Thought for the dayYesterday was Narasimha Jayanthi. In the evening I went to the Sholingar temple. The deity in this temple is Yoga Narasimhar.
Sholingar is about 25 kms from Ranipet. I have been living in Ranipet for the past 15 years. Yet, this is the first time I have visited this temple. Though I have been wanting to, the temple being on top a hill at an altitude of 750 feet and having to climb over 1,300 steep steps to reach the temple has been a deterrent.
Last month when I was in Madras, I rang up my friend Srivatsan (my sister-in-law Geetha’s brother) to wish him on his upcoming 60th birthday. He answered from Sholingar. I know Srivatsan (with his brother Narasimhan) makes a pilgrimage to Sholingar temple every month. On an impulse I told him to let me know when he makes his next trip so that I could join him.
And the night before last I saw a ‘missed call’ from Srivatsan in my Mobil. Being late I did not return the call. But I knew what it was about as Geetha has already told me early that week that Srivatsan is planning to go to Sholingar on the 16th evening, being Narasimha Jayanthi. Even though I have expressed my wish to go with Srivatsan, I had my own fears and doubt about my capability to climb that many steps on a hot summer evening. I could not make up my mind to go or not to go.
And the night before last I saw a ‘missed call’ from Srivatsan in my Mobil. Being late I did not return the call. But I knew what it was about as Geetha has already told me early that week that Srivatsan is planning to go to Sholingar on the 16th evening, being Narasimha Jayanthi. Even though I have expressed my wish to go with Srivatsan, I had my own fears and doubt about my capability to climb that many steps on a hot summer evening. I could not make up my mind to go or not to go.
In the morning I had to call back Srivatsan. I was undecided even then.
I have been reading a motivational book ‘The greatness guide’ by Robin Sharma. It is a remarkable compilation of various tips, guidelines and practical lessons on becoming world-class in your personal and professional life. While reading such books, even though I could relate with what the author says and will find each lesson so inspiring, after finishing the book, if somebody were to ask me what I have learnt from the book, I can’t remember even a single lesson. It is true of the ‘Thoughts for the day’ I receive from our HRD or from the Daily Guru to which I have subscribed. I have often felt that each day I have to remember the thought, relate it with the happenings of the day and implement it wherever relevant. I am yet to make that into a practice.
Yesterday in the morning before calling Srivatsan, I opened the book where I had the book mark in ‘The Greatness guide’ that I have been re-reading. And on that page it boldly said –
“Each day life would send you little windows of opportunity. Your destiny will ultimately be defined by how you respond to these windows of opportunity. Shrink from them your life will be small. Feel the fear and run to them anyway and your life will be big.”
I called Srivatsan, expressed my fears and doubts but agreed to go with him in the evening.
We left at 5.00 pm. We were at Sholingar by 5.30. We stared on the path right away. It was not too hot under the shade of the over-head cover of steps and a cool wind was blowing too. Initially I did not find it very hard climbing up, but I was feeling breathless after about 700 steps and had to stop frequently to slow down my pounding heart. It took us about an hour to reach the top. Reaching the top was like a great adventurous journey.
We left at 5.00 pm. We were at Sholingar by 5.30. We stared on the path right away. It was not too hot under the shade of the over-head cover of steps and a cool wind was blowing too. Initially I did not find it very hard climbing up, but I was feeling breathless after about 700 steps and had to stop frequently to slow down my pounding heart. It took us about an hour to reach the top. Reaching the top was like a great adventurous journey.
The temple is so remarkable. Inside, it felt like a cave temple. I haven’t seen anything like this. We sat down for a while until the ceremonial proceedings started. Being with Srivatsan, a regular patron of the temple, I didn’t have to worry about the crowd. We were treated special.
I feel so lucky, that I could go to the temple on Narasimha Jayanthi, sit so close to the sanctum sanctorum and watch the thirumanjanam of the deity. We left at 9 o’clock on our return journey. We missed the prasadam, as we were told it would take another half an hour for prasadam distribution. I was home by 10.30 pm.
To prevent leg ache, I rubbed eucalyptus oil on both the legs, swallowed couple of crocins for good measure, had some fruits and milk for dinner and went to bed without a care in the world.
Thinking back I realize that climbing up the hill, while in the temple and on the return journey, I was fully engrossed in the ‘here and now’. I do not remember dwelling on any thought of the past or the future. I did not pray or wish for anything in God’s presence.
Thinking back I realize that climbing up the hill, while in the temple and on the return journey, I was fully engrossed in the ‘here and now’. I do not remember dwelling on any thought of the past or the future. I did not pray or wish for anything in God’s presence.
Please call me next time you intend to visit Sholingar temple. I will surely come along with you although climbing 1,300 steps is a frightening thought!
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