" Aukaat " Apani - Apani
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes 19 seconds- The (Hindi) word 'Aukaat 'is a very useful word - though currently much maligned, due its usage in a derogatory way.
- Many use it specifically to ' remind ' some one of his / her low standing , to denigrate , to humiliate - to express self , relative hierarchical superiority
- To me, whatever 'meaning ' - is what we attach to a word. Words by themselves are only neutral carriers - we load a meaning on them ; hence a word per say is neither good or bad , it's only an obedient tool to express what the master wants to
- Aukaat, actually is a very beautiful concept. To me , it is indicative of a ' Boundary ' … boundary in itself being neither good nor bad , it just defines the ' expanse ' & where it ends
- In life , to progress ; it is not much about what you don't have it is more about we knowing what we have , how much does it stretch & consequentially therefore , where does it end - exactly like little kingdoms we had earlier , each having its boundary ( Nations being little kjngdoms of today ) or ' territory ' of an animal in a jungle !
- For Peace & Progress, size was not as important as to know the boundary, so that there is at least no intentional encroachment into someone else's territory. Within each's own / independent territory each had enormous scope to create own 'Heavens '….. Didn't people in Singapore transformed, what was a small marshy land?
- The same is true for an individual, to know ‘what is there '& 'where it ends '. To excel in life it is not about what you don't have which is a barrier , but not knowing about it - which leads to misadventure & hence a disaster
- In fact it is my conviction that only when you (or only those who) know your 'play area ' & where it ends, is when you really excel. Those who lack this knowledge ( actual word - ' Awareness ' ) remain directionless , dabble in many things , often clueless ( like playing Darts in the dark with eyes closed ) and end up at much suboptimal levels , topped up with frustration - not because they lacked in ability , but because they did not know about their abilities & their limitations
- That is where I come back to the beautiful concept of " Aukaat " , which makes us aware of out\r boundaries / our limitations , so that we can play, within our play area maximizing on our strengths and thereby excel in whatever we do
- There are examples & examples of successful application of this concept - both Positive & Negative
- Sachin Tendulkar is a Glorious example of excelling in his strength area & not venturing beyond that boundary - it was wise for him to give up Captaincy to focus on & excel in Batting - Hundred 100s.
- On the other hand there is an example in Ramayana & Mahabharat of crossing Boundary & failing … Seeta Maiya crossed the boundary Lakshman drew for her ( Lakshman Rekha ) …. She would have been invincible by playing from within that boundary
- Abhimanyu - glorious example of valour , knew how to get into a Chakravyuh , did not know of how to get out - got killed ' crossing the line '
- In sum therefore, I have grown fond of & convinced about the Power of the concept of "Aukaat "…. It is a beautiful, potent word / concept.
- So I would encourage you to , instead of reminding someone else of his / her aukaat , it is more productive to get to know your own aukaat , because I am convinced that , only then you have a greater opportunity to excel , by playing within own aukaat . I have started practicing this.
- For those , still skeptical about ' playing within aukaat ' , let me hasten to clarify the trade off , between the Short term & Long term in pursuit of excellence is that : In the short term , best shot at excellence is playing within the boundary ; while simultaneously working on stretching boundaries for long term excellence
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