Moments of Bliss 13 - Contd.....

Gowri...this could be too boring for you....I swear... Its a typical diary that I used to write when I maintain it manually...felt like doing it at least for one day....You may choose to skip it......
Hi
Let me get into seratum of events / incidents as it happened trying to record the facts as crisply as possible....
(a) Adventure with my old motor cycle and seeing the beauty within a ruffian's heart
My Motor Cycle got into a minor problem these days...the key meant for Petrol is quite difficult to turn from Main-->Reserve....and it got quite worsened today when I wanted to turn it...Incidentally I had gone to office and since I wanted to go to Tambaram to stay with Amma, I took half day leave and was quite sure I am going to have this problem as the petrol in reserve could never be utilised...I tried to get it done with a local shop close to office but the motor cycle stopped within a Kilo metre as there had been some problem with the Petrol pipe inside the lock and needed replacement....I originally thought it was a starting problem and kept trying to keep kicking the starter in hot sun and decided to wait at a automible shop on the main road....As the shop owner was not there, I was asked to wait by his neighbour for few minutes...and never imagined that half hour was elapsed as I was deep into "The Fountainhead"....then, sensing the purposeless ness, I pulled off the mo bike to another shop few metres away where a shrewd boy detected the problem exactly...and asked me to get the spare from a shop which he told is a kilo metre away....He also suggested me to go in Share Auto which never came, so I took an auto for to and fro and got the spare...Instead of just the tube, I thought he needed the whole of petrol lock and had bought it for close to Rs.220...Infact I was puzzled as the boy told it will cost max 60 only....When I reached back the shop, the boy clarified me that it was a clear mistake and I had to go once again...Just then, another boy in 20s....reached the shop in his bike (yamaha) who is perhaps the shop boy's friend....When I was bit hesitant to hire an auto once again, the shop boy suggested his friend to help me..for which he was reluctant telling his vehicle was in "reserve" .... With sun above the head, feeling quite hungry & tired... and already late to reach home (it was around 3.30 PM already), I touched the shoulder of the friend boy and pleaded his help....literlally pushing him towards the bike....I noticed that his bike appeared brand new and was well maintained ...when we moved towards the shop....after getting the right spare to be obtained, when I got back into the bike again, I casually asked this boy if it was a new bike....He proudly told nodded negatively...(UNTIL NOW he was bit rude and showed clearly that he was not a willing partner !!). With genuine appreciation, I told him that the vehicle not only looks bright and nice but also is quite smooth while riding....for which he - while driving - turned back and showed up all his teeth - with a big smile - that his bike is like his "kozhandai...." Suddenly I realised that every one seems to have a soft spot and some thing nice / proud about himself and if only we can stir it up....knowingly or unknowingly.........
(b) The psychological strength my amma derived from me and my presence
I almost forgot when my amma became sick..I mean really sick...before this...perhaps a decade back.....OR before that.....She gave me a call at 12 o clock noon while I was at office...asking if it is possible for me to come the next day - that is today....for a night stay....When I repeatedly asked what is the reason sensing some local squabble, she told she has temperature....and complained that she has abnormal body pain....She also had developed rashes all over her face and body and she got into a doubt if it is some pox variety (ultimately it was not so....after I reached, the Doctor did not confirm what it is but it subsided within 24 hours..before I came back today)....I immediately informed the office and left to Kpuram after some adventure with my motor bike....She had temparature of around 103...and needed my massaging....which I dutifully did for close to 1 hour..... It was so beautiful that she recovered with the sheer pyschological support and to some extend physical support from me ... and I was watching through out the 24 hours on how lonely this poor lady feels with not so healthy atmosphere at home...I also visited a Bhaba temple 5 KM away from my home and got her some special vibhoothi today morning which made her balance 1 % too alright... I also had a blasting session with her on her needless revisits to pasts and creating self pity....I am covering it seperately....While my mouth spoke, I just got involved with the content of my message more than my 100 %....as I thought it will do her some good and put her back in rails.....considering that she is going to be all alone again....Well that is being covered later...
(c) Kallikkaatu Idhihaasam
I spent close to 2 hours in this 24 hours re-reading one of the master pieces of Vairamuthu...the writer-turned poet....When I accidentally noticed the date in the preface of this novel, it appears he has written it in 2001....and I was quite surprised...I was in the next house of Vairamuthu in the same year at Trustpuram...before we got a flat for ourself....We were in a side portion of an independent house & when we go to open terrace, we see Kavignar walking all alone and writing at his open terrace which is very closely visible...to us...
In fact it is quite at audible distance and looks like Anoo had once talked to him too....after he smiled at her in a friendly manner....He asked her name and guessed if she was the only daughter to her parents...quite right !! After having words of courtesy, it appears he has invited us to his home which we never did....during that 1 year of staying at Trustpuram...Even now, I keep seeing him in the circular park Kodambakkam....and this particular novel and its sequel (which I am yet to read) - which was named as "karuvaachi kaaviyam" has a resemblance of his child hood and the characters of his own rural up bringings....
This novel exploded on me and I was wondering how enriched and clear this person's mind is.....The novel is simply amazing and I started wondering if I could take up project on this novel.....like....trying to translate it in English.... It could be viewed as absurd by those who feel the strength of the novel is the local slang and the culture of the interior of the TN state.....BUT my point is different... I was wondering for few minutes if I can bring the innocence and the turmoil in English by developing some translation on the same theme....and being silent on the cultural aspects..... Since I was not too sure, I thought I will at least write a detailed commentary on this novel...with accurate translations for few poetic descriptions.....with my maximum vocabulary.....describing the speciality of the novel to a non-reader or some one who does not know him....The second one is possible...if only, I place my mind on it... I have already placed my mind on it.... A commentary on a Native Ithihaasam may be in the offing before the end of 2008.....!!
(d) on my early morning practises in the open air at 6 AM after a wonderful open air bath
One strong temptation to me to visit our parent's place is the bath in the open air with a high tech shower fetching the fresh water from well directly before it reaches the overhead tank....and though I slept only by around 12 midnight....(I had been talking to my office on some urgent priorities with some one in the night shift), I could get up at 4.30 AM without any prompt.....!! I was sitting with my eyes closed for close to half hour and then reached out the back yard for a wonderful bath ..... which energised me fully and I was in upbeat mood....I reached the open terrace at around 6 AM sharp and did my breathing practises...with complete focus.... My pranayam and the new practise (Shambavi Maha Mudra) are these days always on and off...with me never doing it daily for 1 complete week and at the same time not leaving it out totally....
After a long time, I was doing it with full air getting into the lungs and it was so effective to experience the stillness...and I was out of the world until around 8 AM....staying there unwilling to come down....
(e) On my visit to a local Sai Baba temple today morning
These days, I am becoming slowly a devotee of Shirdi Sai Baba....(t00)... I never had much information about this gentleman except seeing his famous photo and stickers....and the visit to Shirdi made some impact on me...which is indescribable.. These days, as I walk down or travel in road, when I casually see his photo in some name board of a shop OR behind an auto, I keep staring it for few extra seconds reverentially with total focus....It has also happened some times, that intuitively I look at some street corners for a Baba photo ...and am able to spot it out some where close ... (it happened on last sunday...when I was walking in a street, suddenly wishing to do an experiment...turned all the four directions but unsuccessful...A maruti omni came in front of me...and when it crossed me, I felt like looking it and found Baba's photo in the rear glass...and with a smile, I started walking).
Now this Baba had a direct disciple to whom he (authentic information available in few books) transmitted the healing abilities....with vibuthi....This direct disciple reached Shirdi Baba at the age of seven and stayed with him until the latter's samadhi...and started wandering all over..reaching chennai ..and had his samadhi at a place near chitlapaakam....He is called as Viboothi Bhaba...He was physically available till 1980s and this sunday they are celebrating his 25 years of samadhi day.....!! I had visited this temple while in school days once a while but never knew its significance...To this place I went a fortnight back...where it is said he (That is the Viboothi Baba) visits even now...once a while...It is evidenced with scattered viboothi all over the floor...it is a common sight and the authorities of the temple gather this and distribute to the devottees...This direct disciple had announced a worldly person who lives in chromepet as his heir...who is quite a known person for our parents... He wears the typical attire of Bhaba and appears very normal. My mother got me introduced to him during the visit a fortnight back...
This man is some body I had wanted to make a posting but could not do....he is extremely simple..aged around 60 years and speaks quite normally... He does not show off as a God Man and clearly admits that he is being used as a tool by viboothi bhaba....!! he is married but no kids and the way he prays to his Guru with Viboothi in his hand before giving to the visitors, make us feel that he is praying for us...and any way will not exploit us....!!
I visited him and spent some time in this temple.....and was speaking to this man....for some time....Really different types of God Men around....!! He invited me for the Aaradhanai festival this sunday morning...for which I obliged...only later I realised my Public Speaking class is supposed to start this sunday...!! what a coincidence.....(some one is laughing aloud seeing my connecting abilities & imaginations.....!!)
(f) My socialising and communication during 24 hours....
I met a couple with their son in 10th standard who were our close friends...on the way to viboothi baba temple... It was so wonderful that the boy whom I met when he was 6 year old boy still remembered me...and while talkiing with them, I really felt that I was in full control..and keeping the conversation just perfect... I was not getting diluted with this socialising ...and at the same time, I made them feel its the same old suchoo....!! Perhaps it could be too difficult to put this in words...what I mean by "dilution" but, it is a reality for me...that my meditative state gets really a beating when I "indulge: too much.... The point is that it did not happen today....and when I kicked the starter of my mobike, it was so evident for me....
Further, during the interactions with my sisters who visited home and the neices, I was able to be extremely aware even when I cracked my usual jokes....and the voice was quite powerful and co-operative when I wanted to modulate...(is it becoming too much ??)
When my amma started bragging on some story of 1960, I waited for a while with an expressionless face and when I had an opportunity, I lashed her to make her understand that this is sheer stupidity to keep reliving bitter experiences....I think perhaps for the first time, she understood me when I speak like this...and perhaps did not continue further on the topic but I could also see that she was not hurt with my words... I passionately told her that to pamper her self pity is quite easy for me to do but I am not willing to do it....and made her realise that the current situation is much better for her than those re-lived past...and it is quite a stupid thing to remain in old days....!! I was through out determined not to lose my temper and that could be one important reason she turned cheerful before I left home..... Doing the needed things some time becomes necessary than going by people's wants....!!
(g) My absent mindedness & not getting impacted.....
It is quite amusing to me how I forget things and never get into problems because of that....!! it happened more than once today and I had to re-visit places (including the Saibaba Temple where I had kept my "kallikkaatu ithihaasam" novel and started moving towards home....!!), going back to Camp Road once again for getting the coffee powder and going in search of the pass book of my poor mother....!! to name the prominent ones...
I had to travel around 10 km extra in the hot hot sun..but what an acceptable mind I have...I never complained nor bruded about it....Perhaps this absent minded ness exist with me like a shadow because I am so compassionate to it....
(h) Return Journey to home
While returning back to home leaving parent's place by 3 PM, I could enjoy the hand mind co-ordination while driving and I was handling the bike extremely gracefully in the patches of the road....telling myself a confirmed statement..."all in the mind"....!! I saw a person lying in the new kathipaara bridge with a bleeding forehead quite unconscious (could be dead too) with very few people gathering around the accident spot...felt sorry for him and his family for a split second..
..and getting reminded of the constant insecurity that is always there in our lives.....!!
regards
suchoo