Madhushala - Rubaiya 20

बजी न मंदिर में घड़ियाली,
baji na mandir me ghadiyaali,
चढी न प्रतिमा पर माला,
chadhi na pratima par maalaa,
बैठा अपने भवन मुअज़्ज़िन
baitha apne bhavan muezzin
देकर मस्जिद में ताला,
dekar masjid me taalaa,
लुटे खज़ाने नरपतियों के
lute khazaane narpatiyon ke
गिरीं गढों की दीवारें;
giri gadhon kee deewaren,
रहे मुबारक पीनेवाले,
rahe mubarak peenewaale,
खुली रहे यह मधुशाला
khuli rahe yah madhushaalaa


In the next four verses (20 through 23), Bachchan talks about the impermanence of things we hold dear, while life (the circle of life, really) is the only thing that stays permanent. The madhushala represents life, which goes on merrily, without worrying about whether a particular drinker comes or not. It is "no respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34-35), but stays open for ever and for ever, serving whoever visits it.


Temples and mosques may close down; wealth may be won and lost; and forts may crumble - but life goes on for ever.


In my own mind, this is why it is so important to live life fully. The only spirituality is harmonious living; staying with the flow; becoming vulnerable; swimming with the current. Everything else - every form of striving, of working to change, is a form of acquisitiveness: and what you acquire will always be taken away. Only participation in life cannot be taken away - when you participate in life, you become life. There is nothing more. Nothing.