4.
Kalyani is a calm quiet city on the banks of grey Narmada. Dusty from an evening squall, Kalyani welcomed the caravan of Ravianand with subtle modesty, at the gates the company was awaited by two monks, both bald and clad in saffron, who guided the Ravianand, Ravi and two elderly monks, through tiny trails next to brick walled houses, sometimes next to barren fields, till they reached the outskirts of the city. there in a jungle the monks led the group to a big abandoned house which was the dwelling of saint Gyanendra. It was dusk and sunlight was slowly leaving the country. As the company entered the house they were greeted by the saint.
It was a big house and as Ravi noticed, well lit and provided for. Each traveler was given a separate room in the innards of the house and a modest welcome dinner lay waiting for them in the hall. Ravi noticed how happy and relaxed everybody looked. The womenfolk looked gay and chirpy, while the male population seemed content and fearless.
It wasn't until that moment, when he saw the difference in the conditions of the peoples, that Ravi actually realized that he was away from home, away from familiarity, a familiarity which entailed living in a constant state of fear, unsure of the future, and he did not know if he liked this soothing unfamiliarity more or if the feeling of pain was more, at having left Chalal and Parvati behind.
His mind was reeling back in time, back to Parvati, when suddenly in his room came Ravianand. The saint's condition was much better, but yet not completely fine. He walked with a stoop and it was palpable on his face that his whole body, every cell, every molecule, was fighting, fighting a losing battle.
The saint came and sat near the monk, who in turn, collecting himself, sat up.
' Baba, how are you feeling?'
' Better, but i can feel my body losing the battle. But how are YOU Ravi? You look distraught.
' Baba, I am worried about tomorrow. What if the Rajas and the Sultans fail to unite against the might of Aurangzeb. Individually they are nothing in front of the northern might, and what shall pass if the emperor takes control of Dakshindesh as well? The same religious bloodshed?'
The saint listened with a grave expression and finally said, " You know, Ravi, when I was leaving mother and father, and their house to search for the truth, I did not dare tell ma about it, for I knew she would convince me to stay somehow, but I felt that it was my duty to tell father, I thought he'd understand, but he didnot, he couldnt understand why I had to go, leaving all the comforts behind to search for something I didnt know anything to begin with. But as he could see that I had made up my, he kissing me on the forehead said, ' Beta Ravianand, remember, always be a good human and whenever you are lost and can't find the right path, ask yourself, '' who you are? where you come from? and where are you going?" and you ll surely see light.
Its time for you to do the same Ravi, the time has come to do the thinking, I have a task for you, think about it too.'
The saint slowly stood up, and with the same stoop went out of the chamber, leaving Ravi alone, with all colour flushed from his face.
5.
Parvati, I think finally the time has come to tell you this, or maybe its too late and I shouldn`t tell you this at all. I was torn between the desire to tell and the fear of its outcome and I have waited a long time, been patient, introspective about my feelings, doubting them, feeling guilty about them, but now, right now in this moment, I am free of all the burden of good or bad, right or wrong, for I am one with the moment.
Parvati, I have always respected you, since the day I first saw you in the ashram, when we were but little kids, I have respected you as a fellow human of higher emotional and intellectual content and whenever I have talked to you, I have felt a pull towards to, like I am being drawn towards you, by your dark, deep-set eyes, by your short thick black hair and Parvati, today I am telling you something which maybe I wouldn't have told you if baba hadn't given me this task, this particular thing which baba wants me to do is the reason I have been able to muster enough courage to tell you this.
I cannot reveal to you the details of this task assigned to me but I see it as an opportunity to turn all the respect and gratitude I feel for baba, into action, and maybe put all the wrongs today right. This I believe the only opportunity I can get in this life time to repay my debt to baba.
But, the real reason for writing you this letter Parvati, is that I want you to know that I love you. My life Parvati has not been a comfortable one, but whatever comfort I experienced I experienced by looking into your deep dark eyes, which have given me strength and courage in my darkest hours and Parvati, right now, I need the comfort of your eyes more than ever, I feel like a tired man, hopeless, the sun is setting on my horizon and I need you. Sometimes I wonder if we are really better off than these eagles flying in the sky, these dogs roaming in the streets, these cats that seem so satisfied? Is our consciousness a gift or a curse? But all these questions go away as soon as I think of you Parvati, you are the shining star in my night sky, you are my guiding light.
I have come to a conclusion, I have made the decision. I believe in Guruji and I Will do as he wills Having said this I must tell you that I feel very hollow and empty, in a very positive way.I am ready to do what I have to do.
I leave for Agra tomorrow, and at Shangri La, Ill wait for you.
6.
The art of history writing is a tricky one, the reader has to gauge the intention of the author, sift through the sources and read between the lines. But what if there are contradictory stories about the same event, what if the sources are fuzzy.
According to some lesser known medieval bhakti sources, the morning of 16th December 1707 was a cold and wet one. it was too cold for even that cold winter morning in Delhi. The sixth Mughal ruler of the Indian Subcontinent, Muhi-ud-din-Mohhmad Aurangzeb, was stepping into his 47th regnal year and a big feast was organized in the Red fort of Agara, inviting all the local rajas and chiefs along with many monks and saints. Although the whole royal entourage had a calm composed facade, and a festive gaiety was maintained, those who were associated with the state affairs knew that things were far from either festive or gay. A tension was slowly building, with each passing hour. All the rajas and chiefs were seated in a big hall in the innards of the fort, which was well provided with food, drinks, and light music, away from the increasing activity in the fort, while discussions raged on in Ibadat Khana about various religio- philosophical tropics amongst the monks and saints. Once all the guests had arrived, the gates of the fort were closed and it was not until Aurangzeb had made his appearance in the hall, with his compelling company of royal body guards, that the invited ruler elite, began to sense the tension in the surroundings. But by then it was too late, they were helplessly trapped in the fort with their horses and carriages somewhere hidden from them in the huge Agra fort.
While all this was happening in the hall, the Ibatat Khana was having its own riot, scholars and monks were engaged in furious debates over issues of higher mental facility.
Although, no one noticed him, there in the congregation of the learned there was a bright, bald emaciated monk too, clad in bluish white, who looked around for something with shifty eyes, not at all interested in the happenings around. In the hall, Aurangzeb, to a highly nervous and anxious gathering, officially announced his plans for a Deccan campaign and without standing any ceremony, asked them for their support, without which they could not leave.
historical records are fuzzy about the incidents that followed during that cold day of December, but according to some sources, the emperor left the local elite to discuss and come to a conclusion, locked in the hall, and himself went to preside over the happenings at Ibadat Khana, which became hushed like a graveyard upon his entrance. All monks gathered around the Emperor to greet him, who had spared the scholars the overpowering presence of his royal body guards and there was quite a free interaction as the Emperor wanted to project himself as a salvation of his subjects, requiring a good report with them. While the interaction was happening, the emaciated monk too made his to the Emperor, with a sleek sharp steel blade hidden in the folds of his clothes and when he was close enough, on the pretext of hugging the Emperor, stabbed him, once, neatly through his heart, killing him instantly.
