FISH IN WATER

Chamal in Wynad was much like my own village. Perhaps more primitive than mine. The village had no such facilities as electricity, drinking water, roads, school or hospital. The similarities ended there. 

Chamal was an immigrants’ village with the wealthy settlers from South owning majority of the land-holdings and the original inhabitants had to work in their cardamom plantations for a pittance. So many of them had borrowed money from the settlers at high interest rates and spent the rest of their lives in misery. The debt trap often prompted them to work as bonded labour.


The leftist students   were planning a fortnight long camp there. They had already formed an outfit, Viplava Vidyarthi Sanghatana, to enlarge their base in colleges. One of the activists, Balan hailed from Chamal. The student-activists were supposed to live like "fish in water" among village people. A road was being built by villagers of Chamal and the students decided to join them. Three hard-core activists Rajeev, Sasi , Sreeni , prime-movers in their own right planned the trip. They were my class-mates and heroes ! I requested them to include me but I was in for disappointment. The state-level leaders were apprehensive about my unproven credentials. However, I was included at the last minute. Sympathiser was not a status, after all!

Rajeev had even forewarned me,

Englishil thooraruthu

A word of caution to keep my rock music and other oddities under wraps. He feared that my music and freak English would scare away the villagers.

(In fact, the team had set out their journey without me though I caught up with them soon after).

sumedh rajendran

We reached Balan’s house by the evening. His aged father welcomed us heartily though he didn't have any idea about our identity. He was not interested in knowing either. It came naturally to him to give everybody the maximum. Roasted wild boar was served with rice for dinner. The family was very keen in attending to our smallest needs and took it as a part of their duty to do so. We took rest spreading ourselves flat on the mud-covered floor. One of the neighbours sang a song in our honour.

                Vayalar  Vayalar  Vayalar …

                Thy name thrills us….

It was a revolutionary song. The next morning we cleaned our teeth using charcoal made out of paddy husk and set out for taking bath under a lean spring situated at a distance. Sreeni and I were almost midway through the bath when Devayani, the beautiful girl of the house emerged right in front of us.

sumedh rajendran

Don’t you need soap?

She had noticed that we didn't have any soap for taking bath and was running after us with the small piece toilet soap left in the household.

The tough manual labour started from early morning. Pickax in hand, I dueled with the hard ground. The initial enthusiasm waned very soon and I was close to giving up  but had second thoughts. The fear of reprimand from my peers was formidable. The villagers were quick to realize my plight and they relocated me to drinking water supply which meant moving around with a kettle and relax. Cooked rice was served on plantain leaves with tapioca smash. For those who toiled under the sun, the thirty minutes intervals spaced roughly by three hours were moments of bliss. We sat in a large circle under a huge tree and ate the freshly prepared food with great relish. The road was slowly taking shape. One day as we were engaged in our daily work, a boy came running with a message from Thomas, the local landlord. Sasi’s father had reached Chamal after an arduous journey and was waiting at the landlord’s place. He had visited our college first, in search of the young man. The frail, soft-spoken father got the wind that his son was dabbling in extreme-leftism and desperately wanted to have a word with him. The son and his friends had stopped attending classes and scooted all exams.  They had chucked out their studies to become harbingers of change.

Thomas came out from the strongly built house and started cross-questioning us. Rajeev who answered the queries had changed our names and identities but got caught in the act. Obviously Rajeev was no match for him in sharpness. Thomas called us in. Sasi’s father, a medical doctor in government service was waiting inside. He looked tired. The sight of his son lit up the face and he smiled like a just blossomed flower.

Have you written the exams?

Sasi didn't answer.

Aren’t you coming home?

Sasi explained the situation. He conveyed that we were on the midst of a mission and leaving it half done would leave the project unfinished forever. Moreover, the image of good Samaritans that we created among the villagers would also take a severe beating. The doctor listened without uttering a word. But Thomas was on the verge of bursting out. He mused loudly,

If I were in your place, I would have slapped him left and right .

Sasi’s father stood up slowly. He was preparing to leave. I was entrusted to escort him back to the city. Walking downhill to reach the road, I couldn't help asking him a question.

Are you feeling sad, Sir?

“Not at all”, pat came the reply “One has to love the whole mankind in order to become a revolutionary.”

The doctors didn't explain. He just smiled.

Decades later, I find my activist-classmates comfortably placed. Two of them took post-graduation as well as doctorates from well-known Institutes/Universities in India/US and took up teaching.

The third is a high flying globe-trotter.

One of these days, I asked them (via e-mail)

Whatever happened to Balettan?  Have you inquired?

They didn't have any idea. Worse still, they didn't even remember him!

sumedh rajendran

One of them wrote,

“During those years I have come across so many people. I do not know where they are now. They also may not know about me now. Our paths crossed at certain juncture, we shared and enjoyed each other’s company, and then separated”.

That’s not the case, Boss. I replied. Students like Balan quit their studies because you were their role-models. Later on, many leaders rode the crest of the next wave which landed them safely at the shores. The others were at the high-seas. Balettan was the eldest and the only hope of his parents.

I wrote further,

How do you weigh a person? Going by the money, power or fame?  In my opinion, a human-being should be judged by his/her thoughts. Since this is not possible in real-time, the only alternative left is to judge a person by his/her deeds and words. How the person behaves in critical points of life. In heavy weather as well as in sunshine….

*******

NIGHT WITH A SORCERER

                I reached the seafront where the noveau-rich purchased respectability by acquiring residential flats. A friend of mine who was making promotional films for MNCs was having his office-cum-residence there. He was a bachelor and I used to visit him once a while during weekends. We would go together for a play. Occasionally he would reciprocate the gesture by paying a visit to my place when he would always remove his footwear before entering my room. He was the only one to do so.

I was down and desperately wanted somebody to listen. Luckily he was there.

I’m being harassed by certain evil forces. I complained.

george martin - Yo Tambien

He gave me a patient hearing and asked me to stay overnight. I had a shower and felt relieved. Classical music soothed my nerves. At some point of the night, he asked me to stand at a particular spot of the living room and invoked some kind of mantra. I felt the foothold on the floor warm and a certain heat was traversing through my legs upwards. I started running zigzag. A mouse ran across the room. My friend had a tough time settling me on a chair. I didn't know that I had already transformed into a different persona. A tanpura was kept at the corner neatly packed. I made fun of my friend on account of his new-found interest to sing. He had a smile, obscure rather. He guided me to the old spot again and asked me questions one after the other. One of the questions was about Nitya Chaitanya Yati.

 Is he real or an impostor?

I must say that I was not fully out of the world when I heard his question. I must also say that I weighed my answer for a while. Memory was blank since then. When the question-answer session was over, my friend guided me to his bedroom and he asked me to keep the door opened. He slept elsewhere. Though the flat was air-conditioned, I was not feeling comfortable. My faculties were fully awake and sleep was evading me. Did I hear any noise from the toilet? Unlike other parts of the flat, the spacious toilet was filthy and chaotic. I had a sudden wave.

Beware! The man is an occultist.

george martin

He has used me as a medium first. Now he is indulging in black magic hiding in the toilet. Bloody gun. He doesn't want any obstruction in the path and that is why he has asked me to keep the door opened.

My hands moved rhythmically in the air. Not mere gestures. They had a definite meaning. The demons emerging out of the occult got lured into my smart hands and got entwined with my fingers. I squeezed them, humbled them and threw them out one by one. Surely, they might have learnt a couple of lessons. My fingers could feel the pain of those spirits. I was overjoyed. On a plane inaccessible to humans, I understood the feelings of evil spirits.

george martin - wrecked

My friend barged into the room and switched on the light. He seemed to be a bit worried.

What’s the matter? What’s happening?

I looked at him with burning anger.

So, you’re the root-cause, your true colours are now out.

george martin

I inserted the middle finger of my right palm into my mouth and made an obscene gesture. My friend didn't take it very kindly.

Bastard, behave yourself.

I spat on his face. That was the limit. He got furious and slapped me on my cheeks. Suddenly I was jolted back to my senses. I lied down. Next morning two of my friends turned up to pick me up. The magician friend might have made a lot of frantic calls in the dead of the night. Subodh, a mallu who was seeking a break in films came forward to take me under his wings. He had tried his luck with Free Press Journal , not really moved  ahead of cub-reporting and was knocking at the Bollywood’s door.  Frankly, I didn't want to be under his patronage. Who was he to control me? A Double agent? Working for Showbiz and Satan at the same time!

I can always identify you, Subodh

I said to him. He was unperturbed. I began to suspect everyone who had come in contact with me. Subodh, no doubt, was devil’s most trusted lieutenant. I kicked him out of my quarters several times, but he kept on coming back. Once he enticed me getting into an auto-rickshaw and was taking me to an undisclosed destination. I gave him a slip and jumped out. Subodh followed closely on the heels and caught me. I was losing the fight anyway. I didn't turn violent though. I choked my grief in dance. Every night I danced while Carnatic or Hindustani music played in the background. Sometimes when the dancing was at its peak, Subodh would break in, annoying me to no end. On such occasions I turned my back to him literally by exposing my bottom before his eyes. Subodh, however, kept his cool. He was like an eagle hovering over my quarters for surveillance. I wanted to get away from his gaze, but helpless like a new-born chicken.

george martin

*********

STORIES FROM YOGAVASISHTAM - 8

Empowering One’s Husband (The Choodala Way)- Final Part

Ha! Choodala had been waiting just for this moment, but she contained herself. The sun was setting and the two friends entered into a creeper-hut and started reciting sundowner-mantras. Slowly the moon appeared and Kumbhan was feeling uncomfortable.  The unique identifiers of a female body started emerging. Sikhidhwaja still stayed put. He didn't get swayed by those growing charms.

I should stay neutral , he thought, I haven’t worked my ways towards this and the current situation is thrust upon me. It is upto me to take it or leave it.

Nothing happened. The next morning everything was back to normal. The feminine endowments too had vanished without trace.  This kind of dual life went on for some time  for Choodala and finally she spoke out.

O, handsome King, kindly listen to my words. Every night I’m turning into an enchantress! You know, everything happens with a purpose. You and I should unite. You’re the only male whom I love. Let’s get married!

Sikhidhwajan couldn’t agree more.

Done, he said.

Demarcating deeds as auspicious or inauspicious is meaningless. If you feel like getting united, go ahead. The time is also ideal. Just the day preceding the new moon of Sravan month.

Flowers and jewels were collected. The couple took bath in the Ganges, draped in white silks, ate fresh fruits and that’s was all for preparations. The sun disappeared behind the blue curtain and it was getting dark.  Towards the end of the rituals Kumbhan underwent sex-change and had become Madanika, the bride. Sikhidhwajan decorated his bride with flowers.  Then he lit the fire as a witness to proceedings.

They were married.

Madanika managed to sneak out at regular intervals to attend administration at the palace. For the rest of the time, they enjoyed the new-found honey-moon to its hilt.

Several months passed. Choodala wanted to give Sikhidhwajan the final round of tests.  In fact, just two of them, the first one for detecting trace of indulgence and the other for mental purity. She wanted to know for sure whether he had risen above cravings.

gopikrishna - pants -oil on canvas

She took her husband to a valley where Devendran was waiting with all his entourage. They were waiting for Sikhidhwajan.

O King! We have heard about your outstanding qualities. You've already become a liberated man. It is our privilege to invite every “jeevan-mukta” to Heaven and make arrangements for enjoying all its benefits. We have reached here just for extending a special invitation to you.

Sikhidhwaja, however, was unmoved.

O Lord, I know about these heavenly pleasures and I’m not particular! I don’t believe Heaven could be confined to a particular place. For me, any place is Heaven. As I don’t have any desires left, I can be happy in all situations.  Heaven, in my opinion, is a state-of-mind. I certainly don’t want any specially commissioned, private heaven for me. Kindly excuse.

Devendran was impressed. He blessed the King and made a graceful exit.

gopikrishna- man ascending the mount of pain - 2007

Choodala observed,

My husband has scaled real heights! He is not lured even by Heaven. He remains perfectly calm and balanced! Now, it’s the time for the final test.

She waited till dusk.

As Sikhidhwajan was saying his evening prayers, Choodala sneaked into nearby nearby creeper-hut where she made a bed out of flowers and tender leaves.  She created a male-like figure , put it on bed and locked it with a close embrace. When Sikhidhwajan was back after the evening prayers, his wife wasn't anywhere around. Though not over-anxious, he looked out for her and found her in an alien’s embrace, sharing exhilarating moments. The sight of the couple possessing the universe together didn't let him down. On the contrary, he got the nice vibes of the sacred act and felt so happy.

Enjoy yourself. Don’t feel interrupted. Carry on…

He went back to his Ashram.

After a while Choodala too reached there totally disorganized. Her eyes told it all.

Sikhidwaja was embarking on yet another meditation and Choodala (Madanika to be more correct) stood in front waiting. When he woke up, he was pleased to see his wife and talked to her. There was not even a trace of hatred in his voice.

O beautiful woman, did you get interrupted by me? Go ahead and enjoy with him.  There is nothing like the union of two lovers.

Madanika was swept off by this rare act of acceptance. She murmured.

Kindly forgive me. I am a sinner. I am weak. I am immature and I’m a fool. Please don’t get angry at me.

Sikhidwaja was all composed.

Relax, my dear girl. Be pure like the sky. Nothing can blemish you.

Do you think the sky can ever be a sinner? Or a fool? Can it be weak for whatever reasons?

gopikrishna - Kvees Stores - oil on canvas -2006

That was the end-point for Choodala. She was convinced that her husband had scaled the highest peak. A perfectly balanced man with no craving for anything and no hatred towards anyone.

Choodala shed her disguises one by one. Even then, it didn't strike to her husband who was standing right in front. He was too child-like for doing any deductive logic.

Lady, you look exactly like my wife…

That was the most appropriate time. Choodala submitted her credentials before the King.

Sikhadhwajan was surprised to no end.

My beloved wife, you are my Guru. I have crossed the ocean and I am a free man now. Just because of you. Kindly accept my respects!

In a gesture of humility, Choodala bowed before her husband and said,

O King, kindly let us know the way in which you would like to live…

Sikhidhwaja replied

My Love, I don’t have anything either to accept or reject. You decide on my life. I shall follow.

Choodala requested him to take up the throne. She shall be beside him to give companionship and guidance.

Sikhidhwajan was in complete agreement.

He was asked to sit facing the east. Choodala poured water from the Mangala-kumbh over his head. Choodala led him to the majestic simhasan. In turn, the King installed Choodala as his Pattamahishi (adviser and anchor). A tumultuous welcome was waiting at the Capital.

gopikrishna

Then......, they lived happily ever-after, with their equally happy praja for 10,000 odd years!

**************

STORIES FROM YOGAVASISHTAM - 7

Empowering One's Husband - The Choodala Way (contd) Part -2

He kept his myriad spermatozoa in a pot and filled it up with milk! The sperm started growing and it took the shape of human embryo. Eventually it emerged out as a baby boy. Kumbhan ,that was his name. A very apt one, since he took birth from a pot!  The Brahmarshi was so pleased that he started transferring knowledge to the little one. One day he took the small boy to his grandfather, Brahmadeva. The idea was to give the final touch and make him complete and full.The boy too had the right kind of attitude and he became a balayogi in due-course.

Now it was time for the Balayogi to give a surprise. He said to his new-found disciple.

Lo, Kumbhan, the balayogi is standing right in front of you here.

Sikhidhwajan was astounded to no end.He was overwhelmed by the boy’s presence. Praises were showered on Kumbhan without a break.

“Wait”, the Balayogi said,” I have already given you my side of life. Its your turn now”

gopikrishna-innocents and apparition of a running man- 2000

Mahatman, mine is a sad story. In real life, I’m a king. I left the kingdom out of boredom and landed up in this forest for hard tapas. Somehow, I ’m not taking off. Oh Lord! I’m quite fed up. I want to put an end to my sorrows….

Relax, said Kumbhan.

It can be done.

Rajan, just clean up your mind. Let it be devoid of hatred. I would advise you to approach a genuine Guru for guidance. You can as well leave your life with him.

Start with satsangs. The first step.

King Sikhidwaja thought for a while. His wife Choodala had also uttered the same thing!

Save me, dear child, by all means..I shall obey you verbatim…no mater how difficult it is…

The balayogi nodded in agreement.

Mahatman, I’m taking you to my fold.

Prior to that, have an idea of the stage you’re in.  The sasthras are under your grip, the tatwas too. .Still, you haven’t taken off! You have never experienced fulfillment  yourself. Why?

You are under the impression that chucking away your kingdom, kith and kin will do you good. Listen, you have relinquished everything except your ego. The “great act” is thus incomplete. Relinquishment should not be forced on anyone. It is not a barter in which one trades relinquishment with spirituality.

Oh King, the things you’ve relinquished…, your wealth, your wife, your palace, your land, your relatives…. are not owned by you at any point of time.  How can you relinquish a property which is not owned by you? It is impossible.  They are transient in nature and quite unstable. One cannot own anything having such characteristics. You are attached to them and that’s the reason why you think you are the owner. Try to relinquish attachment. The ego part, the feeling of I-ness.That would be a farewell to all your sorrows.

The advice sank down on Sikhidhwajan.

gopikrishna-man with a club-oil on canvas

The King- turned- apprentice withdrew himself from all the turbulence of the world, into a state of Mauna!  He steered clear of controversies but missed no chance for action. He took care never to get entangled with any issues.He worked his ways towards the infinite, pure, soft and complete experience. The illusions were slowly coming to an end.

Kumbhan was all happy to see the progress of his disciple. 

Rajan, you’re moving in the right direction. At one point, you’ll reach a stage called “upasama” where nothing really matters. Not even the desire for “feeling good”!  Your antakarana (mind and intellect) would be pure in every way. This is the right moment when Truth dawns inside. You get a pair of brand new eyes with which you see through illusions. The world no longer exists. In its place you see only Consciousness (i.e., Sat, Chit or Brahma) everywhere. You have become one with it.

Maharaj, I have already given you the guidelines. It is upto you to work it out. Use your power of discrimination and decide for yourself what’s ideally suited. Till then, lead an austere life with no ambitions. Stay away from sankalpaas too.

I’ve to go back since the deva-sabha is in attendance. Today is a full-moon day and Narada Brahmarshi is expected to attend. He’ll get angry if I’m found missing.

Kumbhan made a graceful exit, changed back into Choodala , took the sky-route and reached the palace.

She took the reigns as usual.

Three days after, Choodala felt like visiting her husband. She was there in the forest, in a moments notice, right in front of Sikhidhwajan. Alas! He was in Nirvikalpa Samadhi, quite unaware of the surroundings! His body remained stationary. Choodala decided to wake him up and called out his name. Seeing no response, she roared like a lion. Then she shook him up, turned him around….all to no effect.

This is dangerous, Choodala thought, he is in a point of no-return. Luckily, his anthakarana is active.

A come-back is possible.

She activated the life-force in him, singing sama-gana all the way. The music too kindled the vital-element.  Slowly Sikhadhwaja opened his eyes. He was pleased to see Kumbhan at an arms-length. The battered King did Pushpanjaly  to Kumbhan  to pay respects.

Bhagwan, I’m so lucky that I've met you again. You’re the only reason behind all my well-being.

Kumbhan reciprocated in equal measures.

Oh King, I couldn’t take my mind off from you. I was feeling deserted ..You’re my scholar –friend, benefactor, comrade, loyalist and disciple…

“I’m elated” It was Sikhidhwajan’s turn now “Even a detached person like you enjoys my company…I’m honoured”.

The two friends spent days in the forest together.They were not bound by any kind of rules which segregate right from wrong. In fact, they had ascended to such levels where happiness as well as sorrow was alike and immaterial.

One day Kumbhan said to Sikhadhwajan

Today is very auspicious. The first day of Suklapaksha. Indramahasabha is having its annual meeting on this day. I’ve got to go..I shall be back this evening itself.

Kumbhan , back to original as Choodala, went straight to the palace. Routine administration affairs were to be settled. She finished all her work by the evening and changed into Kumbhan to reach the forest. 

Sikhidhwajan was surprised to see his young guru crest-fallen. Dejection writ all over the face.

What’s the matter, dear friend?

Kumbhan started unbundling the reasons of despair.

See, I was attending the Devasabha with my father, NaradaBrahmarshi and seeing my impatience, he gave me permission to leave. I was in a hurry to reach beside you and was travelling pretty fast….The sun was setting…the sun-rays made me high …but it got vanished suddenly…I descended to reach the sea-level …The visibility was poor and I got entwined in a rain cloud…As I was steering clear of the heavy cloud, I saw Muni Durvasav approaching…He was enjoying one of his digambar rides (travelling in full nude). I stalled to pay respect and greeted him …

"Oh Muni, Instead of a sky-walker, you look like a street-walker".

Muni Durvasav got terribly furious and cursed me with all his might.

You have let me down with your arrogance. You must pay the price. You’ll become a woman during the night time with boobs, bums and hair in full groom!

gopikrishna - monument for a sculptor - oil on canvas 

He vanished into clouds without giving me time to ask for a reprieve.

Sikhidhwajan consoled his friend.

Please don’t worry. You’re a scholar and you know fully well that the soul has got nothing to do with the body.  I don’t know why you’re giving so much importance to it. If the guru himself is subjected to these kinds of mood-swings, what would be the fate of disciples?

Anyway you are welcome to stay with me, if you’re so inclined.

gopikrishna - man riding...-oil on canvas - 2000

                                                                                                              (continued...)

STORIES FROM YOGAVASHISHTAM - 6

Empowering one’s husband – The Choodala Way

This is the story of Queen Choodala. Normally queens have a leisurely life style with no worries except to keep their body youthful and attractive for the King. They might take bath in perfumed Rosewater daily and do many such oddities. Queen Choodala was different in many ways. She was after self-realization and followed the tantrik path. As a fringe-benefit, she acquired certain special powers (siddhies). For example, anima, by which one can move from the gross plane to take the subtle plane for travel ! Anima is a no-holds-barred travel enabling one to float and move around as you wish. Since the person takes the subtle form, the speed is unmatched and the traveler will be invisible! One can traverse through Air or Water with equal ease.

Choodala had a strong but rather naive man as her King. She wanted to raise him to her own level. He should be an embodiment of power and wisdom, she thought. Even in close embrace, she was planning ways to make him enlightened. King Sikhidhwaja, however, didn’t have any inkling of his wife’s designs. He never knew that the Queen had already become an enlightened person. She could have made a demonstration of her special powers giving a well-deserved kick to her simpleton husband but she refrained from doing so. There is a time for everything..and miracles are for children. The siddhies are not to be used for self-glorification, at any rate.

She started giving him a primer in spirituality.

gopikrishna - murdered cat

 

The transactions of the world adding to one’s worries.The transient nature of all pleasures. The resultant craving. The nearing Death.

There is no one-stop remedy. If only one knows the origin of sorrow, one can transcend it. 

Evidently, Choodala was a good teacher. However, her student was less-than-average who couldn’t even envisage a neutral state of mind in which one functions without any strings attached.  

 No sense of ownership, no pre-conceived notions, no hatred or ill-feelings, no particular affinity or anything…

The sessions had a tell-tale effect on the Queen. She became much more radiant and beautiful.

The King was wondering,

Oh my beloved wife, you’re a stunner now! Looking serene as well as vibrant. I get purified looking at you!

Choodala didn’t feel elated. 

Anybody can attain this provided s/he makes a conscious effort.

 Get purified from all sources. Even from man-woman relationship including love-making. Your mind will be filled with Ananda .You will be so pleasant like the earth on a full-moon night. When the whole being become pleasant, all your aadhis (anxieties) and vyadhis (ill-health) will just wither-away.

In spite of her best efforts, King Sikhidhwaja didn’t show any improvement. He already had some ideas about spiritual life and decided to practice them. What’s the use in knowing the nitty-gritties of theory if one doesn’t put them into practice? He shunned the royal luxuries bestowed on him by default. Gave away huge donations in gold and cows to the needy and not-so-needy. Undertook difficult pilgrimages.

Of course, the package involved taking up arduous vrithas too and the King carried it out verbatim. 

He took a sabbatical from the daily grind and wandered like a mendicant. It made no change as he felt down and restless again. Ananda remained elusive. What’s more, he found it increasingly difficult to run the kingdom.  

gopikrishna - neo primitive

 

One day King Sikhidwaja spoke his mind to the Queen.

Beloved Choodala, I’m feeling down and out. Its time to call it a day. Please allow me to enter Vanaprastha. Virakti has caught up with me. I want to settle myself in a place away from people’s gaze. My love, don’t say no to me.

Choodala tried to resist him but her plea fell in deaf ears. The King had already made up his mind.

At the dead of the night, King Sikhidhwaja released himself slowly from the life-giving embrace of the Queen, silently bid adieu and walked out. He left the border and entered into a dense forest. He never felt lonely. He was one with it, like a river flowing into the sea. For ten days he was on his feet, journeying through the forest until he found a lake and an elevated plateau . He built a small ashram there. 

gopikrishna - nagaraja descending

Now, I shall restart my japa, dhyana and mantra sessions…all in peace…Nobody is going to bother me.

His tapas was getting momentum.

Over to Choodala now. She was quite crest-fallen as expected but she was worried about her husban's safety.She summoned her siddhi, anima and traveled through the sky. She saw him walking away, sword in hand, and his favourite mantra on lips. 

She mused for a while. 

There is no point in dissuading my husband. He has to walk his path entirely on his own and learn from experience. In fact, everything is happening for the good. I can only function as a facilitator. Meanwhile,I'll have a constant check on his status.

She went back to the palace through the sky-route and slept.  Like the crescent moon  in the sky! 

People were told that the King was away on a mission. Queen Choodala ruled the country with equal concern for everyone, treating them as her own offspring.

Eighteen years had passed. 

Its time to meet my husband, she thought. She took the sky-route again and reached her husband’s humble abode. Sikhidhwaja was there, changed completely in physical appearance. No signs of a King or a man of authority. No signs of a Yogi either. He had become a total wreck.

gopikrishna- Lasar the noble driving the earth

Choodala felt very sad. How strange!  People at the receiving end of excellent counseling and professional advice sliding downhill. They were supposed to be in search for Truth.

Truth is ananda itself which is inherent in every human-being. One does not have to do any special-purpose karma for its attainment.

Both the Rajah and the Yogi have equal potential to work out their ways to discover ananda. One has to avoid cravings and aversions of any kind. One has to do away with discrimination of any kind. That’s all. 

My husband had given weightage to the yogic ways and chucked his responsibilities as a King. He fell into turmoil. Obviously, his was not an exercise in selflessness but an act in eccentricity.  He should be stopped from deviating any further. 

I shall disguise myself and approach him as a balayogi (teen-age sanyasin).
He'll listen to me and take me seriously which he would not have done otherwise.Though  an accumulation oddities, he is  a clean-hearted guy who deserves enlightenment.

Choodala changed her appearance to that of a Brahmin Brahmachari. Just a few minutes of meditation was sufficient. In another two minutes she reached right in front of her husband. Sikhidhwaja sprang up on his feet.

Ha...The son of God has descended!

Sikhidhwaja was overwhelmed by the Balayogi's presence. He removed his methiyadi (footwear) , walked upto the boy and welcomed him with flowers.

Oh Lord, I'm blessed. 
Kindly tell me where are you from. 

The balayogi replied with a smile.

Punyatman, you're great! Leaving a bountiful country and its upright citizens, you've reached here for attaining nirvana. You will be rewarded.

Sikhhidhwaja was quite surprised.
Bhagwan, you know everything. May I ask who you are? And may I inquire your whereabouts ?
Why did you take the trouble to come all the way ?

Relax, said the Balayogi.
I shall answer your queries. Prior to that, let me tell you this story about Narada .

gopikrishna - untitled

The brahmarshi was meditating inside a cave near the Ganges. It so happened that he casually glanced over the river during a break and saw beautiful damsels taking bath. They were freaking-out in water in full nude ! The scene made a sudden impact on the brahmarshi and he was overpowered by lust !
Narada felt a heavy stuff  moving down through his spine which got jerked out, exploding !

                                                                                                                   (continued....)