Tirupati, India
We Arrived
We arrived at this magnificent temple. It is my third visit
here. Pulling up at 4:11 in the morning,
is rather auspicious. Our three hour
drive from Chennai was long and drawn-out.
Speed bumps are found on major roads.
But we are here, at last—Victor and I.
Yes, here we are in the land of sweet sweat. Security guards who are up all night don’t
feel the heat. They are enveloped in
winter wear to address the night chill. I
don’t feel it, but they do.
Victor is a newbie here in devotional India. Here in our accommodations, we
crash—sleep. After rising, we have darshan
(deity viewing), and something to eat.
Then Victor tries his newly acquired bhakti attire, a dhoti (lower
garment), and kurta (upper garment).
He looked downright spiffy, with a tilak marking on his
brow.
“The two stripes joined at the base and at the bridge of
your nose, represent the liberating divine footprint of Krishna,” I
explained. But more. “The leaf-like shape of this same earth (mud
from Vrindavan) represents the sacred tulasi leaf.” I added, “You look good.”
For some reason or other, I seem to resonate with the young
monks in India. They are looking forward
to the kirtans I lead, and maybe some simple dance steps. Seven of them just showed up for my much
needed massage. They divided responsibilities,
each taking a limb. Really, it was a
laugh. Victor was humoured, also.
These benevolent massage therapists and I chanted all the
way through the session. I don’t get
this in the West.
May the Source be with you!
6 km
No comments:
Post a Comment