Sita in the forest

A long time ago when Doordarshan was the only channel on television, they used to telecast these wonderful dance programmes. There is one I haven’t forgotten even after all these years and which I keep remembering very often these days.

It was a lecture-performance and the story being depicted was of Sita and her twins living in the forest. One day, the dancer explains, they set out to collect firewood. They come to this tree and before chopping it down they bow down in obeisance and ask the tree spirit for its permission and forgiveness. Humble and contrite they realize that they are not owners but guests and the rules of hospitality must not be violated. The bowed Sita image comes to mind very often these days.

There are reams and reams of words written and spoken, miles of footage telecast and broadcast on the apocalypse that is coming. Lamentations on the world consuming itself to destruction like a parasite consuming its own host. We are all following the 10, 20, 50 ways to save the planet. And I’m pretty sure it’s all making a difference. But in my opinion unless we establish a connection with Nature, with the Earth, like the ancients did, all these efforts are going to be just superficial. That applies to all of us, rich nations, developing ones, poor countries.

We all have myriads of problems, excruciating job schedules, sick relatives, money troubles, but we don’t forget to eat, do we? Most ofus are strapped for time, but we still make space for love and laughter, don’t we? This connection with the Earth Mother and the spirit that underlies all things is just as existential. Then why do we put it aside? Without it we flounder about lost in the maze of the senses, in a world created by the ego, moving towards artificial goals.

Surrounded by comforts and noise, by mindless activity, we have lost that connection with the elements, we’ve forgotten that we are made up the elements ourselves. We tend to think of ourselves as executives and professionals and powerful. As rich and well-informed and doing better than the neighbours. As having fun and being financially secure. But is that our true nature? We cannot see beyond the labels. We have lost the connection with the source of all things and until we regain that connection all other journeys are going to be futile. That is the only journey worth taking. And we must do it not for our children, not for the planet, but for ourselves.

How can we put our external world in order when our inner world is in shambles? How can we rebuild the planet when our own house is in need of fixing? How can we save the world when we haven’t saved ourselves?

Therefore, I remember Sita in the forest.