The following is an inspiring excerpt from the uplifting, inspiring, spiritual travelogue" Companions in Solitude" that chronicles the author, Shriram Sharma Acharya's journey into the Himalayas for "Sadhana" in solitude and isolation. The text motivates us all individually, to help at least one other individual who is less fortunate, less intelligent, has less resources than us, using the humble "milestone" as an inspiration.
In the current global context where one out of six people are hungry, unemployed, uneducated or simply disadvantaged, we should each individually attempt to help rebuild the lives of at least five other people through our lifetime.
The quoted text is an abbreviated and adapted version of pages 41 to page 43 of the above mentioned text. (Please note page numbers may differ based on text edition used).
In the current global context where one out of six people are hungry, unemployed, uneducated or simply disadvantaged, we should each individually attempt to help rebuild the lives of at least five other people through our lifetime.
The quoted text is an abbreviated and adapted version of pages 41 to page 43 of the above mentioned text. (Please note page numbers may differ based on text edition used).
Quoted text:
"The widening and repairing work of the road up to Bhatawadi camp was going on.So the milestones (stone signs defining the distance travelled between point A and point B, and distance to destination) were not there. The road was steep and hence the journey along it on foot was exhausting. The lonesome journey through the unpeopled region was also getting more and more monotonous. Anyone who is used to the life of hustle and bustle in the midst of people feels it difficult to bear the pressure of solitude. When this loneliness and hard physical strain tire the mind and the body, the only desire is to know how much distance has been covered and how much yet remains to be covered. And it was not possible to know in the absence of the milestones.
It was a hopeless situation for a lone traveller. How insignificant is a milestone! Its cost, qualification, ability, education, intelligence etc are all ridiculous. But it stands erect at a fixed spot with a fixed duty. It never thinks of moving from the spot. It knows only one thing, i.e. the distance from Dharasu (origin location ) to this spot is so much.With this much knowledge it has set out to serve. How useful its firm faith proves to be. Innumerable travelers like me get guidance from it and get relief from worrying about the distance between places.
When a small piece of stone can serve to guide, when a small earthen lamp of little value can offer light in darkness and help save us from mishap and dangers, should service minded human beings remain idle only because of their ability, education, intelligence etc, being little and limited?
Everybody has some drawbacks or shortcomings, but each one of us can serve at least those among us who are less educated, less intelligent and less fortunate. Instead of indulging in useless talk that such and such a thing could be done if such and such potentiality and ability were there, would it not be better to do whatever we can with whatever we are capable of to help and guide others to better themselves? The milestone knows only the distance between Dharasu and Gangotri and nothing else. Yet its service is not of any less importance. The inconvenience and hardship caused by its absence during the journey from Uttarakashi to Bhatwadi is pestering me even in the midst of the happy imagination of the joy. I am going to have the Darshan (a view of the holy sight) of Gomukh tomorrow.
Most of us are capable of serving humanity better than the milestone. But the opportunity to prove our utility will come only when we firmly come forward with self confidence, and dedication, with whatever ability we posses."
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http://www.scribd.com/doc/59987539/Colleagues-in-Solitude-by-Pandit-Shriram-Sharma-Acharya
To know more about Shriram Sharma Acharya please click the link below:
To know more about Shriram Sharma Acharya please click the link below: