Tuesday, October 21st, 2008

Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 - Mumbai, India

It’s not uncommon for there to be unrest amongst humans let alone the rest of the world. A local political figure had been charged and arrested in the city. This arrest triggered riots in Mumbai which froze business and movement of traffic in certain sectors.

While I was lunching with a good friend, an American monk, Kavichandra Swami, in the protective oasis of the ISKCON eating room he relayed the story of a riot that took place in the very grounds which we were sitting. Thirty years ago the world-wide media took notice of the triumphant temple being built – this same ISKCON Juhu temple. Even though they were young and inexperienced, journalists credited “the young American boys” for building it. I recall reading about it myself.

Apparently in the same year of its opening a dispute arose in the lobby and a subsequent riot. Kavichandra Swami was on the second floor ill with jaundice. He came out of his room to see what the commotion was about. Looking down at the courtyard he was spotted by rioters who then dashed stones at him. He dodged and went back to his room keeping himself locked inside until authorities came to settle the uprising. Kavichandra Swami tells the story in great detail but it goes to show that even in a sacred place human passions can escalate to the point of madness. Hence, this is life in the material world. There is always some attack.

On the previous day while I did a solo walk on Juhu Beach a dog rushed towards me, wrapped his jaws around the calf of my right leg. He didn’t really dig deeply. It was a quick bite and then he left. In any event be always prepared for any attack from anywhere. This is the material world.

4 Km