Beauty in the City Beast
Montreal, Quebec
"Tears came forcefully from the eyes of the Lord, as if from a syringe, and all the people surrounding Him became wet."
-From the text Chaitanya Caritamrta Madhya-Lila 13.105
The Lord being referred to in this quote is Chaitanya who cried out of emotion for Jagannath (Krishna) during the Ratha Yatra (Festival of Chariots). He had been dancing and chanting before the chariot of Jagannath in the midst of everyone devotional.
A re-enactment of dancing and singing to the beat of drums, kettle drums, and symbols happened today on St. Laurent in Montreal on a perfect weather day. Tears were held back perhaps for many of us novices in spiritual life; they may have been even contained, not invoked for reasons that we are not sensitized to the state experienced by Chaitanya.
Joy was felt though. I witnessed happy participants, myself being one of them. A good strong chanting persisted under a baking sun as the chariot (resembling a temple) rolled down the street. The stage events at Jean-Mance park were entertaining. Acts moved on and off with a smooth professional roll like the easy turning wheels of the chariot.
Delicious prasadam was served (Indian food without chillies, a rarity). And there were tons of happy faces reflecting Jagannath's own facial demeanour.
As usual after hours of mingling (and entertaining) I stubbornly avoided ride offers back to the ashram for rest. A new exploration route for me was Rachelle St. People are going back to biking in defiance of expensive auto arrangements. Good for them.
Even Jagannath's chariot, come to think of it, is a non-engine-operated conveyance. It is pulled by love when devotees grip the two taut ropes that move the chariot forward.
If we keep up the smooth handling of the festival for Him, Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe, then with such a level of perfectional devotion, tears may eventually flow, like a waterfall, or syringe (as mentioned). It only requires a building of the intensity.
11 Km
No comments:
Post a Comment