Funny thing about humility. Just when you think you've got it, you've lost it...

After the Temple Darshan at the Kapaleeswarar Koil at Mylapore we entered the "Giri Trading" stores and started searching for this Book on "Thatva Bodha"
 
We found many people buying various Books and CDs and from their smart walks and accumulation of CDs from Bhajans to Bombay Jaishree, sent a nice feeling in us, that we have come to the right place indeed.
 
I was looking for this Book while my wife started collecting Bharathiar's songs and MS's Music. I searched everywhere for this Book.
 
There was this Girl, standing next to the Cashier, sincerely watching all our movements -a dark complexioned Girl, should be from a nearby Village, might be 17 or 18, should not have crossed 8th Std., might be out of poverty she is here.. all my Journalist's brain unnecessarily calculated about this Gullible Girl..and tho' she was repeatedly watching me, I ignored her and started searching for "Thathva Bodha"

I saw many books from "Sandhya Vandanam" to Swami Vivekananda's "Chicago Speech" but having spent a good 40 minutes. I looked at her, she also looked at me curiously. I asked her, knowing fully well that such a girl cannot have any idea of anything, leave alone "Thathva Bodah"
 
"Sir, may I help you?" (in Tamil)
"Yes. I am looking for 'Thatva Bodha' "
"Sanskrit Text or English/Sanskrit?"

God..she knows.
"Sanskrit & English"
"Do you like to have the Publication from Chinmaya Mission or Indu Publications or by Ramakrishna Mutt?"
"I dont know..I just want to only Learn you see..I dont really know indeed"
"Do you read Tamil Sir?"
"Yes I am a Tamilian "
(thinking to myself how most of mylife time I like to act in most otherplaces that I am not)

"Then Sir, you can take this"..she ran to the shelf where I had searched for 30 minutes, removed the books in the front and came out with a Book in Tamil.
"This one in Tamil by N.Sivaraman by Indu Publications infact is simple and wonderfull. You have the Sanskrit Text too inside."

My God. Why did I under estimate such a Genius. Just because of my Arrogance that I am an NRI. Or Just because I presumed such a Black, dark complexioned, gullible girl, who would have come for this job out of absolute poverty, wouldn't have any idea of "Thatva Bodha"
 
I decided to change my attitude and realized that I am absolutely an 'Idiot' at this moment in front of this wonderful girl and submitted myself in all humility.
 
"Madam, I really don't have any idea of even who wrote 'Thatva Bodha' till yesterday. I just attended a lecture on this subject and was fascinated by the lecture and hence...."
"Did you attend Goda Venkateswara Sastri's lecture in Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan?"
"Oh God. How did you know?"
"He regularly takes classes on such subjects. In fact he is one of the best Sir, in the city on such subjects."
"You are interested in such subjects?"
"Yes Sir, I read a lot about Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna and Thathva Bodha incidentally is my favorite Subject"
"You mean to say you have read Thatva Bodha?"
"I have read this one by Sivaraman and once you read it you won't feel like keeping that book on the table at all."
"Why what is so great about this Book?"
"Sir,you must be joking that you don't know about 'Thatva Bodha'."
"Really I accept my ignorance."

My wife was watching from the corner, admiring all her CD collections.
"Sir,according to me if you read this it gives the entire Vedanthic Saramsam (essence) and to say it in-one-word you become a bit more humble in life, leaving Ahamkaram (egotism) once for all."

"Is it a fact that reading this simple book one would get so humble?"
"Of course one should  be involved totally into the text. Needs lot of conviction and devotion."
 
My wife joined the conversation and she felt this girl is indeed a very very talented intelligent girl, so she told me "Why don't you interview her for Washington Post. Why at all you should think of Paris Hilton?"
I also felt that I owe something to her. So I asked her whether she can spare sometime for an interview.

She politely refused saying "My boss is to give me permission. Besides many people are looking for guidance like you and hence I have to go."
"What is your name?"
"Kalaivani"
 
My wife's admiration for her devotion to duty and her total involvement in her work, made her go direct to the Boss "Sir,that girl Kalaivani."
"Yes very hard working Girl."
"This is my husband Viswanath."
"Nice meeting you Sir"
"He is the Senior Journalist in Washington Post."
The Boss stood up."Washington Post?"
"Yes Sir. I wd like to interview this girl. I am highly impressed with her ethics."
Boss called her. Time was 5:45 PM.
"Kalaivani, they have come all the way from USA, they would like to spend sometime with you. Can you?"
"Sir, there are so many customers waiting for some guidance. it is a rush time. If they can come again tomorrow."
"OK. I can come again tomorrow."
I again came next day morning leaving all my appointments with 'Times of India' just to see this girl. It was no rush hour. My wife and myself found out.
 
Kalaivani is from a nearby village near Arcot. She has 5 sisters. She is the eldest one. Her father was a drunkard and he died a few years ago caring for none of them. Her mother used to work as a helper in Masonry and passed away two years back, leaving all the 6 on the streets.
This girl who had completed her 9th std decided to search for a job and 'Giri Trading' came forward to help her out. She brought all her 5 sisters with her and with her meagre salary she is taking care of them. All the 5 sisters are going to a nearby Chennai Corporation School.
"Kalaivani. But when did you get this enthusiasm to learn about 'Thatva Bodha'?"
"Sir after joining here,I decided that the best way to be of help to the customers is to know the Subject first. I took small Books on Swami Vivekananda and started reading..I found the subject so fascinating..I decided to read other books in Tamil like Bagavad Gita and Viveka Choodamani. Thats how."
"What is your salary?"
"Rs 2500, Sir."
"Are you able to manage all your expenses with the 5 sisters?"
"Not at all Sir, but the Boss helps me a lot."
"What is your aim in Life?"
"I want all my sisters to get education. Then they would get easily employments is it not?"

"If I give monthly Rs 10,000 for meeting all your expenses, would that suffice?"
"It is indeed too much, but that also I would accept only through my Boss."
 
We took her to the Boss and told him that we would like to send Rs.10,000 every month so that all her sisters' education would be completed. 
The Boss said "She deserves it Sir. You can trust me - I will hand over the amount to her every month or alternately you can open an account in her name and start transferring to the account."
 
My friend John Paul, who is the Regional Manager of 'Times of India' had also come with me. He said "You have done a good thing."
My wife said "I pray that 'Karpagambal' helps Kalaivani to become an expert in 'Vedantha' and start giving lectures in USA. We can arrange for her lectures."
We left wonder struck! If we go into the interiors of India, how many more 'Jewels' like Kalaivani can be found!!        
I really became humbled.

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Reading this article reminded me of Albert Einstein saying, “The more I learn, the more I realize how much I do not know.

A beautiful letter from a DAD.................

Following is a letter to his son from a renown Hong Kong TV broadcaster cum Child Psychologist.


The words maybe applicable to all of us, whether young or old, children or parents.

I am writing this to you because of 3 reasons:
1. Life, fortune and mishaps are unpredictable, nobody knows how long he lives. Some words are better said early.

2. I am your father, and if I don't tell you these, no one else will.

3. What is written is my own personal experiences that perhaps could save you a lot of unnecessary heartaches.



Remember the following as you go through life:



1. Do not bear grudge towards those who are not good to you. No one has the responsibility of treating you well, except your mother and I. To those who are good to you, you have to treasure it and be thankful, and ALSO you have to be cautious, because, everyone has a motive for every move. When a person is good to you, it does not mean he really likes you. You have to be careful, don't hastily regard him as a real friend.

2. No one is indispensable, nothing in the world that you must possess. Once you understand this idea, it would be easier for you to go through life when people around you don't want you anymore, or when you lose what/who you love most.

3. Life is short. When you waste your life today, tomorrow you would find that life is leaving you. The earlier you treasure your life, the better you enjoy life.

4. Love is but a transient feeling, and this feeling would fade with time and with one's mood. If your so called loved one leaves you, be patient, time will wash away your aches and sadness. Don't over exaggerate the beauty and sweetness of love, and don't over exaggerate the sadness of falling out of love.

5. A lot of successful people did not receive a good education, that does not mean that you can be successful by not studying hard! Whatever knowledge you gain is your weapon in life. One can go from rags to riches, but one has to start from some rags!

6. I do not expect you to financially support me when I am old, neither would I financially support your whole life. My responsibility as a supporter ends when you are grown up. After that, you decide whether you want to travel in a public transport or in your limousine, whether rich or poor.

7. You honour your words, but don't expect others to be so. You can be good to people, but don't expect people to be good to you. If you don't understand this, you would end up with unnecessary troubles.

8. I have bought lotteries for umpteen years, but I never strike any prize. That shows if you want to be rich, you have to work hard! There is no free lunch!

9. No matter how much time I have with you, let's treasure the time we have together. We do not know if we would meet again.





Your Dad.
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