Thursday, March 6th, 2014

Mayapur, India

A Plop That Plopped

A cow patty fell off the side of the village wall as we trekked by.  It got my attention.  The balance of the wall is perfectly populated with this stuff – round finger printed patties stuck to the brick.  They were getting dried by the sun, and just one lost its sticking power.

Cow patties are an excellent source of fuel.  They are there for the taking, free of charge.  The generous cow or bull leaves her or his earthy feces on the ground for people to do something smart with.  You have to be a little daring though.  It’s a hands on situation, and some patience is required to allow for drying time.  Somebody is doing a good job at gathering the stuff around here.  I can’t find fresh plops even if I were to take up the mission to secure even one. 

After the morning walk our small crew went to Radha Bhavan, the actual home of a gracious family from Poland.  Mahasringa, the man of the house, is the epitome of kindness.  He took us up to the roof of his home for a small ceremony, and for a talk that I was to give to a small group.  In the center of the flat roof, and under the sunshine, was a havan kund, a small fire arena.  There in its center was about six cow dung patties with a sprinkled amount of camphor on top of that, it made for a modest flame.  Mantras were to commence after I spoke a few words from the Gita, 2.57.  It’s a great verse:

“In the material world, one who is unaffected by whatever good or evil he may obtain, neither praising it nor despising it, is firmly fixed in perfect knowledge.”

The message was liked by all because it was geared toward the young man from Switzerland taking his second diksa (initiation).  Receiving this honour means that you endeavour to increase your application of wisdom.  To a large extent it also means to be level headed and to maintain one’s equilibrium as much as possible.  You enhance your consciousness. 

As a small fire was burning with its foundational fuel, the cow dung, mantras were recited by the presiding Brahman (priest).  Grains were tossed into the flame.  He had just about all the ingredients there to perform a perfect spiritual ceremony. 

It also made for a perfect last event before leaving the great retreat in Mayapur.  It all ended with some cow dung. 

May the Source be with you!

7 KM