“Oh, swamiji,” said Gautam in excitement, “I’m seeing my past in a new prism now.”
“But, when it comes to things material, man is found wanting in maintaining his equanimity,” continued the seer. “Lacking in comparison, materialistically that is, man turns obsessive to better his lot or burns in jealousy, either way, upsetting the tranquility of his life! Is it not man’s stupidity that makes him a victim of jealousy? If only man could detour the mirages of jealousy in the sands of materialism, he could lay his own path of dharma that takes him to the oasis of moksha. And the karmic theory—to each one accordingly to his deeds in the previous birth—could come in handy for man to avoid the mishap of unhappiness.”
“But swamiji, won’t such a philosophy of contentment block mankind’s progress?”
“Well, the karmic theory has a unique bipolarity about it,” said the swamiji. “While imploring upon man to reconcile to his situation in life it exhorts him to excel at the station of his life for a better one in his rebirth. Thus, the karmic approach to life enables man to remain mentally tranquil even as he climbs up the material heights within his reach.”
“But swamiji,” said Gautam, “all that is fine for an unmarried, but, won’t the dynamics of marriage tend to upset the apple-cart of life?”
“A spouse could be an enlightened aide or a troublesome companion on the moksha-enabling path of life,” said the seer. “The dharma of compromise hauls the coupe of matrimony on the parallel track of contrasts. Well, marriage is all about striking a balance between the dreams of the spouses and the realities of their lives. Sans this balance, the carriage of marriage is destined for derailment on the parallel tracks of artha and kama. But, route deviations not withstanding, compromises maneuver marriages on the course of moksha. In your case, but for your arthicoverdrive, the dharmic course of your marital union would have taken thekarmicturn towards moksha.”
“Oh swamiji,” said Gautam prostrating before the seer, “how your words give me solace!”
“That would help you serve your cause,” blessed the swamiji.
“I need your blessings.”
“Is it barter?” the swamiji asked mysteriously.
“Oh, no, swamiji,” said a grateful Gautam, “let Suresh keep it all, save for the nityaannadaanam at Vanaprastham.”
“God bless you.”
Guided by the seer, Gautam could put his past behind to be at peace with himself. Moreover, before setting out to Vanaprastham, vowing never to return to Delhi, he had entrusted his assets with trusted men in New Delhi for their proper upkeep.