A conversation with my guru this week woke up something in me.
Among other things, it reminded me that self-growth means having the strength to make the right choices.
Hastākshar has also grown through the last 2 years, and as we move towards our 100th issue, our characters and their experiences will remind us to ask the right questions so that we can make appropriate life choices.
We’ve spoken a lot about Arjun.
Today, I want to tell you about his boss Mithun, and his wife Kaveri.
Mithun had always been fond of Kaveri, Arjun’s wife. He admired her intelligence and friendly nature, and often found himself wanting to spend more time with her. One day, Mithun self-invited himself for dinner at Arjun’s home, fully knowing that Arjun was away on a business trip and Kaveri would be alone.
Kaveri was initially taken aback by Mithun’s invitation but agreed to host him. A sharp lady, she had sensed Mithun’s feelings. She knew that Mithun was married, and determined to handle the situation tactfully.
Mithun came over with flowers at 8pm.
Like a good hostess, Kaveri had laid out the dining table with food. But surprisingly, she had arranged 10 plates for the two of them.
Mithun started a charming conversation along with dinner.
Within 5 minutes, Kaveri asked him to pause, took away his plate, and served food in another plate. Mithun was confused but wasn’t in the mood to resist.
This kept happening every few minutes. Kaveri asked Mithun to switch plates every now and then. Mithun was visibly confused and frustrated.
“Why do you keep asking me to eat from different plates? I can eat all the food from one!”
Kaveri smiled and said, “I was trying to tell you the same thing: if you’re getting food from one plate, why do you want to eat from other plates, too?”
Mithun understood what Kaveri was trying to say. He apologized to Kaveri for his behavior and quickly left, promising to keep their relationship strictly platonic in the future.
Had this been just about Mithun, we wouldn’t be discussing it.
Hastākshar is about you and me.
You have many things. And you have more than enough.
What else do you long for? What do others have that you want to possess?
It’s not just people.
Yes, you may land in a Mithun-like situation, wanting to be with someone else’s partner.
But do you want your friend’s holiday home?
Your boss’s salary or their car?
Your favorite singer’s voice?
In situations like this, ask yourself: doesn’t your plate have enough?
Or would you want to have dinner with me?
