God chooses individuals to reach him not by worship but by work. Rajaji explains the similarities between ‘bhakti’ and ‘wisdom’, ‘devotion’ and ‘knowledge’ before the ‘Bhajagovindam’ rendering by the divine voice of MS. When knowledge matures and issues out in action, it transforms into ‘bhakti’. This however is human being’s finding of ultimate truth and there are few individuals who reached that peak ever. Whatever one does, if he or she can transform that into ‘bhakti’, there is not tunnel nor light after that, as they would’ve already reached that place. Personally there are only three individuals who reached that peak in their lives and proudly they are all Indian. Adi Sankara, Mahatma Gandhi and Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. While Gandhi took long to reach that place, both Sankara and Sachin had done it relatively quickly.

I am mere mortal to write about them nor qualified enough to win an argument, but one thing is certain that my understanding of those individuals gives me utmost happiness, without prejudice or price. Today marks Sachin’s entry into the official cricket world of 20 long years. There is no other individual ever born in the history of sports to have culminated to the point of what Sachin has, and achieved what he did, and I can bet my cents that I will not see such an individual in my lifetime. There were other peers and pasts who have adored this great game of Cricket but, no one had the ‘burden’ of Sachin.

It is that ‘burden’ that makes him THE INDIVIDUAL. If an entire nation can pause when he bats, it does not show what he is capable of, but shows his dignity and respect towards the work he does. He is worshiped not because he is an outstanding cricketer but for his honesty in what he does and the intent that carries on. Superlatives merely explain a man’s personality with lots of jujitsu, however a man’s passion is what drives him closer to the goal. He is a Godly figure across the world, but he seeks God in cricket than anywhere else. It is this divine relationship with the game that made him an unique personality hardly witnessed in our world. If individuals are credited with ‘man-of-the-match’ awards for performing better than the rest in a match, there would be no other person better than Sachin, who deserves ‘man-of-the-cricket’ award to have placed the game into billions of hearts.

Many argue and will continue to argue about this great man and will find weaknesses and dis-qualifications to satisfy and subdue their personal egos, but will fail and fall to their own persona. His humility is an example of being a MAN in a herd of people and his dedication will forever hold its high in its threshold. History had always been cruel to mankind, but rare gems like Sachin glorifies the time we pass and become part of it.

If Gandhi was a symbol of ‘simple’ truth, Sachin shall forever remembered as a ‘simple’ genius of cricket. Many follow the path of God but only few step along and our generation is gifted of having such a great man in its stride.