The Magic of a 'Horegallu

Why We All Need One (And Need to Be One)

​Hello there, fellow travelers on this journey called life!

​Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by your daily routine, your worries, or your responsibilities that you just wanted to pause and put everything down for a moment? We all carry invisible backpacks filled with stress, expectations, and anxieties.

​Today, I want to share a beautiful concept I came across in Sudha Murty’s heartwarming book, The Old Man and His God. It’s a simple word, but it holds a profound life lesson: Horegallu.

​What is a Horegallu?

​Literally translated, horegallu means "a stone that can bear weight". In many Indian villages, you will find these large, flat stones placed horizontally over two vertical ones, usually under the comforting shade of a massive banyan tree.

​For weary travelers walking miles in the scorching sun with heavy loads on their heads, a horegallu is a blessing. It provides a place to sit, put down their physical burden, drink some cool water from a nearby earthen pot, and regain their strength before continuing their journey.

​The 'Human Horegallus'

​In her anecdote, Sudha Murty beautifully shifts the meaning of a horegallu from a physical stone bench to a human being. She talks about two people in her life who acted as human horegallus:

• ​Her Grandfather: A retired schoolteacher who spent his days sitting under the village banyan tree, listening patiently to the villagers talk about their daily struggles, weather, and trivial worries. He didn't offer magical solutions; he just offered them a safe space to vent.

• ​Her Colleague, Ratna: A middle-aged, ever-smiling senior clerk who spent her lunch hours listening to the troubles of her co-workers. When asked if she solved their problems, Ratna simply said, "I only listen".

​The Art of Active, Non-Judgmental Listening

​What makes a human horegallu so special? It’s not their ability to fix things. It’s their ability to listen with empathy, patience, and most importantly, without any judgment.

​When people are going through a tough time, they usually aren't looking for advice or a lecture. They are looking for an emotional outlet. By simply lending an ear, a human horegallu helps lighten the emotional load of others. Ratna believed that when a person finds an outlet for their worries, it relieves half their burden, giving them the strength to pick themselves up and carry on.

​Why We Need Horegallus Today

​In our fast-paced, digital world, everyone is talking, posting, and broadcasting, but very few are actually listening. We are constantly rushing from one milestone to the next, accumulating stress along the way. We desperately need human horegallus—a trusted friend, a partner, or a colleague—with whom we can let our guard down and unload our worries.

​Moreover, we need to become horegallus for the people around us.

• ​Be present: When someone talks to you, put your distractions away. Give them your undivided attention.
• ​Don't interrupt with solutions: Sometimes, an empathetic "I hear you, and that sounds incredibly hard" is much better than a step-by-step action plan.
• ​Keep their trust: A true horegallu never gossips or breaks the confidence of the person sharing their burden. It is a sacred, selfless act.

​Final Thoughts

​Sudha Murty's grandfather wisely said that a horegallu is essential in any journey. We all carry burdens according to our situations and capacities. But every once in a while, we need to stop, put down that burden, and rest.

So, I ask you today: Who is the horegallu in your life? And more importantly, are you a horegallu for someone else?

​Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

#Sudha Murty, #Horegallu, #Active Listening, #Empathy, #Life Lessons, #Mental Wellbeing, #Personal Growth, #Indian Wisdom, #The Old Man and His God, #Mindfulness