11. Shivayya meets Shastri and Devyani

CHAPTER 11

Shivayya meets Shastri and Devyani

50 years old Shastri came to the bank of a lake in the evening at 6pm with his 10 years old daughter, Devyani. Both of them were fully tired and hungry.

Devyani said, “Papa, I am hungry.”

Shastri looked all around. He saw a temple on top of a hill. There was a village near by. A new life came into his body. He patted his daughter’s head and pointed to the water of the lake. “God has given only this for today.”

He made her drink the water and then he too quenched his thirst.

“Let us spend the night near the temple. Tomorrow is left to god.”

They climbed up the hill slowly and went to a tree near the temple. Shastri spread his towel on the ground and made Devyani sleep on it. He too slept near her. It was already dark.

Next day in the morning the birds were chirping and the village wakes up. A few villagers came to the lake to wash themselves. They saw Shastri and his daughter fast asleep under the tree. They tried to wake Shastri but he was too exhausted.

One man said, “We have to inform Shivayya. The Brahmin looks unconscious.”

The men went down towards the village.

A few minutes later they came back with Shivayya. He sprinkled water on the unconscious swami. Swami opened his eyes and got up slowly. He looked around and woke up his daughter.

Shivayya asked, “Swami, who are you? Where are you from?”

Swami looked at Shivayya and folded his hands. “Please don’t ask me anything. I was very tired so I took rest here.”

Shivayya looked at him with concern. “Yes. You look very tired.”

He pointed to the lake. “You first take bath in that lake and I will make arrangements for you to have some milk and fruits here itself.”

Swami took his towel and went down the hill towards the lake with Devyani.

Shivayya called one of his men. “Go and bring milk and bananas from my house."

Swami climbed up the steps with Devyani after having had bath.

Shivayya smiled at them kindly. “Come, have some milk and fruits.”

Swami looked at Shivayya’s face and then at the closed door of the temple. He folded his hands and then opened the doors. He was shocked to see the place full of dirt. He looked at Shivayya.

Shivayya said, “It is one year since we had any puja done here. My father built this temple.”

Swami entered the temple with Devyani and started cleaning it. Shivayya and the villagers were surprised. They brought water for swami to wash the temple. Seeing this, Shivayya went to his house and brought flowers and fruits. His wife also came with him. Swami did abhishekha to the Shiva statue with the milk. Then he decorated it with flowers and broke a coconut. He did arati and brought out the arati plate. Shivayya and Laxmi had tears in their eyes. They took arati and looked at Shiva’s statue and then they looked at Swami.

Shivayya said, “That god only has sent you here. We are most lucky.”

He folded his hands to swami. “I will never ask you to tell me anything about yourself. I am sure that god only has sent you to us. We want you to remain here and do puja everyday. We will look after all your needs.”

Shastri looked at the Shivalinga. Tears flowed down from his face. “If it is god’s will, let it be so.”

Shivayya and Laxmi folded their hands.

Shivayya said, “Oh god! After so long you are shining again. All because of these people.”