Lalman, one of the watchmen in our apartment complex, works from 8 pm to 8 am. He seems to be in his mid-forties.
Once when I asked him where he lives here in Hyderabad, he said matter-of-factly “nowhere” because he works elsewhere from 8 am to 8 pm.
When I asked him once where he was from, he said proudly, “Chitrakoot in UP”. When I remarked about the association of Chitrakoot with Rama, he immediately smiled and recited beautifully some shloka from Ramayana. I often find him listening to some devotional songs on his mobile.
Two days back, he greeted me in the morning, wishing me “Happy Diwali”. I reciprocated his wish, and even as he touched my knee as a gesture of touching my feet I sort of sheepishly remarked that I did not have cash to give him at that moment.
He said with a contented and whole-hearted smile, “Paison ka kya saab? Woh baat nahin hain. Hahn, gareeb zaroor hoon…lekin jab bhi ghar ko call karke baat kartha hoon, bahut kush hota hoon, bahut anand milti hain…bol nahi saktha”.
I sort of was a little embarassed to have referred to cash, and asked him, “Kitnay bachhe hai aapke?”
He said, “Chaar.”
Concerned for his financial well-being, I asked, “Kyun itnay paida karay?”
He said, “Abh kya karay saab, pada likha nahin hoon, operation kya hai nahin maloom tha, aur jab patha chala aur operation karva lee, bahut saaray mere aaspaas ke logo bhi voh operation karva liye (he said this with a little chuckle and mirth in his eyes as he seemed to be amused by it all).”
Then I bid him bye, but it made me think a bit.
Is being happy as simple as he made it out to be? Rabindranath Tagore did say, “It is simple to be happy, but difficult to be simple.”
Here I am with my mind loaded with theories about life and living – purusharthas, maya, grihasthashram vs sanyas, and what not. But, Lalman in his own way seemed to be more at ease with life than I.
To be sure, I am not saying his future is all rosy. Maybe he will face some of the difficulties that come with lack of financial freedom sometime in the future.
But, I am not sure he will suffer as much on account of that, as I perhaps would think he would suffer (nor as much as I would think I would suffer if I were in his position).
Something to think about, eh?
Note: The name Lalman is a combination of two words: “Lal” meaning “red,” “beloved,” or “dear,” and “Man” meaning “mind,” “heart,” or “soul”. Therefore, it can be interpreted as “beloved soul,” “red-hearted,” or “precious heart,” suggesting someone who is affectionate and cherished. It is a Hindu name primarily used in India.
Know Thyself 