On being a Learner – I was introduced to the following shloka, that describes the qualities of an ideal student, by my father during my childhood. At every occasion my father used to stress on these qualities. Never in my life till date did I think of this shloka or the intention of my father. At sunset, every bird that flew out to explore the world will have to return to its nest. Now, I am returning to my nest… albeit with a huge difference… no one there in the nest. It is an empty nest. My parents flew away to that never-returning final nest!
KAAK CHESHTA, BAKO DHYANAM
SWAN NIDRA, TATHAIWA CHA
SWALPAHARI, GRIHTYAAGI
VIDYARTHI PANCH LAKSHNAM.
KAAK CHESHTA – the perseverance of a crow. The efforts should be similar to a crow. Remember the story of a crow trying to drink water from a pot while placing pieces of stones to raise the water level? So, Kaak Cheshta is referred to the patience, hard work and efforts of the crow. If we have to work on our lives and bring out what is within outside, we have to work like a crow.
BAKO DHYANAM – The focus of a crane. The intense focus of a crane can be seen in when the crane stands on one leg completely focused on water. The crane will allow the tiny and small fishes to swim around and waits for the big fish. If the crane wants big fish, it will have to let go the small fish. In life, when we focus on what is important, we should allow the small things to pass by.
SWAN NIDRA – The alertness of a Dog. Swan means dog. Swan nidra means the sleep of a dog. To put it differently, the alertness of a dog. Even though the dog is sleeping, it is very alert. If there is a small sound, it will immediately open its eyes. To gain knowledge and to pursue something meaningful, we have to stay as alert as a dog. There is a lot to learn from the people, objects, from situations and surroundings. We can only learn when we are alert.
SWALPAHARI /ALPAHARI – Inputs we give to our senses. Alpahari means, the one seeking knowledge should consume less. All our sensory organs have abundant food to feed on. We should be careful with the inputs we give to our senses. Tongue – food; Ears – sound; Eyes – the visual scenes are the food!
GRUHA TYAGI – Leave the home/comfort zone. A knowledge seeker must have an open mind to explore the world while leaving his home/comfort zone.
Developing these qualities is not limited to the school or college going students. They are applicable to all, till death, only then some learning or knowledge takes place. It is said, the only place where ‘success’ comes before ‘work’ is in the dictionary. These are lifelong qualities, and it is the duty of each to nurture these qualities. I understand… rather beginning to understand what my father meant when he had instructed me. Unfortunately, many people understand that these qualities are only meant for students and to secure higher marks. Once a job is found people shall do exactly the opposite of what this shloka states – they stop being a student! These five qualities simply vanish from their being. They stop living, become living dead. These qualities are a way of living is for life. I wish I understood this truth when father was alive! I console myself “Better late than never”!
About the Author
Dr. K. Raja Gopal Reddy is a seasoned internationally qualified Insurance professional.
What you are reading here, may not answer all the questions we have, but has the absolute power of asking unsettling questions which increase the interest in the strange world, and show the contradictory wonders lying just below the surface of the commonest things of life. Look at this disturbing but beautiful thought of Friedrich Nietzsche “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him”.
Dr. Reddy can be reached at: raja66gopal@gmail.com
