Open the floodgates, release the love

Thirukkural with the Times explores real-world lessons from the classic Tamil text ‘Thirukkural’. Written by Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar, the Kural consists of 1,330 short couplets of seven words each. This text is divided into three books with teachings on virtue, wealth, and love and is considered one of the great works ever on ethics and morality. The Kural has influenced scholars and leaders across social, political, and philosophical spheres.Motivational speaker, author and diversity champion Bharathi Bhaskar explores the masterpiece.For me, the best moment in the T20 win of the Indian team was not the impeccable catch by Surya Kumar Yadhav to dismiss South Africa’s Miller or Virat Kohli’s 76 runs. It was the exhibition of emotions by the macho cricketers—Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma and even Kohli all of whom broke into tears.From a young age, boys are taught to be stoic, that crying is a ‘girl thing'. But history tells us that real men do cry, and its chronicles are full of weeping men! In Homer's Iliad, Achilles, the great warrior, rolls on the ground and cries when Patroclus dies. The Ramayana depicts Ram crying over Sita's separation. The Bible records the tears of Jesus Christ.During Danish queen Margrethe II's recent abdication, her son King Frederik X wept. Instead of mocking it, the Danish media praised him.One night, Bharathiyar's wife Chellamma woke up to see her husband crying inconsolably. She panicked but found that he was writing a poem about Indian women who were abducted to work in sugarcane plantations in Fiji. Their plight made the poet cry, and he composed one of his most memorable songs – Karumbu thottathile.'I have seen tennis player Roger Federer in tears each time he wins or loses. When he played his final match alongside Rafael Nadal in a doubles event, Nadal, his fierce rival, sobbed too.When Lionel Messi cried as he stepped up to the podium to announce his departure from his favourite team, the world was stunned.The tears that Barack Obama shed when he spoke about gun control in 2016 were seen as a sign of sincerity, not weakness.So, dear men, cry! It’s ok not to be ok.Tears are an essential part of our body. I was surprised to learn that there are three different kinds of tears: Medically, crying is considered a self-soothing mechanism that activates the parasympathetic nervous system.I am a proud member of a 'crying club'. We are a vast, unregistered society prevalent globally. What unites us is that we don’t control our tears. The supreme sense of relief we get after each crying session is heavenly. It rejuvenates us, triggers us into action, and puts us in rest mode. Crying connects us to the point where we started our journey on earth, when we were born.Thiruvalluvar considered crying as gender neutral. Tears that emanate from the soul indicate that the person is in love. No latch can hold back the affection that unchain the barriers.It was interesting to watch not only the T20 winners but all those who love them crying — their beloveds, families, coaches, fans and in fact, the whole nation.Every teardrop is a manifestation of love. If one doesn't know love, they wouldn't know how to cry either.Anbirkkum undo adaikkum thaazh? arvalarPunkaneer poosal tharum.(Where is the bolt that can shut the gate of love? Teardrops of the loversWill proclaim the love that is within.)Audio Production: Sahil GuptaIllustration: Shinod AkkaraparambilVoice your thoughts! Email us at [email protected]