FINDING STILLNESS
Mohan shut the heavy oak doors to his OPD with a sigh. Most afternoons left him drained, his hands pleasantly numb from gripping the scalpel and his mind abuzz with the litany of ailments he'd addressed. Today, however, a single interaction lingered, a pebble cast into the well of his usual calm.
An old woman, Mrs. Kulkarni, frail but with eyes that still held a youthful spark, had spoken during her check-up. "The world's changed so much, Doctor," she'd said, her voice a dry whisper. "Everything's so fast-paced, everyone's chasing something ephemeral."
Mohan, used to the physical concerns of the elderly, found himself unexpectedly drawn in. "What do you miss most, Mrs. Kulkarni?"
Her rheumy eyes clouded with a distant memory. "The stillness, Doctor," she replied. "The time to ponder, to appreciate the simple joys." It resonated with Mohan. His life, dedicated to the pursuit of surgical excellence, was a whirlwind of activity. He rarely paused to simply be.
Later that night, as the city lights twinkled like fireflies outside his window, Mohan found himself drawn to his worn copy of the Ramayana. Lord Rama, his childhood hero, had always been a beacon. Facing exile, abduction of his wife, and a seemingly endless string of challenges, Rama had persevered with unwavering righteousness.
Tonight, however, a new perspective emerged. Rama, despite being a king, had faced hardships, his victories hard-won. It mirrored Mohan's own life – the challenges of complex surgeries, the constant pressure to excel. Yet, Rama had never lost sight of his purpose – to uphold Dharma, to fight for what was right.
A sense of peace settled over Mohan. He, in his own way, was following a code, just like Rama. He wasn't vanquishing demons, but he was alleviating suffering, restoring health. He wasn't ruling a kingdom, but his skills touched countless lives. Each successful surgery wasn't just a medical feat, it was a chance for someone to embark on a pilgrimage, a new chapter empowered by improved health.
The divine, he realized, hadn't just placed him at the pinnacle of his profession; it had entrusted him with a higher power - the power to heal, to offer a second chance. Looking at the sleeping city, he felt a quiet gratitude. He was a small cog in a vast machine, but his purpose was clear – to bring a little stillness, a little hope, into the fast-paced world, one surgery at a time.
