By Vimal Kapoor
Himachal Pradesh is well known for its scintillating natural beauty; in its remote part lies the beautiful ancient village of ‘Malana’. Isolated and steeped in tradition, Malana was known for its unique customs and the revered ‘Jamlu Devta’ temple. At the helm of this hallowed place stood Pandit Shivprashad, the head pandit, a man of profound wisdom with a flowing white beard and eyes that sparkled like unpolluted streams of Malana. Every evening, under the golden rays of the setting sun, villagers gathered at the temple courtyard to hear his discourses on the ways of life—lessons drawn from ancient scriptures.
One crisp autumn morning in 2018, as the first snowflakes settled on the pine trees, Pandit Shivprashad’s ten-year-old son, Shyam, tugged at his father’s saffron kurta. Shyam was a curious boy with bright eyes and a mop of unruly black hair, always following his father during temple rituals. “Father,” he asked innocently, his voice echoing in the quiet temple hall, “How does a man become great? Like the kings in your stories or the sages who lived in the mountains?”
Panditji paused from arranging the puja offerings and smiled warmly, his face creased with lines of experience. He knelt to Shyam’s level, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “My dear son, greatness is not granted; it is earned. Come; let us plant two trees to understand this better.” Together, they selected two young saplings from the village nursery—sturdy Himalayan oaks, of same quality, symbols of resilience in the harsh mountain terrain.
The first sapling they planted in the covered verandah of their modest stone house, sheltered by thick wooden beams and thatched roof, protected from the biting winds and relentless rains. The second, they placed in an open plot near the house, exposed to the vast sky, where the sun blazed in summer and snow fell in winter. As they patted the soil, Shyam pondered aloud, “Father, surely the tree in the verandah will be sturdier. It will be safe from the storms and the cold.”
Panditji chuckled softly, wiping the earth from his hands. “We shall see, Shyam. Today, you leave for higher studies in the town of Kullu, where you will learn from great teachers. When you return after seven years, you will have your answer.” Shyam’s eyes widened with excitement and a tinge of sadness. That afternoon, with a small bundle on his back, he bid farewell to his father and the village, embarking on a journey down the winding paths to the world beyond Malana’s shelter.
Years rolled by. In Malana, the seasons painted the landscape in cycles of bloom and barrenness. The sheltered tree in the verandah grew slowly, its branches thin and pale, reaching feebly toward the dim light filtering through the roof. Deprived of the sun’s full embrace and the rain’s nourishment, it remained stunted, its leaves yellow and drooping, as if longing for something more. Panditji tended to it faithfully, watering it by hand, but nature’s laws were steadfast—it could not flourish in isolation.
Meanwhile, the tree in the open plot faced the fury of the elements. Fierce monsoons lashed its tender shoots, uprooting weaker plants nearby. Blistering summers scorched its bark, and winters buried it under heavy snow, bending its limbs to the breaking point. Yet, with each trial, it adapted. Roots delved deeper into the rocky soil for stability, branches thickened to withstand the gales, and leaves broadened to capture every ray of sunlight. By the third year, it stood tall, providing shade to weary travelers and a perch for mountain birds. Villagers marveled at its vigour, often seeking Panditji’s blessings beneath its canopy during weekends.
In Kullu, Shyam’s life was quite similar to the outdoor tree’s journey. Far from home, he encountered hardships that tested his spirit. The busy town overwhelmed him at first—crowded hostels, rigorous lessons in mathematics, history, and philosophy, and the pain of homesickness. He faced failures: a poor exam score that made him question his worth, friendships that cracked under misunderstandings and even a severe illness during a harsh winter when funds were low. But with each setback, Shyam grew. He studied harder, formed deeper bonds, and learned to navigate life’s uncertainties. Letters from his father arrived intermittently, filled with temple anecdotes but never spoiling the lesson awaiting him.
In the spring of 2025, Shyam returned to Malana as a handsome young man of seventeen, his frame tall and strong, his eyes reflecting the wisdom of experience. Upon embracing his father, whose beard was now fully white, Shyam wasted no time. “Father, I am still waiting for your reply. How does a person become great?”
Panditji led him silently to the verandah. There stood the indoor tree, limp and frail, its trunk barely thicker than a child’s arm, leaves yellowing from neglect of the wild world. “Observe this one, protected from every storm,” he said. Then, he guided Shyam outside to the open plot. The outdoor tree loomed majestically, its branches spreading like welcoming arms, roots anchoring it firmly against the mountain winds. Birds nested in its foliage, and its bark bore scars from past tempests, yet it radiated strength.
“See, my son,” Panditji explained, his voice steady as the surrounding mountains, “the tree shielded from harsh elements remained weak, for it never learned to endure. But the one exposed to sun, rain, snow, and gales grew strong, its trials shaping its might. So it is with man. Greatness comes not from ease and protection, but from facing life’s harsh truths—failures, losses, and adversities. They temper the soul, deepen the roots of character, and elevate one to withstand any storm. You, too, have returned stronger from your journeys.”
Shyam bowed his head; a profound understanding dawned upon him. “Father, I have the answer now,” he whispered, gratitude swelling in his heart. From that day, Shyam joined his father in the temple discourses, sharing tales of resilience that inspired the villagers. And the mighty oak outside continued to grow stronger with every passing year.
(Vimal Kapoor, a Dehradun resident, is passionate about literature, creative writing, cricket and exploration through travel)
