We all like to think our challenges are special. We wrap them in fancy names like "trauma," "career setbacks," or "mythological legacies." But if you strip away the gold-plated labels, we are all just different versions of the same suffering. We are all "cracked cups" trying to hold onto a wine that is constantly leaking.
Harivansh Rai Bachchan understood this long before we became "Corporate Number 4s" in the MNC of life.
The King in Gold: The Ultimate CEO
Bachchan famously wrote:
"Bair badhaate mandir masjid, mel karaati madhushala!"
(बैर बढ़ाते मंदिर मस्जिद, मेल कराती मधुशाला!)
"Temples and mosques breed enmity, but the tavern brings hearts together!"
Why? Because the "King in Gold" in the temple is like a CEO of a global MNC. He’s focused on the "Delivery." He’s looking at the larger picture—the stars are still spinning, the seasons are changing, the "Show" is going on.
I told Him today: "In your larger picture, my existence doesn't matter." I haven't reached a position of power. I am not a "glitch" in His plan. I’m just a small line item that can be deleted without the system crashing. The CEO ignores the "here and there" because as long as the statues are shiny, the brand looks perfect.
The Mask of the "Gentleman"
We spend our lives wearing the "Gentleman" or "Ideal Woman" mask. We act civilized. But Bachchan’s Madhushala is where the masks fall off.
"Mitti ka tan, masti ka man, kshan-bhar jeevan — mera parichay."
(मिट्टी का तन, मस्ती का मन, क्षण-भर जीवन — मेरा परिचय।)
"A body of clay, a mind of joy, a life that lasts a moment — this is my identity."
When we drop the "Gentleman" attitude, we realize we are all animals at the core. An animal doesn't build a temple to justify its ego; it just tries to survive. And survival is getting harder. After, I left my job, I’ve realized how difficult it is to earn even a little money. I tried to trade today—the Market crashed, I got a teaching role, the pay is like a joke and the work is like a mountain. I talked about mushroom farming and it seems like a daydream.
The "Wine" in the tavern is the only thing that unites us with our animal nature—the raw truth that we are just hungry, tired clay.
The Universal Grind
Bachchan said:
"Rah pakad tu ek chala chal, paa jayega madhushala."
(राह पकड़ तू एक चला चल, पा जाएगा मधुशाला।)
"Pick one path and just keep walking; you will eventually find the tavern."
But let’s be real: some of us are walking on a treadmill that’s going nowhere. My plans are like daydreams in a boardroom where I don't have a seat. The CEO wants his delivery, and the tavern is just the "Break Room" where we finally get to stop pretending that our "hustle" is working.
Your unique challenge might be a husband’s ego, and mine might be a mushroom farm that won't grow, but in the tavern, we are all just "thirsty animals."
The Wrap-Up
If the "King in Gold" won't look at the foundation, then the foundation will stop looking at Him. I’m trading the "Mandir" of expectations for the "Madhushala" of reality.
The Show Goes On: The MNC of the universe is running smoothly, but it's running on the backs of people like me who are struggling for the crumbs.
The Animal Wins: I’m leaning into my animal core. I am tired of being "civilized" about my situation and my pain.
Daydreams as Wine: If my plans are just daydreams, then I’ll drink those daydreams. They are the only "wine" I can afford right now.
To my readers: Stop trying to impress a CEO who isn't reading your performance review. If your side-hustles are crashing and your teaching job is draining you, come to the tavern. At least here, the wine doesn't care if your plans failed.
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