Sunday 26 April 2020

Of Their Needs and Our Wants and Akshaya Tritiya

In school, we had a lesson on the short story by the world-famous Russian author, Leo Tolstoy. The story was called “How Much Land Does a Man Need?” Many of you may have studied this, too. If not, you can read the entire story here. (Link to story)

Here’s the gist of the story. A farmer Pahom goes to the land of the Bashkirs who have a startling offer – by paying 1000 rubles, he can begin walking at sunrise and cover as much area as he wants, and it will all be his, provided he returns to the starting point by sunset the same day.

The delighted Pahom starts off and in his greed to cover a huge area, doesn’t realize how the time is running. Exhausted and on the verge of losing his breath, he somehow manages to drag himself back to the starting point even as the sun sets. The Bashkirs cheer at his feat, but Pahom drops dead, and is buried in a grave that measures a mere six feet – that’s all the land he finally needed!

That story gives us a window into the difference between a want and a need. In the good (?) old days, people slogged all their life to meet their needs, rarely having the resources to fulfill their wants. Yet, life was relatively more peaceful. 

In today’s times, people have grown more prosperous and we find that the line between “want” and “need” is growing more and more blurred by the day. No wonder then that peace has flown out the window.

We are bombarded constantly by stimuli that drive us to consume, without any pause, to contemplate over what it is that we are consuming, and whether it is something we truly need. “I buy, therefore, I am,” has become our mantra. Consumption is good for business; and business drives the economy and of course the economy has to be on the up and up.

During this lockdown, when access to goods has been forcibly curtailed, many people have begun re-discovering that they can actually make do with very little. And this realization has led them to ask a pertinent question, which this image so eloquently asks.


The English novelist Matt Haig has an answer to this question.  Read and contemplate over the connection he points out between the economy and happiness.


Today is Akshaya Tritiya - an auspicious day. The word ‘Akshaya’ means ‘that which does not diminish or end’. Unfortunately, the significance of this day has been hijacked by a segment that is believed to be a major ‘driver’ of the same ‘economy’ that we’ve been discussing.

In the cacophony created by these drivers, we have forgotten that Akshaya Tritiya is a day meant to be spent on performing rituals for the ancestors, and in doing ‘daan’ or donation and charity. People now pride themselves on their ability to while away this day in hoarding wealth in the form of gold. 

If you wish to celebrate Akshaya Tritiya in the real sense, especially in these times which are difficult for so many who are less-blessed than you, here are a few genuine causes to which you can donate any amount of your choice.

1. Indic Collective is providing monetary help to the needy persons who are part of the temple ecosystem – the flower sellers, the musical instrument performers, the servitors, and the temple priests - and whose livelihoods have been disrupted by the lockdown


2. Youth for Seva is serving food (Annadaana Seva) to the needy who are unable to earn their livelihood due to the lockdown.


3. As announced by the PM of our country, the PMCARES fund is dedicated to providing quality treatment and for research on ways to beat COVID-19


I've always heard my elders say that on the day of Akshaya Tritiya, one must do things that one wishes to have/keep doing in plenty for the rest of the year. So, now you know why I've written this blog today! 😄😄

4 comments:

  1. All the very best! God bless today and for ever.

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  2. While reading your interesting I was reminded of Indigo flights where they used to announce "time for retail therapy", because buying things is seen as therapeutic! Wonder, if we shall go back to the old system after the end of present crisis.

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    Replies
    1. Oh yes! I've heard that too. It's part of the malaise that Haig describes. Going back... well, I'm guessing that exceptfor a few, most will go back .. old habits die hard

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