Bhajan

In December 1943, that is, in the dhanurmasam* a bhajan party, while going around the hill, came to Bhagavan, prostrated before him, went round the hall by way of pradakshina doing bhajan and then left.

In December 1943, that is, in the dhanurmasam* a bhajan party, while going around the hill, came to Bhagavan, prostrated before him, went round the hall by way of pradakshina doing bhajan and then left. As soon as they had gone, Rajagopala Iyer asked Bhagavan, “Is it a fact that when Bhagavan was living in Pachiamman Temple, some people arranged a big bhajan party and invited Bhagavan to attend it?”

“Yes,” said Bhagavan. “It is a fact. That was in the days when the plague epidemic raged in the town. The devastation caused by that plague has already been described in the biography. When the epidemic was over, the people of the

* Dhanurmasam, that is, mid-December to mid-January, is considered very auspicious for the worship of Lord Vishnu and bhajans are conducted during that period, generally in the early hours of the morning.

town and those that had come for eradication of the plague arranged a bhajan party. As some of the prominent people amongst them had been coming to me off and on, they requested me to attend the bhajan. When I expressed my disinclination to join the party, they did not leave me alone but pressed me to attend it. So I went there just to see the whole thing. I was living in Pachiamman Temple at that time. You know, there is a tank opposite that temple. They erected several tents in the maidan adjacent to the tank bund and arranged for the bhajan, there. The bhajan, however, was not of the ordinary type. No, not at all. In the big tent they left the required open space in the centre and arranged chairs and benches around it as in a circus tent. They brought edibles as for a tea party and arranged them all systematically as in an exhibition. There was no limit to the flower garlands they brought. Collectors, Tahsildars, and police were all there. They arranged a special platform for me. As soon as I arrived, they all got up, bowed before me, and requested me to sit on the dais. I felt embarrassed. But what to do? I never knew they would make so much fuss about it. Having gone there, I had no alternative but to sit on the platform. They tried to garland me but I declined saying that they should garland their own dignitaries. They did accordingly. Till that was done, they did not begin the bhajan. After I had sat down, they asked for permission to start the bhajan. After one party had finished their bhajan another party started theirs, while the others took refreshments, soda and other drinks and thus took rest. Till early morning there was eating and continuous bhajan, by turns. I was the only one who did not touch or do anything. I merely sat there. I felt satisfied and contented that they did not press me to do anything. By daybreak all was over, and there was not a single soul; all had left along with the tents. Oh, they were all very enthusiastic and exhilarated.”

“So even in those days Bhagavan was held in high esteem,” said Rajagopala Iyer.

“Yes. They did not start the bhajan until I came,” said Bhagavan.

“This incident is not in the biography,” I said.

“Why? Is there not enough in it already? Why tell them all this?” said Bhagavan.

“We do not know how many more incidents like this have been kept from us,” I said. Bhagavan smiled and assumed silence.