George Orwell [1903-1950] We had an anthology of classical essays as part of our undergrad English course. Shooting an Elephant by George Orwell was one of the essays. The horror of political hegemony is the core theme of the essay. Orwell was a subdivisional police officer of the British Empire in Burma (today Myanmar) when he was forced to shoot an elephant. The elephant had gone musth (an Urdu term for the temporary insanity of male elephants when they are in need of a female) and Orwell was asked to control the commotion created by the giant creature. By the time Orwell reached with his gun, the elephant had become normal. Yet Orwell shot it. The first bullet stunned the animal, the second made him waver, and Orwell had to empty the entire magazine into the elephant’s body in order to put an end to its mammoth suffering. “He was dying,” writes Orwell, “very slowly and in great agony, but in some world remote from me where not even a bullet could damage him further…. It seeme...
Very touching words..!
ReplyDeleteThe entire book consists of such stories or pieces. It is a meditation book, in fact.
DeleteSo true these words hold good today as well
ReplyDeleteSome truths are eternal!
DeleteLovely piece of writing, a great read :)
ReplyDeleteAll credit to the author.
DeletePerfect!
ReplyDeleteGlad you found it so.
DeleteAny practical example of knowledge and enlightenment?
ReplyDeleteScholars have knowledge. But a person like Mahatma Gandhi was enlightened. The difference is that the former can teach you about love, tolerance, or whatever, while the latter's life shows you the quality. It was Lander who said that for those who are capable of love, love is a secondary affair. The same holds good for any virtue. People who really possess the virtue are the enlightened ones, while the others give lectures.
DeleteWhen you are enlightened you become a torch.. True. You lead the way and a true quality of a great leader.
ReplyDeleteA rare quality nowadays!
DeleteSadly enough, these days religion has become a brand which people promote. Wearing a saffron robe being colorless within- such an apt description.
ReplyDeleteReligion is just another business now, thanks to politicians mainly but Babas too have their share in the capital.
DeleteDo you know a good book on how to get started with Meditation? I have been trying to get into it for a while. Torsten @ MightyTravels
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I won't be able to help you with this. I don't use any book for meditation.
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