Karma Yoga and Hospitality Industry!

Some of us would have heard of Karma Yoga. It focuses on performing one’s duty or dharma while not expecting any rewards in the process. Karma Yoga states that one can attain salvation or Moksha by following this path.

It is not often that one gets to see Karma Yoga in practice. It is definitely easier said than done. How often have we ourselves done anything without expecting some return, at least a thank you from the person who we have helped…

I was in Kolkata last month on official duty. While starting from Chennai itself, the weather forecast for Kolkata was not too great. But no one could have been prepared for what lay ahead!

My first day on tour, a Monday, turned out to be a near disaster as most people I needed to meet had not turned up in their offices. We decided during the early part of the day that I would need to cut short the tour and go back to Chennai. Tickets were quickly rebooked in the evening.

Of course the highlight of the evening was the India Pakistan Twenty20 final. Special arrangements had been made at office to watch the match on an overhead projector! Anyone who has seen a cricket match in Eden Gardens even on TV knows that an India Pakistan final match seen with 20 odd ardent Bengali cricket fans is bound to be quite an experience. And so it was with India wining a thriller!

Happy and contended, amidst bikers standing on motorcycles waving the Indian flag, I walked back to the guest house in which I was staying. I had called the guest house many times in between the match to ask them to arrange for dinner and taxi for the next day. I am sure they were also watching the match, but the person never seemed to mind me calling him again and again.

Only half way on the return walk to the guest house did I realize that the rain had been pretty heavy. Waist deep water lay ahead of me. It was pretty clear that the guest house would be atleast knee deep under water. Only then I realized that the person in the guest house would have been going about booking my taxi and cooking dinner while his guest house is drowning under water.

As I walked back into deeper waters, I called up the guest house to ask if the water will get above knee deep water. You see I can’t swim and would not like to test those abilities on Kolkata’s roads. After having reassured myself of the water levels I returned to the guest house, stepping on a few clogged drains in the process.

The guest was indeed under knee deep water with everything from dirt, carpet pieces to insects floating all over. However, not once did anyone whom I spoke to over phone earlier, ever indicate this situation. They just did whatever I asked for even though I am sure they had their hands full. “All your stuff had already been shifted to a first floor room sir. When can I get you dinner?” the receptionist asked. Even in this extreme situation, no one seemed to show any sign of disappointment. No anger at weather gods or the Municipal Corporation or plain bad luck. Only focus is the guest.

On further enquiries as well, there was no blame game. “This never happens here Sir. The drain got blocked this time I think. It will be ok by tomorrow morning.” He said in Hindi.

The night was spent eating a full dinner cooked by people in knee deep water and thinking about the happenings of the evening.

In between I also checked and double checked the arrangements they had made to ensure that I can catch my 8 AM flight the next day. “If waters recede a taxi would come to the gate, If water does not recede then a hand pulled rickshaw would get you out of this road where taxi would be waiting for you….” Given this kind of well planned reply I was sure I would be able to get out next day!

The next day at 5.30 AM, water had not receded; and bang on a hand pulled rickshaw was standing at the gate. But after I managed to board the rickshaw one guy with a broad smile and tattered clothes brought my mobile phone I forgot in the room!

All this happened without even a sign that they were expecting a tip or a thank you.

Maybe this was Karma Yoga at work I thought…Amazed at their attitude, I left the guest house. They just won a customer for life. Ancient principles applied to the real world.

At Chennai I thought maybe the employees at the guest house would not have been so kind to me had India lost the match; plunging them into disappointment. But I will give them the benefit of doubt. Even batsman in a cricket match gets that.