Krishna Consciousness

Dear All

Today is bit unforgettable for me. Let me elucidate why....

I have written about a gentleman living opposite to our house - who is a devout follower of Hare Rama Cult - who also runs a shop, right in front of our flat - home (of course he resides just back to his shop in his own flat). Its a shop with multiple things - the main ones being number plates for automobiles AND a zerox machine. The more interesting thing is the temple (he terms it as "mandir" and does not allow any one of the visitors to the shop to enter with chappals on....) in the shop. Truely speaking its a temple with few things to sell more than what you can think of a shop.
(yeah - I now realize it does not have a name board which typically exist for any shop).

I visit him occasionally to take a bow at his deity Lord Krishna - invariably he alone sits there in front of the Idols doing Japam. Nonchalantly he gets up, greets me and gives me prashad and we speak for 5 to 10 minutes - just sweet nothings, you know. To put our relationship in a nut shell, we are mutual admirers and it so happened, I discovered today how much I had loved him....!!
Hold on.... Let me gather myself...!!

Not visiting him for close to a month, I suddenly had a strong urge to go to Mandir today and after the regular rituals between us we started talking. After words of courtesy, today we spoke few extra details ... viz., he shared his past experience with me today. Born and brought up at Andra, he reached chennai couple of decades back to work in Cinema industry as an Art Director. Seems he did not find it suitable with his spiritual orientation, he quit it and established this shop ten years back and is on his own. As it was turning out to be an interesting conversation, suddenly he told me quite matter of facted-ly that he is MOVING off physically from us in his spiritual path. When I gave him a numb expression, he explained that he is going to serve his organization in a bigger way - by giving up his current occupation and style of life.....!!

I dont know if I had ever felt a jolt so deeply in my life - at least in recent past !!
I had taken him, his shop and the sweet devotional songs that breeze us in the mornings when we brush our teeth (ours is front balcony) for granted...!!
Within couple of seconds, I realized how much I am going to miss his physical presence and the pyschological comfort that his shop offers to me, Anoo and our little Madhoo....and I started chocking for words - unable to hold my gush of emotions !!

Seeing my shock and disbelief, he smiled gracefully and blessed me that I will get sath sangh always for what I am & my qualities....and told me not to worry about his decision too much. In a way it has been always true about me..but still, how am I going to come over this sweet man's absence ?

There are lot of questions that Anoo asked me when I announced this news at home - What is he going to do the flat ? his two children ? his Wife ? his Car ... (he bought a cute little NANO recently)...and shop cum Mandhir.....?
BUT trust me, these details did not matter much when I stood in front of him dumb found...!!
I neither was curious about these details nor he was too eager to dwell on details.

In a crisp manner, he told that he is also trying his best to identify a good trustee to run his MANDIR but if his initiatives are not going to fructify, he is planning to CLOSE IT DOWN and leave without a ripple of emotion. I could see that it was a clear decision that he has taken and with tears in my eyes, I only checked up if he is going to be there till next sunday at least. With a warm smile he has assured about it....
THank God !!

I am quite eager to check with him if there is any way - at least monetarily - I can participate in the maintenance cost of the temple if he is planning some thing. It might be a great idea if this wonderful MANDIR continues to be there in front of my home.... God Bless....!!

Love you.....Gentleman....AND I bow down in front of your tranquility and serenity. May you be blessed with what ever you seeking for - with this decision....!!

By the by, I never learnt your name !!!!....
Neither you know mine....!!
And yet....... it had been
a beautiful and poetic relationship
between us
for past six years.......

Krishnaarpanam....as always...

Suren