This too shall pass!

Idhuvum kadanthu pogum. This phrase reminds me of a story that I read in a weekly Tamil magazine long ago. I believe I can transcribe without altering the theme of the story.

Once upon a time, there lived a king, (lol, I was trying to be a real storyteller). The king had wide territory under him, enough wealth, many wives, powerful soldiers, etc., yet something was disturbing him and he was not at peace. So he called out for his cabinet poets and the members to assemble.

The king began, “I know, you must have created vast numbers of literature and read too. I want you’ll to come up with a solution that will help me in any kind solution to peace or to feel at ease. He also announced that whoever comes up with a solution, will be honored with sovereigns.

All the crew members were trying very hard to come up with a phrase and are on the verge of giving up. Meanwhile, an age-old servant at the palace stood forward to help him out. The king was quite shocked as the well-known poets were struggling hard to bring out a solution and questioned him.

The servant said “I have been working here since from father time, your highness. During that time, many renowned poets visited the palace and stayed here for a few days. I was instructed to look after their needs. One of the poets was satiated and offered me the palm leaves with some writings on them. The poet said, “Open them when you face turmoil”. The servant continued, Your Highness, you have been taking care of me so well and I haven’t faced any such situations so far that leads me to unfold them. I would like you to have them, Your highness. Please accept these palm leaves.

The king accepted and kept the folded palm leaves in his ring. Days and months passed, and his territory was captured by his enemies. His palace was captured and the army was killed. The King had to flee to the mountains as he was chased. He was scatterbrained and realized that his legacy came to end and to be assassinated in a few hours. Then he remembers saying to his old servant. He looks at the folded palm leaves in the ring and unfolds them. King notices the only three words and wonders how that will help in the current situation. He reads them aloud.

 "idhuvum kadandhu pogum" (This too shall pass)

The King was confused and sat down on a rock. He began to chant those words. Sun began to set and the day came to end. The opponents couldn’t find him in the dense mountain and they left.

He understood that they had left. The king camouflaged among the tribal people and begins to prepare his troops for months. The king along with his prepared troops attacks the opponent and recaptures his Kingdom again.

The coronation ceremony was about to begin, and all the members of the palace were rejoicing about the king’s arrival.

The old servant approached the king and said, Your highness, I am sorry and I forgot to mention one more thing said by the poet. The king was on cloud nine, as that phrase helped him out in those difficulties and he was happy to hear what the servant was going to say.

The servant continued, “Use them even when you’re blissed out” your highness, and left. The king was again perplexed and realized that he was overjoyed for his victory. He takes out the folded palm leaves and reads them aloud again.

"idhuvum kadandhu pogum" (This too shall pass)

This time, the phrase which helped him during the bad times blew a cold breeze on his face. The king understood the real meaning of the phrase and gifted the sovereigns to that servant.

There is no such thing as bad life or good life. Every period stays for some time and that will eventually pass. We are all in different phases of our life. Some might be content with what they do, some might be looking for a change, praying for good health, getting funds for their startup, moving on after a breakup, waiting for a yes from their BF/GF, to enter into a good college, to get placed in good company, etc.

Hold on tight, This too shall pass!

I believe this phrase will help us during the lows to lift us and also stay humble during our victories.

Cheers, Have a blast on the weekends!

PS: There is a poem on Even this will pass away – Theodore Tilton