The God That (Never) Failed? - 2
Episode 22
Part 2
Even before we covered the one kilometer to reach Tirumala, he poured out his tale of woe. The gist of the story in his own words :
"I am a hotelier from Mysore. I know no God other than Tirumala Srinivasa . That was why I wanted to perform my daughter's marriage atop the Hill. However , at the insistence of the bridgegroom's father I had to perform it in Mysore. I told the bridegroom's family that I would be taking the bride and the bridegroom immediately after marriage for a 'darshan' of the Lord, the same day. They agreed. The marriage at Mysore took place at 10 am today. We calculated that if we were to leave Mysore at 11 am for Tirumala, we could manage the special 'darshan' (Rs.50 fee then) at 7 pm. and return to Mysore by next morning. All the relatives are still at Mysore to take part in the post- marriage rituals scheduled for tomorrow morning. But as ill luck would have it, railway level crossing closures and traffic jams threw the spanner in our works.
It was past 10 pm by the time we reached the Alipiri gate.The gate was closed for the night. When we narrated our plight and the urgency of the 'darshan' before midnight, the tollgate staff relented and opened the gate. You too must have entreated them similarly..."
Part 2
Even before we covered the one kilometer to reach Tirumala, he poured out his tale of woe. The gist of the story in his own words :
"I am a hotelier from Mysore. I know no God other than Tirumala Srinivasa . That was why I wanted to perform my daughter's marriage atop the Hill. However , at the insistence of the bridgegroom's father I had to perform it in Mysore. I told the bridegroom's family that I would be taking the bride and the bridegroom immediately after marriage for a 'darshan' of the Lord, the same day. They agreed. The marriage at Mysore took place at 10 am today. We calculated that if we were to leave Mysore at 11 am for Tirumala, we could manage the special 'darshan' (Rs.50 fee then) at 7 pm. and return to Mysore by next morning. All the relatives are still at Mysore to take part in the post- marriage rituals scheduled for tomorrow morning. But as ill luck would have it, railway level crossing closures and traffic jams threw the spanner in our works.
It was past 10 pm by the time we reached the Alipiri gate.The gate was closed for the night. When we narrated our plight and the urgency of the 'darshan' before midnight, the tollgate staff relented and opened the gate. You too must have entreated them similarly..."
He stopped his narration at that point. Responding "yes yes", I did not disclose who I was. I could make out the rest of his story:
The car broke down on the ghat road. His sole concern at that point of time was to ensure 'darshan' of the Lord for his daughter and son-in-law before the temple closed for the day at 12 midnight. He lost his patience as his scheduled was upset. The breakdown of the car compounded his misery. They could neither go to Tirumala, nor return to Mysore. He felt miserable as he could not contact anybody (no cell phones those days) or get the car repaired. There was no possibility of anyone coming to their rescue soon as the toll gate would not be opened at 4 am. They were stranded on the ghat road, in the middle of the forest. Walking to Tirumala in pitch darkness was possible. But 'darshan' was impossible because they could not make it before the temple was closed. He found himself in a mess. His faith in the Lord, which prompted him to bring his daughter and son-in-law to Tirumala had slowly evaporated giving rise to frustration , anguish and anger.
"Oh Lord, I have reposed faith in you and I have prayed every moment of my life. I bought the couple straight from the wedding altar braving hardship en route just for your blessings . But you let me down. Are you fair? The newly - wed are not destined to have a glimpse of you. See, how they are spending their first night after marriage ... I cannot return to the wedding hall in time. You have not vindicated my faith in you. There is now no alternative to keeping awake in biting cold and pitch darkness on the ghat road. What sort of a God are you? Do you delight in subjecting your devotees to agony? Do you abandon them in the forest without any consideration? How blindly have I trusted you and came here much against the wishes of all my relatives and friends. I should have heeded to them and started leisurely after all the functions were over. But , I thought of fulfilling my vow to bring the bride and the groom for your blessings immediately after the marriage. What blessings you are giving ... You have taught me a great lesson. I will not come to the hills any more".
He was feeling humiliated over his helplessness in the presence of the newly wed when he sighted our car. He was very excited as he boarded the car saying "You seem to be someone deputed by God".
The car broke down on the ghat road. His sole concern at that point of time was to ensure 'darshan' of the Lord for his daughter and son-in-law before the temple closed for the day at 12 midnight. He lost his patience as his scheduled was upset. The breakdown of the car compounded his misery. They could neither go to Tirumala, nor return to Mysore. He felt miserable as he could not contact anybody (no cell phones those days) or get the car repaired. There was no possibility of anyone coming to their rescue soon as the toll gate would not be opened at 4 am. They were stranded on the ghat road, in the middle of the forest. Walking to Tirumala in pitch darkness was possible. But 'darshan' was impossible because they could not make it before the temple was closed. He found himself in a mess. His faith in the Lord, which prompted him to bring his daughter and son-in-law to Tirumala had slowly evaporated giving rise to frustration , anguish and anger.
"Oh Lord, I have reposed faith in you and I have prayed every moment of my life. I bought the couple straight from the wedding altar braving hardship en route just for your blessings . But you let me down. Are you fair? The newly - wed are not destined to have a glimpse of you. See, how they are spending their first night after marriage ... I cannot return to the wedding hall in time. You have not vindicated my faith in you. There is now no alternative to keeping awake in biting cold and pitch darkness on the ghat road. What sort of a God are you? Do you delight in subjecting your devotees to agony? Do you abandon them in the forest without any consideration? How blindly have I trusted you and came here much against the wishes of all my relatives and friends. I should have heeded to them and started leisurely after all the functions were over. But , I thought of fulfilling my vow to bring the bride and the groom for your blessings immediately after the marriage. What blessings you are giving ... You have taught me a great lesson. I will not come to the hills any more".
He was feeling humiliated over his helplessness in the presence of the newly wed when he sighted our car. He was very excited as he boarded the car saying "You seem to be someone deputed by God".
Even as he spoke thus, our car reached the Tirumala guesthouse around 11-30 pm After profusely thanking me, he was in a great hurry to take the newly wed for the 'darshan'. He was worried about 'darshan' tickets and accommodation for the night. I told him, "Dont worry. Have a wash, we will go in the car".
A room was opened for them. In a few minutes , I left them in the temple premises, leaving instructions with temple staff. Shortly before the 'darshan' for the day ended, they had special 'darshan' , 'aarti' and 'prasadam' to their their heart's content. They were treated as TTD guests for the night and provided accommodation and food.
Overnight , the TTD staff towed their car and repaired it. I had no occasion to meet them again . When I enquired about them after the Friday 'Abhisheka Seva', I learnt they had already left for Mysore at 4 am.
A room was opened for them. In a few minutes , I left them in the temple premises, leaving instructions with temple staff. Shortly before the 'darshan' for the day ended, they had special 'darshan' , 'aarti' and 'prasadam' to their their heart's content. They were treated as TTD guests for the night and provided accommodation and food.
Overnight , the TTD staff towed their car and repaired it. I had no occasion to meet them again . When I enquired about them after the Friday 'Abhisheka Seva', I learnt they had already left for Mysore at 4 am.
Two days later, he wrote me a letter.
Apparently , he had found out who I was.
The letter said : "Even if our car had not broken down in the ghat road and reached Tirumala at 11 pm, we would still now have had 'darshan' because of the heavy pilgrim rush. We would not have had accommodation. That was why our family Lord Srinivasa, seemed to have engineered our car breakdown and sent you, his first servant , specially to look after us. The Lord fulfilled his devotee's wish. We had not had such a great satisfying 'darshan' in our lives. Unable to comprehend the Lord's mysterious ways, I lost my discretion and patience and cursed Him?.... Oh Lord !! I am now dying of remorse. Thank you very much for your timely help "... What did I do ?
Who scripted all this and timed it??
TRUST HIM
OM NAMO SRINIVASAYA
OM NAMO NARAYANAYA
OM NAMO VENKATESAYA
OM NAMO SRINIVASAYA
OM NAMO NARAYANAYA
OM NAMO VENKATESAYA