India, June 13 -- I am not very good at Sanskrit. Never have been. But these three words, Nindak Niyare Rakhiye, from a doha by Kabir, have been entrenched in my mind. Quite possibly because the words used are easily understandable to a person familiar with both Hindi and English.

When I was a child, I read a story. Like many old Hindi stories, it featured two brothers - Ramu and Shyamu. Both were all-rounders and exceptionally good in all spheres of life. Their family members and relatives were full of praise for them. The elder brother always encouraged the younger one, but at the same time offered constructive criticism. The idea was to guide him.

One day, the younger sibling confronted him, questioning his criticism. To this, the el...