WALKING IN THE MORNING-THE COLORS OF LIFE

12. WALKING IN THE MORNING….THE COLORS OF LIFE


Chitragupta Park is full of life particularly in the morning hours. Life has many colors which manifest differently for different people. Humans are endowed with tremendous amount of energy and no where it is seen better than in the Chitrgupata Park or any such other Parks.

THE DO GOODERS:

Some of us have the gift of using our our resources for the benefit of the society and fellow creatures. Chitragupt Park is also indebted to such noble souls who devote their time, money and energy for the good of the other people and living beings. It is believed that good deeds of this life are rewarded in the next life. Our Karmas in this life decide our condition in next birth. All Hindus are made to believe in the cycle of birth and rebirth and the only way out to achieve Nirvana (freedom from this cycle) is through good deeds in this birth.

One such family or group of friends is engaged in the free distribution of petha (a fruit from the melon family) juice, green tea and Neem twigs. Petha juice is good for diabetics. So is green tea. Neem twigs are used as dental cleaners. Neem in its various forms is used as medicines and is considered a good blood purifier. The members of the group ladies and children included, come early in the morning in their USV with all the material and employ themselves in cutting the fruit , extracting the juice and offering it to the waiting public. They start at 6 a. m. and continue up to 8 a.m. tirelessly. Their proclaimed motto is “serving the seniors is the greatest worship”. Some members offer green tea. They put the Neem twigs in a container for the use of morning walkers. They distribute all these items free. They have however kept a donation box and those willing can drop some money in it but there is no demand.

There are other gentlemen also who bring Neem twigs. Brushing the teeth with Neem twigs is age old tradition in rural India is considered very higenic and effective dental cleaner. The Neem twigs have been replaced by modern tooth brushes and toothe paste but some people still use them.

One senior citizen couple has taken upon themselves to fill the earthen pots with water and keep around the park for birds to drink. The first thing when they enter the Park they collect the pots, fill them with fresh water and place them at different parts of the park.

A few noble souls bring grains for bird feed. Some bring food for the stay dogs. There is this desire to do well.

THE SATSANGIES:

“Guru” (The Religious Preacher) is considered greater than God because it is through the blessings of Guru that one can know about God. This belief has turned millions of Indians in the pursuit of finding a suitable Guru who may help them to realize God and thereby Nirvana. There are thousands of Gurus to satisfy this cultural need. Such gatherings are known as Satsang (assembly of truth seekers)

Chitragupta Park does not have the benefit of the blessings of renowned Gurus but the as I said there is no dearth of Gurus. There is one such Guru, fondly called “Guruji” in Chitragupta Park too. He is about 75 years old but quite healthy and active for this age. His devotees come at about 5.30 am, spread the Ashana for the Guru and clothe sheets for themselves. Their Satsang starts with the Guru Mantra “Gurudev Namah” (salutation to Guru) and is followed by bhajans, mostly penned and composed to music by Guruji. Guruji arrives at about 6 am. And joins in the Bhajans for some time. The Satsang ends with the discourse by the Guruji on some topic of everyday life and how we should conduct ourselves. Guruji has a following of some 25/30 people. I have a feeling that the devotees offer some Dakshina(offerings) to Guruji in kind or cash.

THE OTHER SATSANGIES:

At the corner of the park exactly parallel to the corner where the above Satsangies sit, there is this group of senior citizens who talk loudly. In North India, particularly Punjabis speak a language full of #@$%#%$#@ and this has now become the language of many. Even kids utter these words in normal communication. For a few of us not brought up in this culture, it is annoying and culturally shocking but for most it is just another way of expressing their love. This group starts with just such words and concludes with such words. They share adult jokes and do care a little who is listening. Once or twice I have seen Guruji asking them not to disturb his assembly. It does seem to have some effect as they are not that loud now.

It is however a contrast of colors where one group talks all what is pure and sublime and the other group talks what can be termed as vulgar. Both the colors coexist.


THE CRICKET TEAMS:

Cricket is a passion in India. All over the country there are cricket enthusiasts be in Metros, cities or villages. It is a sport of the masses now. No wonder, therefore, that Chitragupta Park too has the presence of so many cricket enthusiasts in the morning particularly school kids and young boys. On both sides of the Central Park, there are play grounds but they overflow to the central Park only to be hushed away by the Yogis and Yogins, Satsangies, and other morning walkers. There are bill boards all around notifying “Playing Cricket etc is not allowed in the Park” but the greens of the Park are too inviting for a game of Cricket and hence the violation of the notification.

In addition to the established rules of the game there are some local rules such as the boundary limitations, number of overs etc. The amusing rule however is the batting and balling line up among the kids. The owner of the bat has the right to bat first and the owner of the ball will ball first. It is rather a matter of discretion if the owner of the bat or ball can be given out. In extreme provocation they may walk away with the bat or the ball as the case may be. They call the shots. Hard ball is no no because it may damage the bat. Cricket bats are costly and must long last before the parents agree for a replacement. Cricket balls also do not come cheap and has all the chances of being lost in the thick bushes. There are some poor kids in the team who cannot afford the bat or the ball and therefore have to accept the placing at the far end of the field to stop runs. Their chance of balling or batting comes the last.

Difference of opinion about an out decision or a no ball may end into stoppage of the game itself if the player involved is the owner of the bat or the ball. Such difference may also end up in little fights. But kids will always be kids. Next day at the same time one can find them grouping for another game of Cricket. Unfortunately there have been a few cases of the fights gone violent and resulted into death too.



A short description of Chetragupta Park in the evening will be apt here before I close the subject. The Park is full of evening walkers, most of them being morning walkers also. The only difference is that this time instead of yoga sessions, there are cards or chess sessions. Some of the players come immediately after lunch and stay till sunset. They are engrossed in the play. Some of them play with stakes too. There are occasional fights too. Mostly it is friendly.

There are some old ladies singing bhajans.

Chitragupta Park mat mean different to different people. The one who come for a walk or yoga or satsang or gossip or cards or chess or philanthropy or simply drinking alcohol in the late evening when it is dark or those who use it as an office or who come simply to rest.