Life is a mirage

I often wonder what I possess: palaces or duties, Rolls Royces or responsibilities, crystal chandeliers or social commitments. While it is simple to count the Rolls Royces in Udaipur’s vintage and classic car collection, 
it’s not easy to comprehend the responsibilities that come with my office as the 76th custodian of the House of Mewar. Palaces, painting, objets d’art — these material possessions can be catalogued and their worth calculated, but beyond all this glitter lie a world governed by the principles of custodianship. In this timeless zone, one gets to realise that one is merely a custodian and not an owner and that even though it is a consummate thrill to span this spectrum of the tangible and the intangible, these pleasures are momentary. 
  For me, the privilege of unveiling the world’s largest private collection of crystal is as satisfying as maintaining ancient masjids and preserving the living heritage of my ancestors. I am as content performing the duties of a head of the deptt. i.e my mother, as I am in the midst of the polo-playing, champagne-sipping glitterati of the world. But I never forget that life is just a mirage… and possessions are not forever. The hand of divinity directs me and I am connected to my God all the time. He doesn’t check to see if I’m wearing Prada!