We are 'Bangalored' - Was Maveli?   » Onam Thoughts (Part 2)

Still the question remains: "Why did Maveli choose to offer his own head to Vamana?" I would say that Maveli was conveying a clear message to us who live in this fast-moving, tech-savvy modern era – a message which should be proclaimed across the borders of this world that is getting 'bangalored' in its quest to become completely practical in all of life’s material aspects minus all spiritual, moral, and value systems. Maveli seems to suggest that if we embrace material goals and practical and easy solutions alone, world will not remember us after we are gone. Our memories will go with us, and no days will be set aside for us; no memorials nor any floral carpets.

In this age of 'No neighbour apartments', homes with exclusively furnished individual suites for every family member, and offers like 'Fire your Boss' and 'Stay @ home and work', Maveli's sacrifice may look farcical and fallacious.

However, though Maveli was an Asura (demon) king, legends reveal that he was considered very wise and generous and ruled his people without any discrimination. By accepting the sacrifice, he shows his concern for his people.

As we continue our journey along the corridors of practicality, simplicity, and speed, if we have not inculcated such qualities or built such ‘rooms’ as faith, tradition, morality, and patriotism, we will be held up and have no ‘rooms’ to get in. However, if we have done our groundwork properly and built up the essential values or 'rooms', we can slowly move out to the route of ease, pragmatism, and speed in order to keep pace with the modern world and not be left behind. In this way, we will likely not face any holdups along our journey, and besides, we will always have an asset to hold on to or a place to get into, should we face any blockade during our journey.

The room of religion will certainly provide us with some sort of comfort when we are in trouble. Likewise, rooms of relation, tradition, friendship, and the like have their roles to play in our life. Maveli had these rooms in his heart, which is why he, despite being an Asura king, voluntarily sacrificed his life for his people. The pleasing and prosperous way of his administration reflects the corridor of practical, easy, and efficient management as we have now. We see an ideal mix of rooms and the corridor – a perfect blend of values and realism – in Maveli's life.

As we run along the corridors of practical solutions, may this Onam be an eye opener. When we strive to be at the top everywhere, may this Onam be a realization. Let’s ask the question: "Do I have rooms of faith, morality, humility, relationship, friendship, patriotism, and tradition in my heart? Do I have the foundation to enter the corridors of my journey? Am willing to step back to my rooms in the wake of any adversity?" May this Onam renew and refresh us by renovating the damaged rooms within us and creating new rooms in our heart, thereby making our lives in today’s ‘Bangalored’ world, truly sensible, more meaningful, and really awesome.

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