"I can wait, I can fast, I can think"

The statement is from 'Siddhartha', the classic novel by Hermann Hess, a German Nobel laureate. I have read it in three languages. Gujarati, Hindi and English at different ages.In Gujarati I read when I was of 13, In Hindi around 19 or 20, in English I read it recently at 38. Originally it is written in German. I would love to read it in German, obviously after learning it. It's one of all time great for me. When I was in Lokbharti, Sanosara. Prof. Ayyangar who was vice chancellor of Gujarat Vidhyapith at that time, visited Lokbharti for a function. In his speech he said "jis ka nind or bhukh par kabu nahi hai, woh kabhi rishi nahi ban sakta'. Let's say ability to fast is at the core of many religious processes and even holds such high place in Jainism. It's all about having control over yourself, your wishes and pleasures. It is about establishing the authority over oneself. I think fasting is way to get control over one's internal being and patience gives you control over external factors. How much you can wait for anything, is at the core of winning or getting something done. It's not about doing nothing and just waiting, it is about not being defeated at any cost and keep working for the decided aim. Patience gives you power over everyone. A person who can wait, can bring bigger changes in the world and a person who can fast can change one's self. A person who can think, can observe, evaluate and evolve him/her self. Can think about the creator and creation. Thinking what makes us human. And If one person can do all three...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLySVbEL5VM