The perpetual 'Benny's [REDACTED VERSION]

I had written this piece sometime ago when I had Jack on my side, the good kind of 'shrooms on my plate and the omnipresent chillum in my hand...

Obviously I wrote more than I was supposed to and hence the redaction...

I remember one conversation [...] we are like the Bhishma Pitamahs of Mahabaharat.

Devavrata, son of Shantanu and Ganga, became Bhishma when he undertook the most hardest of oaths that no matter what, he will serve the Kingdom and King of Hastinapur, no matter who sat on the throne. He had vowed that no matter whatever the King did, Devavrata would offer his most sincere and earnest service to his actions. And to ensure that no personal ambitions or greed come in the way, he undertook the oath of celibacy. 

His vow also included that he will not die without ensuring that throne and the kingdom of Hastinapur would remain protected for all time.

By making these promises, Devavrata became Bhishma and such a vow became the Bhishma Pratigya.

I knew the story of Mahabaharat, I knew Bhishma and I knew his Pratigya.

[...] had to bear the albatross, even though he had not arrowed the metaphorical bird through the heart.

It was an inherent, determined and devotional cause that, I think, made [...] bear.

[...] did wonders [...] helped many [...]

[...] why is the title of this post "The perpetual 'Benny's" -- well that's for a different day.

Yes, we had heard it...
That which happens...
That it too would happen to us one day.

That which has not happened...
We are suspicious...
That this coincidence will happen to us.

This breath is not with me...
This feeling is completely strange...
It may be a minor saying, but the words are like poetry.

It will happen... It will happen...

Just tell me... your unspoken wishes...
Should I try to sleep at night... just wake me...
You tease a little... should I get upset... indulge me a little...

Unseasonal rains are only in the worlds of the heart...
The rays of your brightness are in my skies...

Hundreds of my requests are shouting out aloud...
Hundreds of commands are imploring out aloud...

It will happen... It will happen...

That what is written on your face (which you try to hide)... express it to me...
Make me write that on the pages of my heart...

You teach it to me, you write it for me, you tell it to me, you explain it to me...

The corners in which the wind blows, call me there...
The dreams that come in your eyes, lay me down there...

Questions are everywhere, what does the heart think?

Is this happening to you too? The magic that is happening around...

It will happen... It will happen...

You hear it in one, understand it in another and then repeat it in a third language

Greetings all!

I suppose this is a much better way of greeting everyone as compared to, say, "Greetings ladies and gentleman"... Greetings all.

My friend Jack always has an interesting anecdote whenever I raise any issue, or propose any hypothesis. I guess he has been around many more people than I have.

Good for you -- my friend Jack! Good for you!!!

Coming to the point, AND I AM GOING TO PUNCH JACK ON HIS NOSE if he is going to interrupt my chain of thoughts...

A word is said, a sentence is uttered, a paragraph paraphrased, a song sung... a speech made... a statement delivered... an address (well addressed!)

You hear it in one language, understand it in another and then repeat it in a third...

I have the deep most respect and adulation for translators and interpreters. If you don't have the same sense of admiration for them, why don't you try it... I dare you... I double dare you!!!

This is something I wrote in November 2007:

The translator is not a decision making man, he is a LANGUAGE EXPERT. If the original is illegible, he READS it. If the grammar is wrong, he FIXES it. If it simply makes no sense, he UNDERSTANDS it. If he’s lucky, he’ll learn a few things, translate a Security Council document in less than a week, FOR THAT IS THE CLOSEST HE’LL EVER GET TO BEING A HERO.