Saturday, 13 October 2012

FRIENDS...

WHY FRIENDS??

From time immemorial, in all countries and culture, friends are at the top of the hierarchy among one's acquaintances and relatives.
In Hindu mythology, Ramayana glorifies the friendship of Lord Ram with Sugreeva, with Hanuman, with the simple boatman Guha and with Ravanaa's brother Vibheeshana.

The best example of purest friendship can be seen in Mahabaharatha. The friendship between Lord Krishna and Sudhama is worthy of emulating. What about the friendship between Dhuryodhana and Karna? These were two personalities from dissimilar backgrounds and yet Karna's friendship was purely unconditional. There is an interesting episode in their lives to glorify their friendship.
 
One day Duryodhana's wife Bhanumathi and Karna were playing a game of dice. They were so engrossed in the game that they did not notice Duryodhana entering the room. He came near them and then Bhanumathi noticed him and stood up in a hurry. Karna, who even now was unaware of the presence of his friend, pulled Bhanumathi to sit and broke a string of pearls adoring her waist.  Duryodhana, in true friendship says, what shall I do now? Shall I string the pearls back??

Karna understood his friend completely and is moved to appreciate the sincerity of the friendship of Duryodhana. His attachment to Duryodhana grows further.

Our Panchatantra and Jataka tales are full of exploits of friends.

There are thousands of stories about friends and friendship. There are enough real life experiences of friends and friendship. Words are not enough to describe the feelings one has towards one's friends. Each experience is unique.

 Sir Francis Bacon says about books - Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested: that is, some books are to be read only in parts, others to be read, but not curiously, and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention. The same holds true for friends too. True friends however far physically away are with us in spirit and thought. In today's world of e-mails and the Net, it is easy to nurture friendships.

One can go on writing about this gift of God. I have been blessed throughout my life- since my nursery class till now - with abiding friends and beautiful friendship. My husband, my parents and my son are all my best friends.

This post is a tribute to all my friends, especially Chitra, Nirmala, Rukmani, Sowmya, Chinta Sasi Subhashini, Shweta, Alpana, Ekta, Nidhi and scores of others... The list is endless... I have not mentioned other names not due to callousness but maybe because of carelessness. Forgive me for the same.

Happy friendship to all.
Bye.