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Fear crept into our thinking but the seemingly large group gave vent to all fears. All of us together would be able to ward off any attack, so we all thought! Was there any other solution than being optimistic!
The more we traveled towards North, the more dense the forest (jungle) seemed to be. We had been told deep inside towards the North was an old temple of Shankar Parvati where the jungle folk came to pay respects to their Gods and Goddesses. It was past 8 p.m when there was a shout from our Major friend. He had been able to sight a light not far away. What could it be, the temple! Or the dwelling of a hermit. It could also be a meeting place of dacoits. Varied thoughts kept floating into our minds. Whatever it
be, We shall face it together and all started towards the destined goal. Vow!
a hermit living in the midst of jungle. A long bearded Sadhu whose look gave the
comfort we all needed badly for the moment.
We wanted to Query the Sadhu ... Who had the courage to ask a question and be prudent! All we were looking forward to was a shelter for the night! Swamiji gave a cursory look at all of us and went ahead to prepare for us what ever he could serve us as a meal. Help was all around. Some who were too tired ... gave way to sleep. Others, enjoyed the food ... a collection of roots and berries. I knew! I had prepared myself for this!! As if jolted out of deep sleep we could not help but looking questionably at each other. What does Swamiji mean! Was it predestined that we all were to get lost and were to reach the Hermitage on a fixed day! How could that be possible. As far as my thinking goes such paranormal phenomenon were a creation of Occultists and we never thought there was any truth in that! How could we deny what Swamiji was saying. It had to be true! Let us hear what Swamiji had to say further ... Swamiji started by telling us his part of the story - He was an Engineering Graduate from a famous University and having found the truth of Life was now living in the deep forests for he now found no difference between the busy and densely populated areas we called cities and the mighty jungles which gave shelter to almost all of the highly recognized Spiritual Saints of India. We initially were thrilled to learn of Swamiji being a technocrat but when he continued further we started to realize that he was much far ahead of us ... At the very threshold of Life wherein one leaves the burden of Life for ever ... Never ever to be born again ... Liberation from the cycle of birth and death for ever!!!
We could not fathom his words. We though understand the outline of what he meant to say but the deeper meaning evaded us. Was it our destiny to give an ear to what Swamiji had to say! We were even more perplexed!!!
(to be contd.)
Essay
by: Vijay
Kumar "Atma Jnani"
Whats more... it is free. You would love you did!
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