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Published: December 21st 2011
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Pushkar wanderer
This Sadhu happened upon our dahl bati party (cooking traditional Rajasthani foods at a local temple) In India, Hindu holy books extort devotees to seek the company of saints. A Sadhu is most often a wandering ascetic who has also often left a stable family and work life to seek a state of godly bliss. The word Sadhu means ‘good man’ or ‘saint’. They
“...walk the streets, sit by the temples, camp under sacred trees, dwell in ashrams and
akhara (ascetic camps) that are found everywhere. They are noticeable, available and approachable. They are called
Baba meaning Father. One goes to the temple to pray to a God and one calls on a sadhu to associate with God, to attend to living examples of holiness, request advice, ask for an opinion, to ponder on what lies further than beyond, converse about the
Invisible Whole or the nothings of daily life, smoke a
chillum or receive a blessing. To do nothing in good company. Take the
darshan: see and feel blessed to have seen, to be there and enter awareness.”
True Sadhus (these days many are afflicted with seeking
Rishikesh
Sadhu on the roadside. Perhaps enjoying the tourist attention a little too much? too much company with cashed up western and Indian tourists) live almost totally in the moment and have periods of extreme hardships on their journey to sainthood. This may include months or years sitting in solitary meditation in a cave in the Himilayas, or walking long distances to arrive at significant holy pilgrimage sites across the length and breadth of India. They have little or no money, relying on the Hindu temple
Prasad system or the alms given from the populace to eat and drink, and simply travelling unticketed and unchallenged on India’s vast railway network. They sleep here and there, often in temples or next to shrines.
Chetan is 24 and works as a guest house manager in Varanasi. Next year he intends to travel to Haridwar, a major place of Hindu significance on the banks of the holy Ganges River in Uttrachand. He then wants to take some weeks to seek a true Guru and devote himself to that person to become a true Sadhu. He feels the need for something special beyond money and girls which he sees his friends getting lost in following. He wants to follow god and connect with God. He decided on
Serious in Varanasi
This guy was in a quiet spot minding his own business and reciting some serious Hindu texts and mantras this course about 2 years ago. He lives with his mother and has no siblings. Once she has given her blessing (and he has saved enough to provide for her alongside the acquiescence of other extended family to also look after her) he will feel free to leave.
Chetan says there are three types of Sadhus:
1. Fake Sadhus who seek money through begging and entrapping benefactors such as tourists and naive seekers,
2.
Mahi Yogis who seek to connect with God by connecting with others and giving to others, and
3. Yogis, who through acts of austerity and extreme asceticism, connect directly to God and talk with God.
Chetan wants to become the third type but accepts that it will be very hard and that he may fail, in which case he will settle for the second. He thinks he will need to live in ashrams in Haridwar for at least a year with his selected Guru, and then would hope to travel up into the mountains to seek meditative practice alone in some cave or monastic retreat.
Meanwhile Chetan watches a LOT of television: Bollywood movies and sit-coms. Often until 2 or
Colourful and cheerful
Carolina met this guy near the Golden Temple in Varanasi. 3 am. He does not possess much and does not socialise much. He has a pleasant nature and takes his duty to his guests seriously. One is left wondering though whether he realises that the caves in the Himilayas are unlikely to have TVs! In any case, if he achieves his goal, he need not worry. A true Sadhu has no past or future and dwells in the now.
Good luck Chetan! Maybe our paths will cross some day and we can write chapter two of your journey.
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Marguerite
non-member comment
Vabulous Varanasi
Thank's for the memories Paul and Carolina.......Jordan and I absolutely loved Varanasi........Hugs and hugs Marguerite