Tags:
Journalism of Courage
My octogenarian uncle, a billionaire, was overtaken by multiple ailments. My aunt had already died and both sons were settled abroad. One day, when I was with him, he looked completely shattered. Finding me alone, he told me that after leaving his sprawling bungalow to his sons, he would like to create a trust with his remaining assets to educate the unprivileged. Could I manage the affairs of the trust, and make the will at the earliest? I was naturally excited with his proposal. After reaching home, I spent time with my advocate friend. Just when I was ready with the will, I received a call informing me that my uncle had died.
At the uthala ceremony, when people had dispersed, I went to my cousins. I said, 8220;probably uncle had a premonition of his death so he asked me to prepare his will8221;. Even before I could complete what I had to say, my other cousin interrupted, 8220;But, babuji had already made the will and all assets are bequeathed to both of us.8221; After a pause, he continued: 8220;I understand that you have some free time. Would it be possible for you to help us in disposing off the various properties? This money can boost up our business enormously8221;. In the silence that followed, an incident from the Mahabharata flashed through my mind. Karna, famously generous, was once ritually bathing. Shri Krishna wanted to test him and asked him for his golden kalasha which he was holding in his left hand at that time. Karna, in a split second, handed that over to Krishna. Pleasantly amused, Krishna asked Karna why he had jumped to give the kalasha without even performing the ritual of donating with the right hand. Karna replied that he did not want to delay the gesture, as man by nature is fickle-minded and his thoughts change in a nanosecond.
