Is it to be a life changing event or just another passing event?
I still go about my normal life. Making tea, going jogging, listening to Ghazals, and chatting with friends, but the images haunt me.
We all shouted when we were dragged for over 100 metres on the lay-away. I called on, "Prabhu, Prabhu". Others, in panic shouted, "Manoj, Shivi, My Children, Papa". Others still called upon their love ones, "Srini, Srini, Srini". The point is when faced with certain death we leave aside all false pretenses, shedding egos we cry for help, wherever and however it can come to us. We see death close by lurking around, and we know we have no control over events.
I see no point in going through the whys and the ifs and the buts. The points is it was an afternoon of near death, of slippery terrains where over-speeding can kill in one whink. Like a sword that falls over the head in a slice, nature does not play silly games. It takes back if one does not take heed.
At the moment of death, every second feels like a lifetime. In the car i felt confused. All i remember seeing was the huge metallic pole right ahead. Had we hit it, something inside tells me life/lives would have been lost. Families would have been destroyed, and suffering would have found a safe haven in all our homes.
I know HE was present. I know a route was traced on the ground to shelter us. We came out with heads and bodies sound. I know it more than ABC`s, he found a way to help, and like a soft silky shroud kept evil apart. Death was given a death warrant. Not now, he told Yama. Not now. Let them go...
Lesson: Life is more than precious. For a moment we indulged in light talk and the next we were in the throngs of death, twirling and circling, like meteors on the way to a crash landing.
I write lest i forget. Leave aside the superfluous Rattan. What is essential is truly all that counts. Nurture love for it only will survive. All else can be lost in a flash, now, tomorrow, later...
Nurture love..nurture love, modesty, humility. The Guru`s words are gold.
