Man is essentially an epistemological animal. His unrestrained thirst for knowledge is itself a thesis about knowledge. Whatever differences of opinion there may be about the status and validity of particular experiences, there can be no two opinions that there are certain experiences which are veridical; for, if logical certainty is denied, logic itself would be without foundation.
Let's experience Life As-is (Yatha Artha) and as it comes.
A serene atmosphere with lush green fields with standing crops. No traffic, vehicles, all you can hear is sounds of the breeze, cows mooing, birds chirping and laughter of kids playing somewhere far and feeble, unclear conversations of two men working in fields.
Prasad is outside Brahmalingeshwara Temple in a small Village near Udupi - Gundmi.
With Vedic chants in the background, sounds of the temple bells, Prasad has a pleasant smile on his face and just wanders around a lonely temple building amidst a Paddy field.
He is enjoying the peaceful sight, freshness in the air and smell of the grass.
The Vedic chants slowly fade, chaos of people having overlapping conversations picks up, as the devotees inside the Temple get busy for Lunch.
Prasad's Wife Meera comes out and introduces Prasad "Bhattre, this is Prasad my Husband. Prasad this is Anantha Narayana Bhatt, the head priest of this temple"
Meera opens her eyes wide open and furiously indicates Prasad to bow and take blessings of Bhatru.
Bhattru realizes the hesitancy of Prasad doing Namaskara to him and quickly puts his hand on Prasad's head and in the typical Udupi Kannada accent "Thats ok, no worries. You didn't come inside and participate in the Puja?"
With almost tears in her eyes, Meera says "He doesn't believe in God Bhattre, he doesn't enter any temple"
"Oh, is it...that's ok, it's his wish. Do not force him. You could have atleast come inside to have Lunch Prasad"
"That's Ok Bhattre, I will have it in a hotel on the way"
"No way, you can't come to our Village and have food outside. If you do not wish to enter temple or Lunch there, come to our home. It's just across this Paddy field, you can have it at my place"
After some initial hesitancy, and Meera's eyes begging him to agree as she feels It's an honour to visit the pious man's house.
Meera is born and brought up in Udupi and frequents Brahmalingeshwara Temple and has high regards and respect for Anantha Narayana Bhattru, who is a very pious man, dedicated himself in serving the Temple and the Lord.
Bhattru and his family prove to be a humble and courteous hosts and serve Prasad with sumptuous, traditional meal on a plantain leaf.
Prasad is so happy with the Village home atmosphere, spacious heritage house with wooden pillars everywhere.
"Wow, you have a beautiful backyard, it opens to endless view of Field, cow shed and this huge Pond."
"Glad you liked, even We Love our land, our home. Come, let me take you around"
As they walk towards the Pond which is covered in the shadow of two huge trees and a small temple on one side "Wow, this is so pleasant. I am speechless"
"Yes Prasad, this Pond has great memories of our ancestors, grand father and my father. We treat this entire place as a temple.
Anyway, so you do not believe in God?"
"Yes, I have always been a strong believer and I followed on the footsteps of my Mother. She loved God so much, she had complete faith in God and so did I, till she passed away 5 years ago"
"So, because your Mother passed away, you stopped believing in God?"
"I know it sounds silly to you, but I don't know if I can express myself. I loved my Mother, she was the best. I wanted to give her the best life and ensure she is healthy. But to our dismay, 2 years before she passed away, she was diagnosed Cancer. It was so troubling and disturbing to see her painful suffering for 2 long years. I did everything possible to take care of her and help her. She having such strong faith and belief in God, and she had to to undergo so much of Pain, suffering, bedridden and in vegetative state in her last days.".
"That is sad, may she be in a better place now away from all sufferings. But do you consider birth and death are natural cycle of life? Why blame God for one's death?"
"Because she believed in him, Her God whom she loved so much didn't help her and save her when she needed the most, I also cried in front of the Puja Room in our house, begging for his help, as the Medical fraternity didn't give me any hope. She had to eventually die a painful death, and I watched it helplessly all along"
"So, you feel her God was responsible for her death?"
"Err..yes...I mean, no...I understand Death is inevitable, but what about her sufferings, her pain and untimely death"
"You loved your mother so much, and you couldn't digest the realities of life, so you conveniently blamed God, instead of trusting him that he knows what is good for us"
"Why will God hurt and cause pain to his devotee who loves him, trusts him?
" I don't have answer to that...Prasad, do you know the meaning of your Name"
"Me? Prasad...mmmm...I guess what they offer in temples to devotees"
"Haha...Prasad means Gracious Gift, you are the Gift of God.
Anyway, I would like to tell you a story...a story about our family, my wife and my children."
Flashback...20 years ago.
Bhattru has a very beautiful, loving family. A duty-bound, loving wife Bharathi and two adorable, sweet daughters Sujatha and Akhila. Bhattru and Bharathi were blessed with a baby boy, whom they fondly named Shankar.
The Family's world revolved around Shankar, a chubby, happy, ever smiling and playful infant.
As the boy turned Two, Bhattru started to realize Shankar is not normal, unable to focus on learning, stays disconnected and doesn't react to instructions.
While Bharathi as a Mother is ignorant in her love of her Son and feels few children are slow in picking up conversations and activities.
By the age of 5, as Shankar was admitted to School, both parents started to realize Shankar is bit abnormal, as his mannerisms and activities are strange.
The problem aggravated as Shankar turned 10 where he faced bullying in School and his strange behaviour was obvious and standing out, as Shankar's uncontrolled emotional, physical outbursts Either put other children or himself in trouble.
A small village like Gundmi did not have enough medical facilities for proper diagnosis.
They frequented Hospitals in Mangalore and Manipal, where he was eventually diagnosed as a Neurological disorder.
A heart broken Bhattru and Bharathi were devastated and depressed on hearing this.
Bharathi cried for days together constantly, and one fine day woke up, dragged Shankar to the Pediatrician in the hospital at Manipal and demanded the Doctor "I don't know what you will do, but help my Son!"
The doctor patiently heard the mother's plight and suggested her to take his son to Sakra Hospital in Bangalore for therapy treatments which could last for 1 year.
Already beaten and battered with expenses so far and limited earnings of Bhattru, temporary relocating to Bangalore, staying there for over an Year, expenses, treatments were humongous task to manage.
After reassurances from Bhattru that he would manage the finances and not to worry about it, Bharathi took Shankar to Bangalore and got him admitted to Sakra Hospital.
After 1 year of rigorous speech therapy, rehabilitation programs, physiotherapy, Shankar's Sensory issues improved a bit, while his hyperactivity, restlessness did not show any improvements.
The Doctor at the Hospital said they have done what they could, and Bharathi is free to take Shankar back home. Family atmosphere, love, care, affection and constant teaching and training could help Shankar lead a normal life.
A dejected Bharathi came back home, aware and pained that her Son cannot lead an independent, happy life and she has to take care of him forever.
On his return, Shankar joined his sisters and started playing in the backyard. Excited with his hyper outburst, Shankar started beating his Sister Sujatha as he became aggressive and uncontrollable.
Angered and irritated, Sujatha the small girl in an attempt to make him stop physically troubling her, pushed Shankar into the Pond and ran to her mother Crying.
Agonized and panic struck Bhattru and Bharathi ran to the Pond and frantically started looking for him, as he was not to be seen.
Bhattru and few other farm workers around jumped into the Pond, while Bharathi and Sujatha hugged each other and Crying, calling out Shankar.
30 minutes passed by, everyone came out empty handed, confused how Shankar could not be found in such a small Pond.
5 minutes later, Shankar came out of water on his own, walked out and sat on the steps of the Pond.
Astonished and amazed, all family members ran to Shankar, hugged him and cried.
Shankar miraculously calmed his mother and in an assuring and matured voice said "Don't worry Amma, I am absolutely fine, nothing has happened to me"
Taken aback by the confidence and the normalcy, Bhattru and Bharathi were speechless and didn't know how to react.
Next day morning, Shankar walked to his father and said "Appayya, I think it's too late for me to start regular School now, why don't you send me to Gurukula in Udupi"
Jolted Prasad
"So, you are saying a miracle happened and your son was alright?"
"Miracles happens everyday Prasad. You should only believe in God and trust he will not let you lose. He will protect you all the time, if you sincerely have faith in him and don't lose hope or trust even in the most testing times"
"So having faith protected your family, and that miracle happened?
"Why do you assume Miracle happened only on that day?
Miracle happened when the Doctor in Manipal hospital suggested us to go to Bangalore.
Miracle happened when I did not know how to arrange money for all these heightened expenses, there was a sudden surge in offerings in our temple, daily new function came up where I was asked to lead Puja, and when the rich landlord paid me handsomely to teach his son Sanskrit.
Miracle happened when my daughters took care of themselves in absence of their Mother, and understood Shankar needed their Mother more.
Miracle happened when a old couple known to us accidentally met Bharathi at Sakra Hospital and offered her to stay at their house for one entire year, which was nearby.
Miracles do happen when you believe him and and trust his plans. Have faith in him with positivity, he sometimes tests your Faith"
Out of the blue, Bhattru suddenly pushes Prasad into the Pond and walks back to the House.
15 minutes later, Prasad dripping in the water fully wet runs back home, falls on the feet of Bhattru and in tears "With your permission, can I visit the Temple and take Brahmalingeshwara's blessings before We drive back from here?"
Bhattru puts his hand in Prasad's head, has a wide smile on the face and nods in agreement.
After the Temple visit, they both start driving back to Bangalore in their Car, as an astonished, confused yet happy Meera asks her Husband "Can you please explain what happened back there?"
Prasad takes his wife's hand and kisses it "I met my Mom, she said she was happy and away from all sufferings, and asked me to have no regrets in life. Her last teaching to me - Belief, Trust in God, Faith, Hard work, Fate, Nature, Science everything has its place and works in tandem, I just need to have the Eyes and mind to partition and compartmentalize.
Thank you for pushing me to come to this trip"
