Sadhu Maharaj

As kid growing up I saw news of the deeds of 'sadhus' like Chandraswami, many other frauds. I also saw, learnt and read the greatness of Baba Amte, Saibaba and 'n' no.of others, still I felt these sandhus and saints were all पकंडीs. They took shortcuts to the leisures in life. For me the गृहास्थाश्रम seemed more tougher and those who opted out of it seemed cowards. They were running away from facing the real music.

But today it had to change.

On my way to the class in Ghatkopar everyday I would see some people dressed all white carrying 'potlis', stick in hand as if going for some trekking. I knew they were Jains/Gujjus and thought they are going to some temple. Today on my way back from the class I saw a big procession. Covering it from behind I saw a group of well dressed Jain ladies singing some song. Ahead of them were the white dressed women, some really young girls among them. Leading them were four chariots. One had statue of their Lord probably. On the second a girl child of around 4 sat on a lotus depicting Lord Lakshmi. There was one with goats on it. The final one, a young guy, in his 20s, dressed like a Maharaja, showering money along with coins on the crowd walking by. The band played beautifully to gather all the attention. My mind framed the scene, some rich gujju showing off his son's marriage. Still out of curiosity I asked the lady sitting in front, "marriage ah?". "No", she said, "he is going to take 'sanyas'." Later she added "he is Mcom pass." in a gesture of admiration. I looked back to see the face of the youth. He was going to give up everything that I was going to strive for in future. He will have to control and leave behind eveything from basic human desires to those attached to particular stages of ones life.
I find it so difficult to suppress a desire for a chocolate. That to because of the fear of getting more fat. Which I am already due to overflow of desires towards food. And still that small little repression for my wellbeing is so hard.
There may be times when these people let loose that hold but what they did when they decided to choose this path have earned them the respect for lifetime.