6 2002
That year,
from Jan – June I was stationed in Oslo, Norway. Those were the happy Telecomm
Ericsson Inc. days. I was enjoying my Nirjan-vaas. Meanwhile, Tirthankar was
sent to San Jose on an assignment from his company Cisco. Of course he chose to
visit maharaj at his center. We always visit any center that happens to be in
the place of our current trip. The following incident is Tirthankar’s
narration. Maharaj was very happy to see him and enquired after me. He was told
I was stationed in Norway for 6 months. Maharaj was silent for some moments.
Maharaj: “So, can you drive in the mountains?”
Until then
Nandini had driven the winding curves and not Tirthankar. However he mustered
up enough courage and said: “Yes Maharaj.”
“Can you drive myself, Deepak (now
swami Chidekananda) and Ishtananandaji to Shanti Ashram tomorrow?”
It so
happened to be Saturday and Tirthankar was planning to stay over in SF anyway.
His overjoyed response was: “Yes, of course Maharaj!”
“Where is Nandini now?”
“In Oslo, Norway
Maharaj.”
“Hmm.. do you call her?”
“Yes
maharaj” was the timid reply. He used to call twice a day.
“Okay, let’s
call and tease her. Can you call her now?”
Since it was friday afternoon my time and right after work I used to go
walking in the mountain trails in Songsvaan. It is a beautiful 11km walk
amongst the tall green trees on the mountains. I used to have my headphones on
and a small backpack with water, mobile etc. In those days, I had a small tape
recorder in which I had a few audio cassettes of bhajans (naam sankirtanams,
stotras etc.), and various retreat recordings. While walking alone through the
green trees with the waning sun’s warm rays on my back, I used to listen to
these. Incidentally, that is where I learnt all the 5 naam-sankirtanams. So,
here I was trudging along living in my own world of lectures and nature...
feeling almost like I am in the Vedic times of gurukula when my mobile rings a
shriek. Knowing it to be Tirthankar I almost barked a “hello” and I heard this
deep voice: “Nandini! Where
are you?”
“Maharaj..!
It’s so wonderful you called..! Pronam Maharaj..!” Was my ecstatic cry amidst the
quiet serene mountains.
“What are you doing?” was the
indulgent question.
“Oh! I am
walking in the mountains Maharaj!”
“Oh, so they pay you to walk in the
mountains!”
“Maharaj,
its weekend now, the office is over! Plus I was listening to some spiritual
lecture!”
“Oh, so you are having your own
retreat.”
“Yes
Maharaj..!” was the self-satisfied smug reply.
“Well, tomorrow Tirthankar is driving
3 of us to Shanti Ashram!”
All my
euphoria evaporated instantly. In an anguished voice I almost shouted: “Why?
Why Shanti Ashram? Take him to Olema, I have been there. I have not been to
Shanti Ashram... it’s not fair!”
“Ha, ha, Well, keep well, May Sri
Ramakrishna bless you”; click.
So, next day Tirthankar has the blessed opportunity to drive all 3 of them
to Shanti Ashram. Usually it takes about 2 hours but while the long drive
lulled the swamis, Tirthankar sped habitually. Suddenly Maharaj woke up with a
start and was very surprised to be so close to the destination.
“How did you reach so quickly? Did
you speed?”
“Yes maharaj” was the sheepish answer.
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