Is he a good man?
BALRAM HALWAI
What Defines A Good Person?
*according to thesaurus.com
LOVED
POLITE
SCHOLAR
ARISTOCRAT
NOBLE
ANGEL
SAINT
MARTYR
A Bad Person Would Be Opposite?
*according to thesaurus.com
hated
LOVED
rude
POLITE
vaishyas
ARISTOCRAT
murderer
SAINT
devil
ANGEL
half-baked
SCHOLAR
common
NOBLE
balram
MARTYR
Polite | rude
1. Balram observes the etiquette and manners of his betters.
page | 253
I was smelling coffee on a daily basis. I was dying to try it out.
But before you could drink it, you had to know how to drink it.
There was an etiquette, a routine, associated with it that fascinated me.
2. Balram is only rude because of his ignorance.
page | 128
Why had my father never told me not to scratch my groin?
Why had my father never taught me to brush my teeth in milky foam?
Why had he raised me to live like an animal?
Loved | hated
1. Balram was loved by his father.
page | 19
My father was a poor man, but he was a man on honor and courage.
I wouldn’t be here, under the chandelier, if not for his guidance.
2. Balram’s family uses love as a tool for manipulation.
page | 224
Letter from Kusum:
Also we have decided to arrange for your wedding on our own, and if you do
not come here, we will send the girl to you by bus.
I say these things not to threaten you but out of love.
Scholar| half-baked
1. Balram desires knowledge.
page | 60
I absorbed everything- that’s the amazing thing about entrepreneurs.
We are like sponges- we absorb and grow.
2. Balram has gained his education through observation.
page | 259
Now, despite my amazing success story, I don’t want to lose contact with the
places where I got my real education in life. The road and pavement.
Noble| common
1. Balram is unique.
page | 30
You, young man, are an intelligent, honest, vivacious fellow in this
crowd of thugs and idiots. In any jungle, what is the rarest of animalsthe creature that comes along only once in a generation?
The white tiger.
2. Balram mimics the noble in appearance.
page | 128
I was sure the guard in front of the door would challenge me and say, No,
you’re not allowed in, even with a pair of black shoes and a T-shirt that is
mostly white with just one English word on it.
Angel | devil
1. Balram is a guiding spirit.
page | 159
Lord Krishna – another of history’s famous chauffeurs – stops the chariot
he is driving and give his passenger some excellent advice on life and
death. Like Krishna I philosophized – I joked – I even sang a song – all to
make Mr. Ashok feel better.
2. Balram rejects being a servant.
page | 75
God says: I am powerful. I am huge. Become my servant again.
Devil says: Ha!
I see the little man in the khaki uniform spitting at God again and again…
Saint | murderer
1. Balram expounds his virtues.
page | 50-51
I am a good driver, sir. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I don’t steal.
I don’t disrespect God, I don’t disrespect my family.
I don’t gossip about my masters, I don’t steal, I don’t blaspheme.
2. Balram is trying to make amends.
page | 262
It’s just that here (Bangalore), if a man wants to be good, he can be good.
In Laxmangarh, he doesn’t even have this choice.
That is the difference between this India and that India: the choice.
Bhagavad Gita: Good Characteristics
Intelligence
Spiritual vision
Victory over delusion
Patient forgiveness
Truth
Self-harmony
Peacefulness
Simple austerity
Generosity
-Lesson 10 pg 47
Bhagavad Gita: Bad Characteristics
Selfish
Arrogant
Violent
Angry
Lust
Pride
Insolent
Insatiable desires
Delusions
-Lesson 16 pg 74
The Bhagavad Gita is telling us:
Humans are imperfect.
Human’s knowledge is incomplete.
God is required for men to see their potential.
God has given men dharma.
If humans seek knowledge the Gods will provide it.
What is Balram Halwai?
Is he a thief?
Is he an idealist?
Is he an opportunist?
Is he a revolutionary?
Is he a psychopath?
Is he a philosopher?
Martyr | balram halwai
Martyr: One who makes great sacrifices, or suffers much, in order to
further a belief, cause, or principle.
Is Balram a good man?
Additional References:
Polite & Rude | 137 155 157 173 237 252 259
Loved & Hated | 26 144 160 163
Scholar & Half-baked | pg 8 48 105 126 218 275
Noble & Common | 117 119 124 131 203 235
Angel & Devil | 37 147 159 167 196 208 210 271
Saint & Murderer | 58 77 140 183 205 219 245 273
Animal | 17 22 26 53 72 165 171 214 237 255
“You were looking for the key for years But the door was always open!” - 216