Ashaadha Ekaadashi

One of my friends on FB wanted to know about the importance of Ashadha ekadashi .  I did not know either. I felt that whether I follow our religious practices or not, I should have some knowledge about them. Searched the net, used whatever brains I have and came up with the following information.

A day in the life of gods is a year for human life.  The ‘Uttaraayana’ and ‘Dakshinaayana’ which are of half a year duration for humans are the day and night for gods.  Dakshinaayana is the night part. It begins in the month of ‘Ashaadha’ of lunar calendar. That is the time when lord Vishnu goes to sleep or ‘Yoganidra’. He is in Yoganidra during the first four months of Dakshinaayana  which are collectively called ‘Chaaturmaasa’.

We have a goddess responsible for day and another for night. I believe the goddess of night was unhappy that no auspicious activities were taking place during her time and felt that there was no need for her to exist.  Her sentiments were conveyed to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu felt bad about it and assuaged her feelings by declaring that the benefits obtained by worshipping him during chaaturmaasa would be in multiples of what one would get by worshipping him during other times.  

Since Ekaadashi is considered the most auspicious for worshipping Lord Vishnu, Ashadha ekaadashi, the beginning ekaadashi of chaaturmaasa acquires greater importance.

Wearing the symbols of Lord Vishnnu namely the Shankha and Chakra, called the ‘Mudras’ is a must during worshipping lord Vishnu. Hence the followers of Dwaita philosophy have these symbols put on their bodies from the heads of their respective religious organisations on ashaadha ekaadashi. This process of preparing for the worship is the ‘Mudraadharana’.

I got the information I wanted and should have kept quiet. Now what made me write this and torture you?

Out of a whim, I decided to fast on one Ekaadashi day few years back. (What is so great about fasting for a day? I can as well do it- feeling) I decided to fast for 24hrs, remained without food since morning and was miserable by evening. I could not think of anything other than food.  I gave up, had my food and slept. Then I took it as a challenge but did not have the guts or willpower to try another 24 hrs. So I decided to partially fast half a day. For the past few years I have been successfully following it. It is not a fast actually. Can call it disciplined eating.  I have a cup of coffee and two biscuits in the morning, Some snack at mid day and end it by 8 pm. But strictly no tit bits which I otherwise keep popping into the mouth the whole day. Still it is difficult. I can manage fairly well if I am totally occupied in the clinic or elsewhere. If I have nothing to do it gets worse.

It has been raining since two days and there are hardly any patients in the clinic. And today is ekaadashi. By writing this I could keep myself occupied for more than an hour.  Another half an hour and I am done.  What started as ‘ekaadashi’ has turned out to be ‘Roza’. 

Concern or Interference?

The little girl hesitatingly followed her mother into the clinic.

“She has tooth ache since three days”

I asked the child to sit on the chair and just as the girl attempted to climb on to it, her mother lifted her and placed her in the chair. I went closer and bent down to address her.

“What is your name?”

The child was shy and took time to answer.

“Tell me, what is your name?”

“Her name is Tanvi”  - The mother intervened.

I ignored the mother and addressed the child again.

“Which standard are you in?”

“She is in third standard” Mother.

“Which school do you go to?” I tried to engage the daughter in conversation once more

She began falteringly “ I … I….go to Vidya…” 

“She attends Vidya Vikaas High school” -  The mother

I asked the mother to allow the child to speak. “You tell me” I asked the child again “which school do you go to?”

“Vidyaa Vikaas primary section” came the correct answer.

“Does your tooth hurt?”

The child nodded her head in answer.

“Which tooth?”

Again, the girl took time to reply. The mother could not hold back “See, this tooth” She tried to pull open her daughter’s mouth to show me the tooth.

I called the mother aside.

“Madamme, I can understand your concern but please allow your daughter to interact with me. It is important if I have to treat her.”

“But I am afraid that she may not explain things properly. She doesn’t know what to tell you and forgets everything.”

“That is Ok. I will manage and if I need your help, I will certainly ask you.”

I addressed the child again. “Which is the tooth that is hurting”

The girl pointed to the offending tooth. 

“Does is hurt always? All through the day?”

Now she answered. “No. It hurts only when I eat something”.

“Shall I see the tooth? Please open your mouth”

I examined the child. Told her what I intend doing and asked her if she wants me to treat her.

She nodded again.

“I want you to say it aloud.”

“Yes” came the answer.

Then I fixed an appointment and noted it down in my diary.

Now I asked the mother. “Please give me your telephone number”

“Mobile or land line?”

“Whichever, Some number to contact you if required”

“8873…….  No, 88763……. I am sorry, 88673…….. ‘Che’, 98673……… one minute” she opened her bag and tried to find her mobile phone  “oh, I forgot to bring the phone also.”

The child pulled at the mother’s saree “Mummy it is 8867..”

“You keep quiet, don’t interrupt me now”

 “Forget it” I said.  “Note my number and call me from your phone. I will get your number. Give me the landline if you can.”

“Ok. 2314….. Sorry, 2334…… Oh god, we changed it recently and I .……”

A shrill voice rang out confidently and clearly from her side, “8867345342 and 2314563.”

I looked down. The child was beaming .

“Good” I exclaimed and looked at the mother. With an effort I held myself back from saying “See, she can do much better than you”

“I always forget the phone numbers” The mother tried to cover up, sheepishly, and walked out hurriedly pulling her daughter behind her. 

The Chief Guest

One of the Ponda high schools decided to felicitate the students who did well in the recently concluded SSC exams. A friend of mine is the chairman of the parent- teacher association of the school and he had taken the task of finding a chief guest for the function. He had contacted few people of eminence but had not been successful roping in anyone. He said that he will have to compromise and will have to make do with any knick-knack who was available. And the very next moment he exclaimed “Hey, YOU can be our chief guest.  You are a doctor and you have grey hair. Enough. Shed your hanky-panky half pants and T shirt for a day. If you dress decently you may really look like a chief guest.” So, I was the chief guest for the felicitation programme.

I reported to the venue ten minutes before time as directed.  The peon was setting the stage and some students were arranging the chairs. One of the teachers saw me, took me to the HM’s chamber and locked me in, preventing attempts at an escape. I spent the next forty five minutes memorising - from various charts hanging on the wall - the names of the past presidents and secretaries of managing committee, number of boys and girls in each class, weekly timetable of all teachers and the school prayer and its meaning.

 When the number of people in the hall had reached a respectable figure, I was taken to the hall, made to sit on the stage and was handed over a bouquet. I had to sit still, listening to the usual welcome song, (surprisingly sung very nicely with accompaniment of the harmonium and ‘tabla’) welcome speech and the introduction of the guest. (going by the virtues attributed to the guest, the person about whom the gentleman was speaking was certainly not me). Then the list of students receiving the prizes was read out and I was asked to stand and handover prizes. This I did commendably, like a seasoned politician, facing the camera with a smile, balancing the certificate, trophy and the flower in one hand and shaking the hand of the student with the other. Soon afterwards I was asked to say a few words for the benefit of students.

I had spent sleepless nights preparing for this speech. But I had prepared well, lining up quotes and anecdotes and had taken trouble to plan and rehearse what I intended saying. After a minute or two of forgetting everything and stammering, I got back my nerves and spoke confidently - like a real chief guest. I even felt like one. By the time I finished, I was thinking that the school did the right thing inviting me and the students were lucky to hear a speech like that. I really thought that my speech must have been of some value to them. I finished with a flourish, to a loud applause.

My speech was appreciated, I was thanked, handed a memento, offered a cup of lukewarm and very sweet tea and discharged. I returned home walking on the clouds, carrying the bouquet and the memento. I was feeling great.

My father in law who was visiting us, was sitting in the armchair reading the news paper when I returned. He was surprised to see me ‘decently dressed’ and walking in carrying the bouquet and the gift.

He raised an eye brow. “What is special today?”

“I was the chief guest for a function in the school”

“You were what!!!???”

“The chief guest”  

“Ha, Ha, Haaaa and did you make a speech?”

“Yes”

“How long did you speak?”

 “About fifteen minutes”

“People sat through the speech?”

“Of course”

“And they gave you this?” He pointed at the things in my hand.

“Yes”

“They needn’t have taken the trouble. Sitting through the ordeal would have been kind enough.”