It was one of those days when Babaji visited the city for a divine
lecture, what his beloved disciples call Satsang. It was a rainy evening with
most parts of the city either in darkness or in ankle deep water. God bless
those places which unfortunately have both. However, the lecture shed is a huge
5 acre structure with decent amenities to all those who visit the 2 day event which
is scheduled twice every year. Crowd is taken care with Food, Water and
facilities to relax for those who travel from outside of the city. Precariously
planned by volunteers, rain has not affected the proceedings much unlike the
other parts of the city where life has come to a standstill. After talking about
Karma and its effects, ways to live a content life not a happy life, finding God
within and not in temples or mosques….the lecture went on. After two and half
hours of spiritual awakening, everytime few lucky ones get a chance to walk up
to Babaji, seek his blessings and ask him any question. A routine most of the
spiritual leaders follow. A young girl into her secondary school was patiently
listening for long time, waiting for her turn to ask a question. She was one of
those lucky ones for the day and proudly sat in the front row. A twinkle in her eyes and pointed face always
made her stand out and easily recognizable. Probably divinity too was on her
side, as Riya got the opportunity to question first……
Some 20 kilometers away, Rohit was watching the down pour
through the window of 21st floor at the Peace Residency block 3. No
one other than the clock in his room knew he stood there watching the sky cry
for over 20 minutes now. Immersed deep into his thoughts, nothing seemed to
have disturbed his stare into the infinity. He seemed almost like an immovable bundle
of disappointment. Shoulders burdened & down and his knees felt week. He wondered if the grey clouds overhead would
ever leave. Both out of the night sky, as well as his life. The Occasional thunder resembled his agitated heartbeat.
Loud and monstrous. A poster on the wall
to his left read, Most things will be okay,
if not today eventually. But it seemed like eternal, not eventual. Running
through a rough patch with his start-up, that morning he lost his major client who gave
maximum business. Most
people told Rohit that he was a great employee but not a good leader. While leaving his high paying job, his
manager did advise; ’ Rohit, you are
too good to run a business’. ’You need to be a Jugadu and cut few corners now & then as a business owner. I don’t think you are meant for that. ’ Rohit
never gave much thought about it. He was confident and planned his way forward as always. Babaji's
program was running live on the youtube channel, Rohit was watching for some time
now. Though his laptop did not have his pair of ears and attention till then.
And one question dragged him back to consciousness. The question made him
forget all his thoughts and just focus on 2 words. The same question that the
young bright girl asked babaji….
A cab entered gate no. 4 of the Peace Residency. It was
occupied by 4 youngesters who started to come to their friends place. With a bottle
of Champagne and other party equipment. One sitting in the seat next to the driver
powered the window down. It gradually opened half a quarter. Struggling to
compete with the sound of rain he shouted ’Purav,
Block 4.. 702..! ’ The guard signaled to driver to take 3 left and tried to
write down the cab no. Purav in the living room was elated, reading the email
for 24th time since that afternoon. He was the one selected to
represent the companies’ India operations
at the global level. Selected word would definitely undermine his efforts, he fought
his way up to this opportunity. Joined
barely two and a half years prior to today. He completely excelled in all the
lines of businesses and has streamlined the processes for smooth functioning of the
organization. He has established healthy contacts with every department within and
those on the client side too. This
opportunity not only powered his growth within the organization, it also
opened new doors. Now he can connect and be in the recall of his global counterparts.
Very vital connections could be established which will launch him into the
leadership roles too, which he always wanted to get into. He did cut few corners
during his tenure, but all of that helped him inboxed the email he kept
re-reading today. This early achievement made few eyebrows raise and took few feet away.
He was enjoying the rain since the afternoon alone at his balcony. It seemed as if the heavens opened up sending
abundant blessings continuously. And the occasional thunder seemed never-ending
applause. Purav was expecting his friends anytime and was getting off a phone
call. It was his mom on the other end. It is nature’s majestic law that your
mom is always happy if you are. His mom
sounded equally elated and happy. Just before disconnecting, she said ’listen all this is his grace…Hail
Babaji. There is satsang happening right now, do join the program on television and
you should seek his blessings’. If not for the divinity she meant, it was
his obligation to say yes to his mom. Purav got off the call and switched on
the television to see a young girl ask that very question to babaji….
The young girls name was called up by the volunteer. Riya got up, looked around the hall as if she was
assessing the crowd. Walked confidently looking straight at the podium where
there was a mike setup meant for the selected ones to ask questions. She looked
determined and focused. However, there was a peculiar expression on her face
which said she wanted to know which way it is. She finally reached the podium, took a deep breath, gently bent down and bowed to babaji. She turned to audience
and greeted them with folded hands. People were expecting she would ask
questions that seemed cute and relatable to her age. ’Babaji how to secure good marks? Babaji how to become a Doctor? etc’
. To everyone’s disbelieve she firmly sounded ’Babaji Im confused. Im confused how the life works…?? Is it that You Deserve
what you Get… or is it that you Get what you Deserve?? ’
No one in the shed thought Riya would ask such a question. Her
question echoed in the shed for few seconds. There was a silence and only sound
that was audible was of the rain pouring on the metallic overhead covers. Riya
herself wondered if someone somewhere hit a pause button. Why everyone went
into a statue mode. Such intense question from a young girl was never expected.
Everyone waited for what Babaji would say. Miles away Rohit was dragged back to
reality and Purav got immersed into thoughts. Such was the effect of that
question. While Rohit began to think if he got what he deserved after all the
hard work. Purav was thinking if he deserved what he got, way early in his
career. Both of them, along with a flock of satsangis and the young girl…all
the eyes were pinned on Babaji. The intensity of the rain seemed to
gradually reduce as if it was allowing people to concentrate and listen the
answer.
Babaji took a moment to look at the girl. And he smiled.
His mustache helped highlight his smile and there was some attraction to his
charismatic figure. Whenever someone asked a question, he always plays a pause.
A very little one. Allowing everyone to
focus on the question and gather attention on him for the answer. As if he was
preparing the listeners for a journey into unknown. He finally began to answer, ’Young girl, you made me remember my
childhood classmate….she looked exactly like you who always helped me in my
homework….’ Everyone giggled. Then babaji said ’Listen ’. This time
he was very affirmative. And everyone’s attention was focussed on babaji. He
began to say ’Brothers, Sisters, Sons and
my beloved daughter…the question you asked is of paramount importance and the
answer is a complex one But I’m here to
answer in a simple sense. A river origins in the Himalayas, flow down to the plains,
meet people & along the way helps them and finally merges into the ocean. Now the
river is at peace and it no longer has to flow. It no longer has to move down
and help anyone else. It never asks the
mighty lord if it deservers something or if she gets something throughout its
journey. It keeps flowing and helping people. Similarly our life is not to get
something or deserve something. We are here on a purpose. A purpose which each
one of us has to find out. Only way you could find that out is by being
spiritual. Just like the river, ought everything you are to do today. Complete
all your dharmas towards work, people, nature and the almighty. He shall take care of what you GET and what you
DESERVE. What you get and what you deserve are merry gifts. Gifts of Karma.
Results of what you do. Way you do and how you do. All of us know we reap what
we sow. Sometimes it may be a delayed reap. But you shall definitely reap what
you sow. Grapes to Grapes….Mangoes to Mangoes…. Bittergoud to Bittergoud. Today your duty Riya…. is to study, make
friends, play, learn, help your parents, grow your personality and remember to
thank the lord every day for the wonderful gifts. Similarly everyone here have their
todays to-do list sorted. Just follow the routine. You shall reach your reap
too eventually…….
Both Rohit and Purav heard what babaji said. And continued
their routine irrespective of ups & downs. The girl made a list of to-do
things and pinned up on her cupboard. The city woke up to a bright sun light. Every
one followed their daily chores. And Babaji travelled to a new city and
continued to guide many others on the path of enlightenment.
So what do you think…. YOU GET WHAT YOU DESERVE….or…..YOU
DESERVE WHAT YOU GET….!!!
Sakethursforever : )
