Life Comes Full Circle

On Yoga Day it was heartening to see how the re-discovery of Yoga has swept India and the world at large. Yoga is as ancient as Lord Shiva who is ‘Adi-Yogi’. In the past few decades, Yoga was for the old fashioned or for those who could not afford to sign up for expensive gyms. Modern youngsters were more inclined towards Gyms, Aerobics, Pilates etc. But now, Yoga and Meditation are recognised as the way forward to maintain a sound mind, in a sound body. Cyclic indeed!

Our forefathers wore pure fabrics like cotton, silk or wool. In the name of fashion and affluence, we traversed through synthetic fabrics like terelyne, nylon, rayon, polyester, lycra etc. Finally, the world of fashion realised that cotton and silk exude class. Linen, khadi, silk, muslin, brocades etc. are ruling the fashion world. Another circle completed! Strangely, earlier beggars wore torn clothes and now the rich do.

Before education happened for commoners, signatures were by thumb prints. The uneducated were called ‘Angoothachaap’. Education aside, we are using thumb scans for Aadhaar cards, unlocking phones, laptop screens and even door locks. Here we go again!

Earlier people would walk or cycle to work. With modernisation and advancement, there came to be air conditioned vehicles and along with them came pollution and health issues galore. Now we see people sweating it out on the jogging/walking track, gym or sauna. But they are back to sweating! Well!

Our grandmothers would set curd in clay pots. There were earthenware pots and huge brass vessels for storing water, copper or bronze glasses and plates, brass vessels with ‘Kali’ or tin coating for cooking. Then came aluminium, non-stick pans, plastic etc. Now, using plastic is like being a traitor to the planet. Using mud, clay, brass, copper and silver utensils are in vogue. One study says that mud/clay vessels keep us safe from cancer! Another circle completed!

Our forefathers ate simple food. They ate raw/soaked or roasted grains, fruits and vegetables that were cooked in simple ways. The culinary world has surfed through fancy curries, bakes, fries, canned foods, preserves, pasta, pizza etc. While celebrating the International Year of Millets we are appreciating super foods like Jowar (Sorghum), Bajra (Pearl Millet), Sabja (Chia), Chulai (Amaranth), etc. We are realising the goodness in sprouts, organic foods, millets, nuts, etc. Some years ago, Desi Ghee was considered to be the culprit for high cholesterol. Today, every nutritionist says, ‘Have desi ghee, and run a mile before you have refined oil!’ Mustard oil and Sesame oil are being valued like never before. Circles inside circles!

In ancient times, children in Gurukuls were taught Mantras and Shalokas. They were given Value-based Education. They were taught how to deal with real life situations. The Bhagwad Gita tells how Lord Krishna made Arjuna face a real life situation wherein he had lost his mental balance, looking at the Kaurava army. And Rishi Vasishta taught these to Lord Rama and his brothers. The New Education Policy emphasises the need to empower children with 21st century skills that include facing real life situations, critical thinking, collaboration, problem solving skills etc. Recognising the need for values-infused education, the Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vahini is making educational content suchlike and uploading it to the Prime Minister’s DIKSHA portal to benefit the teachers and students. Traversing changing eras, children still need to learn the same things as they always did!

We as children, played in the mud. Somewhere down the line, air-conditioning happened and children started playing games not physically but digitally. Now Spas and Naturopathy Centres are selling mud-packs and mud baths for a ridiculous price! Hopefully children shall experience again, the joy of playing in nature, like earlier times and we shall see this circle too being completed!

Old is gold. It just needs to be polished to make it shine yet again!

(This piece has been published in The Hindustan Times On 25.06.2023. If you have something to share about this, do scroll down to the bottom of the page and leave a message for me in the comments section. I would be have to read it!)