One of the
most striking icons described in Bhagavad Gita is that of a sthitaprajna,
the evolved human being who is a role model for all of us. The qualities
and qualifications of such people are described in no uncertain terms.
If we look at our own neighborhood through the eyes of the Gita, we find
three different categories of people:
• Those
who are striving to become sthitaprajna
• Those who will or can never become sthitaprajna
• Those who naturally evolve to become sthitaprajna
It is
indicative of a sad state of affairs that our society is made of these
categories in the ratio of about 10:85:5. An overwhelming majority of
our society have no quality and inclination to attain the noble status
of sthitaprajna. In such a society it is indeed a refreshing experience
to be associated with the 5% of our society who naturally evolve to
become sthitaprajna in their lifetime. I am proud and happy to be born
as the son of such a man who passed away recently (in sleep) after a
full life of 85 years.
Glimpses of Life
My father was not a very famous man but he was well known in his own
ways. Born in 1921 in a small village near the capital of Kerala, he had
his preliminary schooling in the nearby schools. From a middle-class
agrarian background, he used to reminisce about how he could manage with
only one pair of uniform dress by washing everyday and leaving it under
the pillow every night for keeping it ironed. When the meager income
from agriculture became insufficient, he and his brother took turns to
attend the school year after year to keep the expenses steady. After
schools he opted to join the army to serve under the British in World
War II in far off places like Egypt, Lebanon and Italy. A childhood when
nothing was available without asking and a youth under the disciplined
yet slavery conditions of the British army provided the right mix for
him to evolve into a full fledged human being in later life. After
relief from the army in 1948, he did the right thing for him by
graduating and a taking degree in Law from Ernakulam Law College. Many
years senior to others and having really seen the world by then, he was
the leader or elder brother (annan) for many others in the college. Many
of his contemporaries from college days became bigwigs in politics and
profession was an interesting story line for him. He set up a
flourishing practice at a town called Attingal and came to be known as
Attingal Janardhanan Pillai in no time.
Most lawyers dabble in politics and he was no exception. Though not a
big town, Attingal always had an added importance because of the
presence of the Koyikal palace of the Tranvancore kingdom (related to
which we had the first uprising against the British anywhere in India).
A prominent Congressman in the area, he soon rose to become the
Municipal Chairman of Attingal Municipality in 1960s itself. Events,
incidents and personalities in the times he was active in politics, drew
him into NSS (Nair Service Society) and its various realms of
activities. It seems the personal charisma and sincerity of Mannathu
Padmanabhan (the founder of NSS) was irresistible for him. Had he
remained in Congress, there would not have been more than a handful of
personalities more senior to him in terms of experience and achievements
in the entire state. A full fledged NSS college at Nilamel and scores of
other educational institutions, most of them in remote areas, stand
testimony to his self less efforts for well over 30 years. Thousands got
educated because of him and hundreds got employment because of him.
Again what stood between him and many a potential powerful position
attainable through NSS was his single most obsession with his
profession. At all times and against all odds, he stuck to his vow of
not closing the lawyer’s office.
Tests of Prajna
It is true that the best of any man comes out at the best or worst of
his times. Under normal circumstances, it is quite natural for any one
to remain under control. But once there are unexpected successes or
failures in life, most of us yield to the circumstantial emotions and
the real self comes under test. It takes true sthitaprajna to withstand
the onslaught of positive or negative emotions in our best or worst
times. My father was the best example for me in this regard. I have
never seen him seething in anger or exuberant with success. Be it
victory or defeat in elections, betrayal or acknowledgement by people
whom he brought up, flush with money or struggling for resources, he was
always the same in terms of behavior. And never did he take solace in
liquor or smoke to sink his sorrows or celebrate his success. His
decision making capacity was never influenced by factors other than
those that mattered. The only time that I felt him perturbed was when he
stood near the dead body of my mother who was 15 years younger to him
but passed away unexpectedly in 2000. But still the sthitaprajna in him
survived and he could carry on for six more years in the best way
possible for a widower in his 80s. Not obliged to any one and never
dependent on anyone for anything is the best anyone could ask for, and
he did it through out his life.
The big question of whether one’s life has been a success or failure can
be answered by answering a few simple questions. Those who have seen the
death or misery of their own children, those who have committed grave
offences (or betrayals) perhaps unknown to others, those who have by
their own actions brought misery to others and those who themselves
struggled with diseases for long can never characterize their lives as
successful. In the present world of turmoil it would be a great success
if we can avoid these curses even for a couple of decades. Then there
are many who gloat in apparent success by amassing wealth or by making
it to some position by hook or crook. But very soon they realize that it
was no success and that applies to many of our great politicians and
leaders. They have attained only fame but their individual lives have
been grossly unsuccessful. It is good to study their life history to
avoid pitfalls but better lessons are always in our own neighborhood.
The real success is in terms attaining the status of a sthitaprajna and
more often it is attained by the less known or even unknown
personalities. I have been highly fortunate in that sense. My father has
been my natural role model and he lived up-to my expectations throughout
his long life. He could successfully conclude a full life of 1000 full
moons without any of the above shortfalls. He was self made and remained
so till the end.
To fade off in life after completing all duties as a son, father,
brother, uncle, friend, citizen and good human being is what is called
moksha in common terms. My father did exactly that and I am sure
he is already one with God. If there is another life for him, I wish to
be born as his son again.
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