Two Events

Event No 1:

A small tribal village nestled in the forests at the foothills of the Himalayas. The tribal village was sparsely populated, Surrounded by dense forests and deep valleys. Far and very remote from the towns and cities of India.Also almost separated from human habitation. Here they lived by hunting wild animals and eating fruits. Jogia is their chief and Champa is his wife. Jogia's old grandmother Arundhati lives with them.

Today being the hunting day for the village, Jogia took his men and went out for hunting at twilight. “If we get a good big game, there would be a big village meal tomorrow”, thought Jogiya.

The bitter cold of Kartika month was bone chilling. It was also Amavasya's pitch black moonless night. Even though the midnight had already passed, there was still no trace of Jogia. He hadn’t returned back from the hunt yet. Arundhati was a little worried, Champa's delivery was close and she would have given birth anytime. Champa’s contractions and delivery pains had already begun a few hours back.

It was Amavasya, so it was dark outside, but to add to it, it suddenly started raining heavily with the sound of thunderbolts and lightning. The wind was howling through the forest and trying to enter the hut. Champa was stuck. Old Arundhati was pacifying and encouraging Champa. Even in this bone chilling cold, Champa had broken into cold sweat and her face was glistening in the dim light of the lamp. Arundhati was scared, her heart was pounding from fear. Champa’s breath was coming in rasps. Nobody could be called nor anyone could come for help in such a situation.

Champa was helpless with agony awaiting release, her life’s breath (Prana force) on the brink of failing! In all this chaos the night had almost passed and the Bramha Murta was nearing. Champa was yearning for release but there was no release. The night was long and hostile. Her husband was not with her. The pain was getting unbearable by the moment. Arundhati lit a lamp and prayed to the deity in the house.

Champa was still fighting in the light of the flickering flame. Time was passing. The war was not over. Champa was tiring, Her strength, energy, hope and spirit all dissipating through her body. She was tired of fighting. She gave up and was ready to surrender herself to the imminent and inevitable death. There was only one sadness in her thought while closing her eyes in resignation. She would never know whether it was a baby girl or a boy …… ,Whether it would survive or die with her. "Lord, why are you doing this?"  This sad thought was more overwhelming even than the simmering pain her body was going through, This sadness was at the core of her being, tearing and shaking her through the core her being.

With all her might she pushed as she had never pushed before, like moving the earth itself, she didn’t believe and didn't know , where this strength was coming from but it was there. She closed her eyes and pushed again.

Meanwhile, Arundhati heard a sound of crying. Grandma's eyes sparkled. The bearer of Jogia's lineage was born. The Devil’s night had passed, the rain had ended, the howling wind had stopped since long. The Margashirsha Pratipada Sun was rising up from a distant valley. The chirping of birds could be heard outside the hut, the triumphant cheers of the villagers returning from the hunt where all over the village. Today, after many days, there was going to be a feast in the village.

 

Event No 2:

In the Himalayas is an extremely remote area unknown and virgin to human touch, surrounded by snowy peaks high above the clouds. Deep valleys spread far below. This region which is difficult even for the wild beasts to tread, what could be said about the humans. This region is untouched by humans and animals but is full of surreal and extraordinary natural beauty.

The evening had ever since passed and the night was setting in. Madhav set a dhuni (bon-fire), both inside and outside his cave. It was a harsh and freezing night. In fact, a little more freezing than usual. Of course, Madhav was not new to such frigid weather conditions. It was the month of Kartika and it was an Amavasya night. What will it be if not freezing cold?

For the past twelve years, Day and night, the bone chilling cold and this remote untouched nature were his only companions. Twelve years since coming here with Gurudev would be complete tomorrow. He was excited because he had already received a telepathic message from Gurudev that he was coming to meet him tomorrow. For twelve years he was living a solitary life, strictly leading his life following Gurudev's orders. Apart from his body and mind there was no one here. Only silence and stillness everywhere. Slowly the body forgot its own burden and all the noises in the mind fell silent, the thoughts which once tortured him withered away. He did not even realize, when his mind became empty devoid of any thought. Even the outside images or changes in the scenery, not even so much as flickered his mind from its serene state. Mind and body had become one and he had become one with the nature. There was no longer any external duality with the nature just an extended existence.

All that was left within was awareness .Yet tonight something was different . Gurudev’s telepathic message had brought a different kind of enthusiasm and energy in him. So, Madhav could not sleep. He was sitting in Padmasana next to the Dhuni on a deer skin, mind focused on Gurudev, body still and eyes were closed. Even though the mind was calm, he could feel the gentle waves of happiness rising up in that calm mind. Brahma Murta was nearing.

In the meantime, somewhere in the valley , Down far below, the sound of lightning rang out. Madhav's eyes automatically opened and looked in that direction. A flash of lightning was first seen from the clouds far below, and then a crackling sound echoed in the sky and in his ears. The scene was strange. Below, in the deep valley were the stormy clouds, winds and heavy rains .Up here on the highest of the Himalayan slopes which was very high above those rain clouds, It was the moonless stary Amavasya sky. It was like looking at a miniature world below. Nature was roaring and screaming in the deep valley below and there was an absolute silence and serene  here above.

Two totally different universes were visible from here simultaneously and Madhav was just watching like a Stitpragnya . Time was passing. The scene was shifting and changing. Madhav's eyes were only watching that scene, but his mind was still and devoid of any thought or emotion. Just then, Gurudev's new telepathic message floated into his mind. "O Madhav, are you ready? Look, I am about to arrive."

Madhav immediately came out of his meditative state becoming aware of the surroundings. The Margashirsha Pratipada Sun was rising up from a distant valley. At that moment, In the white golden shade of the snow, Madhav saw a small dot moving up towards the upper slopes where he was. That was Gurudev. Twelve years had passed. Madhav felt his eyes wet. A dam broke and out burst the tears of happiness.

Thursday , 7th December , 2023 - 11:11 PM

Ajay Sardesai (Megh )

Translated in to English from a Marathi short Story by the same Author