Worth the smile..
I am writing this post after a recollection earlier today which took me back to one of the emotional experiences of my life. After all, what we are today is the culmination of a motley of experiences we face in our life time.
It is about a journey to Prayagraj (India) where every year a major pilgrimage and festival is celebrated called ‘Kumbh Mela’. Our Indian audience would know it pretty much clearly because of its grandeur and the sanctity. Still, I would like to briefly elaborate on it. This festival is marked by a ritual dip in the waters, but it is also a celebration of community commerce with numerous fairs, education, religious discourses by saints. People from all over the world come to experience the liveliness of this occasion. The seekers believe that bathing in these rivers is a means to prāyaścitta (atonement, penance) for past mistakes, and that it cleanses them of their sins. So this is our way of confessing to our sins and for their atonement.
It is celebrated in a cycle of approximately 12 years at four river-bank pilgrimage sites: the Prayagraj (Ganges — Yamuna Sarasvati rivers confluence), Haridwar (Ganges), Nashik (Godavari), and Ujjain (Shipra). We had a really wonderful time there and it was a really refreshing experience as you could hear the water striking the river bank with its scintillating shine and the way it touches you (if you go near it) is like the water is trying to interact with you. A beautiful flock of birds cruising around in a captivating pattern above you because they can see your food, haha.
As we are returning to our cars, this ill-fed kid approached me from behind with his usual dilapidated appearance carrying a plate with some kind of clay structures, in the hope of getting customary contribution he expects by anyone who comes to visit that place. After careful perusal, I could see that the clay structures were some deities he had managed to get his hands on. He was shivering because of the cold breeze near the river bank. It was soothing to see that the deity managed to accompany him in his perpetual journey, being his only true friend and guide. He gazed at me as I was eating my snack and clearly wished to have it. I could see in his eyes that he was famished and was always keeping an eye on the food counter, I couldn’t help and happily gave the pack of biscuits it to him. It was really painful to see him in that condition and I wondered did he choose to be like this? Nobody would choose to be in that condition, it is not us who are given the ability to choose our birth and our parents, yet he was in that condition. It was destiny to live through that childhood but that does not write its future. Our future is completely in our hand and I sincerely hope the best of the best for that kid. My heart melted and I offered him the best contribution he would have received till then. I had no idea where that money would go after his hand, perhaps his parents will take it and spend it on something not desirable or he may lose it while his way home or a thug takes away that money. I adroitly took his photo with his whole set of plates and deities.
He then, ran away, smiling at his brightest, towards what appeared to be his house, to his mother in order to explain her everything though the crowd impeded his pace. His eyes gleamed with happiness and he turned and smiled at me. I was also persistent with the view to assimilate the worldly feelings of the family. He was happy with his whole heart which was evident by his big hand wave. The pertinent thing here is not the monetary/material contribution but the straying feelings the boy felt that day.
That scenario made me realize the true purpose of life as to what could bring us happiness and peace. It is by doing an act of kindness one moment at a time which could change the world and enlighten people’s lives. That incident made a lasting impression on my heart and inspired me to be a better human being everyday of my life.
With the current scenario in mind, it is our duty to understand and help the needy without any place for a second thought. It will not only brighten the possibility of their future but will put a lasting warm impression in your heart and trust me, You’ll remember that moment your whole life and its warmth lingering in your eyes.
I would love to know any of your experiences that helped you realize the ultimate gift of life and its appreciation.
