Nuggets of Sholay: Six - Ghoda Ghas Se Dosti Karle To Khayega Kya?

Back to muhavras. And this time (the sixth of this series), I've chosen a proverb that is profound indeed. In many ways, it teaches us the meaning of life. I've also tried to give the origin a creative twist. Hope no one is offended.

Muhavra: Ghoda Ghas Se Dosti Karle To Khayega Kya? (घोड़ा घास से दोस्ती करले तो खाएगा क्या ?) 

This occurs when Basanti is dropping off Jai and Veeru to Thakur sahab's house in Ramgarh. At (46m), Veeru offers her the Rs. 2 fare, as agreed at the start of the trip, but Basanti says that although she doesn't feel like taking the fare from the goodfellas, but if the horse befriends grass, how will it survive? One of the meanings of the proverb is that if you provide a service, don't do it for free. But there is a larger, more profound meaning. And that meaning is hidden in the Mahabharata, more specifically, the Bhagvad Gita. Here's the story.

Before the battle, Arjuna sees that the Kauravas, despite being the enemy, are also littered with his cousins, fathers, grandfathers, teachers, brothers, uncles, grandsons, in-laws and friends. He casts away his bow and arrows and sits in the chariot in the middle of the battlefield, asking Krishna how can he fight.

Krishna advising Arjuna on his dharma

In the process of convincing him, Krishna lays out essentially a philosophy for living, and accordingly, Krishna tells Arjuna that his dharma in this life is to be a warrior and if he doesn't fight them, how will the good and justice win? He is at the battlefield and the Kauravas are the enemy, no more no less.

In this context, Krishna gives Arjuna the example of horses and grass. That if the horse befriends grass, how will it survive? "Just as the horse views grass, so should you view Kauravas as your enemy, O Arjuna, no more, no less", exhorts Krishna.

That was the nugget. Samjhe ke nahin? Agar achha laga to comment kijiye. Agar achha nahin laga to lament kijiye.

Goodbye, aadab and namaste.