Of Vows and Consequences

Ithihasams are replete with instances of many legends being forced to support adharma or a non rational act, just to uphold a promise given by them.

Take the case of Dasaradhan. He gave a boon to his wife Kaikeyi for showing presence of mind during a critical battle, which she redeemed at a later stage with tragic consequences. On the eve of Sreeraman's coronation as Crown Prince, she used the boon to insist that Dasaradhan banish Rama for 14 years to the jungle and to crown her son Bharathan as Crown Prince. Much against everyone's wish, including his Prajas, he had to accede to Kaikeyis wish and send Sreeraman to the Jungle. Did he forgo his responsibility to his Country and People for a boon given long ago, but was totally unjust and asked for a selfish purpose? Was his promise more worth than what was good for the Country?

Young Devavrata took a Bhishma Sapadham so that his aged father Shantanu can marry a young girl, Satyavathi. He relinquished his right to be the King and vowed to protect Hastinapuram against any usurper. Should he have done this to satisfy the whim of an aged man, who thought only about his personal pleasure? Did not the Country and people lose out the wisdom of a great warrior like Devavrata (Bhishma)? And much later, he was forced to side with the Kauravas, against Pandavas in the Kurukshetra war, thereby fighting against an Army that was waging a war for Dharma.

Karnan was known for his Dana Seelam. Indran, knowing fully well this sterling quality of Karna, comes in disguise and asks him to donate his Kavacham and Kundalam. Knowing his life will be in peril in the imminent War, Karnan does offer them as alms to Indra, thereby letting down himself, his close friend Duryodhana and the Kauravas. Karnan also gave a word to his mother Kunti that he will not kill any of his brothers other than Arjuna. Though he had chances to kill the other four, he let them off each time, honouring his word, but falls prey to Arjunans arrow in tragic circumstances. Another case of mistaken priorities perhaps?

While I am one for honouring one's word (what are we, if we cannot honour our words!), it should not be at the expense of the greater benefit to the mankind, or ones Country or ones Organization or ones Family.

Did not Krishna ask Yudhishtira to utter 'Aswathama hatha: Kunjara:' which ensured Drona keeping his Weapons down, so that Dhrishtadhyumnan can kill him? This turned the war in favour of Pandavas and greater good prevailed.

Success at last!

My father always accused me of not being tenacious enough. He was also unhappy I was not ambitious and a bit of an under achiever.

I am still not ambitious and believe firmly in Nishkama Karma.

Though early in life I got things easily without putting in the hard yards, the last decade and a half has taught me many lessons, and the results were not quite in line with my efforts. I had to struggle for even small successes, which never came when I wanted, but after a prolonged struggle. So much so that when the goal was finally attained, the feeling is one of relief than joy.

Today is one such day.

I conceived a big project in 2010 for my Company and thought it will become a reality in 2011. Everyone associated with the project gave it up for good by 2012 but I kept it alive. It was sheer obstinacy at times. I was ridiculed and I could sense people making snide remarks behind my back. Finally there was array of hope on 1st January 2015. Again hopes rose, only to fall by April. But I plodded on, made painful progress step by small step and finally, last weekend everything fell in place and today a new company with a Capital of OMR 500,000 was finally registered to manage a OMR 4 million project. This company will offer Drilling Tools on Rental and the Investing Partner is a very successful businessman and a real gentleman, which augurs well for the future.

I should be feeling on top of the world but I am just too tired. But there is a satisfaction in this tiredness.

This journey of 5 years taught me patience, perseverance, tenacity and the value of plain honest hard work.

And it was pure Nishkama karma.

My father is no more, having died in 2004. But I am sure from somewhere up there he must be feeling content in his own enigmatic, understated way.