Thread by @varadadya

#Storytime

I was at a theatre watching a film. Loved the film and we (me and elder bro) left in an auto. Aged Auto driver took us in and a ride of 11 kms and lots of learning began.

He started to ask us about the film. We told him about it. He told many things about Bengaluru and the Kannada Film craze here. However, conversation took a interesting turn, when I asked him his age.

Not to offend him, I called him Tatha (Grandpa). Because he was old and had white hair. His hands bore skin with many wrinkles of old age and years of life experience.

He said, one should not ask about age and one should not tell his age too.

I clearly knew, I have offended him. He was experienced and mature. He took it in his stride. However, he began narrating about life in general.

Though the conversation went long. I will try to summarize.

He somehow shifted to talking about Shadows. What do we know about a Shadow?

When an object obstructs light, a shadow of the object appears on the opposite side of the object.

HariKatha (a 12th Century art form that is cumulative of Music, dance, performance, poetry) has a different perspective.

Daasa (or Santa in Marathi or Saints in English) are Bhaktas with immense knowledge of Veda and Puranas.

Back in the 12th Century, a Bhakti Movement was underway. Purandar Daasa took it on himself to travel on foot. And while travelling he would narrate stories from Veda and Puranas.

These stories would be in the form of Song, Dance and Performance.

Mind you, there are no written documents of the songs & proses. Each of these Songs have come down to our generation (whichever are sung till now) only by word of mouth. Passing on from Generation to Generation.

Now coming back.

My AutoDriver, his name was Jagadisha, slowed moved the conversation to Shadows.

He asked me, what do you think about Shadows. I gave him the above answer.

He said, HariKatha mentions Shadow differenly.

Shadow follows you from birth to death. You are wrong if you feel, you are responsible for your Shadow.

Shadow is there, it is permanent. Sun hits your body and your shadow falls on the other side.

Neither the Sunlight is your doing, Nor your Body is your own creation.

Your Shadow is representation of 4 major things

Hunger, Sleep, Life and Death. All of these 4 things are like your Shadow.

They come with you always and they will only leave you after your death.

Just a thought of it, makes one realize the Nothingness of our very being.

Its this feeling that takes our negative emotions like Ego & Jealousy.

What am I?

Nothing, but A Mortal Being.

Its the nature around our that makes our Being worth it.

Shadow teaches you to be Humble.

Its not because, I am, that causes the Shadow. Shadow is Bhagwanta himself.

Leaving you with this, perfect thought.

Please weigh in your thoughts, with your responses.