Love versus Marriage
Here is a lovely story I read recently and would like to share it with you.
One day, Plato asked his teacher, “What is love? How can I find it?” His teacher answered: “There is a vast wheat field in front. Walk forward without turning back, and pick only one stalk. If you find the most magnificent stalk, then you have found love.” Plato walked forward, and before long, he returned with empty hands, having picked nothing. His teacher asked: “Why did you not pick any stalk?”Plato answered: “Because I could only pick once, and yet I could not turn back. I did find the most magnificent stalk, but did not know if there were any better ones ahead, so I did not pick it. As I walked further, the stalks that I saw were not as good as the earlier one, so I did not pick any in the end”.
His teacher then said: “And that is love.”
On another day, Plato asked his teacher: “What is marriage? How can find it?” His teacher answered: “There is a thriving forest in front. Walk forward without turning back, and chop down only one tree. If you find the tallest tree, then you have found marriage.” Plato walked forward, and before long, he returned with a tree. The tree was not thriving, and it was not tall either. It was an ordinary tree. His teacher asked: “Why did you chop down such an ordinary tree?” Plato answered: “Because of my previous experience. I walked halfway through the forest, but returned with empty hands. This time, I saw this tree, and I felt that it was not bad, so I chopped it down and brought it back. I did not want to miss the opportunity.”
His teacher then said: “And that is marriage.”
Now here is a delightful poem on the subject matter,which also I read somewhere and am sharing it with you.
Love is holding hands in the street.
Marriage is holding arguments in the street.
Love is dinner for two in your favourite restaurant.
Marriage is a fast food take-home packet.
Love is cuddling on a sofa.
Marriage is one sleeping on a sofa.
Love is talking about having children.
Marriage is talking about getting away from children.
Love is going to bed early.
Marriage is going to sleep early.
Love is a romantic drive.
Marriage is a tarmac drive.
Love is losing your appetite.
Marriage is losing your figure.
Love is sweet nothing in the ear.
Marriage is sweet nothing in the bank.
Love is a flickering flame.
Marriage is a flickering television.
In Love, TV in fact,has no place.
In Marriage it is fight for the remote.
Love is one drink and two straws.
Marriage is “Don’t you think you’ve had enough!”.
Conclusion : Love is blind… and marriage is a real eye opener !
Keep smiling !!
Ram Rajya in Kalyug ?
Author: Jatinder Pal Singh Broca Feb 27Having read this piece of interesting (?) news,I recalled a discourse on Ramayana at the residence of a Hindu friend of my late father, long ago,which I had attended along with him. The learned Panditji, had recited a few verses and had explained their meaning. Here are those verses and their meanings.(Any errors, ommissions, mis-interpretations, may please be forgiven)
The concept of Ram Rajya has been beautifully brought out in the following chopais:
1.
Ram Rajya Baithe Trailoka |
Harshit Bhaye Gaye Sab Shoka ||
Meaning : When Ram became the King of Three worlds, everyone was happy and all sorrows diminished.
2.
Daihik Daivik bhautik Tapa |
Ram Rajya Nahin Kahuhin Vyapa ||
Meaning : During rule of Ram there was no psychological, physical and material pain to anyone.
3.
Bayar Na Kar Kahu San Koi |
Ram Pratap Vishamata Khoi ||
Meaning : None engaged in enmity with anyone. Due to grace of Ram,differences had been merged.
4.
Nahin Daridra, Koi Dukhi Na Deena |
Nahin Koi Abudha Na Lakshan Heena ||
Meaning : There was lack of poverty, sorrow, humiliation, and ignorance. Everyone possessed a good quality of life.
5.
Alpa Mratyu Nahi Kavaneu Peera |
Sab Sunder Sab Viruj Sareera. ||
Meaning : None died a premature death. Everybody had a pleasant and healthy body.
All the above chopais show the characteristics of a Ram Rajya.I understand that during the reign of Ram,there was perfect justice and freedom, peace and prosperity. There were no natural disasters, diseases, ailments or ill-fortune of any nature for any living being. There were no sins committed in the world by any of his people. Rama was and still is worshiped and hailed by all – the very symbol of moksha, the ultimate goal of life, and the best example of perfect character, inspiring human beings till today. In short, during Ram Rajya, peace, prosperity and tranquility had always reigned.If I am right, in Hindi, “Ayodhya” means “a place where there is no war.” Hence “Ram Rajya” has been described as an ideal society.
Having understood the above concept, the afore-mentioned news item about UCO Bank opening a lockless branch, appears to me, either to be a feeble attempt at bringing back the concept of Ram Rajya during the present times of Kalyug (?), or just a marketting gimmick, to grab some column centimeters of space in the media,or just a silly brain- wave of some executives at the top end of the Bank’s pyramid, to exploit “the fortune at the bottom of the pyramid” (late C K Prehlad’s pioneering treatise by this name).It could have many other meanings or implications as well. Think it over !
Jai Ram ji ki!!
Keep smiling!