I often
wonder about the chains and links you gather through the course of your
life..how you meet and make friends and
then meet their friends and their friends, and sometimes it turns miraculous. Some write and share…and enriches many a
loner’s life. Just try recalling the new faces you met last year…a blank screen
in front of you...but if they had touched your heart..they will be here to
stay..and rise like ripples on a stream..time and again.
This is such
a rendezvous, one which lasted two days, and I
have never met them after..never
tried to contact them, never gave them a visit. But they are my most treasured
moments. Meeting Dr T.N Seshan and his
beloved wife who passed away a few days back.
Actress Sridevi’s death, too was
a jolt..Boney Kappor and Dr T.N Seshan..both lost their loves. I am not measuring the depth of their
sorrows..but they have to cope with the loss, learn to grope in the emotional
darkness, sob into their pillows.
It was
around 5 p.m, when Swami Sunil Das called and asked my wherabouts, I said was just reaching Mysore..”Oh, You are
lucky.. then I want you to bring Idlis, sambhar and Chutney by sharp 8 o” clock
tomorrow morning for three ..Dr T.N seshan, his wife and myself.”.a bolt from
the blue..a closed kitchen, in a house where I am an occasional visitor. They
were coming for the house warming ceremony of the Mysore Ashram of Swami Sunil
Das. Dr Seshan and his wife were ardent Sai Baba Devotees, and Sai Baba,
knowing how lost The Seshans would feel after Baba’s Samadhi, had asked them to
see swami Sunil Das, as Baba himself. No time to lose..lo..idli batters had
flown off the shelves of the two super markets..thought I would have to resort
to buying idlis. But as luck would have it, the small shop next door was not
yet closed, and just two, yes..just two packets of idli batter was waiting just
for me. These are times when I feel an ethereal force watching over me, and
this time put those two packets of batter there in that tiny shop. So next
morning was full of trepidation…me..who can never even dream of meeting such an
iconic figure, was making idlis for him…made coconut chutney, nicely laced with
coriander leaves and bird’s eye chillies, a hint of mint and lime and a nice
garnish completed the exercise. Then came the tomato chutney..made sure that
the tomatoes were not over done that the
red might turn to maroon.. and then made sesame chutney too..coconut, ginger and curry leaves and fried red chillies
ground together with spoonful of sesame seeds roasted till they splutter and
then turn a wee bit brown. Checked the idlis..wow..soft enough..a big sigh of
relief..packed them up, and we were off..
We reached
there four minutes after eight in the morning. They were staying in the palace
guest house, a mansion given to one of the princesses. We drove through the
lengthy drive way, a majestic edifice in the heart of Mysore. We were taken
aback when we found Dr T.N Seshan waiting for us, on the dining table..ready
and waiting. Swami Sunil Das came in and after the preliminary greetings, I
served them food. His wife, an epitome
of gentleness, simplicity and beauty ,draped in the typical tamilian
maroon Kanchipuram with a saffron
border, the swirls of her saree snug on her delicate shoulders. nose studs that matched the sparkle in her
eyes, and a traditional maroon kumkum which merged effortlessly with her
personality. Both of them were bothered
by physical ailments associated with age. I was surprised at the pure and raw
Bhakthi, devotion to God, and their total samarpana, or submission to the
Almighty. He had a full fledged temper, asking for his medicines, for this, for
that, and for nothing, for which he was impatient..ha ha..his impatience , in
no way perturbed her, to which she complied with utter perseverance and
love. At that moment, I wished God would not take her away before him..but
alas it was not to be. She told me her trysts with God, how miracles keep
happening, how she teaches Narayaneeyam for poor children at her home free of
cost.. how her Krishna idol weeps, the tears dribbling down from the eyes of
the Lord. Yes..it is not surprising, as the kind of love and samarpana is
rare..almost nil. I asked her why don’t you compile your experiences into a book?
She told me ..”you come and stay with me AND I SHALL TELL YOU ALL..YOU WRITE”..
I wish I did . Swami Sunil Das joked that Dr Seshan can predict your future, he
can read your stars, and give you his report..Oh..my ..am I hearing right? Seeing
right?..he asked me my star, and time ..and asked me to come afterwards. And predict he did… obstacles are many.. you
have to be patient..wait and you will be rewarded and I shall come and stay
with you.” Yes.. time ..who can predict when the time is right?
I know how
great a loss, and how deep and vast a void , her passing away must have
created..Grace of God is the only healer.and I pray that Sai Baba bestows peace
and calm and the courage to cope..the days and nights have to tick away..minute
by minute. Let those minutes without her be bearable with the Almighty’s
ultimate grace.
