I was returning back from Davangere, where I traveled for a weekend to see my son and wife. I boarded the return train Jan Shathabthi at 4:45 pm in Davangere. Train departed in 10 minutes, and I immersed myself into a big pillow by Leo Tolstoy, ‘War and Peace’. I was reading the war part of the book and as many reviews said, the book is fascinating.
Train stopped at some station after an hour or so and an old man (in his late 50s) with a long white beard, white shirt-dhoti entered my coach and sat in my row on the other side. From the look of the old-man it’s no wonder in identifying him as some Swamiji.
Along with him came a young and athletic guy (maybe mid 20s), who looks like a student and seems to be like a follower of this old-man. The young guy was sitting few rows away from the old-man, but he was available every time to help the old-man.
Swamiji started reading some book and I was also not keen to look into him anymore.
I was reading the book on and off and writing something on my recent encounter. The train suppose to reach Bangalore
During the last half-hour of my journey, the Swamiji just stood up and came near my seat, picked-up my book and asked me “How you are able to read such a huge book, that too with small fonts?”
I said, “Yeah… it’s difficult to read such a huge book and I am also a slow reader and it takes lot of time for me”
“So, do you like Leo Tolstoy writings? I haven’t read his books, but Gandhiji liked his writings a lot”, enquired Swamiji.
I replied, “This is the first time I am reading his book… very interesting and I liked it”
When I talk, Swamiji was leaning forward to listen to me. Then I realized that he was not able to hear me clearly in the train movement and I stood up and started talking to him. And I also raised my voice a bit to help him. He had a very serene look and smile throughout our conversation.
Swamiji said, “Recently I read the book ‘The Future of Freedom’ by Fareed Zakaria, a very thought provoking book. He did not give any solution, but asks questions”, and asked the young guy to show that book for me.
He continued, “The Islamic Terrorism has started spreading beyond control and it’s not good for the world”
I become curious about the subject of the book and asked him what is that book is all about. He said it’s about politics and democracy. Immediately I got interested in that topic and noted down the details of the book.
I said I have read few political writings about the middle-east and I liked Noam Chomsky’s writings. Swamiji with his usual serene smile, “Ohh.. that MIT professor.. I too read his articles and it’s really good”. He acknowledged my comment on Chomsky that he is a very intelligent guy.
Again he switched the topic to the Islamic Terrorism and I got bit skeptical about his intentions on repeating it. I thought maybe he is trying to brand one religion as terrorist’s religion? And to cut down this conversation as I am not comfortable in branding any religion and I exclaimed, “I am an Atheist”. He just leaned forward to listen to my words again and I too repeated it. To my surprise he just smiled at me and said “So what? You should always question anything being told to you. You should not accept what others are saying blindly. So it doesn’t matter till you are able to think and question it. I am happy that you did that”
I am very much relieved now and was happy to know that Swamiji was able to accept me with a smile and continued his conversation as usual.
We talked about the issues of middle-east for sometime and he asked if I have read the books written by any middle-east authors, because it has lot of substance in it. I said I haven’t read many but I have read the writings of Orhan Pamuk, a Turkish writer from Istanbul Istanbul
I said, “That’s what exactly Orhan Pamuk has written in his books” and I suggested some books of Orhan Pamuk namely; My Name is Red, Snow and Musuem of Innocence; I wrote it in his personal notebook and briefly explained about each of these books.
He liked the name ‘Musuem of Innoncence’
“Have you read the book “The virtue of Selfshiness, by the lady Ayn Rand?”, Swamiji enquired.
I said, “Yes. I like her writings but I am not able to appreciate all her views”.
Swamiji said, “Ayn Rand was able to influence many people and few people have become great leaders. I know a lady from Canada
“Yeah… I agree. But don’t you think her thought kills the Humanity itself?”
Swamiji had a very inquisitive look on me for few moments and returning to his big smile he acknowledged my view and patted me on my back and said “You are correct my dear boy! But that lady says it will not destroy it and puts the things nicely. Everyone talks about Rights and no one talks about Duty. Anybody can write whatever they want but it should solve a purpose. It’s like Osho’s preaching… ‘Rebel’ - don’t listen to anyone. If you are a moderate you cannot become famous, only extremists get attention in this world” (I just remembered these words from Noam Chomsky’s book)
I started very enthusiastically, “Don’t you think it’s the problems with the people to follow it? I think they should be able to judge what is right or wrong. Who are we to say they are wrong?”
Swamiji replied, “Who will say no if someone preaches to have lot of sex? Is there anyone doesn’t like it? It’s like pricking the wrong nerve of people”
I was astonished to see a Swamiji talking about sex and with bit of courage I asked him, “Then what you think of celibacy? What anyone will achieve from it? I don’t think celibacy can get you anywhere or anything”
Again he leaned forward with a smile and said as if whispering in my ears, “Both are two extremes and both are bad”
Train entered the Bangalore
I got down from the train following Swamiji and there were few youngsters waiting to invite Swamiji and they all shouted some Hindu god name.
Swamiji turned back to me and said bye with big smile.
I started moving out of the station reading the pamphlet given by Swamiji. Swamiji is a Computer Science Engineer, Management Graduate and Computer Scientist. He is proficient and teacher of Vedic Mathematics. He runs a school and also a Gurukal teaching Vedas, Yoga and Meditation.
