My parents want me to get a job as soon as possible so that I can get settled, as they are getting older. Almost, and I literally mean ‘almost every day’, they tell me that all we want is ‘Jaldi jaldi Job lag jaaye. Ghar basa den tumhara’. And this is the only reason I shifted my Career option from Philosophy Teaching to something else… Although I have not started preparing for anything yet.
Isn’t it Adharma to suppress my Inner Call just for the ignorance of my parents? Is this Hindutva? Aren’t we Hindus fearless… Is running after a job the goal of life? Everyone tells me to obey my parents, and I do so many times just for the sake of harmony, but burying my thoughts? Is it love? What if I don’t want to get married? What if I don’t find a partner that really suits me? Will I be forced to get married to anyone for the sake of their fulfillment of a dream that has no basis? Just a societal compulsion? Will this shape my life? I’m so hesitant to even tell them about this… I know they will make a mess out of it!
Reading Sri Aurobindo is giving my life a new turn; I don’t want to spoil this for the sake of a job. And is it really necessary to be Satvik in nature to everyone, every time? Is everyone deserving of that? Sometimes they deserve a reply! Don’t they? If not, what will be my own self? Which is a product or others’ opinions? I won’t continue this legacy of accepting what is said just because the parents always want our good!
One doesn’t become a Hindu just by being born in a Hindu family. One should be a dwij, twice born, born into the spiritual life to be a true Hindu. Otherwise, one is just part of an unthinking humanity, religious beliefs notwithstanding.
Of course, one should question. The Hindu culture is built on questions. Some of the best Upanishads and the Gita itself are the result of questions.
Certainly, one should assert one’s urge to go with one’s swadharma. But one can be firm and forceful without being angry. Yes, you must follow your swadharma. But is it really just the parents or something else stopping you? Look within carefully, as there are interesting discoveries to be made. For very often we transfer our own fears to others, whereas it is we who need to summon up the courage to live by the truth of our being.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
