Love Amidst Home

The home is not defined by bricks or mortar. It's a place where human emotions and memories dwell, where the love and laughter of childhood, the embrace of family, the aspirations of youth, and the solace of old age are cherished. The essence of a home lies in personal connections and individual experiences, unaffected by societal or national influences. It's where one's behavior is shaped, where the ambiance and circumstances within the family and its members' conduct remain unaffected. Indeed, a person's behavior is ingrained within the home. It reflects their interests and inclinations, and resonates with their true essence. Often, when I see someone feeling downcast or distressed, I say, "This person lacks the love of home."

Let me tell you about my dear, elderly aunt. She's a paragon of kindness and generosity. Every morning and evening, she recites prayers and attends the ceremonies at the Gurudwara. She can't bear to see anyone in pain. Her heart is so tender and pure that she empathizes with others, providing solace and comfort at every opportunity. Children find solace in her presence. However, she struggles with anger issues. She gets irritated easily and withdraws into herself when upset. Despite her outward composure, it's evident that she lacks the affection and love of a home. Her husband abandoned her in her youth, leaving her with the responsibility of raising their children alone. No one ever said to her, "Dear, how are you feeling?"

I have seen many great storytellers who captivate audiences with their tales of wisdom and wit, leaving them in awe of their intellect and knowledge. But if someone in distress or in need were to approach them, they might have to wait for hours before getting an audience. And even if they do meet, there's often a lack of genuine concern and affection. The reason behind this callousness? Simply put, these individuals never experienced the warmth and affection of a loving home. Their lives are empty and devoid of meaning, despite their intellectual prowess and knowledge.

These renowned philosophers and writers often mold the lives of great leaders and prophets according to their own flawed principles, attributing their greatness to their upbringing and the love and support they received from their families. They narrate the lives of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in such a way that they seem to have been influenced by their childhood experiences from an early age. They discuss the essential experiences of childhood, such as innocence, curiosity, sibling affection, and the joy of companionship, which are essential for ordinary people. Through their experiences, they learn to navigate the complexities of life and find fulfillment. They also learn to appreciate the love and sacrifices of their family members, which serve as a constant source of inspiration and motivation for them to strive for excellence and make sacrifices. If these writers realized the profound impact a loving family environment can have, they would surely acknowledge and appreciate the sacrifices made by the ancestors of these great personalities. The life story of Guru Nanak Dev Ji is so captivating that it evokes deep emotions and excitement from within me. The sight of Guru Ji leaving home on his travels, with tears streaming down his face, touches me deeply. His mother, Mata Tripta Ji, stands by, bidding him farewell, her heart filled with both pride and sorrow. If anyone wants to witness the sacrifice and resilience of a mother, they should read this account. Mata Ji watches her son depart with a heavy heart, yet with every word of affection and blessing she utters, she instills in him a sense of duty and compassion. She imparts her wisdom through poignant verses and profound words of love, which resonate with her son long after he leaves. When she sees her son off, tears well up in her eyes, and she is unable to hold back her emotions. In that moment, when she speaks tender words of affection, her love transcends all barriers and touches her son's soul.

Due to increasing corruption these days, the decline in the standard of living and the increase in market-oriented living, many are opting for clubs and hotels to spend their lives instead of adhering to traditional values at home. People are becoming more inclined towards living in clubs and hotels, neglecting the influence of home-based virtues. Children and teenagers spend their time with gadgets and TVs rather than engaging in activities at home. It is evident that qualities like home responsibility, family honor, and sweetness and humility are diminishing among people, which are only cultivated through home-based practices. Regarding boys and students, complaints are made about their declining moral values and numerous vices prevailing in society. Hence, there is a preference for boarding over homes. Boys leaving home at an early age to live in boarding schools miss out on the virtues of home life, such as modesty, empathy, and respect, which are only nurtured through home-based practices. They are unable to maintain connections with relatives and cannot instill moral values in their siblings or children. Traditional religious life's foundation can be maintained in home-based living. However, due to the declining interest in homes, religious living has become a mere formality. Religion has shifted from homes to markets. People consider religious earnings as simply attending prayers or lectures or reciting prayers daily. The practice of studying with daughters and sons at home or reciting prayers is rarely seen. However, true religious interest can only be instilled in someone who actively engages with family members to nurture religious values or remembers God. Those who wish to abandon domestic life and pursue spiritual pursuits find it as challenging as a farmer trying to sow seeds in the air. Many great souls, despite having a family life, renounce it due to the struggle of maintaining religious or ethical standards. Even though they read stories, they fail to learn about the virtues of sacrifice, service, and devotion until they develop a bond with family members and put effort into nurturing those values. Love for home is the foundation of love for society and the nation. Only those who have affection for their homes can resist attacks or atrocities on their nation. I love Hindustan as much as I love my own humble village and the dear ones who reside there. I remember when I used to study in Rawalpindi, I would visit my village every Sunday. Before embracing the village, I would stop at the village's boundary and mentally prepare to immerse myself in its embrace. Even on the way back, I would keep looking back at the village. How lovely is the village! And my relatives residing there are even dearer.

This Story is Ghar da Piar ( Punjabi Essay ) Written By Principal Teza Singh and Translated into English By Me