I was a successful criminal lawyer
enjoying a reputation of always winning a case in the courtroom. I travelled
extensively, since I was called by many prestigious organizations in India and
abroad to deliver lectures and address important conferences. I was
dealing with renowned diplomats, bureaucrats and many political figures were my
clients whose secretaries would wait outside my office for hours. I was
respected by everyone for my quick and discerning mind. There was seldom
a problem which I could not solve in a matter of few days. Success and
adulation surrounded me. Even the media applauded my legal intelligence
and added to my fame. This praise and recognition is surely a heady and potent
mixture in life. I never realised that it was pushing me away from the simple
yet profound truths of life.
How arrogance overpowered me and seeped in my
subconscious even I was not consciously aware. I was a sceptic and an atheist
by nature. The presence of God did not find any place in my life. Everything was
logical, bound by reason and in my personal control. I had just one childhood
friend who dared to argue with me and point out my lack of faith in the divine
power. But it goes without saying he could never convince me.
But God has his own ways. It was my birthday. I
was supposed to celebrate with a group of so called elite members of the
society. I had gone to Dehradoon for some important work and was scheduled to
reach Delhi by the evening. I was with my junior colleague sitting on the
backseat of my prestigious high end car. I gave crisp instructions to my
chauffeur that I want to reach Delhi by seven and instructed him not to stop
anywhere on the way.
But as we were crossing the busy outskirts of Haridwar,
my car met with a severe accident. Though the airbags of the car opened
instantly, still my driver and colleague died on the spot. The car was smashed
badly .I was only injured and was totally shaken sitting on the side of the
road. The people had pulled me out of the car before it exploded. I was destined
to live.
I knew my friend had come to Rishikesh to
stay at some saint's ashram whom he held in high esteem. I asked someone
standing beside me if he knew about that ashram. I told him about my friend. He
immediately offered to take me there in his car since he was also going there
to pay his respects to the holy saint.
I was completely taken aback by the twist of
circumstances. I could not clearly comprehend as to how could I be the sole
survivor in that terrible car accident with minimum injuries. No need to say my
friend was totally shocked by seeing me there. Anyway he looked after me,
made me have hot glass of milk and few sweets before putting me to sleep. Never
had I tasted such delicious cow's milk with a dash of cinnamon and turmeric in
order to ease my pains.
I slept beside my friend peacefully. This
kind of calm sleep had eluded me since past so many years. I woke up listening
to the sounds of bells ringing in the temple. It was few minutes before sunrise.
I had never seen this divine orange hue of the sky. My friend took me
towards the temple where the pious old saint was sitting in meditation and
emanating a divine aura.Quitely I sat with my hands folded, head bowed with no
words coming in my mind. I was used to my excellent verbal skills
but it was as if they had deserted me in the presence of the holy saint. I felt
totally humble in the saint's presence and suddenly a strange calmness
enveloped me.
The holy saint was a man of few words. He
lovingly smiled at me and blessed me. He spoke softly, his words merely a
whisper "God is everywhere but you have no time to listen or see him. Each
moment is a wonderful gift of God, Realise it". The room reverberated with
the sound of the softly spoken words. It was as if the words were meant for me.
How could I, so sure of my skills , had no argument left to convince this man
that God was a myth created by the human mind? Why I was so spell bound and
quiet whereas I would thunder in the courtrooms and see the awestruck faces of
the opponents and the crowd? . I felt something melting inside me
and tears welled up in my eyes. Yes, God is omnipresent. I could not feel his
presence since I was wrapped up in my own egoistic world bewitched with the
sound of my thunderous speeches. I smiled softly and felt my heart open
out to the powers of beyond. I bowed feeling grateful to be alive.
Author: Arora Meenakshi
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