happy thoughts

Grandmother sat beneath the neem tree, reciting Avvaiyar's verses to her grandson. "Happiness blooms within," she whispered, her weathered hands gesturing softly. The boy listened, absorbing wisdom older than centuries. Years later, inspired by Swami Paramarthananda's teachings, he understood those words differently. True reward wasn't acclaim or praise—it was the quiet joy of helping others, of thinking kindly before speaking harshly. He returned home, sitting where Grandmother once sat, sharing those same verses with his own child. The tree stood witness, as it always had, to happiness passing between generations, binding their souls to something eternal and sacred.