In the accounts of his life, awards came and went like fleeting whispers on a wind-swept plain. They were bestowed by various agencies, often forgotten as soon as they were received. Personal ambitions had no room for such frivolities, so they were relegated to dusty corners, languishing alongside neglected certificates. Documentation was not his forte; his memories sufficed as a living archive. Books, articles, awards, shawls, documentaries or pictures—none had any hierarchical place in his world.
However, just like the awards, the memories of accepting them and the occasions faded or were not given much space. Yet, some were special and added color to his perspectives. One such instance he often narrated to explain ‘Sahajata’ to people. The Incident was also used to highlight the subtle differences in language choice and the inherent features it brings to education, character and comparative learning.
One day, an invitation arrived, summoning him to accept an award for his efforts in preserving Telangana’s cultural heritage. Deciding to venture forth alone, he made his way to the event. The ceremony was an evening affair, stretching late into the night. Among the honorees were several Ashtavadhanis1 and Shatavadhani2 pandits, renowned for their ability to weave hundreds and thousands of shlokas from a single word.
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After the festivities and a dinner peppered with intellectual banter, he discovered that no transport was available for his return journey. The night’s accommodations were spartan—a simple room with mats on the floor and a few blankets. He found a corner and pretended to sleep, curious about what the night would bring.
Soon, the pandits filed into the room, their discussions still lively. Despite the ample space, the other provisions were lacking. Expecting an outcry or at least a few grumbles, he watched in silence. To his astonishment, the pandits began to rearrange the room. They unfurled carpets, distributed blankets, and settled in without a murmur of discontent. They adapted with an ease that bordered on the miraculous.
Guruji, who moonlighted as an art teacher at a local ashram school, often mingled with his fellow educators. He knew their strengths and limitations well. As he lay there, he couldn’t help but draw a comparison. The pandits, with their formidable intellects, stood in stark contrast to his schoolteachers. Yet, despite their superior capabilities, the pandits embodied ‘sahajata’—a natural grace and simplicity.
In his mind’s eye, he replaced the pandits with his schoolteachers. The scene morphed into a cacophony of complaints and demands. The teachers would have raised a ruckus, ensuring that neither they nor the organizers got a wink of sleep. They lacked the effortless adaptability, the sahajata, that the pandits displayed.
As Kabir puts out
सहज मिले तो राम है, कोटि जतन की बात।
लाल मणि सम मीन सा, घर ही भीतर पात।
Just like a fish discovers the precious gem in the ocean effortlessly, similarly, true realization is found within oneself without strenuous effort. This reflects the essence of ‘sahajta’ or natural simplicity in achieving profound understanding.
Sahajata, as I understood from him “allows a person to blend seamlessly with their surroundings, to adapt without anxiety or fuss” Does this resonate with you, or you had a different take?? Write to us on kalaashramm@gmail.com.
image credit- revoltpress.com
- Avadhanam is Concentration of Mind.
Avadhani is the performer of the feat. The feat involves demonstrating an outstanding ability to concentrate, retain, sharp mind & possess a wide range of knowledge on subject area.
↩︎ - Asta means eight; ability to demonstrate 8-fold concentration. In this case the Avadhani’s ability is tested by eigth Prucchaka (experts) & Shata means one hundred. ↩︎
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