Nani’s Bhagavad Geeta - Gratitude

“As is widely known”, Nani said, “gratitude is the most powerful weapon of all.” 

“What is gratitude, Nani?” The curious cat of the group, Pushpa, asked the first question of the night.

“Dumbo. Gratitude means saying ‘Thank you',” Chintu answered confidently, “isn’t it Nani?” he looked at Nani, “Thank you is the simplest definition of the most powerful weapon.” Cuddling in the warm blanket on the bed with Motya, his new puppy, found on the streets recently, he looked up at Nani, sitting in her usual rocking chair to speak and back him up.

“Shut up Chintu!'' Pushpa scoffed. “Nani you tell us. Is gratitude as simple as saying ‘Thank you’?”

“Yes and no.” Nani coughed.

Puzzled, she now had the full attention of the children. Chintu got up and stood straight, Bala stretched his legs, pushed Motya away on the ground, and Pushpa stood leaning on the pillar.

“Nani, please tell us about the secret weapon,” bracing themselves for yet another Nani’s exciting teachings, the children asked in anticipation.

 

“Gratitude is more than saying ‘Thank you,’ Its incredible power comes from the feeling that follows after expressing the gratitude- be it in words, in actions, or a silent prayer. It encompasses all forms of deep acknowledgment towards the doer of the thoughtful deed.” Nani said thoughtfully. “And mind you, there needn't always be a physical doer, it could be an abstract entity of element that one feels thankful for. The receiver’s acknowledgment in the purest form reaches the doer’s consciousness and the bond formed thus, reverberates feelings of blissfulness and contentment that elevates the deadliest depressing moods, bringing in happiness and satisfaction with it.” - Nani added, looking dreamily at the distant fog that had accumulated.

“Bouncer sixers Nani.” Chintu pouted not understanding a single word that she had just spoken.

“Yes, Nani for me too.” obedient Bala joined his best friend’s intelligence level. 

“Nani, I could understand the insights with respect to doer and receiver, but didn't get the ‘feeling’ part.” Brainy Pushpa didn't miss the chance to show off her smartness in front of her not-so-clever male friends.

“Okay, I got it.” Nani laughed. “None of you understood a dime of what I just said.” Nodding unanimously they asked for more.

“Fine, I will tell you a story. Hopefully, that will bring in some sense,” she said, providing relief to the inquisitive yet tiny brains. 

...

“Once upon a time, there was a young man who sat endlessly feeling miserable and disappointed with himself. He thought nothing was right in his life and hence was unhappy with himself. “My parents could afford basic education for me. If only I were more educated, I would have secured a more promising job”, he sulked. “Oh! How I wish I were more handsome and muscular. This house is so old. I don’t like it. None of the village girls like me as I am not desirable.” His list of complaints and disgust went on and on. 

His friends sympathized. But, the constant cribbing turned them away, and the wretched man was left alone. His parents sobbed over his behavior and tried harder to make him happy but failed to do so with his never-ending disappointments. The man spent years after years in self-pity, doing nothing. Impoverished and lonely day by day.” Nani set the stage with a lazy and ungrateful man’s story.

“One day,” she continued,” a sage visited the man’s village and stopped at his house. From his miserable appearance and the overall ambiance surrounding the man, the sage guessed the situation. It was obviously, yet again a story of the friendship between ungratefulness and unhappiness. Pitying the man and aiming at spreading human values, the sage offered the man an interesting option.”

“What?” Pushpa asked eagerly.

“The sage told the man, Nani blinked, acknowledging Pushpa’s impatience, and continued, “I have a magic key to end your miseries.’ “

Six pointed ears listened to Nani’s words keenly.

“The sage said, - ‘You have to do two things every day. Before going to sleep, write down three things that you are grateful for and keep three seeds of plants under your pillow. In the morning, take out those seeds and say “Thank you” and sow those seeds in your fields.’” 

“The man was surprised about what the sage said, but he was unhappy for so long that he decided to give it a try.”

“And then?”- this time it was the wide-jawed Bala.

Nani carried on the story, “From that evening, the man started writing down the three things that he was grateful for. To his credit, it was difficult for him, to search for something that he was thankful for was a mind blogging task.”

“His fault-finding nature blinded him from seeing the goodness around him. He’d spent nights struggling to find three things that he was grateful for. However, he couldn't find any reason for being grateful. But as he had promised the sage he had to write, so he wrote.”

Bringing out the fresh notepad and a newly bought fountain pen, he scribbled with much deliberation - ‘“I am grateful for the delicious food that I ate today. I am grateful for the dog who cheered me up. I am grateful for the friend who came to visit me today. He managed to write three whole sentences expressing gratefulness, “Whew! That was easy,” he said to himself, neatly placing the notepad into the table drawer, feeling lighter and a bit happier.”

“Then as suggested by the sage, Nani continued uninterrupted, “he kept three seeds under his pillow and slept peacefully. The next day, he took out the seeds, walked towards his fields, and sewed them after expressing gratitude. ‘Thank you,’ he said and watered the soil.

“He followed this routine for days. Every night, he found three things that he was grateful for. The list included his parent’s love, his old but sturdy house, his primary education that earned him enough money, the girl who shyly glanced at him, and so on.”

“With each passing day, his list of gratitude kept growing, and he realized that he had so many things that he was thankful for. Every morning, he would carry the gratitude seeds and sow them in his fields. And each day he could feel the burden of depression and anxiety liftin, elevating him to the profound field of happiness and contentment.”

“The feeling that followed the act of expressing gratitude was almost psychic.” Nani paused, had a mouthful of water from the glass kept on the side table, and continued her story.

“One day the sage returned to the village and met the same man, who was once lazy, ungrateful, and unhappy. However, the man in front of him was three sixty degrees opposite of all that- He looked healthier and happier now. Delighted, the sage enquired, “So, young man. Did the magic key to your happiness work?” he asked amusingly.”

“The man laughed and nodded, “Yes, oh wise one! The day I started expressing gratitude, everything changed. I could see the goodness in everything- big or small, and I began to appreciate lesser-known qualities too. I enjoyed my qualities and also realized that the surroundings were so giving and thoughtful. My parents, my friends, my people, my pets- I had one or other thing to be thankful to them. Saying thank you and expressing my gratitude, released this feeling of immense satisfaction and bliss. Every day, I rode on this extremely joyful feeling all through the day, which gave me little time to brood and be sadful. This, in turn, made me happy and content. Also, oh wise one, the seeds that I planted every day as a token of gratitude have grown and I am earning a substantial income from them. I am a rich man thanks to the abundant crop in my fields.” He beamed with pride.

Expecting fate and the outcome, the sage blessed him and off for his further journey. Never forget the magic of gratitude, my son.” He advised. The magic of gratitude is immense. The day you start expressing gratitude towards yourself and your surroundings, your life will change for good. Say “I am grateful for …” as often as you could and watch the blessings unfold.”

“That’s the end of the Gratitude story.” Nani finished the mesmerizing story, full of insights and takeaways.

The children understood the depth of reasoning behind offering gratitude for everything and everyone that touches their life.

“Nani, I understood. ‘Thank you’ is a magic word that unleashes humbleness and love - the two most important feelings to lead a happy life. “Uttered the sensible Pushpa bringing down the curtains for the night.

Laughing gleefully, folding hands and bending their forehead in respect for their sweet old Nani, they said “Thank you! Nani” and went off to sleep with lots of gratitude in their hearts.