Expectations

A strong surge of thoughts are proliferating their way through my mind. These thoughts are about relationships we share and maintain with others. Do these relationships - good or bad, determine our happiness quotient? Can we manage to remain happy while other people whom we share our existence with have problems? Can we hurt someone and feel good about it?

Not possible. Resentment never gives happiness. Anger never gives happiness. Unrealistic expectations on others never give happiness. Happiness is subjective and it largely depends on how you share your relationship with your family and friends. You alone cannot be happy. You are happy together or you are not happy at all. Practice unconditional giving without expecting anything back, for expectation is the root cause of all misery. Expectations are burdens that we carry along with us. More the expectation, heavier the resentment - for most of the expectations are not fulfilled.

 

The story of Krishna and Sudama narrates the beauty of going along in life without expectations. Krishna is the emperor of Dwaraka and Sudama is a poor Brahmin. Krishna and Sudama get introduced to each other during their learning days under the tutelage of Sandeepani Muni. As time progresses, with the necessary wisdom acquired, both tread their own paths. As destiny would have it, Krishna ends up as an emperor and Sudama struggles with the vagaries of life, barely able to make the ends meet.

 

Upon the insistence of his wife, and due to sheer poverty, Sudama reluctantly agrees to approach Krishna to help him bail out of dire straits. He embarks on a journey of hundred miles on foot carrying with him a handful of chipped rice (that his wife borrows from her neighbors) to be offered to Krishna when he meets him. With his ragged clothes and disheveled looks, he’s blocked entrance into Krishna’s palace by security guards. Sudama’s claim of being Krishna’s friend falls on deaf ears and he’s denied permission to meet the emperor. Aghast and tired, Sudama decides to walk back. Krishna, being omniscient, envisions this incident and comes running to the palace gates to welcome his dear friend. Like a mother who embraces a child that returns to her after going amiss, Krishna embraces Sudama, tears welling out of his eyes on seeing his dear friend.

 

Sudama is given a courteous treatment in the palace during his stay. Krishna forcibly snatches the bag of chipped rice that his friend has carried for him and savors every bit of it. Pleasantries are exchanged and many matters are discussed between the two friends. However, Sudama never mentions about this poverty to Krishna and always claims he’s happy with his family.

 

The day arrives when Sudama has to depart. He doesn’t utter a word about the reason he has come to visit his emperor friend. He leaves with a smile just thinking of the wonderful moments that he spent with Krishna during his stay in Dwaraka. The moment his hometown dawns close, he feels tensed and nervous. He then realizes he didn’t ask Krishna anything for himself. He thinks of his wife and her expectations. He is filled with gloom and agony. However he just chants his friends name and makes his way forward hoping his wife will forgive him once she hears how her husband was royally treated by the king.

From a distance, Sudama sees a complete transformation of his entire village. Gone are the huts and thatched houses and replaced are mansions made of gold and silver. His own house is transformed to a royal palace by the architect of heaven, Vishwakarma. As he enters his village, he’s given a rousing welcome by the villagers and his wife. She stands at a distance, eyes closed and tears welling out, a gait bearing a sincere appreciation of what he has done for her. Sudama is clueless. He is in a state of shock. He knows its Krishna’s work, but he never asked for it. In fact, he never mentioned about his state.

Sudama never carried any expectations on his friend; however he was rewarded beyond expectations. This is how life works.