Indian Independence

August 15, 2009

Yesterday was a fun full day. I needed good 8 hours of rest but that isn’t ever realistic in the Yuva Veer course. Today is going to be an intense day. Today is India’s Independence Day. In 1947 India gained independence from British rule after nearly 150 years of imperialism. Swamiji had a vision of hoisting a flag on top of the same mountain we hiked up on a month ago. However, this time after hoisting the flag we plan on making our way to the summit. This path is much steeper than what we hiked last time. Military men in Kashmir have to climb such mountains at times while the enemy is attempting to shoot them down. This hike was the least we could do to show our thanks to those that fight and protect India. I woke up way before dawn for my 5:00 am Hanuman Calisa class. Afterwards, we quickly packed some sandwich, nuts, and water for our hike. I took along my digital camera and camcorder. I couldn’t resist not capturing such a patriotic moment.

We discovered a better route to get to our first target location. We noticed many of the goat herders took a path that just allowed them to use flip flops to get up the mountain. Make no mistake though, this path was much easier but for a city boy from America like me this is considered to be mountain climbing. For the Indian village goat herder this is a walk in the park. Literally! These guys are walking with flip flops up this mountain with light conversation while I am clinging on to the mountain for my dear life. The new path was easier but it was more steep in some areas. We finally reached the same spot from a month ago. Some veteran Yuva Veer trekers hiked up the mountain yesterday to dig the hole in the mountain and fortified the flag pole. We all stood attention as the flag was being hoisted. We yelled “Vande Mataram” as the flag rose and flowers burst out. The flag fluttered magnificently that morning. We had breakfast, tomato cheese sandwiches, before we started the most difficult part of the trek. The path to the summit is very steep. I wasn’t sure how I was going to make it but I was confident that my batch mates would help me along the way. Swamiji yelled for us to break our camp and head up the mountain. He was our call of the conch as we marched into battle. This mountain will be defeated!

Some part of the path was a walk in a park. Other parts only had room for two of my feet. On my left would be the mountain hugging my left hip and on the right was the valley below. I needed my mind, body and intellect all in the present moment. Luckily with my concentration and help of my peers I was able to make it to the top. The summit was truly breath taking. The grasses at the valley below were rolling like waves in the ocean. On one side of the mountain it would be bright as day. The sight would be ephemeral as it was soon to be swallowed by the thick nimbostratus clouds coming from the north. Monsoon clouds can be somewhat unpredictable. They creep up to you without an invitation a thunderclap. One can find themselves drenched to the under pants if not alert. I saw the large gaseous mass coming my way and ran to my backpack to retrieve my state of the art poncho. Well state-of-the-art poncho according to many of my peers. They were completely intrigued by the poncho. I suppose ponchos haven’t reached India just yet. I threw the plastic wear on and fended off the blitzkrieg of rain droplets. The air raid didn’t last much longer as the clouds passed within seconds but left the ground in a slushy state. Swamiji sanctioned a 20 minute silent time. In the peaceful aurora, I was just left with my thoughts and the total beauty in of my soundings. I watched a dew drop dance on a blade of grass. How uncertain its existence is. At any moment it could evaporate or roll right off. Our lives are just as uncertain. We are here today. We may not be here tomorrow. So we must pursue our dreams while we still have a chance.

We broke our silence and started to descend from the summit. The recent rains turned the mud and grass to anchoring friends and the rocks to slippery foes. Going down the mountain was much easier. That’s probably because it’s much easier to slide down a mountain than climb it. I gingerly worked my way down to the flag pole where the Indian flag was majestically fluttering. We were greeted by the local village people. They were ecstatic to find the flag fluttering above their village and decided to climb the mountain. They did so with great ease. The mountain was their playground. They invited us to play soccer at neighboring plateau. I found it amazing how the mountain was no challenge for them at all. It turns out they never lost a ball that went over the edge of the mountain. We gracefully declined and preformed our closing flag ceremony. We sung the national anthem along with the villagers before making our way down to Viboothi.

Throughout various trips to India, I’ve been often asked if I like America or India more. How can I answer that question? That is like asking a child if he likes daddy or mommy more. You love them both for who they are. Father America is my home and has offered me many luxuries and opportunities. Mother India has infused the culture and values within me. Today has been one of my greatest feelings of patriotism for India. I mark it as one of my most coveted days of the course.

Krishna Janmashtami

Last night, we celebrated Krishna Janmashtami by singing the glories of Lord Krishna from 10:30pm – 12:00pm. Krishna Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna. Exactly at midnight we turned off all the lights in the room and performed arati. We finished the night off with fresh butter, halva and chocolates for Prasad.

Today, we were tasked with creating Krishna Janmashtami celebrations for all of the Yuva veers. We had various activities such as butter churning and mud pot breaking. Butter churning was more of a messy game of tag than actually producing butter. In this picture Kokila got a face full of buttermilk in the face. After butter churning we organized a treasure hunt. We had various booth set up around the ashram. Some of the activities were human chariot creation, anthakarshari (Indian singing game), and sharades. The human chariot was the most popular. Each person had to act as part of the chariot and Krishna would drive the chariot. Typically there is butter or candy in these pots. However swamiji’s creative miscevious behavior got the best of him. Swamiji warned us that some pots contain butter, another will contain frogs and snakes, one with candy, and the rest would just be a big surprise. What better day to express one’s miscevious behavior than on the birthday of our most naughty lord. Our Yuva Veer group is divided in five groups with a team lead in each group. Swamiji asked the team leaders to line up. We were all waiting in anticipation as our team leaders were tasked with their challenge. He asked each of them to sign the Gayatri Mantra. Based on their performance they would get the first choice on which pot they would like to break. Our leader ended up coming last. I don’t think it really matters since fate will determine which pot will come to us. The first pot is hoisted up in the air. The team has to climb upon each other in order to break the pot. There is a round circle below the pot. Once all the team members enter the circle they are required to stay in the circle otherwise suffer disqualification. The first team practiced their moves on the side. Most of the teams had the same technique. They would create a human base with large people with smaller people climbing on top of them like a human deck of cards. If you’ve ever made a house of cards you know that each move is a well thought out calculated one. This technique is called mind mapping. First plan out your vision, then act on your vision. The first team got broke the pot with ease. CRACK! Down came butter milk pouring down as if the gods preformed abiesisk on the yuva veers. Buttermilk is nice to drink but bathing in it can giving you a clinging smell. The soaked makan chores started chasing fellow dry batch mates in a game of tag. Better run or face the wrath of buttermilk soaked hug. :)

The next team went through the same process. CRACK! Down came muddy like substance. I was confused as what it could be. Then a cloud of fowl aroma floated our way. MANURE! COW PATTIES! LIQUID COW PATTIES! I couldn’t believe it! I know we revere our mother cow but to bathe in her feces is a bit much. :) Our fecal drenched friends started charging towards us like the battle ground of the kurushetra. I fled the scene at first notice. Can there really be anything worse than manure. Swamiji warned me that there could be something worse than manure in the pots so I shouldn’t fight it. That’s ok, Swamiji. I will fight one battle at a time.

The rest of the teams had different other kinds of things in their pots. One actually had candy, another had rocks in candy wrappers. I was soaked in some kind of water substance with frogs and snakes in it! On closer observation they were rubber snakes and frogs. It was a pretty good scare though. :) Never underestimate the power of Swami Mitrananada.

Public Speaking

August 10th.

There has been a survey taken among various people on what they fear the most. The number one answer was “death”. Not surprising right? Want to guess what ranked second? Public Speaking!

Really??? Can this be true? You mean to say that people would rather bingie jump, sky dive, or sit in a haunted house over speaking to a group of 30 or more people?? Hrmm ok they have a point. :)

The last couple of days we’ve been preparing speeches about Bhaja Govindam. Swamiji will pick three names out of a hat every. The selected persons must speak about the selected verse for 15 minutes! I’ve done 1 minute speech at the very most with grace but the thought of giving a 15 minute lecture seems like a daunting task. Your first assumption is probably… “ok Raghu you have a case of stage fright”, however my case seems to be a bit more complex. When it comes to drama I’m a duck in water. I can act without any inhibitions. In fact I’m known to be very expressive in everyday life. The stage is my playground. However, add in a podium, a microphone, and a 15 minute speech, I shrivel up like a candy wrapper on a summer day in Savannah.

I’ve been attending various workshops and lectures during the day. Somehow I managed to squeeze in 20 minutes here and 10 minutes there to prepare for my speech. One thing I’ve learned from the course is that every single minute of our time is precious and can be utilize to the fullest. If I have 10 minutes of free time I find myself jumping for joy that I have time to do laundry! It’s odd I know but clean clothes are very much coveted especially when it takes clothes to dry forever in the monsoon season. Luckily the rains have ceased lately. Previously it had been raining everyday for 4 weeks straight! There was so much moisture in the air that my wallet, shaving kit and laptop bag all started to accumulate mold. Ok.. going off topic here going back to the speeches.

The speeches are held in the evenings after Bhajans. Bhajans are pretty much a jam session on the lord.  After about 5 bhajans. Swamiji roars my name, “RAGHUVEER!” Instantly, my forehead is sopping wet, my hands tremble. I make my way to stage in a confident like fashion even though I was nervous wreck. Swamiji is infamous for stating the words, “Sat Guru” before every lecture. I made it a point before my lecture not to state the words. I didn’t want to make it seem like I was imitating him. I take my seat and start to close my eyes to start a prayer. In my nervous fluster I started chanting, “Sat Guru, Sat Guru” and then opened my eyes. OMG! How did I let those words slip! I could hear some people laughing nervously. They didn’t know if it was appropriate to laugh either. They turn to Swamiji and see him laughing pretty hard. The rest of the audience joined him in laughter as well. My nerves calmed down quite a bit but I was still nervous for the rest of my speech. I made it through my speech but the content could have been a bit better. All I have to say is my intro was stellar. I just need to work on the rest of the speech. The introduction is usually the most important part of the speech. If you can’t draw in the audience in the first minutes then you’ve lost them forever. Even though preparing for the speech was nerve wracking, I’m glad I had the experience. It makes me a stronger person for going through it. The experience will make me better for next time.