"Material things hardly matter", a humble and noble phrase; humans have been using it since time immemorial. It gives us a path to lead a life full of exuberance, simple living and high thinking. Nevertheless, sometimes, while applying this mantra in our lives we unknowingly, become bias and unjust. The literal meaning of phrase give precedence to some other kind of end.The most seemingly reason behind this is vulnerable human nature and psyche. Also, our affection for our beloved ones, our desire to express ourselves, our compassion towards others and our self-interest play vital role in it. This is something on which a being doesn't have effective control. It is hard to win over this good enemy. Following is one such case.
Arunab, Sonit and Rishab were very good friends. The trio was sensible, unite and harmonious. They all were mature as they were studying at the post-graduation level. They were studying in same college and living in a common hostel. A incident happened during college time which, left Arunab stunned & aloof and caused him pain deep in his heart. It made him believe that he was lacking behind in the due course of friendship. The incident that bothered him was a special moment when Sonit along with some other classmates returned after three months from a foreign study trip sponsored by the college. This was a matter of happiness for the trio as they were meeting after a long time. When encountered, they met happily and hugged each other. Sonit shared his odyssey with Arunab and Rishab. After a few days he gifted a chocolate to Arunab which he brought from the foreign country. Arunab was happy that his friend brought something for him; after all for the first time in his life he got a gift that traveled across seven oceans. Though, Sonit gifted the same chocolate to others including Rishab, it hardly bothered Arunab as his principle was,"they got theirs, I got mine". The value of his gift didn't diminish despite the fact that he brought it for others also. It significantly diminished and faded off after a couple of days when he met Rishab.
Arunab went to Rishab's room for some work after a couple of days. Rishab offered him his chocolate which he got as a gift from Sonit. He was very enthusiastic and happy; suddenly he threw a stall (muffler) over Arunab. The stall was made of fine fabric and was an artistic piece of design. Rishab asked Arunab to judge the article. Having been failed on both the aspects, Rishab took the stall from Arunab and wrapped it round his neck and revealed in a proud manner that he got it from Mr. Chocolate as a special gift. That was a shocking moment for Arunab. He felt a blank inside.
Arunab came back to his room and fell down in bed. He didn't attend the classes for the next day for he had to unsuccessfully appease his soul that 'material things hardly matter'. All tactics proved to be futile and no argument came to his rescue.
Years after when Arunab discussed it with Sonit in some different context, the latter narrated the same lines to Arunab, 'material things hardly matter'. "Material things do matter", "you can't adopt double standard in words and deed" replied the Arunab.
Sonit may be kind enough to accept the phrase 'material things hardly matters' while applying it in his own life. He wouldn't have felt bad if he were there instead of Arunab. He would be satisfied with the chocolate only and won't bother about that materialistic stall, that is one explanation of the phrase. Now look at the flip side. If material things hardly mattered to him then why did he gift that stall to someone to whom he gifted the chocolate already? From where he developed the feeling that he should purchase that stall in addition to chocolates for Rishab? Why couldn't he stop his mind and hands from purchasing that stall? Why didn't he recognize the phrase 'material things hardly matter' while purchasing something materialistic? wasn't he biased while doing so? wasn't it showed his comparative love and compassion for the two? If he was not biased while purchasing that stall for Rishab then only Arunab would have been mistaken. Arunab didn't expect him to bring any special gift for him; he was happy enough with his small gift until he got to know that Rishab has got a special gift along with the usual gift.
That is one aspect where human tendency works. That is why we are called humans. We are not machines, we do have feeling; we do feel bad; we do love someone more than others. It is something which we can't escape. That is the human nature. That is why the great Gautam Buddha was great while saying ,"Life is Suffering". That is why he said that attachment is the cause of all sufferings. Perhaps, that is why it is very difficult to be 'The Buddha'.
(The thoughts expressed here are personal; the writer can be contacted at ujjwal.knsl@gmail.com)
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