Ode to environment

“How was Rishikesh?” my friend Arpana asked me. I had recently returned from a short visit to the land of Gods and was meeting her at a new café for the morning caffeine (and catch up) kick.

“Very spiritually and mentally rejuvenating, I must say. Rishikesh is always a refreshing cultural, gastronomic and spiritual experience, not to mention the cheap shopping at the ghats. Great fun!” I smiled.

“I’ve always wanted to go there but never got down to it,” Arpana said blowing on the frothy cappuccino. ‘What’s it like?”

“Well… it’s a happy amalgamation of sadhus, gurus, yoga ashrams, chirping birds, fat monkeys, wandering cows, sounds of clanging bells and chants emanating from splendid temples, diyas and havans, legends, myths and Gods and thousands of milling people. And through all of this flows the mighty Ganga.”

“And did you go for the Ganga aarti at the Parmarth Ashram? I’ve heard it is quite an experience,” she said.

“I never miss it!” I responded. “The beauty of the sun’s last rays reflecting off the infinite waters of the Ganga, the holy chants, songs, prayer and the ritual of the diyas offered by the young orange robed acolytes to the holy river as the sun sets, generates a profound sense of divinity and eternity.”

“Sounds lovely!”

“Yes, and this year it was even more special,” I responded. “This time Swami Chidanand Saraswati himself gave the pravachan. And his speech was so relevant to today’s time.”

“How?”

“Well, he drew everyone’s attention to the water crisis that the world is facing and warned of the impending calamity that the environment is exposed to. He said that the increasing pollution, population and thoughtless environmental degeneration are wreaking havoc on earth and called everyone to action.”

“It is wonderful when gurus, swamis and people who have religious and spiritual influence call attention of their followers to meaningful issues,” Arpana observed.

“Oh yes! He said that instead of Ganga aarti we should all sing the paryavaran aarti by doing our bit for saving the environment, like reducing the garbage we produce, stopping the use of single-use plastic and planting trees.”

“It’s very good when leaders play a positive role in encouraging collective, service-oriented action, isn’t it? Restores the faith that’s sorely tried by the fraud babas. The truth is that the time to sacrifice trees has long passed. Now is the time to sacrifice for trees, only then can we preserve natural wealth for ourselves and our generations.”

“True. Vaise, I saw awareness notices about keeping the river cleaning many of the ghats in Rishikesh. People’s love for Ganga maiyya binds people together into one large community that keeps a watchful eye on people who try to soil her.”

“How nice!”Arpana said.

“And I’ve even decided on my New Year resolution,” I said smugly.

“Let me guess,” she laughed. “It’s to sing the Paryavaran aarti, right?”

I grinned and clinked my coffee cup with hers!