Ujjain, India
Getting Around
Bhakti Caru Swami
is the host of our sangha meetings
and he arranged a special treat for his visitors. This morning we were bussed to three sacred
places. The first was the popular temple of Maha Kaleshvara, where the Shiva Linga is adored. Second, we were bussed to Ram Ghat by the Shipra River. Here Ram came, thousands of years ago, to honour the
last rites of His father. Finally, we were taken to the school where Krishna
and His brother, Balarama, were formally educated. It is called the Sandipani
Muni School. Tucked away in a fertile green area are the well-maintained
grounds of this location of worship.
I took a fancy to
the cows who are well fed and hitched to trees in their pasture. I could see
they are handled with love as many entities are in India. Relationships and
love are very valued in this great land, but you also see neglect of some
sectors of society. Poor folks don’t always have an option of schooling. Neglected is the environment, like most places
on our precious planet. I was remarking to Bhakti Chaitanya Swami while we
bus-rode back, how trucks and cars make up the landscape and villages.
Fortunately, our
meetings are held in this more decent and smaller city, unlike Mumbai, Delhi or
Kolkata. It makes for a conducive space for contemplation. And the temple,
well, it’s real pretty. On this Saturday evening, I was asked to lead the song
in reverence to Damodara, Krishna as a child. The follow-up kirtan chant, was quite explosive.
May the Source be with you!
8
km
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