When I set forth on this solo motorcycle journey, I had hoped I would come out wiser. Traveling they say enlightens people and I was counting on that. Everyday I waited for that flash of brilliance to strike me but it eluded me. When I reached Patna, I even paid a visit to the Bodhgaya temple in search for that elusive enlightenment. Still did not happen. I came back to Patna, drowned my sorrows in alcohol and had pretty much resigned to the fact that I might never be enlightened in life.
But then God (more popularly known as THE GUY up there) works in mysterious ways. The next morning on my way to Purnia from Patna, somewhere along the way I stopped at a roadside dhaba for breakfast. I sat down and wherever my gaze landed on those Dhaba walls, there were these pearls of wisdom. The enlightenment I was seeking everywhere, finally came to me in this nondescript Dhaba somewhere on the Patna - Purnea highway. I had gone in searching for some food but came out with quite some food for thought. The Dhaba owner wrote this on his walls. Although I don't understand why he needs to explain everything in terms of three things :)
But then God (more popularly known as THE GUY up there) works in mysterious ways. The next morning on my way to Purnia from Patna, somewhere along the way I stopped at a roadside dhaba for breakfast. I sat down and wherever my gaze landed on those Dhaba walls, there were these pearls of wisdom. The enlightenment I was seeking everywhere, finally came to me in this nondescript Dhaba somewhere on the Patna - Purnea highway. I had gone in searching for some food but came out with quite some food for thought. The Dhaba owner wrote this on his walls. Although I don't understand why he needs to explain everything in terms of three things :)
1) Three things once out, never come back. Arrow from a bow, words from the mouth and life from the body.
Well, be very sure of what you order in this dhaba. Once you order, he won't entertain any changes even if you immediately want to change your order. Words once out of the mouth cannot be taken back :)
2) There are three things nobody can steal from you. Intelligence, Character, Skill
I have a feeling he was mocking me. I am a characterless man with zero intelligence and skills. They bloddy well can't steal any of these from me.
3) Three things that are necessary to remember. Truthfulness, Duties and Death
This one is a veiled threat. Do not try to run away from this place without paying for the food. I understand it is my duty to pay for the food or else you could be clobbered to death.
4) Three things wait for none. Time, Death and Customer
And I waited 18 minutes for my food (I checked).
5) There are three things which can foster enmity between brothers. Money, Wife and Land.
Wives being equated with money and land. After all women are just property. So not a male chauvinist :)
6) There are three things which you will only get once in life. Mother, Father and Youth
And this man in the picture looks like he has lost all of them. :)
7) Three things are better kept covered. Money, Women and food
Oh there is a fourth thing that is also better if covered. This quote :)
And finally
About Me:
A 7 month motorcycle ride that took me to every state in India, parts of Nepal and Bhutan and one town in Burma. These blog entries are inspired by this trip. Stories about people I met, stories about places I saw. Things that intrigued me, things that amused me. They say traveling changes you, they say traveling inspires you and they say a lot of other stuff. I don't know. I think a gun on the head is a better way to change people. I just hope that my travel stories entertain you
Right now I am in the process of writing a book based on this trip and figuring out the difference between a writer's block and procrastination.
Right now I am in the process of writing a book based on this trip and figuring out the difference between a writer's block and procrastination.
You can find more information on my Facebook page and Instagram account
