Arvind Singh Mewar - Maharana Udaipur plays custodian
Balancing the material and spiritual
It’s not easy to comprehend the responsibilities that come with my office as the 76th custodian of the House of Mewar.
The 76th Maharana of Mewar, His Highness, Shreeji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur has seen it all – riches, responsibilities, and personal initiative to improve the state of affairs.
He shares his perspective on life and how he balances his wealth and responsibilities. A custodian as he calls himself in this conversation with The Times of India may be well, a simple way of dealing with it all…
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 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, paintings, objects d’art – these material possessions can be catalogued and their worth calculated, but beyond all this glitter lies a world governed by the principles of custodian-ship.
In this timeless zone, one gets to realize 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, thee pleasures are momentary.
For me the privilege of unveiling the world’s largest collection of crystal is as satisfying as maintaining ancient temples and preserving the living heritage of my ancestors. I am as content performing the duties of a head priest of our kul devta Eklingji, 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!