"Esurient For Knowledge, I've Not Learnt To Be Complacent Even For A Moment"

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 29 February 2024 "Esurient for knowledge, I've not learnt to be complacent even for a moment..." Jalandhar-born British novelist Lawrence Durrell "Wusa't-E-Samandar-E-Ilm Bhala Kya Kahoon Ek Qatrah Bhi Shayad Haasil Na Ho Saka" (How shall I explain the expanse of the ocean of knowledge?/ Even a drop couldn't be achieved out of it) "Jahaan-e-Ilm Mein Kaamyaab Ke Liye Inki Saari Shart-e-Na Guzeer Hai" Ghalib's advice to his friend and student Altaaf Hussain Hali 'Panipati' (Humility is a sine qua non to succeed in the world of knowledge) When I first came across the popular slogan, 'stay hungry, stay foolish,' it appeared to be rather preposterous to me. But when I mulled over this pithy slogan, I found it to be very meaningful. What it means is, 'stay hungry' for knowledge and learning new things. The second part, 'stay foolish' needs a little enumeration. If you think that you know a lot, you'll not learn anything further. To acquire knowledge or wisdom, one has to be humble to imbibe the spirit of Socratic wisdom that I know nothing. Those who're too clever by half, end up learning and gaining cipher. Here, the phrase 'stay foolish' connotes humility. Humility is the key to wisdom. Hubris nullifies, dilutes and finally deletes it. When the demon-king Ravan was dying, Ram urged his younger brother Lakshman to go and acquire the Swan Song of wisdom from Ravan, who was certainly a man of erudition. Lakshman went and stood near the head of the dying Ravan. Ravan said nothing and gestured to send Ram. Ram came and stood near the feet of Ravan. "This is the first lesson of acquiring wisdom: Be humble, "Ravan said to Lakshman. " I'm vanquished and mortally wounded by your elder brother. Yet, he came and stood near my feet. But you came and stood near my head. How can you expect any wisdom from me? Your arrogance is an impediment to learning. But Ram's humility is a catalyst to gaining more wisdom. He's ready to learn even from his sworn enemy." This episode in the Valmiki Ramayana explains the quote, 'Stay Hungry, Stay Fool.' Two lessons can be learnt from it. First, knowledge or wisdom can be gained from anyone even if that person happens to be your foe. Secondly, there must be a humble openness to learning and acquiring new things. Wisdom from all sources and direction is always welcome and the utmost humbleness is a conduit to learning further. So, stay hungry, stay open and stay forever willing to learn from anything and anyone. That's the crux of a meaningful and sagacious existence. By the way, Stay Hungry Stay Foolish is a 2008 book by the Indian non-fiction author Rashmi Bansal. ------ A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/esurient-knowledge-complacent/d/131818 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism