ताल भंग न हो पाय (Don’t break the rhythm)

I came across a story while reading a book. Let me start with it.

There is a story of a very Nepalese King, who was well-known for his miserliness. Once there was a dance session in his royal court with a pretty dancer, accompanied by a man on the musical instrument. The prince, the princess, a rich merchant and many others were present. A passing monk also stopped by. The dance session went on for one hour, two hours and so on till late in the night and then the morning was approaching. But the King would not present the gift. The custom was that the King should be the first to present the gift to the dancer and the others would follow for the dance session to end.

The dancing girl (Nati) became so exhausted after hours of continuous dancing and in desperation, she added a sentence of her own while singing:

रात बहुत बीत गयी, थक गयी पंजर मोरी,
 नटी कहे सुनो वामदेव, इनाम मिला न कोई .

(I am too tired now, no gift is forthcoming, I am going to stop.)

Immediately, the accompanist (Nat) also added a sentence of his:

बहुत गयी  थोड़ी रही, थोड़ी  भी अब जाय ;

नट कहे  सुनो  नटी, ताल भंग न  हो पाय.

(Very little of the night is left now; don’t break the rhythm; all efforts will go in vain; continue the dance as morning is not too far away.)

Then the miracle happened. The merchant threw his costly necklace to the dancer, followed by the prince and the princess also throwing their necklaces. The monk did not have any costly gift to offer , so he threw his blanket to the dancer. Seeing the traditional custom broken, the King asked all of them for their explanations.

The merchant replied that the previous day he received the news of his one merchant ship sinking with the goods and was contemplating suicide in the night. But hearing the words of the accompanist (Nat), he remembered that there were four more ships on their way; and he was yet to receive their news. If they reached safely, he would not be a total loser, though a little poorer and this realization prompted him to give the gift to this pair.

The prince said that the King, though very old and infirm, was not abdicating his throne in his faviour and hence he was planning to murder the King in the night. The words of the accompanist (Nat) saved him from committing the regicide as the King was in any case not likely to love long. And the prince would inherit the throne.

The princess explained that since the King was not getting her married, she was planning to flee the palace that night to marry someone. But the words of the accompanist (Nat) saved her from this stigma.

It was the turn of the monk to explain now. He said that despite many many years of practising austerity or ‘sadhana’, he had not realized the God and hence was planning to get married and enjoy some worldly pleasure. But the same words saved him from this stigma as he was sure to realize the fruits of practising austerities all his life very soon.

The story underlines the need to have patience and never giving up or quitting.

This was the story from the book ‘Happiness and Peace in Everyday Life’, authored by Swami Nikhileswarananda, published by Ahmedabad Management Association.

The message is very simple. We should not quit when we are about to achieve our goal. One easy and most relevant example is of Scientist. They synthesize hundreds of molecules, aiming that it will cure the disease. Would it be appropriate if they quit in between without patience, when the lead molecule is on the way? Would it be appropriate for the batsman to lose patience and get out on 90+ runs? No, not at all. 

When you are sure that goal is visible or about to be accomplished, do not quit. In fact, our faith or enthusiasm should increase. 

Jay Hind !!

Suresh Purohit (Su_hit)

su_hit@rajshree.co.in