It took so much time to scribble a blog.Hence I will be publishing a blog from the Romantic Yogi Series-"Romantic Yogi-Part-3-Omnipresent Carbohydrate"

Love

Romantic Yogi

Hi

It became much late to scribble and publish a blog.I know it well…Okey….I will be publishing another satire blog from the Romantic Yogi series.Its name would be “Romantic Yogi - Part -3 - omnipresent carbohydrate”…Hope things will work on the right way…………………..

Love

Romantic Yogi….

                       Romantic Yogi - An Autobiography

Morning

Krrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr ..The alarm sounded continuously ..getting up again,Yogi reset it to early 5.45 and slept

"This has become a perennial disturbance ."His wife Niladri murmured on getting disturbed with the sleep .

"I am fed up Yogi .you want to get up only by 6'O clock, yet, setting the alarm to 5 , then getting up again and reset to 5.45 I know, at 5.45, you will again reset it to 6 .Are you really mad?……I cant digest the eccentric logic behind this activity I have been telling you to stop it for the last nine years one day I will throw it somewhere "

Keeping quiet,Yogi smiled to himself .He knew, that its tough to convince her with the fact, that presetting the alarm for  early timings before the actual wake up call, getting up on each ring , and being realized on the fact, that enough time was still available for further sleep,always satisfied him …

"Yogiiii Yogi.get up .its the time for the walk " Looking at the husband who was in deep sleep,Niladri yelled ..

Scrambled into the walking dress,Yogi sat on the bed and pondered 

Niladri was forced to intervene again .

"Thinking of any tricks to avoid morning walking?"

"No yar .Raising the head, with a yawn, yogi whispered ." I am thinking of coupling of certain mantras with tantra ."

"Sorry yogi, I have to do a number of tantras in kitchen to send your kid to school . before that I want to ensure your morning walk" She vehemently concluded

"A yogi in Himalayas can always sleep well .but a home-yogi could hardly think of it " reluctantly acquiesced to the words of Niladri, yogi  moved out ..Few joggers crossed over and exchanged "Good morning" .But he contemplated back to mantras in tantra, the revolving of the earth, sun , moon and the twinkling stars ..After a while, Yogi too upped the pace .Covering the regular area, he returned home in an hour .

"Oh God .its late " while rushing towards bathroom, he lamented Quickly having the bath, he moved to the pooja room .

"Pappa", on litting the lamp, the son addressed .Yogi turned back ..

"Pappa,You promised to answer my query by morning" ..The son reminded

"Oh..ok .ok .but you asked me so many qstns during last night .for which question you want the answer?

"Aha . don't you remember the question?"

"No .."Yogi  cautiously answered .

"Lalith, rush man, school bus has come ".While keeping the books inside the bag,Niladri yelled

"Pappa, I asked you to allow me to eat chicken ..It was my demand which you had agreed to accept by morning .."The son made a bombastic statement

"Accept? Hey man, don't lie ..I told  that I would answer  your request"

"Request"? the son really got wild ."Pappa, it is not a request, its infact my demand"

Perplexed,Yogi threw his eyes towards Niladri who immediately turned her face Incidentally,Yogi and his family were strict vegetarians..But some one nabbed his son and turned him to be a non-veg …

"Ok..pappa since you haven't answered , I am going to change my nationality"

"Nationality"?

"Yeah..I am changing myself to an American because Americans eat chicken regularly I understood  on watching Pogo channel From today onwards, I am  changing my regular school pledge too "The son paused for a minute ..Then continued .

"All chicken eating Americans are my brothers and sisters .I love my America ..and I am proud of its chicken 65 and chicken tikka Chillichicken Zindabad ..chilli ..chilli..chilli..chilli .chilli.chicken…zindabad.." .rushing towards the waiting bus, the son completed the slogan

"Niladriiiiiii" ..The visibly shaken Yogi called loudly Expressing solidarity with the son, Niladri didn't turn up .

Completing the routine morning programmes, Yogi reached office after a full week of  travel. ..Since it was a Friday, office was geared up into the holiday mood .switching on the media player and moving onto his favourite songs, Yogi began to check and revert to the mails ..His secretary Mrs Ann was seen simply sitting idle in front and staring him

"Mrs Ann,you look pretty  in this green sari, "In between Yogi commented

"Thanks Yogi .Infact am more beautiful in the red sari .Do you remember a deep crimson one with silver linings on boarder .?….That's very cute .I bought that from Kancheepuram, years back .That is a genuine stuff Mr Yogi My husband always complimented whenever I wore that special one ." The fifty five year old, fat lady blushed and replied

"Is it ? I want to discuss something with your hubby .Whenever I question you about the regular mistakes, which, only you can commit in the reports,you suddenly loose the tongue and shoulder on stupid reasons .when I make any simple comments like sari, opening the mouth,you  blabber at length" .gazing at the lady, yogi shot back ..

Expressing the displeasure with a gester,she kept quiet .

Someone opened the door

"Oye Yogi, missed u man .. whole last week .swarry ..catch u later .." Gyathri varma, from editorial busy rushed towards the System Dept ..

Yogi checked the appointments for the day .Infact it was a quiet relaxed one .Nothing much official work to complete .But few personal commitments were there to carry out First one was an inauguration of a book mela, organised by a retail chain store at 11 am near international stadium,Second one- a discuss lunch with the newly found spiritual friend .Evening ' regular meeting at office with Friday bash .

Mrs Ann was seen scribbling something on a pad ..

Moving out, Yogi walked towards the nearby cool bar .Instead of tea or coffee, he preferred to soda very much ..For him,the fizz always carried higher levels of sensation .

Forenoon

After the inauguration of the book mela, the branch manager put forwarded a request "Yogi you know, I am responsible for the inshop sales .why cant you buy few books? Infact I can proudly tell management that you have inaugurated the mela and bought books, say worth of Rs 5000.00 too .I can offer few discount too."

A stunned Yogi asked " hey you were sounding some figure?"

"Ya,I was telling a minimum of Rs 5000.00 " .The fellow cleverly added the word "minimum" with the original version .

"But you know,that I don't read books .Hence my purchase would be a waste" Opening up an escaping front, Yogi tried to wash off ..

"No problem This is kaliyuga So, most of the people buy books not to read but only to exhibit .majority wants to keep it inside the shelf, just to make others believe that he is a voracious reader .If you don't read book better exhibit them If you don't want to even exhibit, buy them for your growing son.We have a huge collection of children's books You can be choosy ." Smelling the business, the crooked fellow became alarmingly aggressive ..

Caught between devil and sea, Yogi had a bleak look on the wide variety of  books.His finger mechanically pointed towards few titles .He was in a state where he couldn't see anything at all While swapping the credit card, he once again checked  the bill .Rs 4108/- ..Correct ..nodding the head, he whispered once again ."correct" .

"Yogiiii .Don't worry, .for everything, there is a time.." while walking down, his outer mind reverberated ..Yogi kept quiet .his cell rang in between ..It was from the friend who waited in the restaurant to share the lunch ..

"Seems to be in good mood ?"  friend's voice resonated

"Hmmmmmmmm" Yogi replied in one stretch ..

"Come fast I am waiting in the restaurant ok?"He was aflutterred about meeting Yogi .

"hmmmmmmmm" Yogi finished the call

"Oh GOD, who knows about the state of mind? The friend feels that am happy by now ..but reality is different ..Only I know, that my son would be more interested in making paper ships using these books rather reading them .."Yogi's inner mind lamented ..

"Yogiiii .Don't worry, .for everything, there is a time.."  The outer mind tried to console again ..

"Means, to make paper ships too?" The inner mind lambasted back ..

"Why not? He can be a naval architect in future"

"May be or may not be, but still why he wants to use book paper worth of Rs 4108.00?'"

"Don't think of expense when you aim big target .Your job is to achieve it some how"

"That is a foolish statement .Irrespective of the size of the target, the cost must be  controlled always"

"But in many cases, one can't work out with a fixed budget ..It should be flexible"

The dual personalities of his mind continued to clash each other ..

"Are, can you pls stop it ?" Losing the patience, Yogi shouted ..

"Yogi don't loose patience coz you are not a bhogi .You should remain as Yogi for ever ." Both the independent shells of mind reminded .

By Noon

He finally reached the restaurant ..With a smile, the spiritual friend shared a great shake hand .While sharing the lunch , his friend said " Yogi, I have a personal problem ."

"Aha ?" With a hiss,Yogi gazed at him

"I will discuss after lunch .." the friend replied in a disappointing tone .Did his throat hoarse?

After paying the bill, both sat outside the service hall .

"Yogi," ..resting the arms on chair,his friend said .." You have to control your penchant for soda In the long term, it will be bad .."

"I accept I have to I will try from this moment ." Yogi was quick to accept ..

" Is this matter that u want to discuss with me?"

" No, I will reveal  it now but don't feel bad ok?" Applying for an interim bail, he opened  the subject .

Yogi became anxious

Taking a deep breath, the friend began "Mr Yogi .you know , I am very much spiritually oriented Normally I devote two hours for spiritual enlightment .Hence,I could control the thoughts .." Pausing a moment, he continued

 "Mr.Yogi,when you cross the obstacles in spiritual life and reach the upper level, you can dwell in trance . and when you start experiencing trance, you will never go back to  any worldly pleasures because you are above all . Yogiii,, whenever I get time I love to practise it.."the friend whispered while closing the eyes.Taking a deep breath,he chant ."Dwell .I dwell now I dwell now .here …" .

Wonder struck, yogi continued to gaze ..The fellow slipped into complete snoring . "Has he achieved direct moksha after a full stomach of food?" After ten minutes, opening the eyes he stared .Then stretching the hands,body,and making a twist, he belched noisily .

Yogi was amused at his strange gestures ..

"Sorry sorry I was  enjoying the trance" with a yarn,he whispered .

"Really ?  But it felt like the sound of snoring ."Yogi shot back .

"May be .when mind travels above the world,body creates a sound ."

"Sound of body? Man, it was the sound of snoring only .."Controlling the rising temper Yogi answered.

"It is easy to misunderstand the sound For spiritual people like me, it was the sound of body only ..Mind travels and travels to reach the higher levels of consciousness ..and finally dwells in eternity . Ok O.k I come back to the point of discussion" while trying to hide another yawn, he completed in bits and pieces .

 "Yogi, you know, that am at the age of only forty .."

"Aha"?

 Lowering the voice, he added "Unfortunately, am not blessed with a satisfactory sexual life with wife She always ignores me.At least should it happen once in a month? .I tried a number of ways to woo her But nothing succeeded till now Infact,as per the article published in a jyothish magazine,I prepared a paste, energised with rare mantras described in tantra text,applied on my forehead to subdude her Instead, the next door old aged lady, who was expecting a call from grave yard, smiled at me Am very much shattered. But you know I am a spiritual person" ..The spiritually dwelling friend revealed the issue in a material way .

Flabbergasted with the revelation, Yogi kept silence for a while then asked

"When u dwell in spiritual plane which is above the material one, why do you want to come down …" .

 "Good question .you know , Material plane is another part of universal plane Hence, mind tend to dwell over there too I am young, she too is. But nothing is happening Mr Yogi I am worried .Oflate,when I see young girls , am loosing a bit of control "He bemoaned .

"A bit"? 

"A little more" the fellow blurted ..

"But spiritual people normally think of moksha only "Yogi continued to catch him.. .

"Don't you know Mr Yogi, that moksha will be attained only on realizing the meaningless of each and every emotion and feeling .?"

"Ya but that applies only to ordinary mortals like me .For persons like you, moksha is directly offered"

"I don't believe" Rejecting the logic, the fellow immediately bleated "Then why Sankaracharya's atma entered the body of a king to realize the material maya .?"

"Man,Sankaracharya was not married by then But here,at this juncture,you are already married and blessed with a kid Still you want to enter some girl's body to enjoy material maya?"

"But but "  the fellow's throat crumbled ..

Immediately ordering a cool soda, Yogi blustered back .

"Man .. Its easy to speak volumes and volumes of vedanta but most difficult to live with "

"Help me Yogi, I seriously doubt her sexual interest .."the fellow's tone dissolved in other sounds….

"You want me to test that too? Don't be a credulous fool get lost my dear dingbat "While enjoying the fizz of the soda, he concluded .Breezing out from there, Yogi again walked down the street

"For everything, there is a time .." his outer mind sounded .

"For everything means?" Yogi threw a qstn

"Don't be  so naughty man "the outer mind replied with a laugh..

Time was around 3.30 noon In between he attended number of calls from GM and from Mrs Ann too .

"The world is full of  crooked people " Yogi shared a piece of Vedanta with his mind .."

Night

As usual the office party finished by 9 night ..and he reached home within half and hour ..

"Lalith has slept already" While entering the home, Niladri said .

"Why?"

"He was tired Had just a small bowl of corn flakes. "

"He has kept something for you "After having the bath, while sipping a glass of wine,Yogi was told They moved towards kid's room ..Sitting on the bed,Yogi gracefully looked his son who was in deep slumber ..His hands crawled through the son's hair .

Niladri handed over an envelope ..

Yogi opened it It was a picture of a hen drawn by the kid ..Looking  it for a minute,Yogi took the hands of his kid and cuddled He carefully shared a kiss without disturbing and then moved out of the bed room .

"Don't wish to watch the news?" She enquired ..

"No .."

"Seems pondering something .??"while lying down, she asked again ..

"Niladri ..It is not good to control kids beyond certain level .They are growing individuals with intelligence .They too think independently, want freedom and respect from parents .."While laying down the bed Yogi, muttered

"Hey, don't feel bad kids are always like that only naughty " Placing her head on his chest, she replied .

Taking a deep breath, Yogi continued ..

"Each person is different The thought process differs from one to one .The actions too .Look at me and dad We differ in many while keeping at most respect .Before the popularisation of televison, for most of the kids,the role model was dad .But now, that too began to change . The world is changing fast the family too the priorities too ." .Yogi paused for a minute ..Then he concluded

"Niladri let him take chicken..I have no objection He will need to assimilate all the experience to lead a contented life ..Let him understand the differences too and realize the reality  which is the essence of life "Yogi closed the eyes ..

"Hey, seems to be emotional?" Running her slender fingers over his face, she tried  to calm him ..

"Yogi .she called ..

Opening the eyes, he gazed at her .

"Yogiii look at the sky .Its a full moon night ..Crores and crores of stars  twinkle the sky, and embrace the moon .This is the night of rasleela .Cant u feel the strong layer of romance embracing us to enjoy the same ???" .Her fingers crawled over his face .and the erotic female smell began to ooze there  slowly .Through the window,the flashes of the milky white light escalated the flow of heavenly emotions ..

"Yogi .."whispering again she continued "Don't forget the fact that you are a Yogi of romance .and pray to remain as the Romantic Yogi ."

Smiling beatifically, Yogi took her into him and replied .."Yes "

The bed room lamp dimmed finally ..the shimmering milky rays continued to shower the sensational feelings .It was a rasaleela night .Both the shadows glued to share the material trance .The trance, which was coupled with everlasting romance to travel  another world  and  enjoy the celestial and never ending feelings and the never ending sensations

Aditya das menon ..

adityadasmenon@gmail.com

Dear

I am tagged by Meenakshi sharma….one of my good friends of iland…. my answers are given under…

1. If your lover betrayed you what would your reaction be?

honestly saying..I would keep the same mind .coz of my current dwelling in spiritual plane is more deeper .

2. If you could have one dream come true which one would it be?

Wish to maintain same level of peace of mind till the end .

3. Is there any person, at whose face you wanted to throw your
slippers/sandals/shoes at?

I never do it at any stages of life .Rather I wish to be with him/her even if he/she might have done the worst against me, support him/her realize the true essence of life .

4. What would you do with a billion dollars?

First I never dreamt of a million dollar and I don't want such a huge sum ..If it incidentally happens,I feel,I would sponsor a lakh of poor kids for better education .

5. Will you fall in love with your best friend?

Love? Ya sure .why not? But it should be pure na?

6. Which is more blessed: loving someone or being loved by
someone?

Being genuinely loved by someone means the other should posses unique attribute .It must be either a quality or anything which has thorough positive vibe .and while on reciprocating the same, it automatically creates a world of love ..Hence I feel  its always blessed to be loved by someone .

7. How long would you wait for someone you love?

Look at nature ..It loves you ..so waiting at any stage is’nt required at all ..

 8. If the person you like finds someone better than you, what
would you do?

I try to accommodate him too ..

9. If you could root for one social cause which one would it be?

Terrorism borns in the huts where poverty rules .Yet, we ignore it, which is the bloodiest crime for future ..

10. What takes you down the fastest?

Betrayal ..

11. Would you like to have the job you love or love the job you
have?

Most of us can't be choosers in real life ..Hence one should create a supportive environment where work will be loved .

Joining the crowd……in the Tag Iland….Konfessioner, many thanks to the developer…………

I express my sincere gratitude to Mrs Shyama Menon, who took so much pain in helping me to understand the principles of Tagging.

1. LAST MOVIE YOU SAW IN A THEATER ?  I really doonot remb coz I seldom watch films in theatre ..

 2.WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?  Book? Me? Wow ..no answer ..

 3.FAVOURITE BOARD GAME?  Chess

 4. FAVOURITE MAGAZINE?  India Today,RD,HBR,TIME Magz

  5. FAVORITE SMELLS? Obviously Jasmine The smell of poori bhaji, masala dosa, Vada ' chuttiney, kaalan ( A Kerala dish ) etc too .

  6. FAVORITE SOUND?  Flute, in all the pitches ..coz it has the ability to touch the atma .

 7. WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD? Feeling of frustration ..

 8. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING THAT YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE UP?  OMG .Hope my corporate wont ask me the immediate tour plan today ..

 9. FAVORITE FASTFOOD PLACE?…Small, ordinary village coffee shops,Saravana Bhavan ' Chennai,The Passage Bar- Vienna,Club11-Amsterdam, Rasa - London ..

10. FUTURE CHILD’S NAME?.  If I were to, then I will go for  Aiswarya Lekshmi

11. FINISH THE STATEMENT: `IF I HAD A LOT OF MONEY, I’D  do the same job coz I have a comfortable financial background.

12. DO YOU DRIVE FAST?! Yeah sometimes ………..

13. DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL? I  sleep with an angel .

14. STORMS: COOL OR SCARY? Never been in one……but it would be cool……….

15. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?! It was a Zen presented by dad

 16. FAVORITE DRINK? Mix a cool soda with a glass of butter milk and enjoy the feeling Zip vodka slowly during the late nights while trying to hide the head into the lushy hair of wife ..

 17. FINISH THIS STATEMENT: `IF I HAD THE TIME, I WOULD ..like to sleep more

18. DO YOU EAT THE STEMS OF BRO CCOLI? NA……
 

19. IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY COLOR, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CHOICE? Same ..black .and long

 20.  NAME ALL THE DIFFERENT CITIES/TOWNS YOU HAVE LIVED IN: New Jersey,New Delhi, Ooty, Bangalore,Chennai, Alleppey,Cochin .Small stints with Europe and Other places in North India too ..

 21. FAVOURITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Cricket, Football..

22. WHAT’S UNDER YOUR BED?   Oops .I have to check now ….

23. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE BORN AS AGAIN? As a "Romantic Yogi " again ……

24. MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Night Owl……….

25. OVER-EASY OR SUNNY-SIDE UP?  Sunny side up………

26. FAVORITE PLACE TO RELAX? Prefer spiritually vibrating places …

27. FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR? ? NA…………

29. WHO WOULD YOUR DREAM DATE BE?  Sabattini the famous tennis player who once mesmerized all .

 30. ARE YOU A VEGETARIAN ? Yes, I am strict vegggie

 31. YOUR FIRST LIP ENCOUNTER ' With Niharika Singh at the age of 10 .

32. DO YOU SLEEP IN THE BUFF? No never……….

33. MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT  ? I keep a different mindset So nothing embarrasses or haunts me .

I tag ' Mrs Shyama Menon…..

aditya das menon………….

HANDS OF LOVE - PART - 20 - “TERELIYE”

Dedication to : All the readers of my blogs……….., The Majestic performing art - Kathakali

"Kamdev,you are the GOD of cores of feelings, and emotions Can u tell me, among all these, which one is perennial ..?" One day Narada asked  his younger brother

 The question prompted Kamadev to think for a while .Then he replied "Prabhu,each feeling and emotion has its own importance in human being's life ..But it varies from individual to individual .The human being is bound to either ignore,forget or being concerned with many of those, which makes the feelings/emotions either be stronger or  be weaker as he grows older ..Its always hard to give an exact answer to your query .But, from my point of view, it is the feeling " missing " which looks perennial Coz it haunts the human mind throughout .Though "missing" contributes well to the mental development to accept the life as it is, many a times, it adversely affect the basic emotional stability too .The said feeling also complements to the growth of  detachment towards everything, but ironically attaches the human being towards it Interestingly, he searches the solace in missing He experiences the illusion of togetherness and joy . And .the illusion of caring and happiness .When the human life itself is an illusion,there is nothing great in obsessed to feeling of missing Nevertheless, he caresses it continuously Holding it close to heart, he lives and the more he lives, the deeper would be " missing " and the sharper would be the pain.. ."

Hearing the reply, without spelling anything Narada slowly moved away from there .

 TERE LIYE Begins from here .

 Resting my back on the chair, I tried to relax .Two days and nights of grueling presentations and brainstorming discussions severely affected my physical health The month was Feb 2008 .Previous two nights, infact I didn't sleep at all .The year ending performance analysis, deficiencies, corrections, next year's plans .all made the life hectic at Taj Mahal Palace and Tower ' Mumbai .Since the return flight was delayed by three hours,I reached back to Cochin office straight from the airport. .It was a Thursday

The time was around 4 evening .The downward resilience level reminded to avail a leave for the next day .I earnestly wished to sleep for long hours I knew, that Niladri was waiting me impatiently .My cell began to ring .

" Aditya ." Boss's sound resonated .

" Yes Ji "

" An urgency .Reach Chennai by morning .Pankaj Malik is coming along with the newly joined Editor In Chief for business division .Btr catch an early morning flight .But you can return back by a late night one ."

" Is it a must? You know, I haven't slept during the last two nights ..and "

" Don't you know that me too missed it?…..Our life is like that You are on the verge of a promotion and you should accommodate things in the best possible way ..ok? prepare another presentation with the points that we have discussed  in Mumbai Dress code is compulsory for tomorrow's meeting .Don't reach here in jeans and later run to change it "

" Ya ."

Alas ..I have to rework the whole presentation, then drive 60 kms to home, then start by early 2.30, drive another 90 kms to Cochin International Airport, reach Chennai and that too in the specific dress code,present the whole plans,discuss, finally catch the late night flight, and drive again 90 kms back to reach home ..I have to perform all these with a tired body after continuous 48 hrs of work ..But as my boss had replied, better accommodate everything ..

I contacted niladri over cell ..

" Hue .."

" Yes boss .am waiting you any plans to reach home today or another globe trotting is on cards?"

" Both are true "

" Oh My GOD "

" Am reaching home only by around 10 night coz I have to rework the whole presentation with latest updates which take around two hours, then catch early morning flight to Chennai But I will be back by tomorrow night itself- Promise ."

" Oh..that is too much Aditya "

" That's three much honey,coz I should be present in perfect dress code too Choose one pair as u wish and keep it ready."

"But how can u drive during early hours ? Ie too with out any proper sleep ? Can you please arrange either a taxi or a driver ? Y can't u check with Sanjeev? perhaps his driver can help "

" Lemme try..before that I have to reserve the fight tickets Ok?? so do what I have told "

"I am terribly upset Aditya ..I never expected this"

" Ie life baba carry on .catch you in another 4 hrs time "

I searched the web and reserved the tickets ..The fingers moved fast from one figure to another and from one page to next to complete the new version of presentation .In the mean time,tried to contact Sanjeev's driver who promised to reach my home by early 2'O clock.. ..

Reaching home late,I was utterly tired .Getting up early in the morning and making tomorrow another hectic one looked leathal..But I was left with no options .

Woke up by around 2 early, I finished the bath .Since brahmamuhurtha starts only by around 3.30, I didn't sit for the routine prayer Waited for Sanjeev's driver till 2.30 who failed to turn up .Niladri was very much worried .It was raining lions and tigers .After scrambling into the dress code of mild pink shirt, a dark Pink tie and finally a black suit,I moved towards the car and finally left…..

Early hours travel was never recommended because of the complex nature of risk .But, of late I was forced to do so Touching a speed of 80KM/Hr, the car moved fast down the four lined national high way .After crossing nearly 30 kms, the rain halted finally .Switching off the AC, I opened the window to breath the fresh air .Time was around 3 early My flight was scheduled to leave at 5.40 .means I had enough time to relax and drive ..The speed slowed down to 50KM/Hr .I switched off the stereo .Perfect silence brood all over there ..Suddenly,from somewhere I heard a feeble sound of a pada flowing without any interruption ..

" Kande njan nikade nine

kalivakku thava kette njan"

( Hey beautiful girl, I have not only seen but heard your sweet voice too")

"Was it a dream or a hallucination??? .Parking the car near road side, I tried to concentrate again  

" Kande njan nikade nine

kalivakku thava kette njan"

Yes ..I was not dreaming ..somewhere , in somewhere, the mightiest art Kathakali was being performed and that too the story was" Nalicharitha"..( the story of Nala ) ., which was once , almost eleven years back performed in many stages by me and my close friend Parvathy Nambissan, together

I drove the car towards the direction from where the raga was flowing out It took another two kms drive to the left of N.H ..In a temple ground,around twenty people congregated together .Most of them were seen lying down on the sand and sleeping On the stage, an old man , in the costumes of the King Nala,was seen, desperately trying to express the romance to another old man who was in the costumes of Damayanthi, Nala's romantic partner and wife in the story .

Forgetting the fact that I was in a suit.,I neared the stage . Transferring the body weight on a pillar, I stood there .The artists who were performing on the stage stared at me . Unfortunately, instead of a sequence of romantic mudras, I witnessed the utter ex-pressions of poverty,pain and life's miseries ..

" Oh God, this is too much..This is pity .such  romantic padams are literally being subdued by  pathetic ex-pressions " I lamented myself ..

Suddenly, I felt like some one standing behind .The sound of the mild breath was audible to ears .The heat of it drizzled on my shoulder In the very next moment,cuddling me, two hands stretched forward and held mine .The middle finger of the left hand of that unknown person was decorated with a gleaming diamond ring A female sound whispered in my right ear " Why the pada of finest feelings doesn't have an atma now?…..why it is being replaced with melancholy?? Pushing the hands apart, I twirled But none was found there My eyes searched all over .Was it a surreal ?…..

An old man was seen walking towards me .Though he asked something,ignoring it,I moved towards the car ..The mind was slowly turning back to unfold the memories again

Around 11 years back me, at the age of 25 ..The venue was Payyannur Kathakali club .The date was January 14 th 1997 ..It was a performance along with Parvathy Nambissan after a gap of almost one year I was about to complete my Post Grduation in Management at Bangalore and she was in her first semester MBA with Symbaosis ' Pune .The two severe back to back hamstring injuries forced me to give up Table Tennis for ever .

While Parvathy came Payyannur direct from Pune, I first reached Calicut , the house of my uncle and aunt who contributed much to my Kathakali learning and performing days ..Though doctors by profession, they were unfortunately not blessed with a kid ..I was always treated as their own child ..I held strong determination to learn the legendric art Kathakali from the age of five .From different destinations of the globe,I reached my uncle's home at Calicut which was just 80 kms away from Kalamandalom .Almost fifteen years,I commuted between Kerala Kalamandalom and Calicut during the annual holidays,along with aunt .Most of the nights, while coming back to Calicut from Kalamandalom,I rested my tired body over her shoulder More than anyone else,it was she, who strained like me during those days .

My uncle waited in railway station to pick me up .While alighting from the car,reaching me, aunt held my hands .

" Missing u so much my son" .she told in a mellifluous voice .

I tried to smile .I was feeling unrest in informing her about another decision of my life .Though I had successfully convinced my parents, brothers and later my uncle - while coming down from the railway station, convincing aunt seemed  tough…

" Thinking of something? Be a happy kid, you are with Parvathy Nambissan and again on the stage .."Kande Njan nikade nine ..kalivakku thava kette njan" Caressing my long hair, she sung a padam of Kadakali ..

" Mom ." I addressed ..

" Yes beta..bolo .kya huwa?" looking at me , she asked .

I turned the face to uncle

" Aare,Varmaji what happened? Why Aditya is looking so bizarre? She asked to hubby, or to my uncle, Dr Rama Varma Raja.

"Subhadra, Aditya is leaving the stage for ever .The back to back hamstring injuries are forcing him to leave Kathakali..He is bit uncomfortable to tell you coz you have been with him from the age of five. "

Aunt kept silence for a while Then looking at me she whispered .

" This is not a shock to me .Infact,I have been expecting this one day .Infact from the day when you told me that you wont be playing Table Tennis at any level because of hamstring ..while at Mumbai, when you were admitted in the hospital, we had a detailed discussion with an expert in sports medicine.Since we both belonged to medical profession, the expert took special care in detailing us about various sports related injuries and their consequences too "

After pausing for a minute, she continued ." Yet, I have been continuously praying to give you strength to overcome it .I knew that, you wont be able to spare enough time from your studies But I wished to seen you on stage once in a while ." She bemoaned ..

I envisaged the rising crescendo of emotions in her ..As my uncle had stated, she had been following me from one stage to another .She was a grown up tree where me, a little branch always soothed in love and care ..

" Mom do you feel bad at me ?"Nearing her, I asked .

" No I don't .." nodding the head, she gestured .

"I am learning the art of leaving everything like each human being .Sometimes I feel that, its happening to me a bit early though the universal truth is nothing is earlier or late ." the words crumbled .

Tilting the face towards me , she mumbled ." I can feel you and your passion too ..It is always good to accept the life as it is, rather trying to define the outcomes .Aditya, have you informed your parents, brothers, Your fiancée Niladri and friend Parvathy about this?"

" Except to Parvathy, I informed everyone .."

' Why not to Parvathy"?

"Will do it after today's performance ..Otherwise, she wouldn't turn up for the day ."

" You have shared a number of stages with her You should have informed her earlier.." She muttered .

"Yes But ." I floundered

"Any way, .Along with her, are you playing the same Nalacharita tonight?

" No, It's a different subject .Sudama ( Kuchela ) and Krishna the meeting of Kuchela and Krishna at Dwaraka after may years .and incidentally Parvathy was blessed to chip in the role of Kuchela ..I don't have much to perform in the costumes of Krishna .Its just two hours of performance only ."

" At what time should we start?" I asked her ..

Instead to reply, she was seen contemplating something ..Then in broken words she replied " Aditya,I wont be attending your performance today You know, grandma is here, down with old age diseases, so I have to be with her .Again, I don't wish to watch you with a statement of a last stage .. Yet, I wish to see you in the costume Don't remove it until you reach here .I will I will .wait ."Her eyes brimmed with tears

The day seemed fading fast .

Evening, at the mighty Payyanuur Kathakali club The crowd was so majestically honored with those who were well versed in the subject .. The performances continued from morning onwards .

 In the green room along with few,we too ' me and Parvathy lay down for the make up

" After almost a year and ie too in new roles? Aditya, are you so bored with Nalacharitha? .. I never expected the role of Sudama here..I was longing to comeback to stage in the costumes of Damayanthi again But I accept the role of Sudama coz its unique to me" She muttered .

" Good to you " I replied .

" Ie all"?

" More news is in the queue, but only after  the performance"

" Hmm .anything great?"

" Only u have to evaluate"

" Making me curious?"

" Why should I limit it to the word " curious" ? its something bigger .."

" Why cant you tell me now? Why you wanna fix up a time for that?….

 A frisson of excitement is running through my mind "

" Wait for another 4 hours, In the mean time,I wish to recollect the mudras ."

"You are lacking the proper practice now a days I know that " .Keeping silence for few minutes, she asked ."So today your mudras would be of compassion and love?" .

"Ya ..another level of romance ."

"Means "?

" Compassion and love are deeply routed to true romance ..Don't you know that? "

" Wow, ie a new info to me "

" Try to use it"

" Who are performing in the place of our Kande njan?"

" Two trainees from kalamndalom ."

" Do you know them?"

" How can I? ..Don't you know that am away from Kerala for the last two years?"

"Our's is scheduled as the the last .?"

"No, after that one more will be there ..Its of those trainees "

 While she continued to ask questions, I pondered over the ways to inform her about the decision I knew, sharing more than 50+ stages, how much she would feel on hearing it ..

By around 9 night, we moved towards the stage as usual, Parthy rose to the versatile level of performance thus by pulling the audience to lured into her.They have become oblivious to the surroundings .Her face reflected the subtle bhavas and the mightiest navarasas The scope for me to perform was very much limited .Though I was also a part on the stage in the costume of Krishna,my job was confined to witness the wonderful girl Parvathy Nambissan

Two hours on the stage went past .

We came back to the green room The artists for the final performance left to the stage for preparations .

"You seemed a bit out of mood .what happened? ."While changing the costumes,she asked me

" Can you tell me , in how many stages we performed together"? . Ignoring the question, I asked ..

" Why, The king Nala has lost the simple memory?"

"No man, I am asking you very seriously ..I am sure that, it is Fifty Plus but can u tell me the exact number?"

" Maharaj, today is our 69 th one Shall celebrate the 100 th in style ."?

" 100 th one ? well.. but before that, if I tell you something, do you fell bad?"

" No Guarantee, depends on the subject Why suddenly King is getting emotional? "

" I am not rather I am relaxed now .I will, for sure, feel much more relaxed if you hear me , and respond with composure .."

" Agreed .Tell me " she asked .

I slowly neared her .keeping my eyes on her exquisite face, I whispered

" May I inform you that the just concluded one was my last, which marks  the end of our journey, together on stage"? .

That was more than manageable to her .A shell shocked Parvathy Nambissan failed to manage the emotions .her throat horsed .. and body shivered

" Means"? .She tried to swallow the rising pain under the neck .

" Means .I will not come back to the stage again .I had been thinking of leaving the stage for the last few months ..Because of the nursing of perennial hamstring injury,my body is not fit for hours long performances .and I cant find much time to spare for practice during the studies ." I replied calmly

Bending the head down,she became silent .She was infact trying to adjust herself with the unexpected news ..Finally tilting the face towards me she asked .

" Have you informed Niladri about this?"

"Yes .."

" Have you informed your parents, your brothers Bharath , Harsh, your Aunt and  Uncle ."?

" Yes ."

" So ..so so you have informed everyone close to you even before today's programme, but not to me ." Gazing at me,she fumbled in crushed voice .Her face benumbed with cold

Nearing her I confessed ." It was not intentional .Had I informed you earlier, I was sure that you wouldn't have reached here .I really wanted to leave the stage with your spirited presence Am sorry if I hurt " I held her hands into mine and slowly caressed on her glittering diamond ring .

"So our journey is finished isn't it? Have we reached the destination? "Enveloped in pain, she threw a question .

"Irrespective of the destination, every journey has to be concluded one day " I tried to calm her down .

" I haven't learned to answer in the most detached way that you always use ." ..she sobbed ..

Tilting the face upward, she darted a painful look at me ..Her heart beat sounded high .and she began to sweat ..

" Please don't feel bad at me , at any stage of life " I whispered to her

Instead to answer, her mournful eyes continued to peel me

"I have kept a special gift for you "

"Do you think that a special gift will sooth me? .She retorted .

Opening the bag, I took the crown of King Nala which I had been wearing for years on the stage .

" Do you remember this"? I asked her slowly .

Instead to answer, she  kept the crumbling hands on it ..

"Along with you,I had been wearing this crown in more than fifty stages in the costumes of King Nala .We have narrated the art of passion, love, affection, romance,Pain and Parting as Nala and Damayanthi where this throne witnessed and rated each and every performance …Since I have decided to leave the stage, I don't wish to carry anything which reminds me of the stage .I feel you are the best custodian to keep it " I muttred .

" Handing over the crown of Nala will help you to forget the stage?., Pausing for a while, tilting the face,she fibbed "Can you fulfill a simple wish ..now ..?"

" Please I will try .."

Carrying the crown in hands, she whispered " Can you wear it again?" her sound began fading away .

From the stage, the romantic padams of Nalacharia touched the threshold

" Kande njan nikade nine

kalivakku thava kette njan"

( Hey beautiful girl, I have not only seen but heard your sweet voice too")

Sitting on a chair ,I took the throne For the first time in life, I felt my own smell on it After removing the crown of Krishna, I wore it on my head .and finally  stood up .

Standing near, Parvathy stared me .Her eyes suddenly glittered .The face continuously reflected the falling of feelings in heart .Without any blinking,she stood like a statue .

Her painful look tugged at my heart strings

" I don't think that I can travel from here that too alone, at least on the stage " In a determined but crushed voice,she  whispered .Her wet eyes traversed from my head to  face .Holding both hands, I bowed her ..and  closed the eyes

From the stage, the raga of romance and passion continued to float .Without muttering a word, Parvathy finally decamped Keeping the throne of Nala in the bag, I moved towards the stage Sitting on the knee ..I bend down .

" Majestic Art, I have deep indebtness towards you throughout my life .Irresistible passion too …"A drop of tear rolled and fell down .." ..

Arranging the crown to hand over to her, without changing the costumes, I sat in the car .My twenty years of untiring practice finally reached the dead end Being brutally honest to the art,leaving the stage was never an easy decision ..It was my passion and breath too .I tried to relax among the feelings of many-my family's, aunt's, uncle's, Niladri's, Parvathy's and finally my own .

The car reached Calicut after midnight..Time was around 1'O clock early .I knew, that my aunt was waiting to see me in the costumes again ..

" Mom " Moving forward, I hugged her .

" Well Aditya, " she bemoaned again

After sparing few minutes with her I went upstairs where my grandma was down with old age diseases ..

" Krishna "She whispered .

"  Yes ma Waiting me?." .I sat near her .Instead to reply, she pat on my face ..

"When you are leaving back?" She asked in crushed voice

" By tomorrow, infact today morning ."..I replied .." Ma its so late .Please try to sleep .." ..Sitting near her, I massaged her hands .She slipped into sleep ..

Downstairs,aunt and uncle were seen sitting near the dining table and waiting me .Sharing a seat next to her, I kept the head over her shoulder .

"Mom, from when, I have been resting my head over your shoulders after each Kathakali practise/performance?" I asked her slowly

" From the age of five onwards .till now, at this moment" Caressing me, she answered .She always resonated the love and care of my own mom .

" For the last fifteen years, how did you manage my increasing weight on your shoulders during hours long travels ?……..

"Don't you know , that a mom can even hold the earth too in her arms..? smiling at me , she replied

" Mom ..I love you .."My voice began to crumble down .

Without answering, turning the face towards me, she kissed on my forehead and replied

"I miss you Aditya Like your parents ."

She held me cloz to her .. After few minutes,I asked her ." may I remove the costumes?"

"Have a refreshing bath too in hot water Niladri tried four times in between Is she upset?"

" Might be might be feeling unrest .I am sure .."

Time was around 2 early .I moved upstairs to sleep .

During the early morning, while on the way back to Bangalore,I planned to make a surprise to the principal at Lawrence- Ooty

Aunt was seen at pains .Cuddling me, she whispered

" When kids grow up, they leave the nest .Then the old aged parents feel utterly bereft Aditya, you have grown up to a man Every day I wait for your phone call .Whenever I miss u because of any reasons, I feel restless .This house breaths only on your arrival .It will now start counting the days again for your next visit I deeply miss you .."Her face was distorted with pain of leaving .Yet she tried to hold the emotions intact ..

I didn't answer .Instead, I was trasferring her parental love and care, to stay back in the path of life without any deviations

" Have you reached airport?? ." ..the rustle of cell phone brought my mind back.It was from Niladri

" Left Alwaye . Will reach  in another 10 minutes " ..Time was around 4.25 am ..

Parking the car in the international terminal, after clearing the formalities, I waited for the flight in the departure lounge and finally  reached Chennai office on time .

Though busy with the presentations and discussions,the early morning experience was vivid in my mind I wished to watch another Kathakali night. .After reaching back to Cochin by night 8'O Clock, I drove towards the same venue..The temple .but none was seen over there ..It was perfectly empty .The stage silently stayed alone . I jumped towards it .went to the green room used for make up .Coming back to the stage, I stood without any movement .. The crisscrossing of the winds alerted the imminent rain ..

This was the stage where the pathetic performance of Nalcharitha was played during the early morning while the classical version was once mesmerizingly narrated by me and Parvathy Nambissan together, 11 years back .

From the neighboring house, a song flew through the air I tried to keep my ears towards that direction ..

" Tereliye hum hain jiye .honton ko siye

Tereliye hum hain jiye..har aansoo piye

Dil Mein Magar Jalte Rahe, Chaahat Ke Diye

Tere Liye, Tere Liye.."

I lay down there My hands gently scrambled over the stage, filling it with the dust and sand of those artists who were there till early morning

" How much I loved this master art I still hold the irresistible passion and the feverent desire ." My inner soul vibrated. The eyes became wet ..Tears rolled down like cascades ..The cool breeze held the feelings together .The song was repeated again in the air .

“Zindagi Le Ke Aayehe Hai Beete Din Ki Kitaab

Ghere Hain Ab Humein Yaadein Be-Hisab”

Stretching both hands,I tried to regain the memories .Far way, deep in the heart, a boy was seen lulled into slumber by the profounding ragas of Kathakali .Carrying him in the hands, the majestic stage blossomed the enduring versatility of mudras and padams ..The impeccable performances miraculously brushed the heaven of silky rainbows in the deep hearts of the audience .The classical ex-pressions of mudras magically invited the minds to cross the threshold of the most sublime level of finest feelings .The stage always enthralled him..or he was always enthralled by the stage Yet, holding the passion intact,in the darkness of cramps and dust,he crawled for a silent touch to it But the stage slowly vanished ..When the dust finally settled, he was left alone .

Someone touched on my body It was the old man who asked me something during the early morning .

" Who are you ..I saw you in the early morning too? ." he suspected ..

I stood up ..

" Who are you? " .touching on my shoulder he asked me again .

The frosty wind was too cool to manage .Yet,I removed the coat .then the tie and finally two buttons on top of the shirt

Looking at him, I replied ." My answer will prompt you only to ask more questions I am a stranger ..I lay down here because I love the stage .Thanks for being here .Am leaving "without waiting for the reply, I walked towards the car ..

The old man curiously stared at me ..It was about to shower .The wind blew again and my long hair fluttered continuously .

The song was repeated again

Before entering the car,I turned back .Standing alone, the stage desperately waited for some one who could blossom the lost romantic ragas and padams of Nalacharita again .My car moved slowly .Like the blowing wind , my mind too was experiencing the shower of emotions and feelings Feeling of Missing ..something and somewhere ..The pada, which kindled me to reach back there,seemed flowing from somewhere again

" Kande njan nikade nine

kalivakku thava kette njan"

I was eager to hear that again .Entering the car, I played the CD of Nalacharita in the Car stereo .The immortal voice of Sankaran Embrathiri and Kalamandalom Hydrali fondled on the ears ." Kande njan nikade nine kalivakku thava kette njan" .The mind flew with the lingering memories

It took another 30 minutes drive to reach back home .Parking the car,I walked towards the first floor .Near the upper living room, an antique was placed- a five feet wooden idol of King Nala- in the costumes of Kathakali.It was presented me by Parvathy during the house warming .The face of the idol was enlightened with such encompassing grace where one will continue to peel at it .I slowly moved towards it In-between Niladri too reached there Holding her in front of the idol, I briefed  the day's incidents .Keeping her face in my hands,I tried to hide mine in her luxuriant hair .

" Flirting with emotions ..?"she asked silently

" Might be do u remb that pada " Kande njan nikade nine kalivakku thava kette njan ?"

" Yes ."

" It is now flowing from somewhere .from somewhere "I muttered

" Aha ."cuddling me passionately she sounded ..

I was into the 4^th night without any rest ..The cologne emanated from Niladri, encircled me .

Holding her with the left hand, I stretched the right one and it finally touched on the face of King Nala ..I slowly caressing on it's face .The pada of romance was so audible to my ears

  "Kande njan nikade nine kalivakku thava kette njan "

I was slowly falling into an unconscious state of mind .Few identified scenes began rushing in front ..The continuous journey of a young boy from different destinations to Kalamandalom, his tiresome trainings .the majestic and sensational stage .the heart throbbing performances, his silent weeping in the costume of Karna after missing the hatrik to a girl in the university youth festival .The days spent in the hospital bed struggling with cramps .And at last,the day of leaving the stage for ever .Keeping the passion with me,the boy slowly walked away .I tried to touch him , I tried to reach out to him fast But he slowly faded away and for ever ..I rushed through the ways he left No where I could find him .Holding his passion close to chest, I waited..The expectation was feeble while the disappointment finally lead to the reality that he wouldn't come back .The passionate boy has left, for ever leaving me, and, for ever leaving the resonating Kathakali Pada " Kande njan nikade nine kalivakku thava kette njan" .

Aditya das menon ..

adityadasmenon@gmail.com

VIJAYEE BHAVA .SARVA VIJAYEE BHAVA

 The temple was crowded due the speciality of the day .I was standing far behind, from where a glimpse of a darsan was bit impossible ..It was the time for evening aarathi Near me, I saw him .." Mr.Crooks,.one of the most crooked fellow I have ever met in life ..He hurried towards me .

 " Quite surprise Aditya?? Y here?" His mouth fell open .

 " Can't I come over here?"..his query was irritating

 " You are not regular .ie Y am surprised ."

 I didn't answer .

 "Its so crowded We will try to reach to the front to get a darsan during aarathy ."

 " Not We will, You will ..Am not interested ."

 " In front, you can watch a lot of beautiful girls clad in typical kerala sari, compete each other to exhibit their beauty ..Hmmmm .Yummy Aditya,don't waste your time by standing here .Push forward man .We can enjoy ."

 " I am not a person of that type..Never forget the fact you are in a temple..Dont disturb me ."

 "R u in an angry mood?….any way, I want to enjoy ..GOD has given eyes for that too .There should be a destiny to enjoy it na .."

 " Ie your concern Ok? .carry on and enjoy your destiny ."

 He somehow pushed best to reach the front ..In between people who stood in the Q were seen yelling at him With in few minutes, the aarathi began .The whole area resonated with the chants ..Standing back,I somehow managed to have a glimpse of a darsan and became satisfied .Folding my hands together, I  closed my eyes again ..A sharp and tough voice disrupted my attention .I gazed at the front .The Chief Priest was seen languishing at Mr. Crooks for falling on him by loosing the physical balance while pushing forward ..and Mr. Crooks was seen apologizing .Though the devotees left the temple after the aarathi,Mr. Crooks stood at one corner He looked deeply down .I approached him .

 "So enjoyed the lovely girls and your destiny"?

 He darted a disappointed look at me ..

 "Aditya, I am at loss ..The chief priest cursed me for falling on him "

 " Its your destiny man..so enjoy it ?"

 " I want to apologize to him .Will u please help me?"

 " Should I apologize for you and change my destiny? ."

 " Aditya, Don't ridicule me Can you spare Rs 200/-"?

 " Wow , an apology costs only Rs 200/-only..? means around 5 dollars .or around 3 pounds .?"

 " Don't be so much cruel ..I am at loss"

 " Dear Fellow, I have got money with me, but I won't spare it And I don't believe in paying money and buying blessings"

 " Please Aditya please help me..this is not the time to joke .."

 " Swarry friend ..I won't change my words ."

 " R u sure "?

 " Obviously"

 Mr. Crooks, with so much anger  stared at me ..

 "Hey man, You can stare  .but don't try to eat me ..Ok?"

 " Leave it Aditya, I will manage the money, can u please come with me to the priest’s room?"

 "What man? you have just asked cash and I denied…Suddenly U have managed it without asking anyone…?? Do u know any magic in money making? Can u tell me too?"

 " I have kept Rs 200/- for some other purpose .What to do ..I have no option at all"

 " Oh..u have kept money for some other purpose ? ..You are a bloody crooke man .."

 " Aditya, please come with me .I feel frightened .."

 " That is your destiny …"

 " Aditya, Please ..Pip .Please .."

 " I won't enter his room ..Rather I will wait outside "

 On hearing my reply,Mr. Crooks, rushed towards the priest's room .Standing near the window,I watched inside .Surrounded by devotes, the chief priest was seen cracking foolish jokes ..The disciples laughed at the end of each joke even without understanding the meaning ..Mr. Crooks, a dishearted man, went inside slowly and stood in front of him .With so much of hatred , The chief priest throw a tough look at him .

 " What do you want"?,,,,,,,,,,He yelled at Mr. Crooks .

 Taking a 100 rupee note from the pocket,Mr Crooks said …

 " Prabhuji, I apologize for my mistake" ..Keeping it into the hands of chief priest,Mr Crooks suddenly  bend down and touched the priest's legs

 The Priest's face resembled a full moon on getting Rs 100/- ..The signs of hatred disappeared imminently Expressing the happiness of winning a lottery of  an unexpected sum, the Priest spontaneously blessed " Vijayee Bhava" .He then kept some prasada on a leaf and handed over to Mr. Crooks .Stunned with the blessings, Mr. Crooks took another 100 rupee note, offered as a dakshina to the priest and collected the prasada ..Wondered on winning another lottery, the chief priest, in ecstasy, blessed loudly " Sarva Vijayee Bhava"

 With so much of happiness,Mr. Crooks jumped out of his room and told me ." Aditya, I feel like conquering the world He blessed me with Vijayee Bhava and later changed to Sarva Vijayee Bhava ..I believe it is a good omen for me "

 " Wow ..What a blessing man ..Had u offer one more hundred rupee note, what would have been the next  ?" Walking slowly , I asked him ..

 " Aditya, I wonder why you don't believe in this"?

 " I am not a fool like you .."

 " Means?"

 " That fellow blessed you with “Sarava Vijayee Bhava” what does it mean?"

 " Means victory in everything I do"

 " Man,first tell your chief priest to bless his son "

 " Means"?

 "For the last two months, your Chief Priest has been requesting me to teach Maths to his son who failed three times continuously in the tenth standard .. If his blessing of “Sarava Vijayee bhava” is effective, why his son fails continuously?….. I don't want to be a nut like u by paying the money for blessing"

 Vanishing without any answer,Mr. Crooks suddenly appeared in front of Chief priest's room Was he looking for an another blessing?…. or planning some crookedness to get back the money?? My lips slowly muttered …

  "Mr Crook ,Sarva Vijayee Bhavaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"

 Adityadasmenon ..

adityadasmenon@gmail.com…..

My humble dedications To:

 Ek Ajnabee Mallu ' Hope he has come back with all our prayers ..

Marivin ' A blogger who was once active here .If anyone can share a clue about her, it would be nice .

Dileep Krishnan, Krishna Prasad,P.G.R.Nair, Jayraj, Maheen Misra, Amaya Lahiri , Nilesh Gore and Aravind Das

 Hands Of Love ' 19 ' The Last Passenger Train .

Life throws a lot of surprises to every one .To me too Many of them seem surreal yet , they are real ..

Sitting on a chair at Kannur railway station during a winter night, I waited Sankaretta and his assistant Chandran.Life looked showered with a bunch of experience Many are falling from heaven without any forwarnings which include the current learning too .

I met Sankaretta first time at Kannur railway station around five years back I was not a traveler by train Yet, I reached there to find the timings to travel upto Mangalore the very next day where resorting to another mode of travel seemed risky because of the imminent harthal organized by left parties….After checking the train timings,to pass the time, I sat over there watching the people and the surroundings But interestingly it went up to night 11.45 In between,my eyes reached on a person who was clad in saffron dress and aged around 70 years With a long beard he resembled a yogi .and that was Sankaran Nambiar or Sankaretta, as the people addressed him with respect ..Another person, aged little lesser than Sankaretta was seen politely hearing and answering and he was Chandran ' Sankaretta's auto driver.On realizing me as a stranger, they offered  help in dropping me at the hotel Mascot Beach Resort situated near the sea,at Burnasseri which is 3 kms away from the railway station. I had a chat with them during that night ..My curiosity multifold on knowing Sankaretta's regular visits to the railway station for the last seven years .The very next day, though my Magalore trip didn't happen,I reached the station by evening and waited him to say a hello. .By 7.30 night,, he came over there. Surprised on seeing me, he walked forward and shook my hands

" Aditya, I never expected you here" . Sankaretta exclaimed

" I came here to exchange the pleasantries ."

"Come on, we will sit, discuss and share a cup of tea too . Are u in a hurry"?

"No"

We sat on chairs .For few minutes,Sankaretta seemed thinking on something Then he opened the eyes .It became suddenly reddish .Looking at me, he asked ..

" Aditya,How much life u have seen?"His tone became thinner ..

" Less when compared to your age "

Closing the eyes , he contemplated again Then he floundered ..

" The more you grew older, the higher would be the experience, the deeper would be the pain and the stronger would be the affinity towards detachment .Man touches the upper limit and then diverts his desire from world to death" ..

I simply peeled at his face .The jaw muscles moved delicately

"Hmmm .ok..leave it.. tell me about yar family ."

I shared a brief In between Chandran brought tea .

" Sankaretta, I want to know why you are regular here? Ie too for the last seven years ." .

He stared at me for a minute Then pondered over something again ..

After few minutes, he enunciated ." Yes..I will narrate " ..

" Aditya, I was born to a lower primary school teacher who died at the early age of forty .For my mom, taking care of her four kids- three daughters and one son-me,was the most bloodiest task Yet,with tuition and music classes she managed. Being the eldest kid, at the younger age itself,I underwent the sufferings very much .I wished to grow up fast and support my family."

Sipping the tea, he continued ."After completing the tenth standard, one of our relatives in Bombay, took me along with him He later  helped to complete the Industrial Training Course .I really searched for a job along with the studies coz my family desperately wanted greater share of support. Did a number of part time jobs and tried to send few coins to home .Since my sisters were good in studies, I was much committed .I tried to play the role of a father rather than a brother .Whenever I slept, I held my hands together and kept on my chest as if I was hugging my mom,sisters ..My starving prayers finally blessed me with a job in Eastern Railway .It made a sea change in my home too The  electric light finally opened its eyes in my small hut ..The kitchen became busy in cooking for three times My sisters scrambled into more pairs of dress ..I was dying every day to ensure that my family was safe and secure with in my limits of comforts .U know , I loved the day of getting the salary.Collecting it,normally I ran towards the post office to send the money order .During those lonely nights, I dreamt of them , collecting my money from the post man, going to temple,buying groceries,paying fees and sharing food together .My dreams were always knitted around them and them only By the grace of GOD, both of my sisters became doctors and settled very well at Calicut Third one joined with Kerala government as a teacher ..My mom left the world while she was in the midst of prosperity and happiness Yet she was sad on me, continuing as a bachelor.I was at the age of forty Two when my youngest sister got married ."

"Infact I never wished to marry ..My challenge was to take care of my family So I never spared enough time to think of me. ."

"But succumbed to the pressure from sisters, the decision was changed .More than a marriage, I wanted to give a life to a woman ..So preferred Kamalam - a deaf, dumb, and an orphan  lady .Initially life was so difficult coz of the communication problems .Later I became an expert A slight change in her breath was enough to realize the reason behind it We both never wished for any kids ..Rather,We lead a life with bhajans and sadhanas…We loved other kids as our own and shared their joy and sorrows .After retiring from railway, we moved back to Kannur and continued with our spiritual life.. ."

"Our decision to travel to Calcutta for a pilgrimage during April 1996, made the life havoc. ..During a night in the train,from Calcutta to Bhuvaneswar,while I was sleeping, without informing me she went to toilet .But didn't return back..Smelling something bad, I woke up.Since she was not seen around,I rushed towards the bath room but she was seen missing ..The door looked opened by someone .Informing the railway authorities and Police, I wandered over there for months .But nothing happened I was really crest fallen ..She was carrying an identity card .and that was the only ray of hope .I reached back here after a period of six months of continuous search ..Till now I have not received any positive information "

"Aditya, still I wait her .I know, that she cant leave of me for ever .So I wait her .Daily evening,I reach here with Chandran,wait her till the arrival of last passenger train ..and this exercise have been put in practice for the last seven years I did my best in finding her .But as such nothing positive has happened ."

Sankaretta's lips quivered..throat hoarsed A drop tear gushed out .He stopped for few minutes Then Chandran slowly completed .

" I was driving a hired auto..Sankaretta bought a new one and presented me He wanted to ensure that I must be with him always .So,after the day's drive, evening by around by seven , we both reach here and wait ."

Pointing the eyes towards somewhere Sankaretta fumbled ."Each day ends in disappointment and the next one begins with an expectation .Aditya, my life has narrowed down between the expectation and loss .I know, that she might not come back..I don't know where she is and what happened to her..Yet I wait ..During the last seven years none of us traveled by any train. Yet I expect .some one . from some where I narrate this incident to whomever I meet.The reason is simple A discussion about Kamala adds a drop of expectation in me which helps to pull the life further I know it is an imaginary concept ..Yet,I wish to dwell in imagination which has become my oxygen Sitting here, when each train arrives, I foresee her coming out from a compartment and me, rushing towards her and holding her hands .."He sobbed .

I became numb for a while ..Pin drop silence brood over our minds ..

None opened the mouth ..Each one was engrossed in different sort of thoughts of Kamala .Time was nearing 11.45, midnight again ..The announcement about the arrival of the last passenger train flown through the speaker .and with in five minutes , it arrived on platform number One.

The feeble sound of an alarm rose from somewhere ..So,I looked around

" It was from my watch .I set the alarm at 11.45 night ."Sankaretta answered .

"Sankaretta, your watch looks different .."

"It was gifted by sister on my first wedding anniversary .She bought it from Malaysia .Though it is older by 32 years, still works without any problem "

"Ie great" I replied..

"Aditya,..We will drop you ."Standing from the chair,he confirmed .

" So you will be leaving tomorrow ? Isn't it? ."While sitting in the autorickshaw,he enquired

" Yes, I will be back by March 2004 " Exchanging the phone numbers , I replied .

After dropping me at hotel, they moved ..

While having a cup of flakes,my mind was absorbed in the thought of the ill fated Sankaretta .The sea seemed calm ..I walked on the shimmering sands .Time was nearing 1.15 early morning .The winter breeze ran through my bones I felt so much nippy .None was seen around the vicinity Standing far away, the security persons of the hotel watched my movements .I was cautioned of the myth about the wandering of a young lady over there for centuries during the full moon and amavasi nights .It looked like a nice story .But I didn't care that Meeting a young and beautiful female demon during the midnight seemed better option than sleeping in the room….I moved forward Though it was night, everything was absolutely visible A crab was seen rushing towards the sea .The full moon seemed milking the honey with the stars ."Hey, it is a full moon night man ." Someone reminded me from with in ."Aha it means the time to wander for the young lady?" ..some one again asked from my heart ."Was she waiting for me somewhere near here?", Stretching my hands wider I yelled .." Hey young lady ghost, your devil stands here ..Come on I dare to confront with you .."But none answered ..I was wearing typical Kerala dress ' A white dhoti and a Jubbah and they continued to flutter in breeze .For sure, someone would spread the stories of the appearance a male ghost on the seashore in the coming days ..By around 3 am, I moved back to the room ..

I was woke up by a call from Sankaretta over my cell

"Aditya wishing a safe travel see you next time .."

"Well .. I will contact you "

I left Kannur by morning itself

Sankaretta's phone calls began to reach on my cell regularly and that strengthened our relation .I assigned a different caller tune to it .Every day during night it sounded and confirmed of his arrival to the railway station..It also reminded me of the thin layer of life that stands between the expectation and the disappointment

March 2004 .On his request, during my next trip to Kannur , I visited Sankaretta's home which was away by seven kms from town .

"We have organized a bhajan followed with the distrubution of prasada "While inviting me to the home, he informed ..

The small home was maintained very well .It  was boisteroused by few kids from the neighboring houses,who reached there to participate ..The timing for bhajan was set from evening 4 to 6

" What is the speciality of today?" I enquired ..

"Today is the 33rd wedding anniversary of me Can you believe .? 33 yrs of married life?? In which for the last seven years I am alone here Without hearing anything and with out spelling a word, she might be celebrating it somewhere .Is she alive? I can't find an answer But If she is alive, why am I not getting any clues? Why she is not arriving by any train? And if she is dead,why she doesn't visit me in dreams? And why she doesn't take me along with her? ."Sankaretta paused for a while Taking a deep breth, he continued "Aditya, look around I am blessed with a number of kids ..There was a time, when we celebrated each day with bhajans and prasada distribution ..My wife was busy with the preparations Now everything seemed lost I am getting aged and alone The feeble expectation on her arrival pulls the life from one day to another ..If she happens to returns after my death ?" He finally threw a question which never had an answer .

 " Pray for the best "I tried to console him .

Asking me to sit on the chair, he opened the almariah and took something ..

 " Look, this is our wedding photo ." Hiding the face behind it, he showed me .

Sankaretta was seen standing while his wife sat down on a chair .It was dated 15.03.1971 .I glanced at the photo again and again ..

"Yes, I saw it Please keep it back ." I told him .But he stayed there without any movement ..The silence was quiet disquieting .

I slowly pushed his hands to the left ..Sankaretta was seen , standing without breath with eyes closed ..The face was distorted in agony I could well realize the heat of the tears crossing his cheeks and falling on the floor ..

"Its ok ..please divert your mind Kids are waiting for you .."..I tried to console him again ..

Everybody sat on the mat…Sankaretta's fingers moved through the chords of an old harmonium .and the sound resonated throughout the building .

" Ellam ninakku njan nalkaam, ente vallayma matteedaname" ( Hey Prabhu, I will submit everything to you..consider my sorrow and offer a solution ..)

The kids followed him in higher volume Sankaretta was an expert in bahjans who created the sublime spiritual atmosphere with his classical touches .His throat vibrated along with the chords ..Each bhajan was well carried out with the perfect mix of ups and downs coupled with the nuances of rhythm to conjure the people minds to get immersed in it The house was pulsated with bhajans .

Sitting near the door, I noticed the ex-pressions on each one's face It continued till six evening After distributing the prasada, we hurried to the railway station .

"Ellam ninakku njan nalkaam, ente vallayma matteedaname"Sankaretta, in low volume,muttered the bhajan in the auto too ..Reaching the railway station,we sat over the chairs, shared the tea ..Discussed a lot .By 11.45 midnight, as usual, the alarm sounded from his watch and the last passenger train arrived on platform ..Dropping me at the hotel, they left

Everything became routine by then .Instead to wander in loneliness, I liked the congenial company of  Sankaretta and Chandran at Kannur railway station Many evenings we spent together while waiting the last passenger train ..

It was in July 2005 .After checking in the hotel by evening, I rushed towards the railway station Incidentally, Sankaretta and Chandran didn't reach over there….Though I had already informed them about my arrival, they were seen missing I waited till the arrival of last passenger train Tried to contact over the land line of Sankaretta. But none picked the phone and that escalated my anxiety

The next day morning, while I was on the way to Mangalore, Chandran called over cell .

" Sir, Sankaretta was admitted in AKG Memorial hospital by yesterday evening due to cardiac pain ..Now he is in IC." .

 I was much shocked .

"How is his condition ..and who is with him?"

" Condition has improved Both his doctor sisters are with him "

" Well we will meet in the evening ..Am on the way to Magalore "

By evening 5.15 , I reached the hospital ..Sankaretta was still in the IC .But condition had improved Chandran introduced me to his sisters .

" Aditya, he enquired about you thrice And he wants to meet you ." One of his sister told me

Though visits to IC were restricted, wielding the personal contacts, she helped me to enter. .Sankaretta was seen lying on the bed .His face seemed very much pale and he looked haggard as if he hadn't slept at all. Yet, the yogic aura was very much visible Lifting the right arm slowly, I was welcomed Standing near, I stared at him with so much of compassion, He wanted to tell something .

" Aditya, we have advised him not to speak .Yet , he prefers to tell you something " His sister muttered .

I kept my left ear close to his lips

"None visited the railway station yesterday .." His tone clipped and he closed the eyes

I took a minute to answer .

"I was there .till the arrival of the last passenger train I waited there ."I slowly enunciated .

Opening the eyes suddenly, he looked at me with a heart rending ex-pression The eyebrows jiggled up and down I bowed my head ..His right hand slowly moved forward .Keeping it on my head, he smiled .

Along with his sister,I moved out of the IC ..

" Though we are meeting for the first time, you have become a member in our family ..He always tells about you "Looking at me , she told

While accepting her comment, I asked " How is his condition?"

" No problem..He is perfectly alright For the last many years,I have been pleading him to stay with me..but he never wished to leave our small ancestral home and his  routine visits to the railway station .Aditya , he is not only our elder brother…we consider him ..love him as our own father U know, the man who is admitted in the IC has spend the whole life for us .We want to be with him " She tried to manage the rising emotions .

" Any way he is improving ….that’s a good sign.. .."

Saying a bye to her, I moved towards the hotel ..

" Abdulla,I want to have a bath now after that, drop me in the railway station ..".I told my driver ..

After a quick bath, I moved towards the station On the way,I bought a novel Sitting on a chair, I riffled through it Feeling so much of boring, I got up from the chair and puttered around station In between, the last passenger train arrived While walking down the entrance, Chandran was seen waiting me with the autorickshaw .

" Sir , I know you would be here Ie why I came here" .He told me

" Don't worry about me ,how is he?"

"Improved much His sisters are taking care of everything..He is perfectly o.k "

"I want to visit him early morning before leaving Kannur ."

Sankaretta looked better by the morning..He was shifted to the room by then

In between 2004 and 2005 August, I made four visits to Kannur .Though, Sankaretta had restricted his movements after the initial cardiac attack, He was still regular to the railway station along with Chandran .

Sitting there till the arrival of last passenger train by 11.45 midnight, was he  trying to find solace in her memories .? I tried to believe in that way

It was in 2005 December .As usual, I telephoned to Sankaretta . .

" Aditya " His feeble sound resonated

" Sankaretta, am in Chennai, reaching Calicut by day after tomarrow?U need anything?"

He took a minute to answer Then with so much of emotion he told me .

"I keep a small wish in mind ..If u don't mind, can you try to realize it ?"

" Please tell me .I will try ."

" Aditya,I have been regular to the railway station for the last many years .I know pretty well, that no body would reach over there by any train Yet I visit there for someone who is never expected . During your next visit,can u please travel from Calicut to Kannur by the last passenger train .?"He paused for a while .

" Sure..I will try .U can wait near the chair car ."

Year 2005, December 26th After informing Abdulla to wait in front of railway station with cab,I traveled to Kannur by the last passenger train from Calicut and it reached the station by 11.45 midnight ..Before I could alight, Sankaretta rushed towards the chair car and held my hands. His face was brightened with the fulfillment of something ..As usual, the alarm from his watch sounded We walked down towards the entrance

 " Aditya, I had been waiting you..so haven't had the tea Since you told me that you would try to reach here by train,I was much anxious to watch it I tried to contact you from the local booth But you were out of network I think that, I have realized my dream .Any way, I can have a deep sleep tonight which is sorely missing for a long time But ."

Glaring at me, he purred "Aditya, you look so tired The face confirms that .What happened ? Haven't u slept last nights? Better take rest and we will chat tomorrow night ..Can I drop you at Mascot Beach Resort .."?

"You are right Sankaretta .I am on a busy schedule for the last eight days Long travels , late night corporate presentations , never ending brain storming exercises I am really tired Yet, I try to manage the freshness coz for further pull on, I need it ..Any way it's a different world of life altogether "I stopped for a while .We reached the entrance Time was around 12.30 midnight ..

Holding my hands again , He told " I think a lot of people miss you including me "

" Might be might be "

We walked towards the cab Abdulla was ready by then .With the autorickshaw, Chandran too neared us .

I darted a gracious look at Sankaretta His eyes envisaged parental love and affection ..My long hair danced with the wind

“ What happened Aditya? " ..

 “ Sankaretta, I will not meet you tomorrow evening coz I have to catch the afternoon flight from Calicut .Infact I am leaving back to Calicut now ".Taking a long breth, I muttered

 "Leaving back to Calicut now itself? Means another 90 kms of travel by this time? So why you came here .???"A visibly broken Sankaretta raved .He tried to stand and grimaced with pain

On realizing the rising crescendo of emotions, I replied calmly .."I came here to meet you .You told me na, you expect someone to reach here by the last passenger train.. let me be . that someone "

A visibly shocked Sankaretta stood standstill for few minutes Tears rolled down from his eyes like cascades. .His throat hoarsed Enveloped in pain, his lips quivered and body trembled for a while His look tugged at my deep heart Bending down, I touched his feet for blessings He didn't move at all Saying a bye, I entered the cab .and carrying me, it rushed back to Calicut Time was around One , midnight .

What precipitated me to travel by the last passenger train to Kannur after a week of grilling schedule? .An intuition ? ..Many a times , mind behaves like a stranger Hiding somewhere , it simply commands .

And that was my last meeting with him .

On January 27th 2006, succumbed to second cardiac arrest Sankaretta died Unfortunately I was out of state along with Niladri Das Menon .My next visit to Kannur was due on 2006 May 18th After checking in the hotel, I waited Chandran…

"How things are there? Who is staying in his home?" I enquired

" It was in the name of his youngest sister But locked  now ."Chandran hummed .

" Sir , I wish to inform something ." He continued ."My only daughter was married and settled at Ulleria which is away by 100 kms So we ' me and wife, have decided to shift I have sold my  house last month For the time being, we have shifted to a rented house .After the death of Sankaretta, its meaningless to continue here I was waiting your arrival to Kannur before leaving this place for ever "He managed to complete the lines .

"That is a good decision Any way ,we will go to the station now and spare some time "

Once again,at Kannur Railway Station …Sitting on  chairs, as usual, we engrossed in deep thoughts .In between, the last passenger train to Kannur arrived on time .

" Hey, we forget to have the tea ..Any way,shall we move back?" I asked him ..

Without giving any reply,standing up from the chair, Chandran walked slowly towards the train His hands scrambled through the compartments .Then wiping the tears, he walked back

I just kept my hands over his shoulder .

" I am trying to believe that he has left for ever .Yet, " He clamped up for a while Hiding the face on the wall, he cried silently ..I waited till he settled down ..

Moving back to the entrance,we again sat in the autorickshaw ..and it  finally stopped infront of my hotel ..

"Sir, I have a job to complete" ..Taking a small packet from the dash board, he told .

" What is this?" I asked him ..

" This is the wrist watch of Sankaretta .Hope u remember it with its unique alarm that normally sounded at 11.45 midnight From the hospital bed, he wanted it to gift to you.."

Accepting the packet,I kept my hands over Chandran's shoulders .We both knew, that was the last meeting ..I slowly smiled at him ..

" So when we will meet again?"  I whispered softly ..

" Any time u wish Along with Sankaretta, you too will linger in my memories ".Replied in crumbled voice,he had been quiet delirious with parting .

We stood there for a while ..

" Sir,may I leave of you ..?"In fading voice, he requested ..

" Yes I don't know whether we will meet again ..Infact I never imagined of meeting him or you in my life .and I am not a traveler by train .Yet, I have started loving the Kannur railway station . and The last passenger train too "The sentence came out in shattered words….

With out answering any thing, Chandran started the vehicle ..and the autorickshaw ' "Kamala" finally left away for ever from my eyesight ..

Carrying the gift, I walked down to the resort

Dear Reader,I scribble this blog during another January month Two years after the death of an old man who spared the whole life for his mom, sisters and for Kamala ..Once he was regular at the Kannur railway station in search of a slice of solace which sorely missed in his life .He was a man who accepted the reality of life gracefully yet pulled on each second to realize a near impossible imagination ..

Downstairs, Niladri was seen watching film songs .

"Unarumee gaaanam .Uyarumen ullam .

Eee sneha saagaram Nee neetu velayil ."

( When u express a sea of love and affection to me,my heart wakes up and I sing this song for you )

I moved  towards the balcony .Incidentally the alarm from Sankaretta's watch resonated once again, confirming the time as 11.45 night For sure, the last passenger train to Kannur has reached to the station by now Somewhere in the other side of the world, it is the time for an old man and his assistant to leave the station back home ..Clad in saffron dress, he walks down the entrance .When ever the pain is beyond manageable, he clasps his hands on the shoulder of his loyal assistant .Sometimes, you can also foresee a young man with long hair who is destined to experience the blessings of unknown people belonging to unknown places For him life is a surprise rather than mystery .Can't u hear the sound of an autorickshaw moving slowly??…In it, the old man sits with hopes shattered once again ..For him, the dream of an arrival of a passenger train from somewhere, carrying some one, will make all the difference .A Passenger Train- Which stands between the Dream and the Reality And between the Expectation and the Disappointment .So, he looks for a tomorrow to reach back to the station and to wait for some one who never reaches That is the reality .Yet, the bubble of expectation  is being extended again up to the arrival of the last passenger train by tomorrow mid night. ..And Till the arrival of The Last Passenger Train

Aditya das menon

adityadasmenon@gmail.com………….

AAAAGEEEE HUT .PEEEEECHE BUTTTT……..

 " Sanju..This is too much .." Storming to the bed room during one Sunday morning,A visibly irritated Niladri yelled .

 " What happened sweet girl"? .

 "One side the father is mischievous  …other side the son is competing with  father to become more naughty .."

" Tell me, what happened"?………….

"Look, when I scolded our son for not completing the homeworks, he took my cell phone and changed the laungage".Showing her cell, she complained ..

" Wow lemme check up .Tell me in which language it is set by now"?

" I doono ."

I made an inspection .The set language seemed German or Spanish ..

" Swammro zheegavi mushdkodo tho habba" I told her

" What what?"

" Oh u don't know Spanish poor girl Pity pity .the cell is reset with Spanish language, darling .."

"Sanju, don't play with my patience I am fed up by now U have to take action now itself ." She out cried

"Come on, we will catch him " .We both moved towards the living room where our son looked busy with POGO channel ..

" Man..come here ." Sitting on a chair I commanded .

Without any ex-pression, he came near me and stood up ..

"Tell me, why you changed the language in yar mom's cell?" I pretended to be in anger

" I wont speak to you pappa" His answer was cool ..

" Why? What happened?"

" You agreed to buy the cd of spiderman but didn't keep the promise yet.. .."

" Don't you know that you are a good boy .?? Good boys never complaint .."

" Good Boys never complaint I also know that ..But now I have become a bad boy ."

" Oho, if you are a bad boy, no parent will gift the cd" .

" Pappa lemme complete Though I am a bad boy , I have decided to be a medium boy..So I have become a medium boy by now ."

" Hear..hear how your son is answering to your queries?" Niladri tried to add some mirchi .

"Lalith I want to punish you now itself ..Stand in my front ..U know how to walk like military people U must walk like them when I command ..So walk forward in attention When I order"AAGE HUT.." and u have to walk backwards when I order PEECHE BUT.U should not stop the walking  with out my permission Ok? "

Nodding the head, Lalith became ready ..

" What is this AAGE HUT and PEECHE BUT??..The sentence itself is wrong "Nila tried to intervene

"I know that madam .Please wait ."

"ATTENTION…….AAAAAGEEE…..HUTTTTT " ..My sound vibrated high .and Lalith steadily walked forward ..After a minute I commanded

" PEECHEEE BUTTTTTT " ..He walked steadily backwards .

 " Is this a punishment ?" . Miffed by us,Niladri raised a question .

" Yes" ..

" Ok I will also keep the same lines by noon 1.30 "Moving back to the bed room she confirmed ..

" Why? Why?" .

" For me, AAGEE HUT means .look at the kitchen, I haven't prepared anything and PEECHE BUT means…. if u want to have something, better buy from outside .." While closing the bed room door she completed the new meaning of that ..

aditya das menon…………..

adityadasmenon@gmail.com

“The Princess”………. Part One…and Two .

Dear Reader,

My Blog " The Princess " is nothing but simple scribblings of my wandering thoughts based on a story describing Panchali's secret fascination towards the Star of Mahabharata ' Karna Infact I read that few months back in a weekly.As per them, it was described in Puranamanjari.I don't know whether its correct or not.Any way, the base of my blog is the above said thread.To feel the freshness, I have made certain deviations from the original text.And finally, that my blog has nothing to do with the Great Epic.

Since it is lengthy, I wish to publish it in few parts.Need your evaluation.

Request: If U don't have time to read it in one sitting, Pls don't read it…..The feelings are given to experience….

To get along the continuity, I have clubbed Part One and Two

Best Regards

Love

Aditya Das Menon

"THE PRINCESS" 'PART ONE AND TWO

The evening climate was bit more cooler than the previous one .The quilt of darkness brood over the palace much before the normal time So the lamps were set on early Indraprasta was crowded by the visit of Lady Vrishali who was on her way back from forest after sparing few days with Rajmatha Kunthi, Gandhari and Maharaja Dhritarastra She was heading towards her village where the old aged parents were alone there In between she made a brisk visit to the palace too

Folding the hands, she stood in front of me

"So u wish to travel during the night itself" ? .looking at her,I enquired .

She replied with a  smile ..

"Madhu, we have made all arrangements for her safe journey.Nakul will ride on another chariot to lead her and Sahadev will follow both of them "Realizing my concern of the night journey,Maharaja Yudhistir, my husband replied .

" Can I send Vyjayanthy too, my most loyal servant"? I asked her

" Not required Rajmathey .I am safe .you need'nt worry at all" ..

Moving forward, I cuddled her

" Don't you know, that I keep genuine concerns for you and don't you know that, you are blessed as always ."? .I muttered into her ears ..

Her silence calmly accepted my wishes Along with Maharaj, me too walked down to the entrance of the palace and finally she left to the village .

Clasping my hands, Maharaj walked back to my room and sat on the bed ..My eyes peeled him .The silver growth on the hair even at the beginning of the old age reflected the restless mind .The continuous sadhanas helped the body to be more flexible and thinner From the face,I sensed  an array of disturbing thoughts passing through his mind Looking at me,he whispered ..

" When ever I meet lady Vrishali - the widow of Maharaja Karna, my own elder brother ,the  mind rewinds back ..and . I feel, like  my Prince stands in front  .Keeping the hands on my shoulder, the gorgeous figure reminds about the tough path of commitment, and basic knowledge of Rajneethi .I feel as if he hugs and advices how to rule the country yet keeping the commitment in search of truth .I feel as if we both walk down to the shores of Ganges and offer arkhya to Lord Sun Its impossible to forget those feelings as they linger in the memories for ever " His throat horsed and he paused  for a minute Then continued ..

"Madhu, I feel him .even now, after twenty years of war .and I realize him too ..I know that  am not the legitimate Ruler Nevertheless, I rule for him ..Like him, me too is trying to stick the path of commitment "

Turning back, I gazed at the sky .He spoke again

" Madhu" ." "We fought a war for justice ..How many years we dwelled in the forest? Though we lacked the basic comforts,we were never in short of mental calmness .The vanavas period rather helped us in meeting thousands of saints, learning their lives,their experience in search of truth, and mixing with different cultures Everything helped  in realizing the essence of eternal life .. I sorely miss those treasures after becoming the ruler .Now, I am carrying a heavy heart which is growing further I try to find solace on the shores of Ganges .Yet, I am tired .."

 Standing from the bed he continued "Madhu, I experience the richness of a wandering youth during Vanavasa period and emptiness of an aged Ruler now The time has thrown a question to me .. Am I eligible to rule ?  or winning a war is the only eligibility , when a bare handed Yudhistira and his brothers were allowed to kill the great leaders of this majestic land ..??..I rule for them who loved this land more than themselves and accepted the death rather than killed by us I rule for them who sacrificed the comforts and moved towards the path of perfection .and .. I rule for them who blessed me to achieve the material wishes and then to realize the reality, that all those comforts are noting but simple bubbles only .Once it breaks, human mind too falls down to earth The life has become a journey from one desire to another The moment we achieve something,the emptiness of achievement turns the heart to feel vacuum.. .Suddenly , from somewhere, another bubble of desire appears and we, the mere mortals run after it ..The so called foolish act continues till the end .Even death too fascinates with the desire of living in heaven afterwards ..But I have never heard of a heaven or a hell in any other world ..I realize the fact that, the so called glittering heaven or the most dreadful hell are noting but the simple creation of mind only .According to each thought, karma changes and the heaven and hell too .Nothing is constant here including my current thoughts too .Emotions, feelings, heaven and hell change on thoughts .And they continue to intrigue me" .Keeping disquieting silence for few minutes,  he whispered again .

"I don't know , You too have tied up yourself in this room Why can't u make a visit to Hastinapura and spare some days..?? ..At least that will help you to regain some sort of lost joy ."??

" Regaining the lost joy? . that too at this age? .No Maharaj ..that is not required at all .I find solace in this room ..No other place can console me like this ."

Taking a deep breth,I again gazed through the window ..The chilled weather and  embracing wind made the body nippy .A feeble song echoed from the shore of Ganges .Like me and like my five husbands-The Pandavas, .some one too was trying to find solace on her shores ..

" Madhu "  .

Turning back,I stared at his eyes which were distorted with parched dreams His face appeared pale due to the onslaught of emotions and feelings .Keeping me close to him, he glared .Then, keeping the left hand around my shoulders, he caressed me with the right one. ..A drop of tear appeared in the eyes .He kept the lips on my forehead .I could well feel the radiating heat from it .The eminent King of the Kuruvamsh, Maharaj Yudhistir stood there for few minutes .Then, he walked down to the central hall ..

I pained at his expressing feelings that were inexpressible in words After the war, most of the days were like that only .Feeling desolate after his leaving,I was in an overwrought state of mind Yet I tried not to clutter my mind with all those vibrations …

Time was nearing the midnight .The palace seemed slipping into deep silence I moved towards the window again Normally nights during the month of "Margasheershka", were always chilled Since it was the previous one to Pournami,the gleaming sky glittered with numerous stars embraced by the full blue moon ..How many nights , I spent like this?? I stared enthralled at the magical effect of the moon and the stars in kindling the vibrations of soothing for those piteous hearts and romance for those blessed few ..

" What is my feeling .now? " I asked myself  ? " soothing or Romance? ..Romance? , at this age?..after meeting lady Vrishali ? or after feeling the perennial pain of Maharaj Yudhistir???  "

Through the window, I tried to find my little star which normally appears on the northern side of the palace ..For the last many years, the little one with a beaming smile, had become my panacea to the disturbing thoughts .During the sleepless nights, I stood near this window, and looked at it. Cladding my soul with it's cool blue rays, it caressed my heart with the velvet touches ..

" Hey, where is my star?.."..the dry throat asked to the skies ..The wet eyes searched it through the thousands present I knew, that my little star was kidding with me by hiding somewhere among the others .I eagerly searched it all over the sky Finally I found it……………,Standing alone over the eastern side of the palace .and smiling at me .It then traveled further down and embraced the marble memorial of the Lone Prince of the epic who rest over there Keeping my chin on the iron rode,and without moving the eyebrows, I stared it ..the immortal star of the epic The Prince Karna

" Hey, star , how long you can hide yourself from me? . Don't you know that , I have reached the final phase of life .? Don't you know, that I have become old? Don't you know, that I try to search solace in you? I know, that you are immortal .and memories of you too ." I became totally oblivious to my surroundings

"Rajmathey,kindly have the food" The sound of a request touched the ears

It was from Vyjayanthi ,my most loyal servant .She had been with me for the last forty five years .

"Rajmathey, you look so tired"? .She asked politely .

I stared at my star again .and turned back, to answer ..

" Vyjayanthi, You have been with me for the last so many years .You have grown up to the level of a friend, rather than a servant ..and I have allowed you to mingle with me freely I am glad that you have never crossed the limits .Your doubt is correct I am not feeling well .You know, we fought our final war exactly twenty years back during this month…The thoughts of pain, missing and loss seem to be riding back again .I am neither feeling hunger nor sleep I wish to stand near this window, and feel my little star Let my memories start rush in ..coz they too offer me a lot of space to find solace ..Let my mind again wander in thoughts U too wish to wander with me? ."

Vyjayanthi's eyes wide opened

"Your face shows the growing interest. To wander in the skies of imagination,I tell you a  story of a young Princess who shared the absolute material comforts, yet missed the quintessence of life sorely .Again it is the story of a young Princess who was forced to betray her soul first and body later .and the story of her, who loved romance yet lost the feelings by a whisker ."

Through the window, I gazed at the memorial again ..Sitting on the tip of the obelisk,my little star seemed inviting me towards there

I was born with most irresistible physical features.Like a butterfly, I danced all over the palace.When I grow to koumara,the news about my glowing physical beauty spread like fire.Other rulers dreamt to marry me.But Father wished to choose a Prince from Kuruvamsh coz of the supreme command and respect enjoyed by them.It was on that day, after the return of my brother from Hastinapura who was invited as a guest to watch the moke war contests of the Yuvarajas of Kuru Vamsh,I accidentally reached the room of my father who was in deep discussion with my brother .Without bothering my presence, they continued their chat "

"How can it happen, a young man that too neither belong to the royal family,can compete with  Yuvraj Arjun and win over him .? Its impossible " My father denied in shock

"Father,I can well read your concern, but it was true.The boy, has a kavacha on his chest and kundala on both the ears from birth onwards ..But it's the truth After meeting him,I personally verified it .More than Kavacha or Kundalas,He mesmerized us with his glowing and unbelievable marks of physical beauty which reflected like the Full Moon, while he looked like a Crimson Sun.It was felt as if Kamdeva was standing in front of us His dreamy eyes,and the romantic look resembled of Lord Vishnu ..His smile replicated thousands of glittering stars ..I have never seen anyone with such passionate level of beauty .The young girls of Hastinapura fell unconscious on his look The boys too failed to divert the eyes. ."

My brother continued . "In warfront too he was so daring.. In bow and arrow contest,while blindfolded Yuvraj Arjun,failed the first chance to hit the arrow in the eyes of a running horse , the charming young man with much easiness , performed that .In fighting with club, Bhim lost his weapon in five minutes time..and with in another five minutes the second Pandava was seen falling down by his brutal punches .In fighting with sword, both Yuvrajas Yudhistira and Nakula lost pathetically ..Drona was seen running in anxiety ..Maharaja Bhisma was forced to intervene while declaring the winner ..Yet,sidelining the young guy, they declared Arjun as the winner ."

"Who is he??..I have never heard of him What is his name?"

" His name is Karna - the son of a chariot driver - Radheya"

"Son of a chariot driver??Then he should be a chariot driver only..How he became a warrior? How he competed with the Yuvrajas? Who allowed him to participate .?? And who initiated him the rare mantras and thantras which should only be in the warfront? Don't they know that the war secrets should not be parted with those who are neither Brahmins or Kshatriyas because of the fear of misuse?? It means, the so called Gurus have forgotten the principles of chathurvanya? .But I am happy on Drona's helplessness with his so called famous students .I want to enjoy his piteous condition again and again ."

"Karna was invited by Yuvraj Duryodhana.Because of his rivalry with Pandavas,the young Prince of Hastinapura vowed to retaliate to the ego of Arjun.And he believed that, only Karna can compete with the Third Pandava and wins over him.The whole week's exercises confirmed that too.Any way,At the time of return, Maharaja Dhritarastra requested me to visit there again along with you, mother and Madhu to spent few days with him ..He has handed over a gift too to Madhu ."

"We always respected the greatness of Kuruvamsh I am glad at his heart of welcoming me .Show me the gift "

" Father,it is well packed …we can ask Madhu to open it .Only she has got the right to it "

"Though they asked me to open it, I was not willing to Keeping it close to my chest, I moved towards my room That was the third day after the completion of routine rajaswala .When my thoughts tempted to enjoy material trans with a Prince,the body was longing to happen it fast .."

"Crossing the dance hall,I walked forward ..My mom was seen sitting  there, and enjoying the celestial music of flute ..I Closed the doors and opened the packet .It was a doll of a Prince made out of Devadaru Wood with long hairs .Since the hair was glued to the doll, It looked absolutely majestic .It could move the hands, legs and neck. Interestingly it could open and close the eyes too Taking it with both hands,we shared a kiss .Suddenly I underwent a surreal like experience with the appearance of a  Prince, in front .He looked like a Full moon, impatiently waiting to embrace the glittering stars .The room was brightened with blue rays emanated from his body ..His face reflected the true essence of romance .The lusty muscles symbolized the mightiness in war .The whiskers on moustache and chest revealed his unique ability to fulfill the burning  desires of teenaged girls "

The most tempting raga " Mohana" fondled on the ears ..

"Stretching both hands, he smiled ..Mesmerized at his beauty, I lured into him ..With both the hands, he embraced me ..I gaped at his dreamy eyes from where winds of romance conjured ripples of feelings inside my deepest soul .My fingers wandered through his moustache, lips,chin, chest, naïve and wished to traverse further down Encircling his neck with my left hand, I smelled him so deeply .The unique aroma pulled me to the entrance of another world of material maya ..Our eyes exchanged the subtle nuances of the finest feelings .The flowing mohana raga added spice to the intoxicating interaction His beaming smile continue to vibrate at my heart strings "

" Hey, Who are you?" .I asked him in a whisper .

" I am a Prince ."..He muttered .

"From where you appear now"?………..

" From your heart I stay in sweet girls hearts "

"Then why u delayed your presence"? .

" I have been waiting you to reach Kovmara" .

"But you are a Prince So you can appear at any time .."?

"Yes ..But I hide in you as a different person ."

"Different Person??" .

" Yes, as a Romantic Yogi" .

" Means"?……….

" A Yogi, who adores Absolute Romance, Elated ex-pressions and Fabulous Feelings .."

"Means?" .

" One who paints your arena of dreams with silky touches to create scintillating vibes "

"Aha, your paintings would be of which shape then?" .

"Shape of thousands and thousands of lips,creating impeccable impressions.Dont you know, that your body , being a colorful canvas with such passionate levels of ups and downs offers me the infinite scope to paint it with the feather touches of my silky lips to cross the threshold of the most sublime level of  Romantic Trans?" .

My fevered flesh wished to burst into flames .

"Hey Romantic Yogi,what is the difference between You and a Yogi?…I asked him .

" Well, the difference is limited only to the intrinsic nature While a Yogi meditates on Spiritual Potency for self realization, I do it on Pleasure Potency .Though the paths seem different, the end point is one and same only "

" Then why cant u be a Yogi then?" .I raised a naughty question ..

He smiled at me .my tongue draw a soft line on his luscious lips ..The thin layer of cloth which resisted the coherence of my breasts and his whiskers finally melted by the rising temperature Enthralled at his dazzling figure,I whispered to him

"No .You should not be a Yogi at any time ..Please continue as a  Romantic Yogi , and meditate on the sensual pleasures offered by me to achieve the self realization .."

Before slipping into a state of dizziness ..I asked him finally ." Hey, Romantic Yogi, can you tell me who am I?"

" Yogini of romance, blessed with richness of age and sweetness of honey."

Flashing a smile, he tipped "Share a kiss, I will take you to a world of weightless, where we both will float like feathers .

His mouth closed over mine I wriggled in his arms His lips began to milk the honey in me .Clinging to his shoulders, I wanted to dissolve into him .The magical raga ' Mohana touched the most exornated level .The bells on my anklets busy boisterioused .Transferring my whole body weight on him, we floated like feathers through the universe.Thousands and thousands of heavens crossed over us ..

Somebody's knocking on the door brought me back to the present ..It was my mom .

"What happened Madhu?….Why you are sweating?…Why your clothes look shaken and soddy?………..She was very much anxious .

" Nothing mom ..I was enjoying myself ." ..I replied fast ..

Staring at me, she ridiculed ." Is it the time to find a Prince for u? ..Madhu, Show me the gift ."

I showed my Prince to her ..

"Wow ..Gorgeous figure ..Have you found any name for it ." ? she exclaimed .

"No.."

Rushing back to room, I searched my Prince who appeared in front of me But nowhere I could find…Opening the windows, I cried ." Hey Romantic Yogi, please come back I need you . please come back " But No body answered ..I desperately waited him ..But none appeared in front I fell down the bed .His gorgeous figure continued to mesmerize me ..

Vyjayanthi, Still I can't rate that as a mere hallucination I paused for a while ..then continued

 That whole evening , I was dying to find an apt name to my Prince ..

Finally, during the night, I recollected my brother's detailed description about a young man who displayed the miraculous authority in moke war exercises at Hastinapura I remembered his unbelievable physical beauty too .After a short try,I could recollected his name . The young man who was born with Kavacha on chest and Kundala on ears .

I took the doll again.Placing my lips on its ears,I addressed "Karna" Opening the eyes, it looked me .I kept it close to my chest ..My fingers caressed through the long hair .I called it again "Karna" "Hey, show me your Kavacha and Kundala"????? Show me "Kissing on its face, I asked  "Will you accept me as your wife?"..The whole night,I blathered with it

Vyjayanthi, ,I never believed in the birth story of the Prince with Kavacha and kundala ie too to a chariot driver I was much sure that, there was a mystery behind his birth..But neither I enquired with anybody nor anybody tried to reveal that .

That was my first virtual meeting with The ever fascinating Prince The Prince of beauty, The Prince of Compassion, The Prince of commitment and finally, The one and Only complete Prince of this land ..Prince Karna, who was unconquered ever

Days moved fast ..My fascination towards the doll reached the highest level I spared more time with it rather than dancing all over the palace..Every day I waited the real Prince ' My Romantic Yogi who stayed in my heart to appear in front But I was disappointed continuously ..My parents and brother noticed the change in me..But no body understood the real reasons. My passion was ever escalating  towards him .

After a period of three more years,father finally decided to conduct my marriage By that time, Arjun had become very famous.So Father Specifically wished him to decorate the designated post of my husband. .But  I didn't care for any body ..I dreamt that, the Prince who was staying in my heart would appear in my front one day and marry me So I waited him impatiently.

To maintain the cordial relation with other rulers, my father organized a  contest which could be won only by the most competent warrior…He made that very tough so  that only Arjun could win over it ..Invitations were sent to all over the places.The previous day of the scheduled day of competition,during night,father reached the room and clarified the procedure .He further confirmed of his wish about Arjun…..

" Father, I believe that, one more person can win and marry me .." I sounded the note of discord .

" Who is he"? .Staring at me, he hissed .

" Do you remember Karna, who won the war exercises at Hastinapura three years back ? and who was born with kavacha and kundala ?..I believe he too can win the contest ."

His face became red .With much hatred he out cried ."Madhu, Don't u know that he is a soothaputhra who won the contest just because of luck??. .. And that happens once in a lifetime only .There is nothing great in that You are a Princess U have to keep generations old culture and hereditary of this kingdom ..Like you, your next generation too must hold it The basic existence of our kingdom lies in that .Its easy to commit a mistake .For a girl, once the mistake is committed, then the chance is finished .She could just waste the balance life in repenting on it By that time, much water would have flown under the bridge You have to look back and realize the great tasks accomplished by our ancestors You have to follow them only .not your immature dreams Think of Arjun, who is the grand son of the Great Maharaja Bhisma, son of Maharaja Pandu and Rajmatha Kunthi ..and who is the ultimate in war Who can compete with Kuruvamsh where starts like Bhisma, and Kripa lead their mighty military power?? ..Forging an alliance with Kuruvamsh will raise our name to new heights .My ancestors, though tried for it, never got succeeded. Now it is my turn .Don't think and commit any foolishness Shut down your myopic views about life .."

"Father, I respect your dreams about me and our nation .I accept your modus operandi in choosing my husband too But, then why you wish that only Arjun alone can win over it???When the basic condition to marry me is to win over it, why do you keep a partiality towards him ..Being a girl,please allow me to choose my husband from the winners If a young man can compete with famous Arjun,and wins over him, please reckon with his other amazing abilities too .I believe that, he can easily take care of me.. Apart from a great person as husband,what extra do I need ? I am blessed with all material comforts..Since he is born with a kavacha and kundala, the simple logic suggests that, there is a definite mystery behind his birth..I am sure, that he is not the son of Radheya But I don't have any records to prove it Father, it was my brother, who informed you about Karna's greatness, and look , And if you believe in that, please try to unravel the mystery behind his birth .please " ..I made an eloquent appeal

He stared at me ..I could envisage the burning flames of anger in his eyes Moving further closer , he murmured .

"Madhu, So you have learnt how to talk back to me logically isnt it? ..I declare that, it is none of my job to find the kula of a soothaputhra ..He was born as a soothaputra , lives as a soothaputra and dies too .He has nothing to loose ..What ever he gets from the warfront, will be an extra to him I am the King of Panchala..and you are the Princess .Don't forget that Your job is to simply obey me ie all "

Miffed by my attitude, the visibly broken father rushed towards the hall where the contest was scheduled to stage I fell down to the bed ..My hopes, which I had been knitting for the last three years were shattered in few minutes ..Closing the doors,I took the doll in my hand ..It smiled at me .Hugging it , I cried a lot No body heard my noise Keeping it in standing position on the table,I picked a yellow thread from my wardrobe, tied both ends of it and fixed in the hands of my Prince .With so much of care, I pushed my head through it .Finally the thread fell around my neck Closing the eyes, I prayed .

" Hey Prince, consider this as my symbolic marriage with you I may or may be yours in this life But, by performing this Gandharva Vivaha, I have become yours by heart, mind and soul and will be yours for ever "I cuddled it warmly My Prince seemed embracing and consoling me It's long hair fondled in the wind The night moved so fast ..

During the early morning, few ladies reached my room and helped to bath and dress up By the mean time , mother brought a huge jewel box .I could well hide the yellow thread in between the numerous jewells

Young rulers from different places reached the palace .The streets were congregated with local people who created sounds of joy and happiness .My parents and brother were seen busy inviting the respected guests .Among all the noise, Me - Panchali - the daughter of Drupada, stood over there with a dead heart where the soul was already submitted to my first husband ' The Prince who had been thriving on my dreams for the last three years .I presumed that my hopes were shattered almost Yet, I managed not to cry .