, couldn’t find anything other than a church. Auto walas seem to have vanished from that area. Well, left with no other choice, I started walking. It was almost 2 KM by walk, not a big deal for me but then the muddy road was not in my favor.

At 6:45 AM:

Suddenly, I heard somebody calling somebody. After few repeated calls, I figured out, it was for me. I turned back to have a look at the gentle man calling me. He was a middle aged man, wearing lungi and shirt and riding a scooty. He was unable to speak English and was muttering something in Tamil. I figured out, he was offering me lift till the college.

Wait!lift..what? What if he is an agent of Al kayda! What if his scooty turns out to be a super fast car from any of the Rohit Shetty’s movie! I declined his offer and continued walking. He kept insisting.

At 6:47 AM:

Huh! I talked to myself-I so hate this rainy season. I am unable to walk on the muddy road. The weather definetly looks grumpy to me! Should I accept his offer? I can jump off the scooty anytime I smell danger.( Stupid thought, I know.) Well finally, after so much of thinking, I accepted his offer…

At 7 AM:

We reached near the college and he asked me again, do I really want to get down here? We both could see a big lock hanging on the gate of the college. I said yes, unwilling to show him Ruby’s home. I could take a walk from here; it wasn’t more than 10 minutes of journey.

He took a U turn and left. I didn’t thank him… I should have but the insecurity inside me didn’t allow to…After sometime, I crossed the road and started walking in the street which led to R’s house.

At 7:05 AM:

I again heard somebody calling somebody! After few repeated calls, I figured out, it was for me again. I looked back while praying for the caller not to be the same man. Oh..Yes! He was the same person. He came near me, slowed down his scooty , murmured something again in Tamil and left. He didn’t insist this time.

I assume, he was disappointed that I lied to him. He said, he could have given me lift till my destination as he also had to cover the same route.

At 7:10 AM:

I reached Ruby’s home safe and sound.

Well, it’s not that I have started believing on strangers after that incidence but yup, can certainly say that the man on the scooty was different from others. People like him, keep humanity alive….

The reality behind the mirages-2

The passenger replied-You will have to come to another garden with me right now.

What! These flowers are almost like family to me, replied the butterfly in a shocking tone.

Well, it’s your choice. Nobody is pushing you, said the passenger firmly.

Butterfly thought for a while and said-Okay, I will come with you. Nobody has seen the future, so I guess, I will take that chance. And she left for another garden immediately with the passenger. She wasn’t even able to bid a proper good bye to those flowers.

Well, the passenger turned out to be an angel!!(Crap!!Isn’t it? No, I haven’t been drinking lately. It’s just so much of the “supernatural” stuff these days..:D Anyway, let’s get back to the story). He healed the butterfly within a moment, and now she was spotless and gleaming all over again. But still, something was missing!

One day while she was weeping secretly sitting over one bench placed in some corner of the garden, the passenger/angel saw her. He went near and asked-What’s the matter? You almost have everything now, you were craving for earlier. Don’t you? Then what are these tears for?

The butterfly sat still for a while and then asked a counter question - Did you hear that the flowers in my garden are dying without me? There was this one little white color flower which I loved most. Back in those days, we used to play together. I hear that it is also dying. She continued in grief-I am selfish, am not I? I let them die! They are all dying because of me!

The angel replied- Don’t weep. Those flowers, they won’t die. It’s just a phase, it will pass. That’s the beauty of time, nothing stays forever. Look around yourself; you have several other flowers which could become your friends.

The butterfly replied-Angel, nothing justifies my selfishness. Could you just leave me alone for some time?

Well the angel was really an angel (To tell you the truth, I so hate Castiel. Hence, I am going to describe a character entirely different from him.) He didn’t leave her alone, even when she showed her reluctance to talk. He said- Look, I can cure all those flowers but you have to give me time. It’s not an easy job and you need to have patience.

The butterfly looked at him with hope in her eyes. She said- Could you really do that?

The angel said-Why not! I removed that blot to bring back your happiness, would do this as well for the same reason. After a pause, he again said-While I am off to the other garden curing those sick flowers, why don’t you make friends with some of those who are here in this garden? Look, I know, these flowers can’t replace them but yup, they can heal your pain till some extent.

The butterfly replied while waving a good bye to the angel-Okay, be back here soon with my little friend. I wish you luck. “

The end...

The reality behind the mirages-1

Once upon a time, there used to live a butterfly in a garden. The garden was beautiful; it was full of colorful,bright, vibrant and lively flowers and so was the butterfly with her ardent and glimmering wings. The butterfly was spending a happy and joyful life with those flowers. She loved those flowers more than anything and so did the flowers. One day, she noticed, she has a tiny blot over her wings; so tiny that it went un-noticed even by her all these years. That blot started worrying her, she tried her level best to wipe it out but her efforts weren’t fruitful. None of the flowers were able to help her with that problem of hers. As time progressed, she accepted the blot as a part of her wings and tried moving on. Years passed; there also came a period when the blot stopped bothering her and that was the time when she was really able to move on. But she wasn’t the same bubbly, vibrant and beautiful butterfly anymore. Something was missing; the blot was a hole inside her which she was fighting not to fall in ….

One day, a man was crossing by that garden. The butterfly saw him, went near and asked, who are you? The man answered- I am a traveler; was passing by this route. You say, how have you been? The butterfly answered- Well, I am good. I don’t see much of the travelers crossing by this garden. Hence, I am a bit surprised to see you. The passenger answered: Well! Miracles do happen! The butterfly smiled and said- I don’t believe in miracles. You better choose another topic for this conversation. The passenger replied- Sure we can change the topic but before that, answer me this, aren’t you in pain and agony because of that tiny blot of yours? Ever since you have realized that, there is a black tiny blot on your vibrant wings, you haven’t been in peace. All these years, aren’t you struggling within yourself just to remove the blot? The butterfly was now amazed,how the passenger knew about her secret! The passenger replied- Don’t take it as a secret of yours; it’s more of a pain and sickness which is slowly killing you. The butterfly was now too dumbstruck for words. The passenger continued- Well, I have a way which will remove the blot forever; I can help you out with that, only if you want.

The butterfly had actually done whatever she could to remove the blot and ultimately had lost hope. She took few minutes and then replied- Okay, I would like to know the way. Go on...tell me! The passenger replied- Well, there is one condition though. Butterfly said- What is that?

To be continued....

The Spider and The Web-2

The other day, I saw the spider again, crawling in the other corner of the room. I high fived him and said-Congratulations, so you got yourself out. Cool!!! Mr. Spider gazed straight into my eyes and so did I. My eyes were full of brightness, joy and in a mood of celebration for Mr. Spidy got himself out but it’s eyes were dull, lonely and filled with sheer agony.

I asked- Hey dude! What happened? Aren’t you happy? Common!! You got yourself out. Where is the party?

It looked on the opposite corner of the room in the direction of it’s web. I noticed the web was crudely broken and so was the spider’s heart!! I said- Come on Man, I will help you out building the web back. I could see a thin line of joy on it’s face for a moment which faded immediately. It said- I appreciate your effort again but it’s not gonna be easy. I think, I shouldn’t have broken it. I said- It’s okay. The corner from which I see, you haven’t done anything wrong by breaking the web. So, cheer up dude! And let’s fix the web.

It suddenly looked into a different direction where I could see a few more spiders staring avariciously at it’s broken web. It said- Do you see them? My web was the best in this entire universe. Nobody would dare to touch it but now that it’s broken, they are trying to obtain it. I said- Oh! Don’t worry about them!! Your web is precious even in this situation. Isn’t that something cool to think about? Anyways, I will be there with you always until we finish the re building of the web. You can definitely count on me with your eyes closed!

It again smiled which faded away with the speed of light. I said- Come on! Let’s get started. We don’t have much time. And yup, we should definitely nail those staring morons down. I have an idea, why don’t you build another web as well which would trap them forever??? It laughed this time and said- Stop giving such stupid ideas and start working!!

Well, we both are working towards building up Spidy’s web these days! Wish us luck!!

The Spider and the Web

The other day while doing nothing and staring on the wall, I saw a spider struggling hard to come out of it’s own web. Poor fellow! It was badly stuck in it’s own web.

I couldn’t stand the turmoil and asked if it needs help. It smiled and said, do you know what exactly my problem is? How will you help when you don’t even know the turbulence? I replied-Well, I can see you struggling to be free of your own web. Isn’t that your problem? It replied-No, it isn’t. But then I appreciate your effort and request you to help me with getting out of the web. I showed it the way to get out of the web. It again replied- Thanks for the help but do you realize that the path which you have just showed me would break my own web? It takes a lot of toil and effort to build up a web, you must know! I replied- I am sorry, didn’t realize that but then what would you do now? Don’t you know any other way to get out of your own web? It said- Yes, I should prefer my death over breaking the web. I said- But that wouldn’t free you! Your soul might be trapped forever! Soul is the only thing which God truly gave us, the only thing that’s truly ours! Please don’t do that to yourself! It replied in a firm and steady voice-I have to!

After a pause, I again said- Why don’t you do this? Break your own web, get yourself freed and then re-construct it. It said-Once broken, I am not sure if I can re-construct it. I said- At least take a chance. It said- The web is so precious, I prefer not taking any such chances. I said in a feeble voice- But that’s the only way you can keep yourself alive! It then smiled and said- Told you! You will not be able to help me!

I now encounter the spider every day struggling to come out of it’s web. I am afraid, one day it might stop trying and start waiting for it’s death to approach!

The dark side

Watched a Hindi movie named Ankahee(1985) today starring Amol Palekar and Deepti Naval. The movie was recommended by a friend. According to him, the movie was very touchy but I on the other hand am filled with anger, frustration, exasperation and outrage after watching the movie. This state of anger, frustration and outrage is against various accustomed rules of the society.

But before I proceed further, let me tell you the summary of the movie. I believe, none of you would be interested in watching an Amol Palekar’s art movie, hence there shouldn’t be any problem disclosing the summary here. Following goes the summary.

“Renowned astrologer Pandit Satyanarayan Chaturvedi lives with his wife Devki and son Devki Nandan aka Nandu. Nandu is in love with Sushma and wishes to marry her. His father is against the marriage and tells him that he is fated to be married twice. He also tells Nandu that his first wife will die within eleven months of their marriage. Nandu purposefully marries a mentally challenged girl Indu, hoping her to die within 11 months of the marriage which would allow him to marry Sushma after Indu’s death. But the prophecy doesn’t come true. Indu doesn’t die, on the other hand Sushma commits suicide because of her self consciousness.”

Luckily, I have been born in a family where there is no place for such superstitions. But I do have encountered few incidents where superstitions and prophecy have taken lives away. I have seen a very dear friend of mine dying just because her father was an astrologer and didn’t wish to pursue a doctor for any kind of medication. After her death, people were accusing him of letting her die just because she was a girl. It seemed, it was a golden opportunity for him to get rid of at least one of her daughters. I was then almost 6 years old and the girl who died was almost 2 years older than me. I don’t have much of her reminisces now. But when I asked, my Mom did tell me that she treated me like her younger sister though she was the youngest in her family. She was also very affectionate towards me. Aah!! How disgusting of that father!!! In fact he isn’t worthy of being called a father. Is he?

Though I live my life by my own principles but many of them are the same as my father’s. I remember ,once while I was at home, I asked my Mom to take me to a palmist. She asked- “Why do you need to visit a palmist? I don’t find any need but since you are very keen, I will take you there tomorrow.”

Tomorrow came but I said to Mom-“ Mumma, cancel the plan of visiting the astrologer. I don’t wish to go.”

My father was standing behind. He asked-“ Oh Roohi! You were planning to visit a palmist..but what for did you want to go there?”
I said-“Just to know what is written in my fate ahead , Papa.”
Papa said-“ Okay then what happened now? Why did you change your mood?”

I said-“Because I am afraid, if the Pandit said something unpleasant /sad, I might not be able to cope with it.”

Papa said-“ Then that’s absolutely a wrong and unacceptable approach Roohi. You must be able to face whatever is ahead in your life. You must have the courage and strength to face it. Don’t be a coward. Your statements are just like burring your head in the sand when the storm approaches you.”
He continued- “ I will tell you a better reason not visiting any astrologer or palmist. I assume that you are not an atheist, you do believe in God..Do you?”

I fervently nodded my head in agreement.

He continued-“Then that almighty God/ invisible power takes care of you, me and everybody else on this universe. He is our creator. We are orphans if he doesn’t pay attention to our fortunes/ misfortunes. In this never ending battle of life, we do fall, struggle and then stand up but all this while he holds you in his lap. His blessings might be invisible but certainly aren’t a fable.

Now, the astrologer whom you were wishing to visit in order to know your fate is also a creator of the same invisible power.  He is just as tiny as us in front of God. He can’t predict your future at any cost. If he was able to do this, he would be standing just next to God..don’t you think so? He just uses this profession of his to earn his living. Think about it.”

And after that incidence, I never felt the need to visit any astrologer/palmist again.

I have always believed that everybody is entitled to their opinions. But to me, these un-necessary customs, astrology and superstitions are just excuses for few people to get rid of their responsibilities (just like my friend’s father) and hence for the rest of the people it becomes a reason to suffer (just like my friend who died).