The Epic and the Palm Squirrel

If you have read Ramayana you will know the story I am talking about, but if you have not then also I think my little story below should be whole in itself. Hope I am able to convey what I want to with this story.


The mood was upbeat, the army was chanting the name of their leader while laying the stones to make the bridge. The architect (and master builder) twins were busy ensuring that everything goes as per their well laid plan. Everything must be done right, no mistake is acceptable, after all marching a whole army across the sea is no small feat and so the bridge they were building to do the same should not be a small act as well. And while all the soldiers and the builders and the workers are putting all their might, there comes a tiny squirrel. (If you have seen an Indian palm squirrels, you will know compared to its American cousin, it is a tiny creature.)

The squirrel is seen taking a dip in the water, rolling in sand at the beach and then going on the bridge to shake the sand and water off its body and then repeat it again and again. The squirrel is brought to Lord Ram and when asked about its seemingly irrational act, the squirrel says, I know you are building a bridge across the sea to take an army to Lanka, the gold studded capital of Ravan, the Demon King. I am too small to fight in a battle or to carry the big boulders to make the bridge so I am doing my part by taking some water and sand on the bridge and filling the gaps between the stones. Also, the sand will help smoothen the walk and lesson blisters on the feet of the soldiers. I know you are going to fight the evil and I am doing my small part in that war. After all everyone should know what side they are on,  when it is a war between the good and the evil. Lord Ram was emotionally moved hearing this and he affectionately rubbed his hand on the squirrels back to give blessings and convey his gratitude. It is said that his fingers removed some sand from the furry back of the squirrel and left finger marks. The belief is that the 3 stripes on the back of the Indian squirrel are a mark of Lord Rama’s blessings and hence carried proudly by all the decedents of that small palm squirrel who was not afraid to do its part in the fight between good and evil.

In my opinion this story is a must tell to all kids, all students, all professionals etc. I am not saying it out of any religious affiliation. As a matter of fact, I have followed 2 religions from my birth very regularly (and simultaneously). One being my Mom’s and other being my Dad’s birth religions. And also, having read stories from multiple religions and belief systems in the world, I am convinced that at the core all of them are same.

This story should be told because of many factors. The biggest of all that is that in a story about an epic war between good and evil, a story about the God and the Demon, a story with thousands of warriors, sophisticated weapons, chariots, impossible expectations, devas (Gods, Demi-Gods) Asuras (Demons), still a tiny palm squirrel gets a serious mention. Because the squirrel knew to play its part without being asked to do so. It chooses a task that is appropriate for its size, structure and skills and does it dedicatedly, again without being asked or told to do so.  There is no reward promised none expected, the squirrel’s actions are bound by its self-decided duty. The squirrel was humble, brave and honest when captured and brought in front of Lord Ram. It did not get scared or ask for reward, just declares its intent to play its part and reasoning about the importance of the same, almost declaring the necessity for it to continue.  

There is intent, there is intention, there is honestly, there is thought, there is dedication, there is self-realization, 100% accountability, 0% dependency on anyone else, there is commitment and determination and lot more in that tiny squirrel’s big gesture. Every child can learn a lot from the squirrel. And every one in professional settings can learn as well, irrespective of the job, industry or levels. If you look at the list above, you may see a few of those items in your appraisal forms.

Epilogue: The bridge across sea was finally built. The army finally crossed to Lanka and after many days of fierce war causing many casualties on both sides, Ravan was defeated and killed. The good triumphed over the evil. The squirrel’s efforts paid off.

बसते हुए घर

The poem below is an observation, a caution and an advise. Posting this especially for the friends who became parents recently. So good luck for an awesome journey called parenthood. And to everyone else, hope this strike the strings in heart...

बसते हुए घर

भागते कदमों के नीचे 

चरमराती सीढ़ियां,
चीख़ते, रोते  कभी झगड़ते, चिल्लाते 

मानते, हँसते कभी बेबात खिलखिलाते 

लगता  कोई कोहराम का मंज़र है 

पर यह बच्चों से आबाद बसते हुए घर हैं


बेकार के झगड़े, बिन बात की बहस 

खनकती हंसी जैसे चिरैया की चहक 

टूटते दांत तो  फूटते घुटने कहीं 

छोटी बाहों, बड़े दिलों की जफ़्फ़िया गुनगुनी 

आँख की नमी  तो बस रेहमत का शुक्र  है 

क्यों कि यह बच्चों से आबाद बसते हुए घर हैं  

पता भी ना चलेगा कब  यह नेमतें 

ख़ुद मुख्तार हो जाएँगी 

इनकी शरारते, पुख्ता उम्र में खो जाएँगी 

इस कोहराम, इस जफ्फी को याद रखना 

जफ्फी के सेक की याद में ठंडक का असर है 

जो यह बच्चों से आबाद बसते हुए घर हैं   

कोहराम - Chaos

मंज़र  -  View, Scene

नेमत  - Gift, Blessing

ख़ुद मुख़्तार - Self dependent

पुख्ता उम्र - Mature

Savour That !

A new posts with some newly learnt lessons. And a thanks to Manu Bhai for sharing the joke, I have added the 2nd half of the joke, the answer piece..... Hope you find value in the lesson and humor in the joke, or lesson in the joke and humor in the lesson, either way I will feel useful :)

What if it is bitter? The child asked. So-what! if it is? The father replied with a wink. I don’t know dad, but why did you answer my question with a question? Father laughed at that and said, okay, here is the answer. If it is bitter then you will have tasted something bitter, and that might not be a very bad thing at all. Who knows, maybe you like that taste. Why would I like bitter? He asked again. How would you know if you have never tasted it? The father replied.

The whole conversation was about trying a new vegetable, that the father (and grownups like me who were eves dropping for no apparent reason) knew, has a bitter taste.

And as many culinary experts will tell you, the father continued; the fun in eating is about enjoying all tastes including bitter and sour. Only sweet can get too boring. Even if you love eating sweet, it is when you eat savory, spicy, sour and bitter only then you can truly appreciate the sweet. How right that man was.

I looked at the father and son duo and smiled. A life lesson wrapped in an innocent father-son discussion about food. Another reason why I like train journeys.

Life, like taste buds is better entertained when a variety of tastes are experienced, even the bitter. Too much of any one taste without others in the mix make it monotonous and boring. So, raising a toast to a life full of a variety of tastes and savoring all those with grace and gratitude!!!

Joke: “God you are awesome, and I am not questioning your judgement, but still was it really too difficult to put the seeds of a watermelon in the middle just like you did for cantaloupe? And God says, I know I am awesome and that is why I did not arrange the cantaloupe seeds in the same design as watermelon’s, remember I could do that too? Divine Wink!!!!

क्या कहूं?

Reading news about the in human even lower than satanic level incident in Kathua, Like many others I felt anger, disgust and helplessness. On top of that seeing how some people, in person or on newspaper comments and blogs are supporting the perpetrators in the name of religion or caste.... I, as millions others may not be able to do much ..but  I am praying that our kids somehow still grow up in a better world...and with that prayer and a feeling of shame and helplessness, I am sharing 2 lines...for those who have the audacity of raising the caste or religion flag on this....

(उन्होंने पूछा )

सनातनी थी या आर्यसमाजी?

गुरुग्रन्थ साहिब वाली, या फिर....नमाज़ी ?

मैंने चाहा कुछ कहूँ 

उनको आईना दिखाने को, 

पर लफ्ज़ रुक गए 

दिमाग जम गया, ज़बान सिल गयी.... 

बेबस होंठो से बस इतना कह पाया 

बच्ची थी जनाब ....

जिसके दूध के दांत भी शायद अभी गिरने थे |

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/across-india-horror-turns-to-outrage-at-gang-rape-and-murder-of-8-year-old-kathua-girl/articleshow/63738747.cms?&utm_source=Articleshow&utm_medium=Organic&utm_campaign=Related_Stories 

चवन्नी जमा अठन्नी खर्च

In the middle of days, took a pause and just spent a few moments with life and below is a quick balance sheet.....


चवन्नी जमा अठन्नी खर्च

ज़िन्दगी एक रुपइया कुल 

चवन्नी जमा, अठन्नी खर्च 

बाकी कही इधर उधर धर के भूले हैं 

कुछ सिक्के शिकवों के नीचे 

कुछ बेकार ही डर के पीछे 

कुछ ख्वाब ख्याल में खोये 

बाकी याद नहीं कहाँ छूटे  हैं 

कुछ कमा कर, कुछ गवा कर 

कुछ जोड़ा, और कुछ गुमा कर 

नुक्सान-नफा कहाँ समझाएं 

बही नहीं, जो खाता  मिलाएं 

एक कच्ची फहरिस्त की धुंदली सी याद  

उसमें कुछ हिसाब, मैली स्याही के दाग सा 

वो हिसाब भी जमा-घटा कर के भूले हैं

ज़िन्दगी एक रुपइया कुल 

चवन्नी जमा अठन्नी खर्च 

बाकी कही इधर उधर धर के भूले हैं

A 5th Serving from the back of my notebook

This is 5^th post in similar lines. Like last few this one too has  many random thoughts from all over the place. Some of these became dearer to the heart than others. But in a special way this 5^th serving is unique as it has a bonus. All the past ones had the words that I had written but this one has a bonus quote that I have not written but passed to me from someone …some one extra special… saved best for the last 😊

I can oppose your opinion without having to oppose you. And you can do the same.

If only I could give right words to what my eyes show to my mind, I could be a great story teller. 

When the sun is setting the shadows grow a lot taller than the actual things

If the birds had not broken the law of gravity, they would have never soared the skies

Never break the law of gravity till you have unwavering faith in the strength of your own wings

Having made the philosopher's stone, the alchemist always loses interest in converting metal to gold

A democracy where one can not ask questions is worst form of dictatorship

You must be your own Servant if you truly want to be your own Master

A child is considered born only after the chord is cut

Having no one else to depend upon can be worst limitation or highest level of freedom based on how one thinks

Everyone has just one obligation that is to oneself, everything else is an extension of that

Every revolution that changed the world, started with a thought that was ignored by the mainstream

Real value of water is best known to parched lips

If I cannot respect your silence, I should not be worthy of your words either

A hammer and a chisel is all you need to cut your way through a mountain, provided you have the right amount of determination

Mostly when I am teaching about life to my kids, is the only time I am truly learning it

After a big argument when you are more concerned about just having a conversation with her than proving your point is the moment where love truly lives

After an exhausting day at work, when your child asks, “Do you need something Papa?” All the stress vanishes and all the needs seem fulfilled, and in that moment love truly lives

And Now for the Bonus -  "A good student can learn from a good teacher but a good teacher always learns from a good student." A quote By Shanuak Dogra

Below are the links for old lists.... 

http://nuancesofbeing.blogspot.com/2013/03/back-of-my-notebook.html

http://nuancesofbeing.blogspot.com/2014/10/morefrom-back-of-my-notebook.html

http://nuancesofbeing.blogspot.com/2017/03/3rd-serving-from-back-of-my-notebook.html

http://nuancesofbeing.blogspot.com/2017/12/4th-serving-from-back-of-my-notebook.html

  

जीवन उत्सव

Life is a celebration, one need not always have the lights and the music and dance. As long as heart can enjoy the small pleasure that this miracle called life can bring, the festival of life is on and is worth celebrating. Some celebratory acts of mine in few lines below

कुल्हड़ में चाय पीता हूँ 

नुक्कड़ से चाट मंगाता हूँ 

जीवन उत्सव कभी कभी 

ऐसे भी मनाता हूँ 

ख़ुशी चाशनी जलेबी की 

दुःख मिर्ची के सालन सा 

समोसे पकोड़े से चटपटे पल 

यादों की चटनी संग खाता हूँ 

जीवन उत्सव कभी कभी 

ऐसे भी मनाता हूँ 

चाय की चुस्कियों सी 

दोस्तों की मीठी गुनगुनी  बातें  सुनता हूँ, 

नमकपारे - मठरी से किस्से साँझा कर 

महफ़िल-ए-शाम सजाता हूँ 

जीवन उत्सव कभी कभी 

ऐसे भी मनाता हूँ 

बातों का शौक, खाने का स्वाद 

या खाने का शौक, बातों का स्वाद 

पहेली यह भली,पहेली ही सही 

इसे सुलझाए बिना बस 

इसका भी मज़ा उड़ाता हूँ 

जीवन उत्सव कभी कभी 

ऐसे भी मनाता हूँ 

Those who know me well, will know what I mean 😃