The Two Friends We All Need

In a forest lived two boys who were very good friends. One of them was blind and another was lame. Both of them were orphans and were the only family for each other. They were hence very fond of each other and lived in small cave under a tree. 

Years later, a terrible forest fire broke and the whole forest was in flames. Animals, birds and the few humans living in that area ran for their lives, but the two poor men were left to die in the blazing woods. For a moment they gave up all hopes and hugged each other and waited for the flames to engulf them. But then suddenly something struck their minds and they decided to fight back, to claim their lives, and they did!

Spectators couldn't believe their eyes when they saw both of them coming out of the fire zone- A blind man carrying his lame friend on his shoulders, walking according to the instructions and directions given by his friend. None of them could do this on their own, but together, they made it possible. In our lives, we also need the right direction, the correct vision and the best guidance to achieve what we want and make our lives meaningful. What are the two friends in this story are our two friends- Knowledge and Truth.

Knowledge is the blind friend who does not know exactly which way to head, but can move and help us move in any direction, to whatever extent we want. We gain knowledge from our institutions, from our environment, our parents, our friends and everything around us, we gain knowledge year by year and gain more and more seniority but where that knowledge is heading us is still uncertain until we realise the Truth!

Truth is the lame friend who knows where to go and makes us realise it as often as we seek it but cannot hold our hands and take us there. To get to the truth we need to introspect, analyse and keep asking questions and follow our conscience, most importantly, we need knowledge and its help to achieve the truth we are seeking.

This might be confusing as to how they are different and why do we need to worry about the lame friend, but the difference between the two is as important as the difference- Between A soldier and a terrorist: Both might have the same knowledge on arms and ammunition, technology and skills and both are ready to sacrifice their lives but the ultimate truth they are chasing are different.

Gaining knowledge on anthropology, psychology and human dynamics might also not work for a person who does not believe in the basic truths that all humans are equal, that you should treat everyone well and not discriminate or that Everything you do, good or bad comes back to you. Similarly so many people read sacred books, vedas, upanishads, they know all rituals and their methods, go on fasts and call themselves sacred but forget the truth that helping the needy is the best service to God. Of what use is that knowledge any way?

Most importantly for the young generation, "What is the purpose of my existence, what is my role in the society and what can I do to accomplish it? How can I make it a better place for me, my family, my country?" These are some questions to be asked by the blind friend which is knowledge to the Truth friend periodically. How easier would it be to decide a career option, focus on the ambition and make wise decisions if we realised the truth more often! Most of us instead, run for knowledge and join courses after courses without an end in mind. 

However, realising the truth, pondering on it, seeking it but not doing anything about it or approaching it without proper knowledge is another mistake never to be made. Knowledge is as important to accomplish the goals and realise the truth and must be gained and applied in the right direction always.

Thus to have a better life and a better world to live in, we have to synchronise between knowledge and truth just like the two friends, or else none of them will be able to make it and we will continue having..

more Rulers but less Leaders, 

more Informers but less Educators, 

more Scholars but less Wise men,

more Worships but less Spirituality,

more Comfort but less Peace