The Pipal Tree and Lakshmi’s son Ganesh

The Pipal Tree has a very special place in India. It is a long-living plant that grows tall and forms a huge canopy and its big branches provide shelter to birds, bees, and tired trekkers. Country folks can also rest under its vast canopy and it offers seedy food to small birds. Once its seed germinates – that’s it – roots penetrate down into the womb of Mother Earth, pulled in with the gravitational force – seeking the nutrients and strength from within. It has extremely strong auto-survival gene that if trapped it breaks the brick walls and stony soil in order to achieve longevity. It is, therefore, not only venerated and worshiped but seekers of enlightenment sit in samadhi under the Pipal Tree.

What a wonder is the Pipal Tree! Its root system stretches from one end to another which could be as much as 6,000 Kms. and a well grown Pipal’s root can be circled around the entire globe. Its change of colour is beautiful to see especially in the Spring. It releases the oxygen during both day and the night, and it can draw light from the Stars and the Moon. In early mornings, according to Plant specialists, Pipal releases a chemical called Seritonin which affects the pituitary glands and pineal glands.

I often see Indian women going around the Pipal tying threads in manifold – walking slowly, lest the thread break with force. It is believed that pregnant mothers can get a healthy male child by being near this tree – perhaps the oxygen released by the papal has medicinal qualities. But surely, it has no powers to turn the inborn Fetus into a male progeny. Nonetheless, the pipal symbolizes the nature of strong willed.
Once you give a chance and it would show its genius- its energy, and its potential to grow and reach any height possible. Natural surroundings and natural elements would be forced to support and assist in its efforts to rise high towards the heavens.

You may call it an “adjacency effect” that support the Pipal gets from adjacent elements but the height and growth surely is its own-self that matches no outside force.

So is the case with human progeny. No genius is born out of Lakshmi- the goddess of wealth – in Indian mythology. Ganesh – the elephant god – the fat belly, sitting near the Lakshmi though believed to be the master of Ridhi and Siddhi, in fact creates nothing. Ganesh is not credited with any Philosophical idea, or scientific achievement. Interestingly there is no kid born of or sits near Sarswati- the Goddess of Knowledge and Wisdom. Because a kid born to a rich family inherits a lot of money without any effort. But knowledge and science can not be inherited. You have to work and earn knowledge. Buddha and Gandhi were born in riches but they are venerated for disowning the inheritance. Panini, Kanada, Socrates, Einstein and Karl Marx achieved greatness with their own sadhana – dedication and commitment to creative ideas and science.

Many rich people run charitable trusts and foundations. Most educational institutions and research centers are run by funds donated by moneyed persons. In a collective efforts of social agencies that is a good working arrangement to provide financial support to those who want to study and research in creative knowledge sector. But to claim that scientific height or invention that she/he had achieved because “we gave the grant or fellowship” is only of secondary importance. For, the genius, is like the Pipal tree always finds its way to rise high in the sky and its gene is found deep into the Mother’s womb. Come what may, the great tree will rise to its greatness. If not from you then from somewhere else it would draw the necessary support .

I consider external support as the “adjacency effect,” and the own genius as the “gene effect.” In my long active life I have come to know many youngsters interested in learning and I found them in later life achieving great heights. Almost all of them came from humble homes. Those who inherited the good fortunes mostly stayed satisfied with their lot and contributed little to the knowledge bank. Perhaps because they inherited the riches, and social position like the potbelly Ganesh “born with silver spoon.”

I recall meeting a pahari – hilly village kid, in the classic manner – sitting under a street lamp, in the rich South Delhi colony, reading a book. He was the 8th standard drop out, and working in a rich home as cook-servant. Only at late night he could get time to study and that too outside the master’s house. I gave him our garage for living and got him admitted in an evening school. Arranged a few tuitions to younger kids for him. He attended the evening school and passed his 10+2. Enrolled in the Delhi University and became an established Advocate in later life.

Once I was looking into a book shop at the Heathrow London Airport. A well-dressed gentleman in 40s, very respectfully greeted me: “Sir, do you recognize me?” A few years ago, he reminded me, he was to submit his post-graduate finals form at the Jawaharlal Nehru University. He was short of funds but it was the last date of submission. “Prof. Sharma, you asked me what is the matter and signed the cheque for me.” He was now teaching at an American University. I did not know the student but the chance meeting him made me feel happy to see a young man standing high and contributing to societal development. Mine was mere adjacency effect…

The most gratifying story I want to record relates to a Tibetan refugee student.
It was summer 2002, when we were invited to a joint wedding of two brothers at Gangtok, Sikkim – the northern most Himalayan state, bordering Tibet. The two sons were marrying two beautiful Bhotia ( Tibetan ) girls. And Nirmala, my wife and I were the Chief Guests or the God Parents of the two young couples.

We cannot forget the honor, love and affection we received on the occasion just below the Himalayan peaks – the abode of Shiva and Parvati. But the joy on the occasion was unbound and the pride of the place beyond description.. The two young bridegrooms were grown up sons of a highly qualified Engineer, heading the State Transport Authority of Sikkim, the first Engineer of the Himalayan region who was the gold-medallist of IIT, New Delhi. But he was the Tibetan refugee kid whom first time I saw in 1962, learning English from a dictionary, sitting by a small street in Gangtok. Those days there were no schools in Gangtok. The boy, 15-16, anxious to study had received a dictionary from an American student who was trekking in Himalaya. I gave the kid my address and forgot all about him. In 1963, I was leaving for England, and the young man unannounced turned up at my door at Kurukshetra University.

I delayed my departure, took him to a local headmaster and arranged scholarship and deposited the kid in the boarding school. In 1971, I received a letter that he had received a job-offer in America. I myself was returning to India. So, I wrote to him that his first duty was to serve the country, at least for five years. He did not take the US offer and stayed on in India.

That young man is Mr. Taga Khampa, M.Tech.., M.D. who topped the Higher Secondary School examinations, secured admission to the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, and with flying colors received high praise and honors. He established Sikkim State Time Corporation, trained hundreds of mountain girls in the skill of watch making, and rose to be the First Chief Engineer of the Sikkim State.

Taga’s two sons have established international Pharmaceutical companies and have been in the vanguard in bringing in foreign direct investment and introducing new technological industries in the country.

Taga – grew out of the hard Himalayan mother earth – faced life’s ups and down in an unknown sub-continent – but rose high to capture the lights of scientific and technological firmament. Physically he does resemble Ganesh, but in life’s achievement Taga is my Pipal Tree.