Practice makes Permanent

Indra, King of Gods, along with his entourage of Menka and Ramba, descended on the earth for a “recuperating session”. While he was on a Yacht cruise, listening to funky music, one of those fishing trawlers cruised by, causing a bit of a wave. The Yacht rocked, the single malt spilt all over Him, and an Angry Indra roared at the fishing trawler. The fisherman just waved back and said: “Take a chill pill, man!”

An infuriated Indra cursed: “Let there be no rain for the next 18 years!”

The farmers ran to Indra. “My lord! As it is, agricultural land is diminishing. Our livelihood depends on rain. We have done nothing to bring upon discomfort to you. Please be kind enough to take back your curse.” They pleaded. After much cajoling and an offer of a full bottle of imported Single Malt, Indra relented. But He was not willing to take back the curse. So He decreed: “If Bhole Nath, (Simple Minded Na?ve) Shiva plays His Damaru, you people will have your rain. He codified His decree into the Universe of Things, and with a wave of His hand, dismissed the farmers, and went back to His party.

The farmers made their way to Bhole Nath. And Indra, the Kind of God, called up Bhole Nath. “I have a request to make My Lord! I have promised Ramba and Menka that I will request you not to play the Damaru for the next 18 years. Please be kind enough to oblige.” Strange though the request was, Shiva relented, and agreed. And the farmers came with the request that He play his Damaru! Shiva refused, as he had already promised Indra not to play it for the next 18 years.

Dejected farmers went back home. A Maha Panchayat was called and discussions were on: How do we survive for 18 years without rain? An external consultant was hired to run a Large Scale Intervention to come up with ideas. The consultant said that it will take about 3 months to take shape.

While all this was going on, a small group of farmers started tilling their field and tending to it. They did what all farmers do to prepare the field for sowing, and even ensured that there was no block to the flowing canal. For the next 3 weeks, this group would wake up early, and start their work. Their wives would bring food in the afternoon. They took rest after lunch and they worked till evening.

Parvathi, Bhole Nath’s better half, was a mute spectator to all this. Though she spoke to Bhole Nath and told him about Indra’s ploy, Bhole Nath did nothing to correct it. And then she saw these group of farmers working on their field when the probability of rain was zero, and the others were discussing to survive the next 18 years without rain.

And as expected, the “strategic” group of farmers started making fun of these tillers of soil. “What are you doing?” they asked. “You know there will be no rain for 18 years, yet you work on your fields?”

One of the sons of soil replied: “If I do not practice what I know, I will forget it in 18 years’ time. It’s best that I continue to practice my profession and hone up my skills, than discuss endlessly for the next few months”. The startled “strategic group” had not response. Parvathi was pleased. She called upon her husband, Bhole Nath and said: Look at those farmers. How true they speak! You will forget to play the Damaru if you do not play it for 18 years. I am sure you would have forgotten half of it now!” Bhole Nath, embarrassed at this and without thinking, started playing the Damaru. No sooner the beat of the Damaru filled the Universe, than dark clouds gathered and mother Earth was soon drenched with rain!

My learning:

1.) Practice makes permanent. More we practice, more permanent is our behaviour.

2.) Thoughts and Discussions are good. But nothing beats action.

3.) Action with an intend towards a set goal is more likely to bring success.

4.) Obstacles in life are just that: Obstacles. It is important to understand if the Obstacle are perceived or in the external world. If it's perceived, we can change our perception. If its in the external world, then check if it is controllable or not. If yes, good. If not, live with it. What can't be cured has to be endured!

What else have you picked up? Do share your thoughts. It's your thoughts that make this interesting.