While on my morning walk near Ulsoor Lake, Bengaluru, I came across a strange sight. Someone had discarded framed photos of Gods along with those of his/her ancestors. They had been lined along the wall as if the owner wanted to show the passersby his disdain and rejection of all that his/her family had venerated up till now.
Change certainly is the only certainty and old must give way to the new. Yet I felt sad at the way those Gods and elders in the abandoned picture frames were staring at me with forlorn eyes. They seemed to be saying "Please please grant us a dignified end".
When life departs, we all know the body left behind is nothing but a deteriorating carcass, yet we have elaborate rituals to dispose it. Even proper विसर्जन rituals are performed for the disposal of statues of Gods once the festivals are over.
We should make it a practice to be minimalist. Whenever we have an urge to add something to our house decor, or buy something for 'keeps', we should think of how and when it can and should be disposed.
Let us make it a point to handle change with care and dignity.
