May 2025 bring our land and all of us abundant good fortune—health, wealth, and happiness by the bushel. A new year, even if by an international and not Indian reckoning of time, is always a great calendar opportunity to make a fresh start with renewed hope and energy. Or so it seems to me.
In this regard, there is an old Indian story I like about leaving unwanted and unnecessary baggage behind. Two ascetics, one old and one young, came to a river bank. They saw a young woman flailing in the water. The young ascetic cast aside his vows of strict celibacy and, not looking at, let alone touching, a woman, a greater force called humanity gripped him. He dived in and saved the young woman from drowning. Since she was too weak to walk, he carried her in his arms to the village nearby and handed her over safely to those who could take care of her.
The two ascetics resumed their journey. They crossed the river by hitching a ride with an obliging boatman and walked miles into the countryside on the other bank. The older ascetic was visibly disturbed and kept shaking his head and muttering to himself all the way. Finally, as dusk fell and they halted under a tree for the night, he burst out at the young ascetic, "What you did was very wrong. How could you, an ascetic sworn, hold a woman like that?"
Denne historien er fra December 30, 2024-utgaven av The Morning Standard.
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Denne historien er fra December 30, 2024-utgaven av The Morning Standard.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Engineering the Actor Within
Parvati Nair talks about her latest film Mr Rani, her career so far, and multiple projects on her plate.
It's a Bling Thing
From preppy fashion accessories to elevated essentials, designer Tiara Dhody's latest chic bijouterie works as a serotonin booster
The Sun and Stars of Inside Living
A home is a compelling personal statement of the owner's personality. How doing it up by zodiac sign can unleash the full potential of colours, shapes and textures
More than Just History
Though the writing begins with a little uncertainty, the author hits her stride quickly building on extensive research
The Black Book of 1975
Whoever said one should not let Whoever said one should not leted story has not read PK Sreenivasan's novel Midnight Knock.
How the Mesopotamians Imagined Earth
The Mesopotamian civilisation, which civilisation, arose around 3400 BC, was one of the earliest urban civilisations.
The Power to Rise Above Loss
Children, some people say, \"We lead an ethical life. We do not betray or harm anyone.
Making 2025 Your Best Year
Eleven infallible strategies to transform New Year resolutions into habits
Her Cakes, Her Cakewalk
Mumbai's queen of confectionery completes two inspired decades of baking sweet somethings for movie stars and celebrity tycoons who get their sugar hit from her little empire.
Wild and High
Tucked away from the well-worn tourist paths of Madhya Pradesh's Kanha and Bandhavgarh lies Satpura's hidden gem the Denwa Backwater Escape.
