2006-04-12 - Conversing, boating

Today was quite eventful. You spoke to me - 'Planetarium boy', we went for boating on Kodai lake, You started talk of returning from Kodai ...

After we finished our 6-7 am walk, our breakfast was delayed till 7:15 am due to the ladies' breakfast session going on in the "Canteen". Both the Srinivases, V & C, ate with us, and also Ruchir sir. So, we thought You might come out late. But surprise, surprise! You came and we had a conversation session downstairs. Guests trickled in slowly during the session. The gist of what You said was, it was cold, so we will go back to Bangalore! There was conversation about various properties in various places. The Jamnagar palace has rooms which are 60 by 40, the room in Paata Mandir (Old Mandir) was only 6 by 4!

You asked many of us our names, and 'Where do you come from?'. 

"Kerala, Swami."

"Keralalo enge?" (Where in Kerala?)

"Calicut, Swami."

Then You started speaking of the Srisailam school, about how scenic that place is, the ocean on three sides of the hill, cashew nut plantation and so on. "They bring the cashewnuts to Parthi also, I tell them not to..." Asked me if I had gone there, I had not. Asked me if I had seen You when You had come there, I said probably not, since that was 1976. (Later, parents told me that they had indeed taken my sister and me and had darshan).   

There was also talk of Godavari floods, something about Rahim boatman. I have written only Rahi Leeva in my diary, now I do not recollect what that means! I couldn't record this session, since the MD recorder was upstairs. Before the bhajan session, I helped carry a saree carton from the bhajan hall to Sai sir's room. Bhajans went on 8:45 to 10:30! You came only around 9:45. I sat outside and clicked some pictures with the camera You gave. You came and sat in the sun, walked half-way down the ramp, walked upto the portico, blessed the gents, accepted Arati. 

Later, in the session inside, You commented on the heat. Mr. Singhal said, "Sun is hot". It's quite hot in the sun, but pleasant in the shade. A boating trip is scheduled for us this afternoon. You said, "Pillar rock, Coaker's walk, Boating - what else is there in Kodai? So, we can go back." Conversation went on till 11:15. Again You were bashing the food. "How many calories?" 700 yesterday.  

After lunch, we went for the boating in 7-8 cars and Scorpios, leaving Sai Shruthi at 12 noon. You, of course, did not come. The boating itself was 12:30 to 1:00.

At 2:15 pm or so, the light in Your room came on, when all were having a siesta (except me and a few others who were seated in the landing room upstairs). You went down and came up once, but later called us downstairs for the session only at 3:45 pm, only to send us immediately for tiffin. Again, some food bashing - "Soft pakoda means spoilt pakoda...". After tiffin, we stood around for a while, and then were sent to the bhajan hall. At 4:05 there was a false alarm to start bhajans. Finally the correct signal to start bhajans was at 4:35 pm. You came into the bhajan hall, and went out suddenly after a while, with SidN holding Your hand, giving darshan on the verandah while it drizzled. According to Bl, "could not control, went then and there." Finally came in, Arati after 1-2 bhajans. You gave a chain to "Menon(?)", told Prof. Venkataraman to make an announcement about a program, but he didn't hear You properly.

Again we had a session with You 5:30 to 6:30 pm. You asked, "Bhayapadipoyinaara?" (Were you scared?) "No, Swami", was the reply. You decided to test all of us on our Vedam skills. Asked us to chant Rudram individually, one by one, each continuing from where the previous person stops. I fumbled a bit, and You said, "You are in the Planetarium the whole day, so you don't know it properly". 

Next: Lunch

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