How stupid!

Stupid. This is a word used for broad-spectrum denigration. But when a discerning text uses its Sanskrit equivalent 8212; moodha or moorkha 8212; an exploration is in order.

Stupid. This is a word used for broad-spectrum denigration. But when a discerning text uses its Sanskrit equivalent 8212; moodha or moorkha 8212; an exploration is in order. The Gita qualifies it as reverse perception 8212; to draw conclusions contrary to the logic of reasoning is to be plain stupid. Homo sapiens are expected to think first, think straight, then decide and act. Most of us would like to be persuaded that we do. And yet8230;

Let us take things that can give us happiness 8212; a juicy list of bank balances, exciting projects, farm villas, delectable food, company or music, plum postings. But that vice-chancellorship for which I lobbied became vapid when my colleague bagged a gubernatorial assignment, and the long-awaited cruise in the Caribbean turned out to be an unmitigated curse since I kept throwing up.

Fulfilled desires often do not keep their part of the bargain and bring joy as expected, or that joy evaporates much too soon 8212; making the appetite turn to fresh desires and fresher frustrations. To depend on desires for happiness seems a very dicey proposition. Worse, innumerable variables of the world then control my happiness and lord it over me.

A closer look at the bilateral dynamics between me and the object of my desire may help. If happiness is not in the object then, logically, the only other locus for it can be me, myself. It is MY quality that I bounce off the exhibits of the world and call it happiness acquired; nothing can give me happiness. Logically, thus, happiness is not acquired, it is my own self, my nature that is why I am uncomfortable being unhappy. The world only offers pegs to hang it on. I can decide to festoon every peg in sight and make life a royal celebration.

To deny this logic and to feel dependant on anything for happiness is a reversal of logical understanding, and hence 8220;stupid8221;; to beg for happiness from the world and its paraphernalia would be stupider still, and to make one8217;s life acquisition-centric turns out to be stupidity par excellence.

Stupidity, thus, indicates a terminology of discernment, highlighting risks that threaten our status as human beings 8212; for having been provided with intellect, the option of stupidity is not open to us.