A Reflection of God

It was a lovely Sunday morning.  When every other person was in deep slumber after a week’s hard work, I was up early all geared up to go with my father to attend the religious congregation which is held every Sunday morning.  The religious congregation, called ‘Satsang’ in a common man’s language was lead by my Guru.  I am an ardent follower of him.  I call him Maharaj ji. 

I have been watching all my family members following Guru.  Guru, shows the light, the path that lead you to God.  At the age of 17 or 18 may be, I am not sure, I took the ‘Initiation’ (Naam Deeksha) from Maharaj ji.  ‘Initiation’ is the mantra, 'sacred utterance' of ‘Ram Naam’.  The name of the place was also dedicated to Lord Ram, called ‘Ram Sharnam’.

Shri Ram Sharnam is a place; I would love to visit over and over again and that too anytime.  This is a place for me where god dwells.  The inner peace that I get after visiting this holy place is inexplicable.  The serenity of the place brings tranquility to my mind.  The power of the almighty (Shri Ram) bind my roots to stay connected to this holy place.

I still remember the day when I went to Shri Ram Sharnam.  The place was full of people as always.  The age group was not defined.  I could see people of all age group there. From an old man, an old woman, a middle aged man and woman, a young boy and a young girl to kids.  Basically, people of all age groups visit this place.

As I entered the huge hall, somebody asked me why I was waiting there.  Since there was a pin drop silence and that somebody whispered to me, I also whispered in her ear and said, “I have come to see Maharaj ji.  I want to take ‘Deeksha’ from him”.  She directed me towards a room where few people were already standing with folded hands.

Hands folded because; when we pray we fold our hands.   Their prayer was still going on I believe as their hands were folded.  I joined them with folded hands.  Someone came and asked all of us to enter the room and we all sat down on a white sheet, it was as white as cotton that was laid on the floor.

I noticed there were 3-4 middle aged men and two girls including me.   I observed everyone’s eyes were shut.  I also closed my eyes.  The moment I closed my eyes, I heard someone saying, Maharaj ji is about to come.  Everyone opened their eyes and at once got stuck at the door.

A saintly figure entered the room with folded hands and a smile on the face.  His tiny eyes hid behind the spectacles he was wearing.  He took his seat right in front of us.  There was pin drop silence and then Maharaj ji said, “You all are here for Deeksha.  The sacred utterance of Shri Ram must be done regularly.”  As he preached, more than hearing, I could feel the clarity in his voice, the sparkle in his eyes mesmerized me.   I was awestruck. 

He then made us meditate for few minutes teaching us the method of meditation and he kept uttering the sacred name of Lord Ram.  We all followed after him.  After his preaching was over, the strength of the room began to fall.  Everyone went to Maharaj ji to take something he was distributing to everyone present.

It was my turn now.  My heart beat was fast as if I am meeting the counselor who had come from outside school to take my viva.  Why it was happening, I still couldn’t figure it out.  With a smile on the face, he gave me a dark pink colored garland with 108 beads.  He didn’t say a word.  I was wordless too.  More than speechless, I was so much beguiled by his presence that my mind just ceased serving.

I came out with a wonder joy and smiled after seeing my father standing outside the hall.  “You got it” asked my father in pride.  “Yes, Papa” said I.  I just couldn’t stop describing Maharaj ji to papa.  It was the first time I saw him that close.  “A Reflection of God” I believe.

Why Mars and Venus Collide?

 The alarm of my Blackberry started ringing at 6.00am.   Aarohan, my son has school.  “Get up son, it’s time to get ready for school”, I said, in a thick voice dismissing the alarm.  I was trying to open my eyes wide but the light coming from the door ajar didn’t let me open them.  Aarohan like an obedient child got up and went straight to the bathroom.  I was still lying in the bed.  If we get only five minutes of more sleep in the morning, we feel as if we have got an hour.  I got up hurriedly as if I have actually slept for an hour.  Aarohan, all dressed up was combing his hair.  After having my thyroid medicine which I have to take it religiously, I went into the kitchen to make his tiffin and his milk.

All set, I went to drop him to school without speaking anything.  “Your bag is very heavy, son, How do you manage to carry it every day?” I questioned.  He didn’t answer, probably trying to search his friends at the main gate and bid me goodbye.

It was just a normal day for me.  I came back home all set to be in action for other household chores.  It was time for me to wake up my daughter.  Her school starts exactly an hour after Aarohan’s.  I went through all the things which I did for my son.  Leaving her in the school, I came back home, desperately wanting to have my morning cup of tea.  I comforted myself on the chair and started reading the newspaper.  I read a few headlines and then put it back on the table.  Something inside me was forcing me to shut the newspaper as if there was nothing interesting in the paper.  I was not in high spirits.  Everything seemed stagnant to me.  I was feeling lazy to take bath.  I got up and went to take bath thinking I would feel better.  All the while there was something going on in my mind. What? I do not know myself.  It was as if my mind was totally blank and my reflexes are dead.

I was reading a book few days back called why Mars and Venus collide?  It is about the relationship between men and women.  How can we improve on our relations and what necessary steps and measures we must take to lead a healthy life? 

The book basically acts as a mirror in which you may see your reflection, judge what is right and what is wrong and try to correct it all by yourself.  I wonder how many of us do that.  There have been times when we completely disagree with something and get into an unintentional argument with our loved ones.  We fight; we make up, accept what is wrong and then move on in life.  This is how many of us live and take life as it comes.

The book spoke about the hormones of men and women.  How both of them react differently on certain things.  A man can focus on one thing at a time whereas a woman is multi tasking.  For example: If a man is engrossed in doing something on his laptop or phone, he would not hear anything from whatever source.  Whereas, a woman may be talking to someone, cooking at the same time and still manages to think that she has left the tap open in the bathroom.

Similarly, if a woman is upset that means she is unable to concentrate on anything.  Whereas,  if a man is upset about something, he would prefer not to worry about the thing and just let it go without thinking too much about it.

I have been thinking too much about the book and its contents.  In fact, some of the content amused me.  While reading, I was imagining as if the whole episode is happening somewhere around. 

A hug says it all.  The writer has emphasized that most of the problems are solved by a simple hug.  I think it’s true.  If a husband gives a hug while going for work and gives a hug when he comes back from work, wife will certainly appreciate this natural gesture.  If only ‘Mars’ could give an ear to what ‘Venus’ is saying, more than half of the problem is solved there and then. 

I have also felt that many a times if we actually sit down and contemplate on the discussion or argument (s) that a wife and husband has, it is merely non sense.  It is as if ‘Mars’ and ‘Venus’ are destined to argue on trivial issues.  One thing which I think is absolutely right in the book is that when a woman is stressed, nothing on this earth can make her happy.  No matter what a man does for her, she will not take anything into consideration unless her stress is busted. 

The list is never ending I feel.  There is love and there are fights in each and every relationship.  We stumble and start walking again.  Hence, to go hand in hand is the best comfort.