Having a visitor come and stay for Diwali last week was very special. Not just because, after all the recent constraints different company was so welcome, but because the visitor was someone with whom there has been a connection since teenage years.
Of course, the word in English is 'friend.' Friendship is a profound and valuable commodity, and despite our having lived half a world apart for most of our adult lives due to my migration to Australia, the bond never broke. Stretched, slackened a bit over time and distance perhaps, but never broken. The solid foundation of friendship laid down all those decades ago has served to rebuild and reconnect after my repatriation to Scotland.
On reminding myself of the Sanskrit word, you will not be surprised to hear that there are over forty available!!! I am opting, on this occasion though, to use सौहृदय / sauhRdaya - which translates as 'cordial friendship,' but is derived from 'saura' which pertains to the sun (solar), and hRdaya, meaning 'heart.' This truly reflects the depth and value of this friendship. It requires the ability to overlook the differences between us and keep hold of those things which unite us. Our adult lives took us in directions and through experiences that only each can know, yet there is a similarity of phases and interests to provide neutral territory and new ground for exploration. There is the will and desire to keep the bond strong - but not restrictive. There is Love of the capital 'ell' variety which nourishes, encourages, entertains, sustains and heals, not permitting any rifts to fester.
It is something the nations of the world could do with dosing on, one feels. So many places appear to be undermining the positives and seeking only to dig out the negatives. To be critical and condemning. There is a use and abuse of connections of those who could be friends and allies, making of them instead indifferent acquaintances (at best) or potential enemies (at worst).
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