After my return from Aisha's wedding, I started to work on the basic introduction portion of the first semester subjects. The vast accounts of timeless civilization of the Bharatvarsha and its relations with the rest of the world drew me more into the analysis of the past and the future hypotheses however, I lived the present the most with the adorable and curious children of Vinita, mostly Soumya. With the help of descriptions mentioned in the historic books and the modern interpretations of famous writers and/or tutors in the college, I tried to figure out myriads of secrets of the sociological, economical and political evolution of humankind. It was indeed an exciting task. The more I involved into it, the more I was unaware of the time-lapse.
One morning, Bhanu visited my house to learn who I was busy with those days. I was contemplating on the mercy of God when she entered my room.
Bhanu: Agastya! Where are you lost these days? Your mom says that you are mostly busy with the tomes. College has not started yet and you have become so serious.
Me: Bhanu! My life started nineteen years, nine months and eleven days ago. And I ain't serious until now. I did never study for the exams or for my career. Neither did I do it to feed my family nor to gain popularity. I should say I am busy with nothing. If you understood the reason behind your participation in the events going into your life, you would never feel burdened or relaxed. You would be at peace.
Bhanu: I plead you not to act like the sages. You are a modern guy. (Shehad redirected herself to the materialistic world.) Just be the one you were at Aisha's wedding."
Me: I am the guy who you first met at the library. I am the opponent who you faced at the finals of chess competition. I am the examinee who was laureated with the first rank all over Bharata. I am the traveller who photographed the amazing city of Jaigarh and dictated you its phenomenal transformation over centuries. I am the master who filmed the Dipawali celebrations, here, in real. Didn't you like me before? Or have you been fascinated by my performance at Aisha's wedding? I can be the character one wishes to see in me, Bhanu. The only requirement is trust.
Bhanu: Nobody is perfect and neither are you, Agastya. People have trust issues even with the God. How will people firmly believe on you?
Me: Revolt, for its purpose, gives rise to curiosity. Curiosity redefines the necessities. Necessity is the mother of invention. If the process doesn't go such in anyone's life, s/he is mischievious or self-styled. In both the cases, there is trust, however in different forms.
Her lips-biting action and fiery eyes emoted her obsession towards me.
Bhanu: Yes. And the inventions are again YOU. Who are you?
Me: Me? People call me Agastya.
(And we laughed at eachother.)
Bhanu: Apart from all these, let me invite you on my pilgrimage to the famous Om Temple near Dugdhu. Will you come? (Her over-emphasized "my" raised a question on my mind.)
I could feel the suspense behind the plan but she indicated a beautiful surprise that I left unasked. She had called me to get ready at five in the morning when it's completely fog-smitten all around.
The next morning, a minibus came along the passage of my home and stopped right at the gate. As the door opened and Bhanu came out to help me onboard the bus, a big surprise waited me in. I saw Soumya, Divya, Shubham, Kusum and ten pupils from the Karate classes. But I worried who would be the guide of us all.
Soumya: Don't fret mamu. I know what you are thinking of. Please turn around and get all your worries washed away.
As I turned back, I was astounded to know Mr. Jayavardhan was present in the bus.
Me: Good morning sir.
Mr. Jayavardhan: Remain blessed Agastya! The children came to me with a request to take them on a short tour during the winter. The Om temple near Dugdhu is a famous pilgrimage site in Rajasthan. We will draw tents tonight in the village and return tomorrow morning.
Me: That's fine sir!
And the journey started.
Me: It's not only you who have surprises. I too have something for you. Bhanu, you have to learn much in acting! Haha!
Bhanu: I don't believe. You have nothing much to surprise all of us. Show us now and don't try to fool any of us.
Me: There is nothing to show.
"See. I said." Bhanu interrupted.
Me: Aye, let me complete first. I have written a song that I am gonna sing. So, you have to hear.
Mr. Jayavardhan kept smiling.
Divya: (excited) Really mamu!
One of Divya's colleagues: We would love to hear you. Divya said you sing so well. Please, start!
I had written a song 'Osh ki Boond' that I sung for them. A huge round of applause complimented my song and voice.
"Mellifluous! Commendable Mr. Agastya!" Sir patted my shoulder.
Shubham: Sir, what is the importance of the temple we are visiting?
I had no answer for his envious behaviour.
Mr. Jayavardhan: The temple, named as OM temple, built in Dravidian architecture, was a gurukul in the past. The people of the Dugdhu area sent their children to the gurukul to learn the practical skills like music and musical instruments, weaponry, craft-making, sculpting, civil works and cooking. Later, the invaders destroyed it in search of gold and ornaments but they found nothing and left it devastated. It's been only around fifty years of its rehabilitation. But the main thing that you should understand is what pilgrimage is. Can any of you give me a proper definition of pilgrimage?
Shubham: When we are on a trip to religious sites, it is called pilgrimage.
All of them consented on his saying.
Mr. Jayavardhan: (dissatisfied) Mr. Agastya, are you in consent with him? Or you have a more precise definition on the pilgrimage.
Me: Sir, when one knows the significance of the site s/he is visiting, when one has learnt the truth behind the site, when one dedicates his/her self to the chastity of the site on the start of journey, when one is curious and willing to stay with the saints, sages, pundits, ascetics and the visitors of the site and learn more about its history, when the vibrations of the holy place enables one to discrete between his past actions and reactions and what a benevolent one should have done, when one feels okay to be in unpleasant situations in life for s/he is assured of the future, when one is willing to renounce his/her pride, envy, lust, anger, greed, grudge, hatred and the devilry, when one is known of his/her existential truth and when s/he returns to the karmic phenomena benigned on the nature, s/he is said to be a pilgrim and such a journey is called pilgrimage. Sir, so far my knowledge leads me to, I have stated here my understanding on pilgrimage.
Mr. Jayavardhan: Did you all hear him? If you are visiting any site, you are a visitor first. Your intentions and your experience further defines you and the trip. Shubham, did you get it?
We reached the Om Temple early, at 9:30 a.m. The main temple had a long queue of its visitors at its main entrance. When after moving seven foot forward, Bhanu faced a heavy push from behind and she collided with me. Looking at the old man standing behind her, she calmly asked, "Uncle, are you fine? I hope you are not hurt." As the man managed to stand back, he furiously quarrelled with the young guy behind him. Some other people too gathered to quarrel. Bhanu and Soumya tried to cool them down but the people got instigated by their interference. Sir had entered the main temple and the others followed him. I felt to jump in and help them out. I saved the young guy with all my might and re-ordered the line. Meanwhile, the police personnel came along with another old man. The old man pointed to two sisters who quarreled in fun and created the melee. He scolded the girls to be in order. He came back to me and asked, "What's your name?"
Me: I am Mohini-putra Agastya.
The Old Man: Thank you for saving the young guy. And you too brave girls. I am the chairperson of Dugdhu VDC. I am Lakshman Acharya.
The old man further announced everyone to stay disciplined in line and keep moving forward chanting the hymns. Coming out of the temple, Bhanu asked me to wait.
Bhanu: Agastya, if we follow the definition of pilgrimage that you uttered this morning, where do the people stand who quarreled for no reason?
Me: They didn't hear me. You heard. You faced the thrust and waited to see if the old man who pushed you was okay. You fought to counter the melee. And now you are trying to understand the behaviour of people. Aren't you a pilgrim?
(break)
Age is a subset of time and perspectives are subsets of experience!
Shubham called us to a restaurant and we visited the whole premises of the temple after lunch. As dictated in the monuments of the temple, it was rebuilt in the same architecture of gurukul. On an edge of the premises was a dome where a saint was sitting in meditation. I bowed down to him and sat in swastikasana in front of him. As he opened his eyes, he said, "So, you have come Agastya. You must have come on purpose. Tell, what can I do for you?"
Me: O'revered sage, however I didn't tell you my name, you know me. You must know the purpose too.
The Sage: No, what I know and what you will speak of may be different. Tell, what is indeed of your knowledge and will.
Me: The intellectuals are evading from this country. There is no proper guidance to the holders of the offices or the societies. The youngsters are being brainwashed of their rich culture. The women are either more atrocized or enjoying complete freedom. The nation is being governed by the corrupted officers. The national security is void of its strength. People have trust issues with everyone. They earn by punishing the other and expend on materialistic pleasures. I can see there is the "Law of Fish" everywhere. The weaker section speak of democracy for their rights and those who have rights and strengths impose autocracy. Bharata is now limited to the name of the nation but not the identity of the commoners. I plead you to help me in my journey of reviving the true sense of Bharata in each individual's mind.
"Remain blessed!" He stood up and moved out.
Soumya and Bhanu came searching me everywhere.
Soumya: What are you doing here mamu?
Bhanu: We have to find a proper area to peg our tents. Let's go now.
I followed them. Mr. Jayavardhan showed us the map of the Dugdhu and the temple. The road that connected both of them passed through a thin canopy which was fit for drawing the tents. It was 5 o'clock in the evening when we reached there. Some of us collected twigs for bonfire and the others put up tents around. There were six tents: one for Mr. Jayavardhan and the rest fifteen were divided into five groups.
When it got darker, we could hear the bell rings at the temple. The vendors and the visitors returned back. The birds too, flew back to their nests. I gazed into the ephemeral shades of the sky, the shattering of clouds, the blinking stars and the rise of the moon. The moon in the mid of the shattered clouds seemed like the spider resting at the center of its web. The leaves in the canopy sung a dulcet tone as the soft breeze passed through it. Suddenly, a rough friction in the air occurred that I guessed to be a stone nearing me from behind and I caught it. I looked behind and saw all of them were preparing for dinner. Shubham had his eyes wide open that meant he threw the stone to call me. Soumya watched him but said nothing. I neared them and patted on Shubham's shoulder.
Bhanu: What happened Shubham? Why do you look so afraid?
Apprehensively, he stated the fact that I caught the small stone that he threw on me without looking it.
Pawan, one of Divya's mates: What? Agastya, who was gazing into the sky, caught the stone that you threw at him while standing ten metres behind him and under this darkness.
Shubham's assent had his mouth wide open. When they were talking, Brijesh took a wooden spike and threw at me. I pushed myself back and caught it with my right hand.
Me: What are you all wishing of?
(But they all fell at my knees and accepted my superiority over them.)
Me: Oh! What are you doing? Stand up, all of you. Sir, what's going on here?
Brijesh: You should be revered high Mr. Agastya. They all wish to follow you. You are a peerless guy in the field of knowledge, information, defense techniques, music and arts, ethics, politics, economics, sociology and much more to be discovered. We wish to be a part of your journey. Command us what we can do for you.
Me: We are not here for any competition. I am neither superior nor inferior to anyone of you. I am just an observer, a beholder of nature. I do it to the fullest of my capacity. If you all can be my capacity and if you all can believe me as your capacity simultaneously, we can bring dynamic change in the lives of the people. We should stop creating our own philosophies in life before we are efficiently provided with the wealth. Let's not take life as an ice cream and end it realising the ocean. Let's be dedicated to our duties, values and our passion in life. I assure you we will lead a great life, a great nation and a great future. CAN YOU DO IT FIRST?"
Everyone: (shouting) Yes, AGASTYA!
Me: Good! Is the dinner prepared?
And the dinner was served.