The Unseen Bonds
By - Sanjay Pattnayak: Sundargarh:
There are people whose resilience and compassion leave lasting impressions, reminding us of the strength found in devotion to family, even amidst life’s hardest challenges. It was almost twenty years back, I encountered one such couple who, despite their struggles, inspired me in ways that I hadn’t foreseen.
It all began with an unexpected request. A lady, the mother of a young girl who had physical challenges, approached me with a simple plea: to tutor her daughter. The girl was in class six, and I initially declined. My schedule was already packed, and I didn't feel equipped to take on the responsibility. However, as I looked into the mother’s eyes, I saw something that made me reconsider—tears, quietly pleading for a chance. It struck a chord, and before I knew it, I had agreed to teach her daughter.
The girl was as remarkable as her mother. Though she couldn't walk more than a few meters unaided, her commitment to her studies was unwavering. Every morning, even during the cold winter months, she arrived at my doorstep by 5:30 AM. Her mother would accompany her, pushing a small bicycle fitted with extra wheels to help her daughter maintain balance. She never missed a single session, a discipline that spoke volumes about her determination.
Over time, my bond with the family grew. I began referring to them as “Mausa” and “Mausi”—uncle and aunt. They welcomed me as one of their own, often inviting me to share meals with them. Mausa was a man of remarkable patience and gentleness, raising his daughter with the utmost care, giving her the same treatment as any parent would offer a healthy child. Despite her limitations, he spared no effort in providing her with everything she needed to thrive. Each year, he undertook the pilgrimage to Amarnath, seeking blessings for his daughter’s well-being.
But what impressed me even more was the love and harmony between the husband and wife. They shared a deep bond, a playful companionship filled with laughter and understanding. To me, they seemed the happiest couple, undeterred by the hurdles they faced.
Years passed, and their daughter’s resilience bore fruit. She passed her class 10 CBSE exams and eventually graduated college, a testament to her determination and her parents’ support.
Then one evening, a call shattered this peaceful rhythm. I learned that Mausa had passed away. It was sudden, a tragic accident while he was eating in his office. A piece of food had mistakenly entered his windpipe, and his colleagues rushed him to the hospital. But by the time I arrived at the District Headquarters Hospital, it was too late; he was gone.
Mausi arrived at the hospital soon after, wailing in grief. Yet, as she approached his lifeless body, I noticed something that would stay with me forever. Through her tears, she reached for his neck, removing his gold chain, and then asked his colleagues for his keypad mobile. In that moment, I found myself questioning everything I had thought I understood about their relationship. Was her love rooted in genuine affection, or had it also been tethered to material needs?
This moment brought me a painful clarity, a reminder of a profound truth taught in the Bhagavad Gita:
"कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥"
"Your right is to perform your duty alone, never to its fruits; let not the fruit of action be your motive, nor let your attachment be to inaction."
In that hospital room, I felt I had grasped the essence of this verse. Life’s purpose lies in fulfilling our responsibilities without clinging to expectations or rewards. My time with Mausa, Mausi, and their daughter had been a lesson in this selfless duty, even if, in the end, it led me to see life’s complexity in all its bittersweet reality.
