Visits to Chennai have increased over the last 1 year, given the business needs at workplace. Each time I visit, it’s not always feasible to pay a visit to relatives’; for reasons that are obvious – time restrictions, distance, traffic, etc.,
However, this time around, things fell in place for me to pay a visit to Sundar Chitappa’s – my only surviving “creative” bloodline, who is proof enough for having heriditarily endowed the skill of creativity on to me.
Stepping into a hotel room vs. stepping into a home makes a difference of sea and earth.
This time, I could shed the plastic welcome note and was received with a warm “Suprabhatham,” by Chitappa.
An entire room was kept ready for me to freshen up at my own convenience, albeit I had time constraints to get to office as early as possible ; I hardly had time at my disposal.
Sense of time is essential for both the provider and the receiver. You shouldn’t have to feel pressured to talk a lot, for the sake of formality: we are after all related - and don’t need intros or small talks as soon as you step into the house. How hard is it to quietly allow the guest to let them first be, and then engage in a conversation? This is a knack that not many can neither acquire, nor master.
He went on to do his daily morning chores as usual, and I went on to freshen up for work, with just a total of 1 hr left in the transaction. Before we could claim each other’s time to exchange talks, we ensured that our routine wasn’t impacted. This way, I could spend quality time, without having to look at the clock or phone for the number of pending minutes.
What would otherwise be a lonesome morning for Chittappa, was brightened by my arrival: with meaning added to the context, I thought. He chanted some slokas that I’ve been used to, since childhood, and I was able to chant along, with the reverence still in tact. I offered prayers, put some Vibhuti on my forehead as part of my daily morning ritual, prostrated in front of the camphor he showed, felt the heat of the camphor amidst the December chill, and my sinus-filled nose and aching body. What a blessing, it was fresh, helping me relive a portion of my childhood, albeit short-lived.
Followed by book talks and short stories from Puranas in Sanathana Dharma, we ate a sumptuous breakfast that Chitappa had carefully prepared, in light of my visit. I had the joy of serving him food on his plate, which he would otherwise do it all by himself, each day. As we spoke over breakfast, we stumped upon a conversation about unnecessary fear… in general terms. I carefully listened to him talk fully, letting him complete: he is adept at talking and has a great sense of humour, which is often laced in his day to day conversations. Once done, with whatever little I know, I said a line from Vishnu Sahasranama: “Bhaya Krith Bhaya Naashanaha.” The line appears in the 89th verse: Amoorthi Ranakho Chinthyo Bhaya Krith Bhaya Naashanaha.” Creation and Destruction of fear is both within, and is authored by Bhagavan Himself. Bhagavan is the One creating fear in the wicked ones and He Himself is the destroyer of that very fear, in devotees.
Boom! Sundarji paused for a minute, and was appreciative.
It was time for me to bid adieu and leave for work. I prostrated at his feet to get his blessings quickly … Until next time… What a fulfilling, visit to my Chittappa’s - totalling to about 1.5 hrs by the watch. Time had stopped, the office meeting calendar took a back seat, it was pure involvement in the very little time I had: the takeaway? A bag full of happy thoughts and memories, and a refresher to my tired body and mind!
Compare this with a quick photo you click for mapping your visit to a place, the number of times you pick up the phone to document the visit, and then answer other pings along the way. Your phone would programatically throw a memory when it’s 1 year later…it’s only following the algorithm after all. And you? What are you left with? A virtual memory or a human connection? I am not against taking pics, but uninterrupted, device-free conversations take precedence!
Well, Athithi Devo Bhava…Chittappa is a believer of this concept, and does well each time!
