Encounter of wise

Hi Reader,

So, you’re here for another issue of Arth. Welcome!

This is going to be an auspicious one as I am writing after so long. Last time, we have read the story of the mysterious metal - Damascus Steel.

This edition will not hold any of such story (no promise). But this is where I am going to talk to you eye to eye, face to face. Oh wait! we can’t do that, can we?

So, why have I started Arth? what do I mean to do with this newsletter? Is there a theme? niche?

The shortest answer is - No. a bold No. We tied people, bounded by niche lines and mincing literature like it was meant to be sow on a single thread. It is not, here is a leap of faith from me to free the word - towards a boundless world.

Now, let’s talk business - This newsletter is not meant for profit. but I want a lot of people to read it. Fade in it. Therefore, if you can - share with your friends and family.

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Have I said, no story? funny. Have you ever been to Trivandrum? (Thiruvananthapuram, a city in Kerela).

When we are all young, we more or less are ignorant. Here, is a story which churn the morality and distill the line between disbelief and knowledge.

The boy

On the serene shores of Trivandrum, this gentleman was sitting draped in a traditional dhoti and shawl.

He was reciting verses from the sacred Bhagavad Gita. The recitation created a rhythmic enchanting in the atmosphere.

Amidst this peaceful scene, a curious boy approached the gentleman.

Question

The young boy was amused and perplexed by sight of the ancient scripture and stood there observing with his innocent ignorance and curious eyes.

After holding back his disbelief, he couldn’t resist anymore and asked, “Do you still read such books in this age of science?”.

“We have already reached the moon, yet you are engrossed in the Gita and Ramayana”, he questioned. Unperturbed by the boy’s skepticism, the gentleman calmly asked, “What do you know about the Gita?”

The boy, rather than answering, excitedly proclaimed, “What good does reading all that do? I am a student at the prestigious Vikram Sarabhai Research Institute, and I am a scientist. This Gita has no relevance in my life.”

अथ चैत्त्वमिमं धर्म्यं संग्रामं न करिष्यसि। ततः स्वधर्मं कीर्तिं च हित्वा पापमवाप्स्यसि।

if you will not fight this righteous battle, then forsaking your own duty and fame, you will incur sin.

Implosion

The gentleman smiled at the boy’s enthusiasm.

Two vivid imposing cars pulled up on the road with the beach. A group of formidable looking commandos stepped out from the cars. From the later car, emerged a soldier, respectfully opened the door and saluted the gentleman, stood beside the car.

The gentleman calmly walked to the car, got in, took a seat.

The boy with his glittering astonished eyes and peak curiosity went rushing towards the car and asked with a sense of urgency, “Sir, Sir, who are you?”

He was so eager to know who this refined gentleman was with such an aura and grandeur.

The gentleman replied in a calm tone, “I am Vikram Sarabhai.”

The boy was taken aback, as if struck by a sudden jolt of lightning. He had just encountered one of India’s most renowned scientist and visionary. This revelation humbled him to the feet.

Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai Jain was an Indian physicist and astronomer who initiated space research and helped to develop nuclear power in India. He was honored with Padma Bhushan in 1966 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1972.

The Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) was founded in 1962 under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) with Vikram Sarabhai as its chairperson which in 1969 became ISRO

Contrast

A spark ignited within the young boy, named Kalam, after this profound encounter. He consumed by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, embarked on a fervent pilgrimage through the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and a treasure trove of ancient texts.

These profound journeys, echoing with the whispers of ages past, irrevocably reshaped his worldview. He was a scientist with a soul woven from the threads of ancient wisdom, forever influencing his approach to both life and the boundless mysteries of science.

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam BR was an Indian aerospace scientist and statesman who served as the 11th president of India from 2002 to 2007. He was born and raised in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu and studied physics and aerospace engineering.

Curtain fall

This was the tale of how young Kalam met Vikram Sarabhai. From the darkness of disbelief to darkness of occult practices. We will unfold in upcoming editions of Arth.

Author talk: This edition was a lot late, and I know that. I will try my best to bring out new editions every Friday. So, subscribe if you are reading for the first time or haven’t subscribed yet.

Until next time… शुभमस्तु|