Perspectives in journey
"You really don't understand my point.Do you?", asked a frustrated Jignasu. Jnani replied with a twinkle in his eyes and a smile,"Yes I do". That made Jignasu even more uncomfortable and he started another attempt to explain, fully knowing well that Jnani puts considerable thought before forming an opinion and wouldn't budge so easily.
"I have read these scriptures hundreds of times. You still ask me to read all of them once again? I am not like one of the many people who memorize scriptures without knowing their meaning. I put in years of effort so that I could learn both meaning as well as the verses. Then why do you still ask me to read them again? and that too starting with the basic texts that the first year students learn!"
Jignasu went on for another hour trying to demonstrate his command over the scriptures that contained the wisdom of many great men. In the end, Jnani looked with compassion and said," Come lets get some water from the river".
On the banks of river, they filled their vessels and headed back to their hut. On the way to the hut, Jnani stopped. He stood there in a meditative pose lost in himself and the surroundings. Jignasu was growing restless after a few minutes and finally said, "Can we go back now?".
Jnani replied,"Don't always be eager to do something, stand here for some time"
Slowly minutes melted into hours and Jignasu began to realize the beauty of the surroundings. The chirping birds, the rustling of the leaves in the cool breeze, distant sounds of flowing river, occasional fluttering of birds, noise of unknown insects and even the ants carrying their food to their nest. He felt happy, just a pure joy that did not demand a reason to show itself.
Jnani said later that evening,"You have been going on the same path to river for so many years, getting water everyday. So eager were you to finish the task at the hand that you forgot the beauty of the path itself. The true journey of discovery consists not in seeking new landscape but in having fresh eyes(--Mascal Proust, French Novelist). Just like that you needed fresh eyes to look at the same scriptures. No doubt, you have learnt words and meanings. Now seek their wisdom. The path may seem to be same, but recognize that the perspective is different. That was the reason why you were asked to study again."
Jignasu nodded and looked at Jnani with tear filled eyes.
@
PS: Its funny how inspiration can come from surprising places. I read the quote in a flight magazine while enjoying a beautiful view of the snow covered rocky mountains below.
"I have read these scriptures hundreds of times. You still ask me to read all of them once again? I am not like one of the many people who memorize scriptures without knowing their meaning. I put in years of effort so that I could learn both meaning as well as the verses. Then why do you still ask me to read them again? and that too starting with the basic texts that the first year students learn!"
Jignasu went on for another hour trying to demonstrate his command over the scriptures that contained the wisdom of many great men. In the end, Jnani looked with compassion and said," Come lets get some water from the river".
On the banks of river, they filled their vessels and headed back to their hut. On the way to the hut, Jnani stopped. He stood there in a meditative pose lost in himself and the surroundings. Jignasu was growing restless after a few minutes and finally said, "Can we go back now?".
Jnani replied,"Don't always be eager to do something, stand here for some time"
Slowly minutes melted into hours and Jignasu began to realize the beauty of the surroundings. The chirping birds, the rustling of the leaves in the cool breeze, distant sounds of flowing river, occasional fluttering of birds, noise of unknown insects and even the ants carrying their food to their nest. He felt happy, just a pure joy that did not demand a reason to show itself.
Jnani said later that evening,"You have been going on the same path to river for so many years, getting water everyday. So eager were you to finish the task at the hand that you forgot the beauty of the path itself. The true journey of discovery consists not in seeking new landscape but in having fresh eyes(--Mascal Proust, French Novelist). Just like that you needed fresh eyes to look at the same scriptures. No doubt, you have learnt words and meanings. Now seek their wisdom. The path may seem to be same, but recognize that the perspective is different. That was the reason why you were asked to study again."
Jignasu nodded and looked at Jnani with tear filled eyes.
@
PS: Its funny how inspiration can come from surprising places. I read the quote in a flight magazine while enjoying a beautiful view of the snow covered rocky mountains below.
posted by atma_tripta at 5:34 PM
2 Comments:
very nice AT. I can associate with Jignasu on many occasions.
Indeed,
As Anne Frank said," We all seek happiness. We are all so different yet same for that reason"
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