You're BL!ND.... !!!

After ending our day’s visit to some religious places, we catched Mumbai local from CST station. My mom, brother and me entered in Mumbai local train and struggled to get a seat. Somehow we all were able to get a seat. I got a seat but not near my mom. I had to manage on another bench. As the train moved on, that small compartment started stuffing up with the people with an increasing rate. Some how an Old Man was able to get a seat next to me. I was holding my carry bag on my laps so as to save it from thieves but due to that, Old Man was getting uncomfortable. At last losing his patience, he asked me

Old Man: why don’t you keep your bag on the rack above???

Me: no, actually I’m comfortable with it.

He gave a strange look to me and started staring me from head to toe. His eyes went on to my right arm on which I was wearing “Tulsi mala”. He kept staring on that for next 5 minutes and then again asked me,

Old Man: are you a follower of ISKCON?

Me: yes I’m

Old Man: do you chant with this mala?

Me: yes, I do, whenever I get time.

Old Man: what do you chant???

Me: the mantra of lord Krishna “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare”

Old Man: why weren’t you keeping this bag above? Either you have something very precious in it or something religious in that bag. Isn’t it?

Me: yes I do have laptop and Prasad of Sidhi Vinayak temple in this bag.

Old Man: ok

Me: you seem to be well educated. What’s your profession sir?

Old Man: I’m professor in Electrical department in an Engineering college.

Me: that sounds great. By the way I’m also an engineering student of ECE.

Old Man: are you placed??

Me: yes I’m placed in TCS.

Old Man: even that sounds great. Here every single family has an engineer but only few are employed so don’t mention that you are just an engineer.

Me: ok sir.

Old Man: are you from Mumbai????

Me:  no, I’m from Punjab and basically I’m here to visit Mumbai and my brother. He is in merchant navy.

Old Man: ok so what did you saw in Mumbai??

Me: my visit included some temples like Sidhi Vinayak temple, Maha Laxmi temple, Mumba Devi temple and Dargah of Haji Ali.

Old Man: hmmm……. did you saw them??

Me: what??? I didn’t got you.

Old Man: did you saw god there??

I was confused. It was a question whose obvious answer was a big “no” but what for other people go and visit that place. I wasn’t able to answer that question. No one can see god. Then why did he ask that question.

Old Man: I mean to say my boy that did you saw, or your eyes saw or any other part of your body saw god?

Confused I was….. Completely confused. I n that confusion I answered,

Me: my eyes saw god.

Old Man: hmmmm….. It means you didn’t saw god.

My eyes wide open, as if what’s wrong with that man. What is he saying?

Me: what do you mean by that???

Old Man: if your eyes or any other body part have seen god, then you are totally under the influence of this materialistic world. You cannot see god with your these eyes or any other body part, because this belongs to this materialistic world. If your soul is listening or you are listening to me, then it’s fine and if your ears are listening, then I’m afraid you are still sleeping. Wake up my child because I’m talking to you.

Me: but then how could I see god???

Old Man: god is every where my son. You just need those eyes of your soul to see that almighty god. You’re blind right now. Your these eyes cannot see god. You’re blind. If you want to see god, pray to him to give you those eyes to be able to see him, because you’re blind. Tell him that you want to see him so give you those eyes. Only then you will be able to see him. Otherwise you can only see materialistic things. Fall in love with god. I love you because I can see god in you. Like I can see him everywhere because I love him. So if you want to see him, love him.

Me: but I’m too young and also I’m not that matured to fall in love with him.

Old Man: yes, but if you want him, you have to start loving him from right now.

Chembur station got passed and time was running away. I wanted to learn each and every thing from that man. His stoppage was Nerul and mine was CBD Belapur.

Old Man: why do chant with this mala?

Me: it gives me relief, peace and removes stress.

Old Man: peace is a form of god. And even stress is form of god. You just need those eyes to see him.

After having discussion over that, we discussed over generation gap and religious beliefs. Suddenly he stood up; his station was next. He shook hand with me,

Old Man: it was nice talking to you young boy. But don’t forget that you’re blind.

Me: it was also my pleasure talking to you sir. Do you think we will meet again?

Old Man: sure, when you will get those eyes.

And suddenly train stopped and he stepped towards the door and landed on the platform and in a moment lost in the crowd of passengers. I tried to see him in that crowd but he was no where. His last line made me think over and over that who was that Old Man, “when I’ll get those eyes” he will meet me. Was he a normal human being or………..