Michchami Dukkadam!
The Jain festival of Paryushan ended less than two days ago, and purity through forgiveness is an important theme for us.
But it is not easy.
Neither asking for forgiveness nor giving it.
But if you want to forgive, you need one important thing.
And since this is Hastākshar, we will learn from Krishna’s experiment.
Once Krishna assigned a task to Yudhisthir and Duryodhan: Find the best man in the kingdom.
And they set out on a trip.
Once back, Krishna asked Duryodhan, “Did you find the man we were looking for?”
Duryodhan was angry. “I can’t believe there’s a single decent person in the entire kingdom.
All I saw were drunkards, gamblers, robbers, and troublemakers.
The entire trip was a waste of time.”
Krishna turned to Yudhishthir.
“Did you find anyone?”
Yudushthir paused and spoke softly, “I did not find the best man. Or any perfect person.
But what I saw shocked me.
The drunkard I saw had never misbehaved with anyone in his life.
Even when he wasn’t in his senses.
Yes, that man gambled away all he owed.
But he honoured and settled his debts on time, even when it brought him personal discomfort.
The robber we investigated supports 5-7 poor families in his neighbourhood.
The man did start unnecessary quarrels with his wife, but he’s always given his entire income to the wife and kids.
None of them was perfect.
But they were all more than decent – each held on to all the good they had.”
So, did you understand the one thing that’s needed?
The right outlook towards ‘others.’
Unless one develops the perspective to see good in everyone, we won’t find them worthy of respect, honour or forgiveness.
In the meantime, don’t forget to forgive me.
