When we reached the top of the hill we saw an ascetic in simple robes meditating. Curious, we approached him. He told us he’d lived there for two years. He had given up his materialistic life for sanyas, Hinduism’s fourth stage of life where humans are urged to focus on detachment from the material world. Soon, the sanyasi started reminiscing about the big house, the three Mercedes cars, and the lavish lifestyle he’d renunciated. We all listened agape, impressed. But on the way back, my mother remarked, “He’s here, but his mind and heart are still held by material things.”
A techie for 25+ years, Reena Kapoor has published poems, short stories, and plays in various publications. She can be found at arrivals and departures.substack.com.