The Sadhu

Akbar came to the throne when he was only thirteen years old

In the years that followed, he built on of the greatest empires of his time

He lived in unimaginable splendor

He was surrounded by courtiers who agreed with every word he said, who flattered him and treated him as if he were a god

Perhaps it was not surprising that Emperor Akbar was sometimes arrogant and behaved as if the whole world belonged to him

One day, Birbal decided to make the great emperor stop and think about life

That evening as the emperor was going towards his palace, he noticed a Sadhu lying in the centre of his garden

He could not believe his eyes

A strange Sadhu, in ragged clothes, right in the middle of the palace garden? The guards would have to be punished for this, thought the emperor furiously as he walked over to that Sadhu and prodded him with the tip of his embroidered slipper

Here, fellow!" he cried

"What are you doing here? Get up and go away at once!"

That Sadhu opened his eyes

Then he sat up slowly

"Huzoor," he said in a sleepy voice

"Is this your garden, then?"

Yes!" cried the Emperor

"This garden those rose bushes, the fountain beyond that, the courtyard, the palace, this fort, this empire, it all belongs to me!"

Slowly that Sadhu stood up

"And the river, Huzoor? And the city? And this country?"

Yes, yes, it's all mine", said the emperor

"Now get out!"

Ah", said the Sadhu

"And before you, Huzoor

Who did the garden and fort and city belong to then?"

My father, of course", said the emperor

In spite of his irritation, he was beginning to get interested in the Sadhu's questions

He loved philosophical discussions and he could tell, from his manner of speaking, that the Sadhu was a learned man

And who was here before him?" the Sadhu asked quietly

His father, my father's father, as you know

"

Ah", said the Sadhu

So this garden, those rose bushes, the palace and the fort all this has only belonged to you for your lifetime

Before that they belonged to your father, am I right? And after yours time they will belong to your son, and then to his son?

Yes", said the Emperor Akbar wonderingly

So each one stays here for a time and then goes on his ways?"

Yes

"

Like a dharmashala?" the Sadhu asked

"No one owns a dharmashala

Or the shade of a tree on the side of a road

We stop and rest for a while and then go on

And someone has always been there before us and someone will always come after we have gone

Is that not so?"

It is", Emperor Akbar quietly

So your garden, your palace, your fort, your empire

these are only places you will stay in for a time, for the span of your lifetime

When you die, they will no longer belong to you

You will go, leaving them in the possession of someone else, just as your father did and his father before him

"

Emperor Akbar nodded

"The whole world is a dharmashala", he said slowly, thinking very hard

"In which we mortals rest awhile

That's what you are telling me, isn't it? Nothing on this earth can ever belong to a single person, because each person is only passing through the earth and must die one day?"

The Sadhu nodded solemnly

Then, bowing to the ground, he removed his white beard and saffron turban and his voice changed

"Jahanpanah, forgive me!" he said, in his normal voice

"It was my way of asking you to think about

"

Birbal, oh, Birbal!" the emperor exclaimed

"You are wiser than any philosopher

Come, come at once to the royal chamber and let us discuss this further

Even emperors are but wayfarers on the path of life, it is clear!"

Truth Untruth

Akbar's court was famous for the witty question answer sessions between the Emperor himself, and his clever minister Birbal.

On one such occasion - Akbar asked his courtiers whether they could tell the difference between truth and untruth within three words. All the courtiers started racking their brains to search for the three most appropriate words in which they could tell the difference between the truth and the untruth. But, enough time passed and none of them could come up with an answer.

Birbal was also present in the court, but kept mum. The Emperor asked him, "What about you, Birbal? Why are you so silent?"

Your Majesty!" Birbal politely replied, "I was giving a chance to others first. In my opinion, the right answer would be: Four fingers."

The Emperor asked Birbal, "How is that, Birbal? Explain it to all!"

Yes, Your Majesty, four fingers is the difference between truth and untruth. What your eyes see is truth, and what your ears hear, may be false."

I agree with that, but why did you say that the difference between truth and untruth is four fingers?" Akbar said.

Birbal bowed and said, "Four fingers is the distance between one's eyes and one's ears, Your Majesty!" Akbar was very astonished to hear Birbal's well thought reply

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Birbal's Wisdom

One fine day, Akbar lost his ring

When Birbal arrived in the court, Akbar told him "I have lost my ring

My father had given it to me as a gift

Please help me find it

" Birbal said "do not worry your Majesty, I will find your ring right now

He said, "Your Majesty the ring is here in this court itself, it is with one of the courtier

The courtier who has a straw in his beard has your ring

" The courtier who had the emperors ring was shocked and immediately moved his hand over his beard

Birbal noticed this act of the courtier

He immediately pointed towards the courtier and said, "Please search this man

He has the emperors ring

Akbar could not understand how Birbal had Managed to find the ring

Birbal then told Akbar that a guilty person is always scared

Love vs. Love

Rupam walked through the exit of Bagdogra Airport and stepped out in the bright golden sunshine. He was again visiting city of Siliguri in immensely popular hill station of Darjeeling, North West Bengal.

Being a professional photographer there was nothing more rewarding than coming to Darjeeling; where the nature’s blessings showcase the beautiful, breathtaking and the magnificent scenic beauty set in the grand stage of the highest mountain peak.

The span of majestic Himalayas, always awe inspiring, forever the photographers’ ultimate delight, greeted his eyes!

There was another reason for Rupam to visit Darjeeling after almost three years. He distinctly remembered his last visit; he had Neelima, his girl was with him! Would he be able to find her?

His memories floated back; the last visit to Mirik, a small picturesque hill station with beautiful lake, surrounded by forests on all sides in the backdrop of Mount Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest peak, nestled in Himalayas!

Neelima, the local girl was initially the model for his photographic assignment. Her feminine charms and temperament had enthralled him; there was that attraction which he couldn’t ignore!

She had once said,”…more you see the beauty of nature here, more you will forget any other beauty, including me…” She had smiled, blushing!

Every visit, everything they did together was a dream; a never ending dream!

However the destiny had something else stored for them.

That morning, three years ago, he had left his hotel room; the early sun highlighting the regal natural splendour was mesmerising him; he was also going to meet Neelima in the eastern corner of Ghoom Monastery- surrounded by thick forest and abundant greenery! A state of sublime happiness had enveloped him!

He had reached Monastery around 10.45 am, found no sign of her, reconciled himself to some waiting and sat down on the nearby bench.

Hours passed by … still there was no sign of Neelima! It was 1.55 pm and the sun was at its zenith. Rupam had been increasingly worried as this was absolutely unlike Neelima; he then decided to visit her house some five miles away.

On entering the house he was in for a shock. Neelima’s mother was crying and her father sobbingly had said,”Neelima has not returned since yesterday evening… we don’t know what has happened…” The entire family was grief stricken.

It was a fruitless effort by the Police as she couldn’t be traced. Next two weeks had turned futile for him; he left no stones unturned to search her!

Perhaps she had left her home without informing her family! Even her parents grudgingly accepted that!

With a heavy heart Rupam had returned to Kolkata! He left all reminiscence of the memory behind him. There was no communication at all!

Years had passed but he couldn’t forget her. His friends understood his angst but nothing could be done.

But Rupali, one of his friends, had supported him… “Please don’t be so upset… life goes on!“ She had implored holding his hand gently, her eyes turning moist and soft for her dearest friend. Possibly she wanted to be more than a friend!

Three years later, that day Rupam had again returned to the same place on another of his professional assignments.

Rupali, also a professional photographer, had also come with him. She was to join him later near the place where he had last visited- when he could never meet Neelima! Ghoom Monastery!

He vividly remembered Neelima.

Slowly he walked towards the spot; his professional commitment continuing… taking pictures of various beautiful scenes.

On checking the photographs in his digital camera, as he walked, suddenly he noticed – one of the photographs of the northern hillside with a sheer drop at the edge had a faint outline just near the fall.

He squinted at the photograph thinking, “perhaps my finger has come before the lens or some technical fault… ”. But on a closer look he found that it was not so… it looked like an outline of a human… could be a woman…!

He scowled as didn’t remember any female anywhere in his viewfinder while he was taking photographs. A sixth instinct made him bring the photograph closer to his eyes; with growing amazement then he realised that he could recognize the woman, it was, …as his palpitation started increasing, .. the picture of Neelima!!

He couldn’t understand. “Where is Neelima? How is she in the picture when I have not seen her?” He looked around. “She must be here somewhere … I will ask her why she had gone away these years?”

He started walking towards the spot, at the edge of the cliff, of which he had taken the photograph, searching.

He closely scrutinised the area hoping to see her… it was bright and sunny open space with dense forest starting at least quarter of a mile away; no chance of missing seeing any person before that! There was no body to be seen.

His breath was uneven in anticipation. Looking down the sheer long drop of the cliff, the green mass of vegetation clustered down below over miles; unexpectedly he felt his head swimming with a strange sensation of darkness enveloping his senses.

And then he felt falling! Unconscious mind was telling him that he was falling down the cliff, a free fall! He uttered a strangled cry! Nobody was there to save him and at that moment everything went blank!

He opened his eyes, his head throbbing. Gradually before his vision a form was crystallising. She was Neelima! The same Neelima who was lost to him so many years back, for whom he had craved but could never get.

He tried to get up, but his body was unyielding, he fell back on the ground and went into oblivion. Before that he could feel that she had come near him, could feel her familiar scent and body warmth as if she was very near, touching him!

Opening his eyes again he found that he was on a bed in a room with an open window facing him, the curtains were swinging in light breeze, and sunlight had lit the foot of the bed. As he focused, he found that he was in a hospital room, a doctor was examining him – nurse was preparing a syringe for injection. Behind her, Rupali was standing… her face reflecting anxiety.

When the doctor and nurse left, Rupali came forward. There were tears in her eyes. She took his hand and lightly touched her lips on his forehead.

“Thank God you are all right… I would have died if something happened to you…” she whispered.

Rupam shook his head, “I don’t understand what is happening? How did I come here? I fell off the cliff … I thought I had died.”

She sat on the edge of the bed, “I saw you going near the end of the cliff…tried to stop you… shouted to warn you, but you were walking as if sleepwalking… totally unmindful of the danger… then you just toppled over…”

She got up and walked towards the window. “My heart stopped, my mind went blank for a moment, and I ran forward…” She turned wiping her tears. “I thought I had lost you, but when I looked down I saw that you had fallen on a small ledge projecting from the side of the cliff… you were deathly still… I shouted in panic… thankfully some passers-by ran towards me saw you and helped us!”

Rupam remained still… physically he appeared unhurt… but his mind was on the incident when he had seen Neelima.

He spoke in very low tone, “But I saw Neelima when I had fallen…how, and where is she… bring her to me?” He tried to get up, speak but Rupali gently put her hand on his shoulder and restrained him.

“Today, Neelima’s father had come to meet you in the hotel after you had left.” Remaining quiet for some moments Rupali continued, “Neelima met with an accident three years ago when you wanted to meet her in these hills, her body could be recovered from the ravines after many weeks.”

She took his both hands in hers, “I don’t know how you could have seen her!”

Rupam looked at Rupali, his voice in wonderment, “She wanted to take me with her… but you brought me back… it was her love from the ethereal world against your love here and now… your love triumphed!”

Both looked out from the window towards the rolling hills of the foot of imposing Himalayas; what more mysteries lay ther

LOVE TO LIVE-LIVE TO LOVE

In the city of Bangalore, the “Silicon valley of India”, is also known for the pleasant and romantic climate throughout the year. In a world filled with love, Bangalore is no exception.

The 3rd year mechanical students of NIT trichy go on an industrial visit to Bangalore. They go various places in Bangalore. The time they visit lalbagh garden its starts drizzling. Everyone starts running to the bus, but Joseph and his friends doesn’t want to miss taking a selfie in such a lovely garden. Joseph helds the phone in his hands and everyone stand in a position for selfie. But Joseph gives a shocking reaction and doesn’t click the button for selfie. Everyone scolds him to make it fast as it has it was raining already.

Joseph asks “didn’t you guys see her?” In a low voice.

His friends reply “who the hell are you talking about? We didn’t see anyone.”

Joseph drops the phone and runs behind the girl to see her. She goes and stands inside a bus stop. Joseph stands from her in some distance to get a clear picture of her and there she stands like an angel in black churidhar. Completely drenched in rain with her hands crossed over her chest, shivering in cold. Joseph goes towards her, removes his jerkin and covers her with his jerkin. She turns towards him in sudden shock and anger. But the moment she sees him, she is awestruck seeing a handsome guy, with great physique, wearing a white shirt, having a charming smile on his face.

“I am sorry about that, but I couldn’t resist seeing you drenched completely and shiver” said Joseph.

She couldn’t speak anything but say “ Tha..tha..Thank you” she said in a stammering voice.

He smiles and says “No mention”. I am Joseph. May I know your name?” he asked.

“Shamili”? She replied. “Where are you from?” She asked him.

He replied “I am from Chennai, pursuing B.TECH mechanical engineering, 3rd year in NIT trichy. We came for an IV here.”

“I am pursuing my B.TECH electrical engineering 2nd year in Bangalore institute of engineering and technology” she said.

By the time, the bus for Mangalore arrives at the bus stop and she leaves giving a smile that says “I have found you finally”.

Joseph gets into the bus. Everyone gives him a weird look.

“Are you mad? What if that girl has slapped you? We came for an IV. Let’s enjoy it and leave peacefully idiot. See he is not even listening to what I am saying” said one of his friend’s.

All Joseph could do was smile like an idiot thinking of her. Then the next day morning Joseph got up early, took a bus, and reached her college by asking help from some people. He was standing at the main gate of college waiting for Shamili to come. A bus stopped at the gate and there was Shamili getting down from the bus. She was surprised and was very happy to see Joseph at the gate. He approached her with a smile.

Shamili asked “Hi. How come you are…?”

“Before you ask me questions, let me tell you something. This is the last day I will be here at Bangalore. I have only few time left, my friends will be searching for me. I came here to tell you something very important.” said Joseph.

Knowing what he is going to say, Shamili controls her excitement and asks him to proceed with a puzzled reaction.

Joseph starts “I am a mechanical student. As you know there won’t be even a smell of girls in our department. We always say no girls no love and I was the main part of it. But the moment I saw you I felt like I saw some hidden treasure of my life. I followed you, running behind you, and there was my angel standing, with a dazzling look, giving cute reactions. I couldn’t watch you shiver, I came and covered you with my jerkin like someone was mesmerizing me to do that. The look you gave me after that, god, I saw those lovely eyes and fell for you at that at that instant.

After you boarded the bus, all I could think of was you, I considered it most precious 5 minutes of my life. All love songs played in my bus sounded like every song was composed for me. The first time I started to understand the lyrics of a love song. My mind was searching for the answer to these sudden reactions and my heart answered…..I love you Shamili. Truly and deeply from the core of my heart. I feel like I can’t even think of a life without you Shamili. I know that this feels weird and new to you. You don’t have to say anything now. The jerkin you took with you yesterday, there’s a bit of paper in it which has my contact number. It’s getting too late for you Shamili, you can go now.” He smiles and walks back.

“Just a minute.” She calls him.

Joseph stops and turns back.

“For a man who could make me feel this special, for a man whom I have never seen this handsome before, for a man who could make me smile so much overnight, and for man who could look into my eyes and say I love you, there’s no need of waiting, NAAN UNNAI KADHALIKKIREN(I love you in tamil)”she says and opens her arms.

Joseph runs in excitement and shock towards her and hugs her tightly.

“Now where did you learn that from” he asked her blushing.

“I decided that you will be my husband for the rest of my life. Shouldn’t like I learn this much for you?” she says and smiles.

“Oh sorry I shouldn’t be leaving now, but have to because my friends will be in peak of anger now. Will miss you so much sweetheart” he kisses her on forehead, waves her bye and leaves with a heart stuck with her.

Shamili and Joseph become friends on facebook, add their contacts on whatsapp, and have video chats in skype. They love each so much that their love for each other increases day by day. Now, the fear of becoming a couple forever strikes them. So they both decide on something. They decide to concentrate on their studies and get settled in a good job, so that they can boldly ask their parents approval. They start to reduce their time to chat and talk. At the end of final year, Joseph gets placed in L&D core and a year later Shamili gets placed in TCS.

They both set a date when both are free, so that they go out and enjoy their love life in malls, theatres, beaches etc. When life was going very happy and peaceful, a lightning of bolt strikes them. Shamili’s parents has already started seeing alliance for her. Both Shamili and Joseph decide it’s time to talk to our parents about our marriage. They both say their parents about each other. There was fight and scoldings in each other’s family as they were from different state and culture. But after seeing how stubborn they both were, both families decide to meet each other and sort this issue out. So Shamili’s parents take a bus to Chennai. Both families fix their meeting at a hotel. They don’t want their son and daughter to get married. So they come out with a decision.

“I want to give my daughter a best life and like every parent wants, I would like to give my princess to a man who makes her the queen. Even your parents would want that” said Shamili’s father.

“So we came up with a decision. Both of you should get register married and you should start living your life together for 2 months without any physical relation between you two.” Said Joseph’s father.

“What kind of test is this dad? We have been loving for the past 4 years. What difference will this 2 months make between us? Don’t you think this sounds a bit foolish?” asks Joseph.

Joseph’s dad with a laugh “love life is different from married life son. Even after these two months of marriage if you love each other with the same love, we will arrange a grand wedding for you. But if it happens to be the reverse you two should never see each other in your lives.” Commanded Joseph’s father.

“I don’t feel this is right.” Said Shamili’s mother.

“Shut up. If we say them not to get married. Will they obey us? That’s why we gave them a chance to get separated on their own.” Whispers her dad.

Both of them, desperate to prove their love to their parents accept for their decision. They go to register office and get married. They start to live their married life. Both were feeling weird about this as it was like an agreement made for marriage. But the thing being tested on here is their love, so in any case, they want to showcase their true love. Shamili requests for transfer to TCS Chennai branch and she is offered a transfer having a valuable reason.

For some 10-15 days everything seems very perfect. Both of them are very happy to be in the same house, which was their dream for every second, right from the time they started loving. But after some days, small small fights between Joseph and Shamili starts to grow. One day, Joseph reaches home as usual and he finds Shamili hasn’t reached home yet. Joseph was already feeling very hungry. He called Shamili and asked when would she be back home. She replied that she would come a bit late that day and cuts the phone as she was in an important call with her higher professional. At 11:30 pm, Shamili returns home. She buys food outside and comes as she knows that her husband would be very hungry.

“Darling, my sweet hubby, where are you?” she asks loud as she enters her house.

She sees that her husband has slept already. She smiles seeing him, goes towards him and kissed his forehead.

“Darling, get up, look I have bought you your favorite food” said Shamili.

Joseph gets up in full anger and throws the food out of his bedroom.

“You will not go to work from tomorrow. Did you get that? You cut my phone call when I am not done talking. Did you even try to listen to what I was saying? With whom were you talking? Is he that much important than me?” he shouted.

“You don’t even have an idea of what an important call I was attending. Do you think it’s like your job? We have more responsibilities. Don’t utter words just like that without knowing the value of my job.” She said

“Then go and do your most valued job with some random important person. Why do you come here? Now get the hell out of here” he shouts and goes back to bed.

Shamili goes back crying and lies down on couch. She thinks of the words said by him and cries much more. Shamili doesn’t sleep the whole night and only at 5am she falls asleep on the couch.

The next day Shamili applies leave for work as she wants to prove nothing is more important to her than him. She asks permission from her office for leave, saying that she was not well. Shamili plans to make Joseph happy by cooking every dish he likes and surprise him when he enters home that day. Joseph enters home. Shamili opens the door with a big smile and welcomes him.

“You even come home early huh? Today that important person didn’t accompany you right?” Joseph laughs and goes straight to his bedroom.

“Why are you speaking like this Joseph? I applied leave for work today and cooked all your favorite dishes. All you could gift me is these words?” asks Shamili.

“Am already tired. Don’t create a scene here. I ate outside already. I am going to sleep. You eat and sleep.” Said Joseph and rests on bed.

Frustrated by his behavior, Shamili goes to dining table, and breaks everything out there and cries out louder scolding Joseph. Joseph hears the sound of breaking of all the stuff and comes out running. On seeing this sight, he slaps Shamili.

“you have such a psychic character? Why did you even come into my life?” he shouts at her and goes to bed.

Shamili is pushed to another sleepless night. The gap between these two starts to expand. Shamili expresses her feelings to her parents, they take this as a chance and advise her to leave such a man with worst character. Days pass with fights and without happiness. It’s now the last day of the 2 months time given by their parents. Shamili expects him to say something that will please her and make her happy as it’s the last day. But Joseph doesn’t even care about it and he goes out at late night that day and comes home late.

“Don’t you feel anything Joseph? This will be the last day of our life if we don’t speak out on this?” asked Shamili.

“Am very tired. Please go and sleep. Don’t disturb me.” he said, turns back and leaves a tear.

The next day morning when Shamili wakes up, she was surprised as both of their parents were in front of her. Tears started rolling down Shamili’s cheek, she wiped it off and said “Hi aunt. Hi uncle. How are you? When did you come? Sorry Joseph and I were talking for a long time at night, that’s why I got up late. I will make coffee for you” she runs to the kitchen.

“Iru ma,inga va.(wait dear,come here in tamil). ” Joseph’s father called out. “Don’t you know why we have come here?” he asked.

Tears roll down Shamili’s cheek again and she bends her head down.

She started “Sorry uncle..we..”. Before she finishes Joseph closes the mouth of her with his hand. Shamili couldn’t understand why he did like that. Joseph, with a smile, holds the face of her with his both hands.

“Look at my eyes dear. When we both were loving, we always expressed our positives. We didn’t even care about our negatives. But now, we, in this two months time, got to know about each other’s negatives. We have a complete understanding of what we like, what we don’t like, what is to be like married. The vehicle called LIFE in which we were travelling in has repaired. We shouldn’t abandon that vehicle just because it has repaired. We should repair the damages caused to it and make it even better. From now on we will do it together. Let’s start freshly.” Said Joseph. He bends down on his knees and opens a box with a diamond necklace.

“neenu nanna maduve maadthva(will you marry me- in kannada)?”he asks and smiles.

“you are such an idiot. You are such an idiot.” She says as she smiles and hugs him tightly.

“I love you so so so much Joseph. I am the most luckiest girl in the world. So this necklace is the reason you went out last night huh?” she asks as she kisses him on the lips.

“Oh my god! What a twist!” exclaims Shamili’s father.

Both of their parents bend their heads down in insult and apologizes to them.

“You both have shown these old parents what love, what is life is. We expected something and you taught us something. For the first time in my life I have seen true love. Thank you childs.”Says Joseph’s father in tears.

Later they arrange for a grand wedding for their son and daughter. Joseph and Shamili starts to lead a very happy marriage life fully filled with love.

Love is not something that comes out of perfectness, its something that comes out of complete understanding of each other to make the love perfect for each other. Love to live. Live to love