Disha

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Disha" by Manjurani Sinh, focusing on the provided pages:

The text "Disha" (Direction) by Manjurani Sinh, part of the "Vidyat Khand" section of a Jain publication, delves into the reflections and experiences of Pratap Babu, a retired SDO, as he navigates the modern urban life of Kolkata with his son's family. The narrative contrasts his traditional, rural upbringing with the fast-paced, modernized lifestyle of his grandchildren, highlighting a perceived disconnect in values and understanding.

Pratap Babu's Reflections on Modern Life vs. His Past:

Upon arriving in Kolkata, Pratap Babu finds solace in his daily walks by the lake. He observes the bustling city mornings, noting how different groups – bus drivers, mothers and children, shopkeepers, and beggars – all seem to have their own distinct beginnings to the day. He struggles to comprehend the "fast" life he hears about, believing that understanding one's own "slowness" is crucial.

He reminisces about his childhood in a village, where mornings were marked by his parents rising early for spiritual practices and communal prayer. His mother, a woman of deep knowledge even before formal education, would impart Vedic verses. His father, a farmer, would take the children to the fields, answering their questions and sharing worldly knowledge along the way. This agrarian upbringing instilled in Pratap Babu a deep connection to nature, knowledge of plants, crops, and seasons, which he finds absent in the urban environment where such things are learned from books or television. He laments the diminished importance of hands-on experience and direct observation.

The Disconnect with His Son's Family:

Pratap Babu's son, an engineer, invited him to Kolkata with the hope of assisting with his grandchildren's education, a role he felt he couldn't fulfill during his own government service. However, upon arrival, he finds himself becoming just another part of the household routine. His daughter-in-law efficiently manages the children's schedules, his son is engrossed in his own world, and the grandchildren, "Jackie" and "Don" (contrasting with their given names Yashwant Pratap and Digvijay Pratap), are immersed in a modern education system with alienating names for their activities like "keep-fit" instead of yoga.

The Clash Over Education and Values:

Pratap Babu's offer to help with the grandchildren's studies is met with a surprising rebuff from his daughter-in-law, who deems the curriculum "too tough" for him. This surprises him, given his academic achievements. The children, however, are eager to learn from their grandfather, seeing him as an interesting "adventure."

He is taken aback by the sheer volume of books and copies the children carry. He disapproves of the early school enrollment of his younger grandson, believing a child of that age should be nurtured by the mother. He also finds the modern names "Jackie" and "Don" to be culturally and meaningfully shallow, contrasting them with the names he and his wife had chosen for their grandchildren.

A Glimpse of Tradition and Resistance:

Pratap Babu reflects on his own past actions, like actively participating in the Indian independence movement, boycotting foreign goods, and promoting the use of the charkha. He feels a sense of responsibility for the perceived erosion of values in the current generation, even though he himself challenged some older traditions. He is bewildered by the gap in interests between him and his children, questioning who created it and his own role in it. He recalls his children accusing him of not taking bribes or utilizing government facilities for personal gain, implying these were expected societal norms.

A Moment of Connection and Resistance:

The narrative culminates in a poignant scene where Pratap Babu tries to teach his grandson a Hindi poem. The child is familiar only with English nursery rhymes. As Pratap Babu attempts to teach him a Hindi song, his daughter-in-law interrupts, demanding the homework be completed. The grandson, however, asserts he is learning his "Matrubhasha" (mother tongue).

Later, the grandson seeks out Pratap Babu in the early morning, wanting to continue learning the song. Despite the early hour and the protests of his own son (the child's father), Pratap Babu embraces his grandson, cherishing the moment. He points to the sunrise, a visual lesson the child has missed by being indoors with screens. He then shares a story from the "Matsyavatara" (Fish Incarnation), an effort to reconnect the child with traditional Indian narratives and values.

Underlying Theme:

"Disha" explores the theme of generational shifts in values, education, and lifestyle. Pratap Babu represents a generation deeply rooted in tradition, nature, and a holistic understanding of life, struggling to reconcile this with the superficiality and rapid pace of modern urban existence. His attempts to impart his values to his grandchildren highlight the challenges of maintaining cultural continuity in a rapidly changing world. The text, through Pratap Babu's perspective, implicitly critiques the overemphasis on superficial modernity at the expense of deeper cultural and personal connections.