The heart stops mid beat, the breath at kumbaka; the body in suspended animation, the mind transported; an inexplicable joy, lightening of the spirit which soars ever so high.
I am not describing the emotional state of a hormone pumped infatuated teenager in the throes of first love, but my very own. This always happens to me when I get my first glimpse of the Himalayan Mountains, and the mighty Ganges.
Mountains standing shoulder to shoulder, some towering higher, some gently sloping, some providing shelter to itinerant sanyasis and yogis, some rising high to bear messages from rain-filled clouds, some majestic, standing tall, taking pride in their pristine whiteness.
The Ganges flowing demure as a damsel in the company of reproving elders, suddenly changing course and demeanour – gushing like a long repressed youth; gurgling at places, rushing in torrents at others. She changes expression even as you watch, or perhaps because you are watching and she knows it!
I install myself on a rock projecting into the waters, right in the lap of Ma Ganga, the Himalayan hills and mountains surrounding me, and soon everything recedes…
The chillness in the air, the stiff breeze, the caressing water, and the soothing lullabies of the mother – soon I meld in the embrace of the loving mother and doting father. The seemingly stern father looks down endearingly at the prodigal returning home, the mother shows no restraint at expressing her love and joy in beholding the errant daughter. This is the call of the Himalayas and Ganga Ma – always invoking an inevitable response in me.
About an hour’s drive from Rishikesh, on the road to Badrinath, is a small ashram with a cave, known in these places by the name Vasisht Gufa. It is said that Sage Vasishta did penance here for very many years and that his presence is seen and felt by a few sincere sadhakas even to this day! With a view to deter casual wayfarers and trouble mongers, the ashram authorities have not much modernised the place. Basic amenities are provided with just two simple meals a day and the number of guests is restricted.
But nothing to beat the ambience, the panorama, the Ganges flowing just about 100 metres from the ashram! Walking down a pebble and rock covered pathway, leads to a small beach. There are convenient, large boulders on which one may sit peacefully, dangling legs in the cool waters. There are mountains wherever you may turn to look – green, cool, unpolluted. The sound of the mighty river flowing can be heard at all times, more so in the stillness of the night and dawn.
In the moonlight, as the dark mountains protectively hover over her, we can see her shimmer as she glides along gracefully, just the deep hum revealing her dynamic presence. The rigours of the ashram life are not registered. The images, the sounds, the emotions and feelings aroused are reiterated in the naturally temperature controlled confines of the spacious cave, where meditation happens spontaneously, where time stands still.
What draws me to the lap of Mother Ganga time and again? Why do I even risk going alone?
One thing I can vouch for and endorse – the attraction of the Himalayas for the ardent sadhakas and Yogis. Despite the hardships they face, in part, on account of the acute weather conditions – the rarified air at the higher altitudes, extreme cold, lack of amenities to fulfil basic needs etc. – the mind finds it easy to focus, concentrate, contemplate, meditate and finally to be subsumed. One need not be an adept to realize this. The very first visit will reveal a glimpse of this mysterious power, leaving you wanting and craving for more.
Many are the times I have succumbed to this enticement and have also resolved that I would capture these moments and get into them once I get back to my chaotic existence and bring a semblance of order in it; and that I wouldn’t need to get back here physically. But alas, memories have their limitations after all!
Sitting on a rock, I watch in silence each movement of Ma Ganga. The vagaries of the mind are nowhere to be noticed; the ripples have stopped on their own, in awe of the deep currents of the river. The heart is filled with joy, sated by the overwhelming love of the Divine Mother. The hills merging with water, infused into the golden rays of the sun, permeated by the cool, pristine air, merge into the great void. Shabda, sparsha, roopa, rasa, gandha subsumed in the Silence whence they originated. Eternity is crammed in a moment, moments run into eternity.
Movement starts again in the mind, swelling in ever expanding circles, silence gently broken. I am born again – with more awareness, determination (to live like Mother Ganga, focussed on the goal of merging with the higher consciousness into nothingness, identity wiped out). Born from the feet of Pannaga Shayana, her force curbed by the matted locks of Pannaga Bhushana, she meanders around insurmountable obstacles, serene in places, torrential in others. Despite her haste and eagerness to reach, she showers her compassion and benevolence on all those who come to her. Giving new life to the hills and valleys through which she flows, she sustains and nourishes those, parched in body and spirit, bestows largesse, sparkling and rekindling hope in the hearts of yogis observing austerities.
Ma Ganga is both compassionate and dispassionate – people wash their dirt in her, contaminate and poison her with effluents, desecrate her in unconscionable ways. She moves on gracefully, her dignity intact. Like a true mother she only gives, expecting nothing from her children. She is eternal. The birth and merging seemingly inconsequential, she flows on. This is the lesson of life, for life. May we be more mindful, thoughtful and conscious for the rest of our short lives!
An Ode To Ganga Maiya
The hills do beckon time and again
To reckon now my time and reign
Eternal knowledge to bequeath
Serenely seated quite beneath.
The mighty Ganga flows along
Never a tarry ever strong
Single focus on her duty
Very persona of beauty.
Through the valleys meandering
Ethereal songs rendering.
Thundering over large boulders
Coursing along the cliff shoulders
Rapid flow creating a daze
Forgotten in the morning haze.
Days and nights chase one another
Spring or Winter none her bother.
Seasons turn to years in stages
Forever she’ll flow for ages
She’ll be with us through thick and thin
Washing away our every sin.
Gharials and dolphins sport with her
Frolicking in life together
In time she gained many a name
Etched forever in the halls of fame.
Pulls you from the depths of despair
Emotions raw and feelings bare
One glance one glimpse, the spirit soars
The mind sets still and mood restores
The healing waters calm and soothe
The heated brows of desperate youth.
Deep in the soul a chord touching
The consciousness awakening
Lofty mountains graciously smile
White cloaked, majestic in profile
Protective, shadowed canopy throw
As she rapidly flows below.
Answering prayers she takes birth
Reviving cursed kings on earth
Saving them all from damnation
Ma Ganga, lifeline of nation.
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