The solitary lamp burned steadily in the dark as a man wrote by its flickering light. He had already reached the peak: now more than ever he felt the sure guidance of his mentors as wrote down the final few words of his tome. He himself sat rigidly in the lotus posture that he had learned at his ashram many decades ago. Dimly he became aware that the air was cool in starts, and he turned his neck this way and that to see where the breeze came from. He was surprised to see a beautiful woman moving a small fan at him. Madam, who are you? The womans eyes widened a little, but she gave a resigned smile. If you dont know me, its okay. After more than thirty years of marriage, you at least acknowledged that I exist. But who are you? And why are you standing there with the fan in your hand? Im your wife Bhamati whom you had married a very long time ago, said the woman, now turning away jerkily as if to hide her face. Her shoulders shook with indignation. My wife? But how can that be! I sat down to write this book only a few hours ago! And I have to show it to guruji: he said I must finish this and show it to him. Your guruji - my father - died more than thirty years ago, husband. Now that your book is finally over, please dedicate it to him and be a husband instead of a student: you have paid your masters debt. The old mans shoulders sagged as he wiped tears off his cheeks, and he felt his own wrinkles with a sense of wonder. No, I cannot: I had vowed that the day this commentary got over, I will take sannyas. The day has come, and unfortunately I have to leave you and this book behind. ~~~ But the book lives on: the man in the story is Vachaspati Mishr, one of the greatest philosophers of the advait darshan. He named his commentary on the Brahma Sutras the Bhamati, in honour of his wife. The Bhamati is considered one of the finest works in commentary on texts of advait philosophy. Give the book a read! Its classical Sanskrit prose and lyrical prose dealing with a very esoteric subject. But the next time you feel bored with your job or studies, think of Vachaspati Mishr and his dedication, and the next time you want to dump your lover or divorce your spouse, think of Bhamati :) ~ Suneil
Posted on: Tue, 27 May 2014 20:02:14 +0000
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