"Rajayoga"

Yesterday we visited a family who were our neighbours when they were in Ponda. They did some business in transport, rubber plantation and civil construction, none of which flourished but they managed to make ends meet. Their children finished school with difficulty and started helping their father in his business. Grit and business acumen were their assets and they invested them to the full, in the iron ore transport business. Luck was on their side and they had entered the right business at the right time. The children, both boys, who were dull in studies, learnt fast the things that mattered. They concentrated on their business and lived where their business was, that is, on the roads between Hospet and Goa.
With in a few years they had their hands in all the activities involved in production and transport of iron ore. As the selling price of ore jumped from twenty dollars to two hundred dollars and transport activity multiplied, money started pouring in.
I knew they were doing well when they purchased some land and constructed their house. Then they built the first floor. Purchased the plot next to their house. Bought land in their home town and constructed a house there.
The elder of the sons had a passion for cars and the cars they processed showed their ascent much more clearly.

They began with a Maruti800 which was just enough for 3/4th of the family. A Tata Indica followed and was joined by a Tata Mobile. Now they had one each for the father and two sons. Maruti 800 was replaced by a Hundai i 10. For the elder brother’s wedding the younger brother gifted a Skoda.
Last year the elder brother purchased a Benz and the younger brother bought a Hundai Tuscon for ‘rough use’.
The latest is an Audi Q7. I believe the annual maintenance cost of this car is twice my annual income. Yesterday we were taken for a drive in their new car. Before stepping in, my children washed their feet, circumambulated the car, prostrated in front of it and applied the dust below the wheels to their foreheads. “An Audi needs to be treated with reverence”, my son explained “and don’t bang the door” he whispered “it is not your Maruti”. There was no need for his warning. You can’t bang the door. It closes on it’s own.
When accelerated, the car feels like an airplane on jet thrust rushing for take off. Only, it is much more smooth and there is no fear of the wings falling off.
After we were back, our host thanked us for joining him for the drive. Though very rich, they have remained as humble as they were earlier. I wish them well.
After I returned home I was glancing through the newspaper and saw that my star forecast for the day indicated “Rajayoga” (A King’s lifestyle). My “Rajayoga” lasted exactly 11 and 1/2 minutes. I wish the planets had taken it easy when they were traversing through my horoscope.