Tuesday, April 10th, 2012

I Placed A Garland

Durban, South Africa

I placed a garland of carnations around the neck of 2 year old Varshani. Unique about this act is that she was not alive. She and her parents and relatives left this world, in a flash, unexpectedly. My two godbrothers Indrayumna and Bhakti Chaitanya Swamis had taken to garlanding the others who lie still. There were five coffins that were brought in onto the temple grounds at Chatsworth for the viewing of the five family members who passed away because of drunken driving by an oncoming self-centred motorist, who also didn't survive the crash last Friday night.

Swarupa Damodara, the temple president of the community took the microphone to address well-wishers and family. Respectfully he welcomed all and then cautioned all to not touch the delicate bodies which were so badly damaged. So many supporters were in attendance.

I would say that once again the bhajans, the chanting of Krishna's name, by a group of brahmachari monks kept the moments of calmness up. Over and above the natural emotions projected the beautiful sound offered a sobriety of feelings. The mood was light. Dignity prevailed. Will we learn from this?

Yes, that life is fragile, that at any moment anything can happen, that drinking liquor is rather selfish and that modes of travel should be re-considered.

I have to hand it to the people of South Africa thought because they seem resilient in a certain kind of way. They seem to know death. They are not surprised by the slamming that goes with life. How many stories have I heard of slayings by the most unexpected people.

On the other hand, in the midst of unsafe conditions a glow comes from these peoples hearts. It was my last day in South Africa and I had a sit-down with one of the young volunteers of our plays. His name is Fortune. It's my guess he is a Zulu. This fellow shone as he spoke. He is a psychology student. Life holds an interest for him. He sees some despair in his community but he feels good about his newly found consciousness of Krishna. He practically came to the door of our Chatsworth temple the other day and got conscripted by providence to join our drama project. He admitted to me that he learned so much from the experience. Knowing nothing of the pastimes of Ram, of dharma and divine relationships, it appeared a whole new world opened for him.

Goodbye to South Africa, once again. It's the place where I walk in circles every morning in a movement of feet around the temple of Radha Radha Nath.

9 Km