At the building which
was used as a place where tourists were served some kind of Prasadam
(offering), I waited outside on a wooden bench wondering in what shape and
style my brother would emerge.
According to his
training mates, he was there to serve what the Math was distributing to
visitors. Each one has a job to do in the Math, I later learned apart
from learning spirituality through their classes and books. My brother
was assigned a main duty along with routines such as distributing eatables
to guests. However his main job seemed to be to learn spirituality and be
immersed in prayers.
Around five minutes
might have passed and there comes the one who obediently and diligently
lived his material life as my younger brother, as an Indian express
reporter, as my mothers beloved son, and for many others a friend, relative
etc. Though, in a sudden twist of things in his life, he now thought
differently, lived differently, attached values to things we assumed not
primary, in material life. While everyone is busy living the abundantly
complicated material life, where is the hope for allotting all their time to
God?
He appeared calm and
greeted me.
I do not remember whether he addressed me as brother. In any case, what is brother
to someone who has taken a vow to hive off the links and detach from
relations? Attired in white clothing's and his
hair cut in the front and tied behind, he had a different look altogether
but his face radiated a new sort of energy. I was expecting changes and to
me they did not matter he was still my brother and I can never see him as a Sannyasi and I would never appreciate him as a Sannyasi.
We sat in the same bench
outside for sometime and exchanged few questions. He asked about very few
people. He said he has the prefix 'brahamchari' added to his name and that
all his colleagues in PPTC are known as Brahmacharis.
Towards the evening, he
showed me around the place, took me to Vivekananda Museum in the premise.
Accompanied me to his supervisor Swamiji with whom I briefly debated his
leaving further but to no avail.
I also met one mother who
had been pleading with his son, an engineering student who left his
studies to join the Math. Her only other son had disabilities. Swamiji as
well as those we both were seeking, expressed their inability to agree with
us and return home with us.
I also had visited the
then chief of the Math who passed away recently. Brother showed me around
the place in great detail and made me pray in various small buildings in the
complex where people whom he offered prays everyday
were housed. I
did it with half my mind asking why I was doing it. He radiated much
excitement and talked deeply about Swamijis, Math, spirituality, and the missions
founders. I listened to him numb and surprised by his enthusiasm and exchanged my doubts.
Next :
A forced stay?