After our family's traditional farewell, we walked from Nilakanteshwar Mahadev toward Nikora. People kept guiding us and shared blessings wherever our feet halted.
Around 11, I felt a sensation in my stomach, and this sensation is the oldest association we have, I feel: I was hungry. While trying to watch my thoughts, I saw this huge banyan tree beside me, in a small, not-so-organized space. As soon as I reached in front of that place, I had a feeling we might get food there.
Additionally, this massive tree was a great invitation for some rest. I paused there for a while, smiled at the gift of nature, and started walking ahead. As I looked back to see where my co-pilgrim was, I saw her in the same spot where I had been a few minutes ago, and across the road, I saw a monk waving his hand to call me. And I smiled, thinking of how when we are connected to ourselves and nature, we tune into these invitations.
I realized that even after receiving the invitation, part of me resisted it because my ego didn't ask or receive. I thank him for inviting us. What a blessing it was to have lunch with him. Most of the time, we were silent, and the only thing he kept saying was, " Khao ma deti hai tum khao. (Eat, Mother Narmada, gives, so just eat).
He later shared that, while he cooks for himself, he does so in a way that 2-3 more people can also eat. It was interesting to see that, in about an hour, so many people walked in. Some people came to receive the Prasad like we did; some came to give him food or other material so that he could serve more people, and all the time, he kept saying it was all Mother Narmada doing it. It was beautiful to witness such faith - that an urban mind might look at the faith in the river, but actually the faith to walk in the unknown and the heart to surrender.
While sitting near his chulha (handmade mud stove), I could see the whole dance of giving and receiving happening here, where he was so effortlessly juggling all that he was receiving into effortless giving without taking any credit. After serving us food, he prepared beds for us to rest and started making tea for those walking behind us. S, there is no concept of pausing or taking a break.
While we were on leave, he said, "On your way, you will find many places to stay and many people with various experiences; just take what will make your heart happy."
"Just keep the faith, tension nai hai ( do not feel tensed) Narmade har" were his last words to us.
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