The balance of life. Context: Forgiving.

I have reasons to believe that despite the civilization and development brought about by time to man's thought process, basic survival instincts and strategies have pretty much remained unchanged. The "jungle raj" still exists among the hectic activity of modern life and life sustaining activities. It is imperative that man remains cautious, else even today he will be annihilated. if you compare this to the "law of the jungle" where all animals big or small have to remain cautious in order to survive, you would find it strikingly similar. In our daily lives, within colleges, offices,home, playground, pubs and not to mention during times of war, we are all indulged in self protection and self preservation by making our ground stronger and no matter how strong we are there is still a threat (like in the jungle food chain where no matter where you are in the food chain there is always a hunter and you are always the prey). You stop being hunter the nanosecond you lose focus and caution. That moment you become the PREY -  no matter who you are. Rajiv Gandhi was PM, India when he lost caution, America's Pacific Fleet was the strongest fleet in the World when they were caught sleeping in Pearl Harbor, Brazil lost focus for a nano-second when France's Zidane struck them and stole the World Cup of 1999...examples are innumerable.

In my life I decided to be cautious due to various circumstances I and my family have faced over the years and it has stood me in good heels. In most situations, I have always worked form an advantage and never allowed considerable laxity in my vigil. But it is not humanly possible to continue relentless surveillance against getting cheated, against mistrust, against the wolf in sheep's clothing. And there steps in a thing called "trust".

You trust a person because you need time off from this fight. And you need an ally, in fact you need many allies. Family, friends, lovers etc. are important because if they backfire they can cost maximum damage. Heard the adage, Known devil is better than unknown angel? When I trust someone, I give him or her my best, contribute to the relationship, make adjustments as required and give cover fire. All I ask in return is trustworthiness as I know that many may not be able to give the amount of commitment I give.

But some make the deadly mistake of treason. And that is something that doesn't classify for me as a mistake. Hence there is no forgiving it. For me treason means that the person lacks humanity. Even dogs are loyal to their masters who in some cases may feed them meagerly. Why are human beings (supposedly a superior class) not being able to even emulate their inferior brotheren?

And distrust needs retaliation. And when it comes to retaliation (apart from exceptional cases) I ensure that consequences are not exactly what you would not call awful. I am a good friend but a better enemy, I say and I mean it.

And as far as forgiveness from God goes, I have forgiven enough people to earn it. To forgive a person who has drilled a hole right through your back is to endow him powers to complete what he couldn't initially. And life gives only one chance. And if forgiving was the sole objective of mankind why would the Mahabharata war happen? Couldn't Krishna advice Arjuna to forgive his cousins (in fact Arjuna volunteer's for it)? Why did Jesus rebuke Mary even while carrying the cross to his death, couldn't he have forgiven her? Or for that matter why doesn't God forgive us all and open the gates of heaven without any discriminating criteria? Wouldn't it be much more easy to forgive everyone for their sins? (especially for God in this case).

Leave God, among human beings Gandhi is one key apostle who both preached and practiced forgiveness and non-violence through his ideal of Sathyagraha. When a girl once approached Gandhiji in Kolkata and asked him, "Bapu, you talk about forgiving and non-violent behavior; what should I do if when I am crossing the lane to my house, the guys tease me and touch me where they shouldn't. Gandhi's unequivocal response was, "Beti, I would advice you to take out your slipper and beat them, irrespective of consequences".

Sometimes, forgive is just a word. It means nothing. Because the opposing entity is too big. And treason is probably as big as it could get.

I am a good friend but a better enemy.