Lonely people, feel the isolation, even at home, if it is not homely!
Where do they go? Ashram, of any hue, may seem attractive; old age homes too offer some shelter. But shelter is not their objective. They have a home, from which they have been isolated.
Travel is the best alternative, at least to some people. It is not necessary to have money. A haversack, with portable stove and minimum utensils will do.
In olden days, people used to go to Kashi, eating and resting at temples on the way. It takes about six months to reach there. Many stay there, awaiting His orders. One of my uncles lived in Cochin House in Kashi, being the property of the Raja of the erstwhile Cochin State. I have seen him only once. He died in Kashi, but the ritual of his cremation ceremony, a mock cremation, with an image of man, made of darbha grass, was done at home.
There is the story of a namboodiri, stranded in Kashi, without money. After a bath in the sacred river, he spread his only cloth, under a tree, and began chanting sahasranama, the thousand names of Lord Vishnu. When he opened his eyes, he was pleasantly surprised to see his cloth covered with small coins!
I can recite only gayatry; I hope that will do the trick. Even that is unnecessary, if I wear saffron cloths.
Now also there are temples offering free food, in many parts of India. People in Sadhu’s dress may travel in trains without ticket.
This is India.
Travel is the best alternative, at least to some people. It is not necessary to have money. A haversack, with portable stove and minimum utensils will do.
In olden days, people used to go to Kashi, eating and resting at temples on the way. It takes about six months to reach there. Many stay there, awaiting His orders. One of my uncles lived in Cochin House in Kashi, being the property of the Raja of the erstwhile Cochin State. I have seen him only once. He died in Kashi, but the ritual of his cremation ceremony, a mock cremation, with an image of man, made of darbha grass, was done at home.
There is the story of a namboodiri, stranded in Kashi, without money. After a bath in the sacred river, he spread his only cloth, under a tree, and began chanting sahasranama, the thousand names of Lord Vishnu. When he opened his eyes, he was pleasantly surprised to see his cloth covered with small coins!
I can recite only gayatry; I hope that will do the trick. Even that is unnecessary, if I wear saffron cloths.
Now also there are temples offering free food, in many parts of India. People in Sadhu’s dress may travel in trains without ticket.
This is India.
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