Prakruthiya paata - Part 6

A prostitute and a Kingfisher

The avadhuta during his wanderings came across an aged prostitute by the name Pingala. She would stay awake and wait nights on end for clients, in vain. Every day her misery increased as did her awareness that she was no longer desired or in demand. Till one day (or night) she had a sudden realisation! She could sleep well and rest instead of futilely staying awake and being miserable. This was a turning point in her life and the avadhuta’s.

I understood from Pingala that expectation is the root cause of disappointment. If I need to reduce my unhappiness, I must first reduce my desire, said the avadhuta.

The natural world is constantly unfolding many dramas, if one chooses to observe. The avadhuta witnessed a kingfisher* flying with a fish in its beak, being attacked by raptors. As long as the kingfisher continued to hold the fish, the raptors continued to heckle it. The minute the kingfisher dropped its catch, the raptors lost interest in the bird and swooped down to catch the fish, leaving the kingfisher free.

I learnt from the kingfisher that wanting to have things for myself, leads to strife and unhappiness. I must be unselfish and non-greedy in order to live freely and peacefully, said the avadhuta.

A baby and a bangled girl

Occasionally, the avadhuta observed happenings in and around wherever his wanderings led him. As with the lesson learnt from Pingala the prostitute (not strictly from nature), the avadhuta said he learnt two important lessons from a baby in a cradle and from a girl wearing numerous bangles!

A contented baby lying in a cradle, is constantly gurgling with happiness, entertained by its own limbs. It needs no toys to amuse itself. It looks at whatever is within its range of sight and enjoys itself not seeking anything extra.

I learnt from that tiny and happy baby that to be contented one needs to accept everything as it is. The baby has no likes and dislikes, no pride or embarrassment. I learnt to develop child-like contentment, said the avadhuta.

A young girl, alone at home, welcomed a guest and had to cook him a meal and serve him. In those days, paddy had to be ground for rice had to be made. Not wanting the guest to feel awkward for any inconvenience he may have caused, she began to discretely pound the paddy when she realised that the numerous glass bangles she wore on her hands made a great deal of sound. The girl quietly reduced the number of bangles and continued with two bangles on each hand. But even the two bangles collided with each other producing a tinkle. It was only when she reduced the number to one, did she achieve the quietness she wanted.

I learnt from the bangled girl that the more the number of people, the more useless and noisy the talk. Even when there are two people, the conversations are more often than not random chatter rather than meaningful dialogues. I learnt that solitude and silence are crucial for contemplation, said the avadhuta.

To be continued...