It was good..but Hrithik had to leave

Hrithik had never met the kind of disciplined person as Colonel Anupam. Due to the sensitive nature, he stopped by Colonel's home, late at night, and told him the reasons. Colonel slept 4 hours, and ran 4 miles every day, so his schedule was all tied tight. And yet he had time for all in his battalion.

Colonel understood, and with two pats, conveyed both his father-figure encouragement, and a bid-you-well. And that's how some people are, made of gold. It's a pity, that the true role-models, are not really leading the country. Or that such role models even shun to avoid the filth in the soul.

We both knew the price of this. No one would know, for my own security. Who, where and why...All my glories, all my achievements, for the nation and our borders, sealed off forever. An obscure government job will show my work history, to ensure the pension continue. Hrithik never existed in their records. It's a price that had to be paid. True glory need not lie in the applause of the people. It should lie in the heart within!

They became friends knowing separation is coming..

But that's how many a friendship is...Perhaps it's letting go the veil. Knowing you are going, you open up to the other. But also perhaps it's the hopelessness of how nature lays out life. A bit of nostalgia has to pine the heart..

Or this happens when life's last moments arrive. When the smallness of so many anxieties, the complaints and ill-feelings, become apparent.

But this happens to all, and one better cherish than hesitate, the next time it comes. The pain will follow, but so will the fulfillment!

The art of driving

While I'm no expert, some of the tips I learnt driving, in US and India. Ones that are not found in formal training sessions:

1) No point overtaking unless significant space on the other lane. The time saved, even on freeways is not significant for even significantly higher speeds
2) Always look at the blind spot when changing lanes. Some say this is applicable only in US, but I think it's more applicable in India, where two-wheelers try to cut and speed without notice.
3) This is true exclusively for Indian driving culture: Even if the left-right indicator is on, the other vehicle is using it as dare to still speed through. So be very slow changing lanes.
4) This is true wherever you drive: When accelerating, do you press the accelerator hard, even if the road's empty ahead. It's not good for your car. Accelerate so smoothly that your body doesn't feel the speed increasing.

A Beautiful Bangalore Morning

Cherishable and calmin, a beautiful Bangalore morning
Breezy and cooling, a beautiful Bangalore morning

Not one that wants to wake you, but invites to take a stroll
Refreshing not polluting, a beautiful Bangalore morning

Subtle is the Life, the Lord and the Ways

Becoming friends, when looming separation
Seeking comfort, from one who is leaving
And unsaid trust, an underlying connect
Subtle is the Life, the Lord and the Ways

When knowledge is sought, with application unknown
When libraries are built, for the one who might not seek it
When donations are made, to temples than the poorest
You realize then, and see it clearly too
Subtle is the Life, the Lord and the Ways

You have to pass on, and so have all
Yet you invite, the young to this world
You build your dreams, on foundations temporal
The power of Maya, enrapturing, inescapable
Subtle is the Life, the Lord and the Ways

Rajasic is best. Accept this, and then be Sattvic

Nature works on balance, and there cannot be excess of good or bad. Or Nature has to crumble. So there have to be war and atrocities for good to exist. That just Is.

Practical applications?

• So while the Tamasic destructs, and we can seek him and destroy, and that perhaps just what the response intends it to be, we end up spending money confining and trying to reform him. 
• The Sattvic is pure, morally high, but in self-righteousness and stubbornness causes a lot of inconvenience, to say the least, to those around him. This is why those who carried on the crusades and burnt independent women branding them as witches, didn't feel it was wrong. That is why the caste system and anti-conversion mindset flourished, and stopped the spread of Sanatana Dharma, the most profound of teachings, at its very tracks.
• The Rajasic thus is the one most in tune with nature. He follows his senses when the time is right, while again keeping pragmatism when dealing with work. He will kill the Tamasic and provide for the Sattvic too. He is the true ruler of nature, verily acting per the rules the Universe runs on. He will follow, and achieve, based on the four ashramas in life.

Let's take the burning of the Khandava forest in the Mahabharata as an example. And let's keep aside the obvious indulgent holiday and hint of orgy that preceded before it. At the other end, let's set aside the mythology of Agni's demand (even if we set aside the question of whether that demand, or the acceptance thereof by Krishna and Arjuna was morally correct). The fact remains and Krishna and Arjuna, standing at the two extremes of the forest, burnt it down. And even did not let any of the living beings escape from it, shooting them them, leaving them with only the choice of running back to the forest. Then also, these are both heroes. Arjuna, who chose a 12 year vanavas over letting cattle be stolen on his watch. Or Krishna, who selflessly assisted the rise and Pandavas. 

Or watch the movie Unforgiven, and try undersand why the villain's really the villain, he himself can't believe it in the end!

We can sit and wonder and spend lives trying to understand why things are the way they are. And yet, if you simply accept, you could spend your time better indeed.

And then again, that you should. My whole point is that one must accept the balance, and strive towards the good. Denying unless we are ready is not the solution. And that's why reincarnations are needed. And yes indeed, the ultimate goal is to be the Sanyasi who truly realizes and merges with the Self.

Also realize that this Yuga has to end; Nature has to destruct. So to be Sattvic is not wrong, indeed that's how we should strive to be. But the true Sattvic is the one who first accepts and not the one who claims the moral high ground to enforce!