The English birthday was on 5th oct. The tithi (hindu lunar calender) birthday was to be on 7th oct (Durga navami). Today was Durga Astmi, the 6th oct.
The shata chandi homa had just concluded in art of living international ashram in Bangalore in continuation for celebration of 9 days of navratri (honoring and invoking mother divine in her various forms).
He was hungry. He left the pandal and the broken plastic chair behind. When he entered the packed pandal he only desired to find a chair to sit. Within few steps he saw a lady moving a chair from where it was to another location. The chair was empty. He just looked around and their were no claimant to it. It’s right support was broken. He did not care as he could now sit cross legged. The Vedic chants from Devi mahatmyam transcended him to another world.
He walked past the yagnashala, went past the cows, only to be blocked by the secure barricades to facilitate smooth exit of HH Sri Sri Ravishankar (Gurudev). There was hardly anyone on this side of the road so he went and rested against a railing.
As time ticked, more devotees trickled in and filled up every possible space near barricades. They were guessing if he would wave from the car or walk past. The sun was also peaking and hurting with heat. Suddenly an umbrella opened from behind and covered his face with cool shade. He thanked her.
The compassionate master was walking on the road in the scorching sun, sometimes pulled to the right side and sometimes to left side of the road by the love of his devotees screams. Guruji we love you. Guruji. Guruji.
He did not know when they came out and the words were “कल birthday है गुरूजी”, “गुरूजी birthday”, “birthday गुरूजी”।
The master stopped, stood still, moment froze. The cool shades of master looked towards him as if to catch the lie but then the compassion overrode and Gurudev’s left hand went behind. A shawl came but he ignored. Then a garland came and he passed on to him.
He took the garland and put around his neck. It was heavy. He wondered how Gurudev carried all those garlands around. He carried it in his hand. He was shy for people to ask and draw their attention due to the garland around neck.
A deep desire to draw the attention of the master was fulfilled without any planning or strategies. Guru’s gaze just happened to fall at him. Mission accomplished.
The master’s plan worked one more time.
Happy birthday 2019.
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