Page 57 - NIS English 01-15 July 2022

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Narmada ghat for a puja that my father wished
to conduct. To avoid the gruelling heat, we left
in the early morning for the three-hour journey.
After getting off, there was still some distance
that had to be covered on foot. As it was
extremely hot, we started walking in the water
along the riverbank. It is not easy to walk in
the water, and soon we became tired and,
also hungry. Mother noticed our discomfort
immediately and asked my father to stop
and rest for a while. She also asked him to
go and buy jaggery from somewhere nearby.
He went running and managed to get it. The
jaggery and water gave us instant energy, and
we started walking again. Going for puja in
that debilitating heat, Mother’s alertness, and
my father swiftly bringing jaggery, I distinctly
remember each of those moments.
Since childhood, I have noted that Mother
not only respects others’ choices but also
refrains from imposing her preferences. In
my own case especially, she respected my
decisions, never created any hurdles, and
encouraged me. Since childhood, she could
feel that a different mindset grew inside me.
I used to be slightly different compared to my
brothers and sisters.
She often had to make special efforts to
accommodate the special needs of my distinct
habits and unusual experiments. However,
she never considered this a burden and never
expressed any irritation. For instance, I would
often abstain from salt for a few months, or
refrain from consuming any grains for a few
weeks only having milk. Sometimes, I would
decide to avoid sweets for six months. In
winters, I would sleep in the open and bathe
with cold water from an earthen pot. Mother
knew that I was testing myself and did not
object to anything. She would just say, “It’s
alright, do as you please”
She could sense that I was going in a
different direction. Once, a Mahatma had come
to the Giri Mahadev temple close to our home.
I started serving him with great devotion.
She reminds me that leading a
healthy lifestyle and ensuring
personal well-being are
necessary if I want to continue
to serve the people.
Around that time, Mother was extremely
excited about her sister’s upcoming wedding,
especially as it was an opportunity to visit
her brother’s home. However, while the entire
family was busy preparing for the wedding, I
went and told her that I did not wish to go. She
asked me for a reason, and I explained about
my service to the Mahatma.
Naturally, she was disappointed that I was
not going to attend her sister’s wedding, but
she respected my decision. She said, “It’s
alright, do as you wish” However, she was
worried about how I would manage to stay
alone at home. She cooked food and snacks
that would last a few days for me before
leaving so that I wouldn’t go hungry!
When I decided to leave home, Mother
already sensed my decision even before I told
her. I would often tell my parents that I wanted
to go out and understand the world. I would tell
them about Swami Vivekananda and mention
that I wished to visit the Ramakrishna Mission
Mutt. This went on for days.
Finally, I revealed my desire to leave home
and asked them for their blessings. My father
was extremely disheartened, and in irritation,
he told me, “As you wish”. I told them that I
would not leave home without their blessings.
However, Mother understood my desires,
and blessed me, “Do as your mind says.” To
assuage my father, she asked him to show
my horoscope to an astrologer. My father
consulted a relative who knew astrology. After
studying my horoscope, the relative remarked,
“His path is different. He will go only on the
path the Almighty has chosen for him.”
New India Samachar July 1-15, 2022 55