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<\/a><\/p>\nAnand glanced at the girl again. She was beautiful, and her skin was a golden hue. The way she wore the sari was peculiar; the pallu<\/i> was on the right shoulder. Maybe, she was a Gujarati, thought Anand.<\/p>\n
Swami looked at Anand, which brought his attention back to the talk.<\/p>\n
Raising his hands Swami said, \u201cTHAT, the Almighty is whole, infinite or poornam<\/i>. THIS, the universe seen and unseen, is whole. From THAT whole, THIS whole arises. From THAT whole, when THIS whole is removed, the infinite still remains. When we are all a part of the same infinity there is no place for hatred. We should respect and love each other.\u201d Swami paused. \u201cThere are many doctors and software people here, and when I say infinity I\u2019m not talking about your cars!\u201d<\/p>\n
The audience burst out into a hearty laughter. Anand heard her laugh. It was pleasant like a mountain spring flowing over pebbles. He looked at her. She had beautiful teeth like jasmine buds. She was enjoying every moment of Swami\u2019s discourse.<\/p>\n
In a melodious voice Swami then chanted the hymn that revealed Almighty\u2019s infinite nature.<\/p>\n
\u201cPoornamadhaha Poornamidam<\/p>\n
Poornat Poornamudachyate. . .<\/p>\n
Anand vaguely remembered this shloka <\/i>from his childhood. On auspicious days, goaded by his mother, Krishnamma, Anand with his siblings, Meera, Shanthi, Reyva and Anish, assembled in front of God\u2019s idols in the kitchen. They lit oil lamps and incense sticks, broke a coconut and recited loudly a few Sanskrit shlokas<\/i>. When the puja was over, Krishnamma gave grated coconut and sugar to all of them. This was the best part of puja<\/i>, recalled Anand.<\/p>\n
While reminiscing over his childhood Anand lost a good deal of Swami\u2019s talk.<\/p>\n
The Swami was saying, \u201cToday we will practice breathing meditation, just for ten minutes. During this period, please keep your eyes closed and concentrate on your breath. Hari Om.\u201d<\/p>\n
Swami closed his eyes. So did everyone.<\/p>\n
Inhalation, exhalation; inhalation, exhalation. Anand could feel the air passing into his nostrils, through his throat, and into his lungs. After a few breaths, he relaxed and mused again.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy statistics professor told me that the possibility is certain of my inhaling the same oxygen molecule which Julius Caesar had exhaled in his last breath. Is the girl with the mango-chain breathing the same molecule which I have exhaled?\u201d The thought excited Anand and an uncontrollable urge propelled him to open his eyes and look at her.<\/p>\n
She was sitting in padmasana<\/i>, with her eyes closed. The magic glow from the setting sun created an illusion of a hundred images of little suns scintillating on her diamond-studded necklace. Her chest heaved up and down with the rhythmic breathing. Like the Buddha, she exuded peace, and tranquility.<\/p>\n
She opened her eyes suddenly, looked at Anand, and smiled. Anand was embarrassed. The Swami probably noticed this. He whispered, \u201cPlease close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anand shut his eyes like an oyster closing its shell in danger.<\/p>\n
Soon the session was over. There was \u201cMahaprasad<\/i>\u201d or dinner. Anand stood in line and checked the food items that were neatly arranged on the table. Swami was standing in the line next to him. Anand felt he should comment something short and sweet about his discourse. \u201cSwami, I enjoyed your talk.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I noticed.\u201d Swami said, smiling.<\/p>\n
Anand silently took some palov<\/i>, kurma<\/i>, raita<\/i> and a gulab jamun<\/i> in sweet syrup in a cup and was making his way towards an empty chair when he caught his foot on an electrical cord and stumbled. The gulab jamun<\/i> flew out of the cup and disappeared. He heard bangles jingling as a helping hand grabbed him, arresting his fall.<\/p>\n
Anand glanced at his savior. It was the girl with the mango chain. He did not notice earlier, but she had a tiny cute mole on her cheek. Like Cindy Crawford.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you all right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. I\u2019m sorry, the jamun<\/i> syrup is sticking to your sari.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry, it doesn\u2019t bother me. Your shubha naam<\/i>, auspicious name?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m Anand. I have to tell you this, you\u2019re beautiful,\u201d he blurted.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you. I\u2019m Pavitra, a disciple of Swamiji. I live at his ashram<\/i> in Kashi and travel with him. I\u2019ll be initiated into a sanyasini<\/i> soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s hard to believe.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know why you don\u2019t believe. Swamiji doesn\u2019t care how I dress or what jewels I wear. There are no restrictions in his ashram. He appreciates my sincerity and sanctity. He respects me as I am.\u201d Pavitra smiled. \u201cSwamiji is leaving. I must go now. Namaste.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Deepak owned a small Indian grocery store and Anand had become friends with him during his visits to the place. As Anand bought a bottle of mango pickle Deepak said, \u201cSwami Jagadananda is in town and will expound Isha Upanishad at my residence. Anand, if you are free, join us this evening.\u201d \u2013 @Siliconeer #Siliconeer…<\/p>\n