A Sannyasi is one who
have given up material life and integrated into the spiritual world. What
kind of Sannyasi my brother is going to become I do not know, but my pain of
him leaving my home will remain for the rest of my life or until he changes
his mind and make a comeback.
During the time he
contemplated leaving home, I often felt overwhelmed by sadness but at the
same time have been frustrated due to my inability to stop him. I did all I
can; talked to him, requested him, ordered to him, and reasoned with him
with all my debating skills. As an elder brother I could not plead with him
like how my mother did, crying. I gradually involved other family, friends,
and etc because we did not want such a delicate matter which can affect his
future flashed around if it could be avoided.
Whatever, I, my mother,
sisters, other elatives, and friends said, did not stop him. he was
determined to leave and his mind was all made up.
Our father succumbed to
cancer when I was abroad. His death saddened me deeply but knowing the
severity of the disease that afflicted him, I have been fearing the end of
his audacious life, sooner or later. However
this was something completely different. Here was my energetic younger
brother, writing reports for a leading English daily on a regular basis,
sending me e-mails to Dubai often, one who was loved by all, suddenly
preparing to vanish from among us never to return to our way of life in a
rather strange pursuit. It unsettled every inch of me and continues to do so
until this day.
Swamijis, during our
arguments, presented examples of Sankaracharya, Vivekananda, and Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. They are of-course great souls and every devout Hindus and
other Indians think of them highly. But how many such great souls do we
have? How many Vivekanandans do we know? What makes Swamijis think that my
brother would become one? There is a chance of one in a million. Like
winning a lottery.
He has an excellent
character, not because he is my brother, but even others who know him would
endorse that view. But I do not understand that how they can compare my
brother with such great souls?
On the other hand, who
would compensate us and him if he suffers from or regrets his decision to
abandon material life?
Next :
My
interactions with him