Tags
cynicism, detachment, faith, Humor, parody, shoe stealing, temples, trust
“Free yourself from attachment to material objects of pleasure. It is the key to Nirvana, to peace, to realization,” the orator’s voice boomed.
My mind was divorced from my ears. It stealthily flew to my brand new pair of shoes. Why did I just have to wear them today?
‘’Don’t fret. They are safe,” my fingers reassured me. They curled firmly around the token given by shoes-stand employee.
I sighed with relief and once again became all ears.
“Faith. Trust. Detachment.” droned on the orator.
P.S- 1] Why are worship places the commonest ground to lose shoes?
2] Raise your hand if you’ve stationed someone beside your shoes while you entered the holy arena.
3] Cynical and flippant I may well be today, but isn’t there a grain of truth hidden here?
4] No, I have yet to lose my pair of shoes. Have you ever been a bakra aka victim of this heinous crime against mankind’s wide eyed trust?
5] Which Sherlock Holmes tale had ‘one stolen shoe’ as an important clue to the ensuing crime?
Impractical Dreamer: Sweety Shinde 
Dr. Sweety;
“Free yourself from attachment to material objects of pleasure. It is the key to Nirvana, to peace, to realization,”
Isn’t it lot easier said than done; Don’t you think it takes not only years but decades conscious practice to reach the road of salvation???????????????
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Of course. My post is a satyr. Do read it full.
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Dr. Sweety;
I was going to read it full but I have read this message on above of you comment box; so, I respond first instruction first, now, tell me have I done right or wrong??????????????
“EAGER FOR FEEDBACK”
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Yes I know it is tempting to respond to the first sentence. But the opening sentence is in many ways a ruse to lure in readers and to entrap their attention. So is the title of a blogpost, most times.
I’m glad you were drawn in by the first sentence. But I’ll be even more delighted if you read the entire post. I’m trying out a different style- that of satyr, shock, humor and shorter posts. Let me know if it works for the readers.
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I have read your full post and I agree with your view point, but, don’t you think one should discuss whatever one wants to like from the post because for me your opening sentence is worth of discussion and if we prolong the discussion on this point I think we will have much more deeper meaning of not only discussion but in general life too, so, tell me my point of view is not appropriate?????????????????????????????????
Wishing you all the best………
It is always pleasant experience to talk with you and I am doing it, what about you????????????
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Yes, you are always welcome to swoop down upon the part that interests you.
As for me, detachment is a long way off. I’m terribly attached to my laptop, my library books, my car, etc etc. I get a wound across my heart if my car gets a scratch. I hate it when people borrow my carefully collected books and never bother to return them.
But at the same time, I wouldn’t put a material object over my loved ones.
What does detachment mean to you?
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Dr. Sweety;
Do you know the meaning of Sanskrit phrase ”Tyakten Bhunja”????????
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Hi Swajith, I know Tyaketen refers to giving up/renouncing. You may tell me the meaning of the second word.
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Amusing to note your mind was still locked on the shoes, deemed to be in safe keeping at the entrance, even as you were apparently listening to the sermon on detachment… We all know desire and attachment is the cause of all sorrow, yet we cling on to our possessions. I have not lost my footwear from temple visits so far; may be because I am not a frequent temple-goer, or it may also be due to my leaving the footwear in my car and walking barefoot for a little distance on the approach road to temple. That said, one can attain a certain level of detachment with some conscious effort over a period of time…best wishes..
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Thank you for the comment. Its not just my personal feelings-I was trying to personify the emotions of many people.
Yes, detachment is harder to practice than to teach. But I do breathe easier and pay attention to the deity if my mind is solaced by the reassuring presence of the token in my purse.
There are some temples which deny cameras and mobiles as well – and that adds another veneer of niggling worry for the temple goer.
sO THE question is, are we really ever free of attachment?
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I lost ma shoes hehe at Shiv mandir Pune..hehe..Love the satire which says a lot in few words:)
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Ah, a Puneiite! So do you have any Pune-style temple hoardings to share with us?
Thank you, I’m trying out the shorter post- bigger punch writing style since a few months. I’m glad the message reached across.
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In Tamil Nadu, there is saying that if you lose your shoes all your bad luck is gone. Your bad luck is transferred to the guy who stole your shoes. I don’t know how true it is. But I lost my shoes once in the Rameshwaram Temple.
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Haha, that’s a nice consoling way to overcome the overwhelming grief of shoe loss! It is literally, ‘Letting another person walk in your shoes’.
For some reason, it reminded me of a ‘Sex and the City’ episode where Carrie attends a snobbish party where she is mandated to take off her expensive stilettoes outside the door. True to life, somebody whisks off her pair and she walks home in a much glamourless pair, mourning her loss.
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hehe….. It happened once at Iskcon Temple, Delhi. We were five friends and we lost our shoes and purses – all of us. One is laughing on other and when checked his pocket, wallet wasn’t there. We lodged an FIR and borrowed some money from Police to go back home bare feet.
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Haha , all five? That’s hardly a high-five.
So did you go home barefeet & cynical or just plain barefeet? Wait! Are you saying the police actually loaned you money to go home safe? That definitely is a warm, happy, uplifting moment in an otherwise bad experience. HMM, silver lining …
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It happened with me at a local temple in Kolkata. Believe me, it was not an amusing experience. Walking all along to the parking lot, bare feet, everybody was staring at me. An “are you nuts?” look it was… 😦
But, I enjoyed reading this sarcastical post on the issue… 😀
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Haha, so do you think this is the real reason behind certain barefeet yatras, like Shirdi or Pandharpur?
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😛 A thought-provoking question….
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Ha ha! That’s a funny take. I am lucky to have been saved but sometimes while praying my mind wanders 😉
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Ah, some refreshing honesty there! Thank you so much.
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Never, as I never take my shoes there. I leave them either in the car or in the activa. 😛
Btw, which Sherlock Holmes tale is that?
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I find it even more risky to take a car along, considering the parking woes in India …unless you have a chauffeur along too.
As for Sherlock, it involves the stolen shoe used for a sniff ..hint, hint ….
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better be safe than sorry.
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Yes, true. Better to keep a person guarding over shoes than to lament and blame God later about loss of shoes.
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