Spirituality And Me - Random thoughts

Introduction

Sama chithappa's second son Vichu, to me is a great philosopher. He used to say, "If I have some financial or other difficulties, I go straight to Vadapalani temple by walk and go round the idol in the temple and pour out my problems to the Lord. Then I feel lighter. If the idol in the temple is God Muruga, I am sure He will help me. If it was not but is only a piece of carved stone still I am the gainer, for it will not breathe a word to anyone else. On the other hand if I had poured out my problems to a friend he would not only tighten his purse strings but also go about telling others that I am in financial difficulties and they should be very careful with me and not lend me any money.”

What a practical man was he!

In 1973, when I was in Viajayawada, I received a bit notice along with my Hindu paper, which read, "Brahmachari Haridas, M.Sc., gold medallist in Nuclear physics, gives Gitagnana yagna lectures. Inauguration today at 6-00 PM at.... hall". My curiosity was aroused. "MSc, Nuclear physicist, what is he going to say. I should attend this", I thought. As I was about to leave for this programme, my counterpart in Hindustan Petroleum, who had been promising to call on me for a very long time but never did, arrived with his wife. We sat, chatted, had chapathis and sabji made by Shantha and continued to chat. But finding my answers to his queries incoherent often, the visitor, Mr. Jayaraman said, "Natrajan you better go. I will come some other day". I didn't, though my mind was in the hall where the lecture was going on. The next morning at 6-30 AM I reached the hall where Br. Haridas was starting his 'Upanishad' class. He said, "Before I proceed with the Upanishad, I would like to know as to how many of you have attended Chinmaya mission classes before so that I can adjust my introduction accordingly". I put up my hand and said, "even if I happen to be the only man who has not attended Chinmaya mission classes before, please give a full introduction, for I am a total stranger to the scriptures".

He said "Okay" and started.

"You receive a bit notice with your Hindu paper which read 'Brahmachari Haridas, MSc, gold medallist in Nuclear physics gives gitagnana yagna lectures. Your curiosity is kindled as to what this man who has done nuclear physics is going to talk about scriptures and you are preparing to start for the lecture. Just then a friend of yours who had been promising to come to your place for a very long time lands on you and you stay back though your mind is in the hall where the lecture is on, your body is in the house. This is a typical case of the conflict that goes on between body and mind". He continued with his introduction, a full one, about body, mind and soul and the scriptures. I was stunned. How could he know what happened to me the previous evening. From that day morning and evening I attended the lectures. Often I will have some doubts and note them down for asking the lecturer in the next class but without my asking he will start the lecture with the explanation clearing my doubts.

All good things have to come to an end one day and so it was with the lectures. I had noticed, every day if any one of the devotees brought any offerings such as fruits, Br.Haridas always used to give what he receives to the man who comes next with an offering and he never carried anything with him. However on the last day I found Br.Haridas putting two apples into his shoulder bag. I thought he is carrying them for eating during the journey. I went home collected Shantha, Sashi and Jayashree (Raji was not with us) saying, "let us go to the station and see off Br. Haridas". As the train was just starting Br.Haridas put his hand into his shoulder bag and brought out the apples and handed them over to Sashi and Jayashree. Thus started my attachment to Chinmaya mission.

K. N. NATARAJAN

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