Soul Mantra

• The Upanishads uphold the ideal of stith pragya, the state of unshakable mental and emotional equilibrium. The most simple, modern and beautiful version of this lofty old thought is by the late Padmashri Sahir Ludhianvi (1921-1980), perfect in its Upanishadic understanding and expression: Gham aur khushi mein farq na mehsoos ho jahaan/Main dil ko us maqaam pe laata chala gaya (Not differentiating between sorrow and joy [going serenely with the flow]: that is the place [or state] to which I brought my heart)—Hum Dono, 1961
  
  
• These lines from the 20th century absurdist Eugene Ionesco’s play, A Stroll In The Air, are cast as a prayer in dialogue that teaches us to connect with others, transcending grief and fear:

The Ego:
No one knows me and nobody loves me.
I mean nothing to other people.
I’m all alone and I’m frightened.
I’m lost and I wander about.

The Soul:
You must love people.
If you love them, they won’t be strangers.
If you stop being afraid,
They’ll stop being monsters.
Deep down in themselves, they’re frightened too.
Love them,
And hell won’t exist any more.

Renuka Narayanan is Editor, Religion & Culture Hindustan Times