A six-year-long famine had laid waste to the kingdom of Suryagadh.
Animals were dying in the streets, people were hungry, and the masses were depressed and pessimistic.
The concerned leaders consulted astrologers. They didn’t have good news either.
“This is a bad period. As per the planetary positions, the famine is 12 years along. And we’re only halfway through this hell.”
“We can’t survive like this. Is there no solution?”
“There is only one solution. Only a pure man of substance can force nature to mend its way.”
The leaders sent out messengers asking everyone to gather in the town square.
It was time to appeal to the pure souls among them to save the rest.
Two days later, the people gathered at the scheduled hour.
Taxes had already been waived off, but they were expecting announcements of more relief packages.
Looking at the intent crowd, the Jyotish Acharya spoke, his voice booming through the thousands gathered.
“Brothers and sisters. Nature is playing its role in destiny impartially. But reality has turned out to be unkind to us and our children. There is only one way we can stop this famine. Is there anyone among you who is pure of heart, without malice and can compel nature to bend for the peace of our kingdom?”
The crowd was murmuring. This was a big ask.
No one dared raise their hand. They all had self-doubt about the purity of their intentions. And no one wanted to risk public embarrassment.
“I’m ready,” came a calm voice.
It was the Kothari. One of the largest grain keepers and storeowners of the town.
“Give me an hour. I need to do something before.”
He had a credible reputation, so the leaders became hopeful.
And there was no one else willing to put their soul to the test. So they had no choice but to accept his request.
An hour later, the Kothari came back.
He seemed to have gone to his store, since he returned with his weighing scale.
He bowed to the leaders and requested permission to climb on the raised platform.
All eyes were on him. The crowd was silent, intently waiting for their fates to change.
“Mother Nature!” his voice swept through the crowd. “I come to you. Not just for myself, but my children, my brethren, my kingdom.”
He raised the weighing scale in his hands.
“If I’ve never intentionally manipulated these scales,
if I’ve never been dishonest in my business transactions,
I order you to stop this punishment.
Rain now! And bless us with your life-giving nectar.”
Everyone watched him as he smiled and closed his eyes.
But only for a moment. The sudden sound of thunder made them look to the sky. Dark clouds gathered. And within minutes, it rained!
Happy ending, na?
Nope. Hastākshar isn’t about such happy endings.
Now put yourself in the crowd. If you were asked to challenge nature, would you be confident enough in your purity?
Take any area of your life.
Ethical conduct in business.
Devotion for your deity.
Fidelity for your partner.
Love and wishing well for all living beings.
Can you be 100% sure of your intent in any of this?
I’ll be honest – I’m not. I’m trying, but I haven’t achieved that purity yet.
So let’s pick one thing.
One area.
One client to be honest with.
One family member to never lie to.
One person to love unconditionally.
One hour to not think, speak or do ill of anyone.
I have nothing against Peter Theil, but this journey is the real Zero to One.
Wishing you strength to reach there.
