GOVARDHAN
With the firm belief and an ardent prayer, me started the blog “Ranga Ruminates”. My blog would not be in a sequence. There would be forward and reverse drives, as me ruminates over the various events.
Govardhan comes in the forward drive to the year 2006. Me was worried about my daughter’s marriage and a stable employment for her. Perhaps the strife and struggle that went through my left were following her too.
For a hot cup of filter coffee, Mr Bhan Singh dropped into our home. Occasionally Bhan Singh confers this honour on us. Bhan Singh’s forefathers belong to Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. Bhan Singh was born and brought up in Chennai and he represents the third or fourth generation. Tamil has become his mother tongue.
“What is it worrying you? Why don’t you go to Govardhan for a parikrama? (perambulaton). Your problems would be solved!” Bhan Singh was non-stop as if this is an annunciation of Lord Krishna, the presiding deity of Govardhan. The firm belief is that Lord Krishna was cajoling me through Bhan Singh.
A brief profile of Shri Govardhan. Govardhan is a Hindu religious pilgrim center located near Mathura, Uttar Prades, India. The perambulation (parikrama) of Govardhan and Shri Radha Khund would come around to 25 Kms from the starting point to the end. The perambulation (parikrama) has to be done bare feet according to the custom and the practice. The perambulation (parikrama) has to be done in the night of 14th day of waxing moon (chaturdasi or chaudas) and to be completed on the 15th day of waxing moon (Purnima or Pournami). A dip either in Shri Radha Khund or Manasa Ganga is customary. Offer obeisance in “Charan Mandir” i.e. a temple devoted to the Lotus Feet of Lord Krishna. Seeing is believing. One has to visit and see the lakhs and lakhs of pilgrims performing this perambulation with the devotion and dedication. Aged people and small children perform this perambulation (parikrama). The old adage says unless Lord Krishna blesses one, this parikrama (perambulation) performance may not materialize.
Well, me have decided on a date. Me started seeking the blessings of Lord Krishna and his holy consort Shri Radhan Rani during my daily prayers. Mr Bhushan Chaturvedi celebated his son’s first birthday. That was the day me was to move to Govardhan. Mr. Vijay Misra and Mr. Trilokinath Tewari were there. Govardhan was broached upon. Vijay said that he would be moving to Govardhan on that very day. Me mentioned my intention too. Tewariji said “Ranga take me also along with you”. The firm belief is that Lord Krishna gathering support for me as this would be my first trip to Govardhan. Many would call it a coincidence. For me it was the call from Lord Krishna.
Tewariji has two daughters and me one. We performed the parikrama. Tewariji’s one daughter got married. After performing the second parikrama the next month, Tewariji’s another daughter also got married. During the subsequent two months me performed the third and the fourth parikrama. For the fifth parikrama me took my daughter along. On that day it was raining. Me was wondering to proceed or not. My daughter said that it was Lord Krishna to take care of us and we should perform the parikrama. Believe it or not, there was not a drop rain when we performed the parikrama. My daughter got an offer from a MNC after this parikrama. She is well settled in her career path.
The quest for Lord Krishna’s blessings continue.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
SEPARATION – DESTINY
Either it was 28 or 29 Feb 1969, the grand old Grant Trunk Express from Chennai (Madras) steamed into the platform No.1 of the New Delhi Railway Station. Sechu and Sowmi were there to pick me up. Then transported down to 17A/47 WEA Karol Bagh. The winter chill was still there. Yet me took a cold water bath. Sechu took me to Grand Vaishno restaurant for a hearty meal of Roti and Vegetables. The beginning of my stay in New Delhi.
Agfa and Gevaert, the photographic and other film makers, merged all over the world and in India too. The retrenchment of employees took place. Bedridden with the typhoid and with the application of “last come-first go” principle, the axe fell on me. The Industrial Disputes Act was clear and there as no scope to fight back. Baradan took the case of his dismissal and failed.
Ruminating over the much harassed career path and not finding an alternative job so easily, me thought of changing the place of my destiny. . My other brothers were not of much help. Rucku, my sister approached Ramu, my second elder brother. He was categorical to say “let him stand on his own feet”. Gopal, my elder brother, wrote to Sechu and Sechu said come over here. The arrangements were made to move to Delhii. My sisters were not happy. My eldest brother, Appu, kept himself aloof from the discussion. No love lost between us.
The separation has to take place. Me was not bothered about my brothers and father. The pivotal point is to convince my mother. With an unhelpful husband and having undergone enormous amount of harassment at the hands of her brother and his family, my mother became a hysteria patient. The tears have dried up in her eyes. Along with her me also lost the tears.
Mother likes coffee. The coffee has to be a middle-brown one. It should not be blackish brown or whitish brown. Mother was sitting in an easy chair. Me tell my sister, Rucku, to prepare the coffee. Rucku knows my mother’s preference. The coffee came and me sat with my mother. “Mother, me moving down to Delhi for better career opportunities”. For a while it appeared the statement did not impact her. In a flicker of second everything changed. Her eyes reflected a consternation, confusion the diabolical fear of comprehension and sorrow. “Why should you go to Delhi? So what if you have lost a job. You may get one soon. I am here to take care of you. Did anyone say anything to you. Appu! did anyone say anything to Ranga? Why is he going to Delhi?” The already shrunken physique was trying shrink further. The eyes were trying to well up! Alas, there were no tears in her eyes. Or is it that a drop was trying to fall down? My eyes also tried to well up but the tears were not there. Even while writing this piece, my eyes well up. There were no tears to drop. Mother of eight kids could not accept the separation of even one in spite of her flailing health and the dependence on her other sons.
“Mother it is my decision and informed everyone. None said anything. Give me a month’s time. If no good jobs come around, me will come back to Chennai (Madras). If good opportunities come around, me will visit frequently to see you.” “Look Ranga going away itself I cannot accept. It will be if blasphemy if you come back defeated. I cannot accept this. Go, if you must. My blessings go with you. Lord Krishna will be with you.” Me could not find the strength and words to console her on the separation. Prostrating before the lotus feet of my Mother, me took leave with a heavy heart. Sisters literally wept and yet kept a stoical silence. Sister-in-law was happy.
The separation has taken place and moved down to the place of destiny.
Either it was 28 or 29 Feb 1969, the grand old Grant Trunk Express from Chennai (Madras) steamed into the platform No.1 of the New Delhi Railway Station. Sechu and Sowmi were there to pick me up. Then transported down to 17A/47 WEA Karol Bagh. The winter chill was still there. Yet me took a cold water bath. Sechu took me to Grand Vaishno restaurant for a hearty meal of Roti and Vegetables. The beginning of my stay in New Delhi.
Agfa and Gevaert, the photographic and other film makers, merged all over the world and in India too. The retrenchment of employees took place. Bedridden with the typhoid and with the application of “last come-first go” principle, the axe fell on me. The Industrial Disputes Act was clear and there as no scope to fight back. Baradan took the case of his dismissal and failed.
Ruminating over the much harassed career path and not finding an alternative job so easily, me thought of changing the place of my destiny. . My other brothers were not of much help. Rucku, my sister approached Ramu, my second elder brother. He was categorical to say “let him stand on his own feet”. Gopal, my elder brother, wrote to Sechu and Sechu said come over here. The arrangements were made to move to Delhii. My sisters were not happy. My eldest brother, Appu, kept himself aloof from the discussion. No love lost between us.
The separation has to take place. Me was not bothered about my brothers and father. The pivotal point is to convince my mother. With an unhelpful husband and having undergone enormous amount of harassment at the hands of her brother and his family, my mother became a hysteria patient. The tears have dried up in her eyes. Along with her me also lost the tears.
Mother likes coffee. The coffee has to be a middle-brown one. It should not be blackish brown or whitish brown. Mother was sitting in an easy chair. Me tell my sister, Rucku, to prepare the coffee. Rucku knows my mother’s preference. The coffee came and me sat with my mother. “Mother, me moving down to Delhi for better career opportunities”. For a while it appeared the statement did not impact her. In a flicker of second everything changed. Her eyes reflected a consternation, confusion the diabolical fear of comprehension and sorrow. “Why should you go to Delhi? So what if you have lost a job. You may get one soon. I am here to take care of you. Did anyone say anything to you. Appu! did anyone say anything to Ranga? Why is he going to Delhi?” The already shrunken physique was trying shrink further. The eyes were trying to well up! Alas, there were no tears in her eyes. Or is it that a drop was trying to fall down? My eyes also tried to well up but the tears were not there. Even while writing this piece, my eyes well up. There were no tears to drop. Mother of eight kids could not accept the separation of even one in spite of her flailing health and the dependence on her other sons.
“Mother it is my decision and informed everyone. None said anything. Give me a month’s time. If no good jobs come around, me will come back to Chennai (Madras). If good opportunities come around, me will visit frequently to see you.” “Look Ranga going away itself I cannot accept. It will be if blasphemy if you come back defeated. I cannot accept this. Go, if you must. My blessings go with you. Lord Krishna will be with you.” Me could not find the strength and words to console her on the separation. Prostrating before the lotus feet of my Mother, me took leave with a heavy heart. Sisters literally wept and yet kept a stoical silence. Sister-in-law was happy.
The separation has taken place and moved down to the place of destiny.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
A BELIEF – A PRAYER
To whichever religion one may adhereto, a belief and a prayer are part of everyone’s life. As a beginning to this blog me offer my heartiest prayer to Lord Sri Sriranganatha of Srirangam (this holiest of all the holy religious sites is situated near Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India). Lord Sri Sriranganatha is a family deity of all Srivaishnavas (a sect in the Hindu religion).
Prostrating before the Lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna of Govardhan (this is a religious site situated near Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India) me offer my heartiest prayer to Jagat Guru (Jagat means Universe).
To many of the readers the beginning of this blog may appear unusual and possibly irritating too. Over a period of time one will find the importance of this beginning. The trials and tribulations which passed through my life would enable one to understand the belief and the prayer which rest in me.
To whichever religion one may adhereto, a belief and a prayer are part of everyone’s life. As a beginning to this blog me offer my heartiest prayer to Lord Sri Sriranganatha of Srirangam (this holiest of all the holy religious sites is situated near Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India). Lord Sri Sriranganatha is a family deity of all Srivaishnavas (a sect in the Hindu religion).
Prostrating before the Lotus feet of Lord Sri Krishna of Govardhan (this is a religious site situated near Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India) me offer my heartiest prayer to Jagat Guru (Jagat means Universe).
To many of the readers the beginning of this blog may appear unusual and possibly irritating too. Over a period of time one will find the importance of this beginning. The trials and tribulations which passed through my life would enable one to understand the belief and the prayer which rest in me.
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