I’ve
been wildly blessed with many mentors in my life, from a brilliant Physicist
who shaped my character through his fine example during my early 20s to my
parents to all my uncles and aunts to my guru, whose teachings have been solace
throughout my life’s journey. Not to
mention, perhaps the greatest influence, though, has come from my father.
...for
showing me the path of acceptance and the beauty and freedom in it.
...for
teaching me the gifts of patience.
...for
year after year, offering wisdom that illuminated my path.
Few years before I was fortunate enough to get shortlisted for an interview for one of the premier mathematical research institutes. Being just out of high school then, my father decided to accompany me on this trip. Although this should be like a preparative & focussed trip somehow for me, it was more like a vacation. Maybe because it was the very first solo trip with my father. The entire trip was pure magic for me. My father has this habit of describing every place underlining the historical importance of the buildings, monuments, etc the place carries. Since ours was a long train journey and that to day-time journey, we had got plenty of time to talk and explore the place through the window. This was also perhaps the only time I have felt my father should have been a history teacher.
Well, our journey started from Hyderabad and slowly after terrible
traffic and rush in the train station, we slowly settled in the compartment and
we both got side opposite berths, which made our conversation much more
fascinating. This was the time when I was completing my late teens and I had
questions about almost everything. The moment the train started moving, my dad
initiated a beautiful conversation out of nothing. We spoke about various
stations, what’s famous in every station, how to be watchful etc. in fact this
was the most memorable moment for me because I saw a friend in my dad. In the spirit of helpfulness, I wanted to share the best lesson I’ve
learned from Dad. “Answer to any question is within oneself.”. At that age I didn’t
understand this much, now after a decade or more, I am able to assimilate the
meaning which is profoundly simple. And yet, simply profound statement.
