Last day in Varanasi
Trip Start
Sep 03, 2007
1
8
17
Trip End
Oct 23, 2007
Varanasi,
India
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
It has been a interesting journey in Varanasi, now it's time to leave.I have had her darshan and touched her waters. Today I awoke to see two hawks circumabulating the main temple here "Kashi Viswanath", which is easily seen from my balcony. It seems that every thing here is sacred, and yet there seems to be a dark underworld previlant. I have spent more money here then elsewhere on my trip. The amount of hassel it is dealing with the poor kids who want to guide and help you (so they say), it is easier to throw a few rupees their way just so they'll stop following you. It has occured more then once that I go to eat and these kids wait outside the resturaunt for me. They wait at the bottom of the hotel for me to awake. You get quite jaded after a while, "Jaoing and Cheloing them". It seems that they take it personel, as if you disgraced their family
Bank of Ganges
. I try not to act as if I am better than but try to be resonable. I give sometimes and sometimes not. I may let one guide me too a good place to buy a Hanuman murti, as I did yesterday, and then tip for the guidance. It is important for me to remember that we're all brothers/sisters no matter cast or crede. I have realized that it's hard to notice sometimes how easy it is for the mind to discriminate and label people, places, and things. Once again awarness is the key. Last night was trying for me. I had a little stomach trouble, but feel a little beter today. It has been a problem I carried with me from America. It is not dysentary. I do not have dierria but the opposite problem assails me. I ate an awesome Panner the other day with some Germans (they were all studying to be doctors, nice guys) which may have been a bad choice. It was really rich, but so good. The best food I've had in India. Once again the senses overtake common senese. Today just porriage and chai for me. I have booked a three day train ride from Varanasi to Kerala and I know that will be rough, but so great it will be to be with Amma on my birthday and her birthday. It was a desicion that was tough to make. I was almost going to return to Kainchi Dham or Vrindavan to be with Siddhi Ma. She touched me so deeply that I have felt her and Baba in a most powerful way here in Varanasi. I ate her prasad and sang the Hanuman Chalisa for releif several times here. I got to have Darshan of the Tulsi Manas Mandii and the long awaited Sankata Mochan temple (Hanuman's name as the Releiver of Suffering)
Buring at Manikarnika Ghat
. When I showed a picture of Neem Karoli to a local Sadhu he said "This is the big boss of Sankata Mochan". So much leela has occured with Hanuman for me here. Most Sadhus and holy men will yell at me me "Jai Sita Ram, or Ram Ram",and it is mostly a common thing to say "Om Namah Shivaya or Jai Mahadev", as Shiva is the presiding deity here. Well, Hanuman is a form of Shiva from some aspects, and he is the eternal servant of Sita and Rama. It was quite a trip entering Sankata Mochan and having real monkey's surround you. Hanuman was a Monkey as most of you know. I was invited by that one man at the burning Ghat to go into Kashi Viswanath temple. Most westerners don't enter this temple. I was surprised at his offering. Was he lying? He never met me when he said he would. I saw him later that night and he said "We go now to the Golden Temple" (another name), and I said "No" I was in route for the hotel and tired. I wondered if I had passed up a chance of the lifetime or was being smart and cautious. It always comes down to faith. I have faith that I am protected, but at the same time try to be cautious. I'll never know. Tonight before I catch my train I will go to Saranath where Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. I here it is a real special place. I have to check out by 12pm, but the folks here are kind and will hold my belongings free of charge.My last boat ride here was interesting. I asked if I could go across to the other side of the river. There is a giant sand marsh over there. When we got close to bank I saw quite a horrifying scene (from one perspective). There were two dead bodies on the bank and a dog was eating one. The smell was most intenese and unappealing to say the least. These are every day occurances here. Nobody seems astonished. When asking about how much it cost to be burned at Manikarnika Ghat I was told three things: It cost 350 rupees, it is free if you're poor, and that it cost 3000 rupees
Dobe
. I don't know which is true. I think the 3000 is right. The boatmen who have lived here their entire life told me this. The poor people who can't afford to buy their death at Manikarnika just throw their loved ones in the river. This is also done with babies and holy men, from what I here. It makes sense to me that the river being as impure as can be by a scientific perspective at the same time purifies everything that touches it. Shiva is a also know as the one who holds posion in his throat ( Neelkantha, or "Blue throated one") and is not affected by the posion. I feel as if he holds all the pollution and death that is thrown into the river in a simular way. Keeping those who believe safe and at the same time washes their sins away. I felt cleansed after I swam in the river, I actually felt quite amazing. The locals called me Baba after I got out. Who knows? Once again faith is everything. The people of Varanasi live off the water here. They drink, bath, and worship it on a continuous basis. It is the most amazing thing to see. They look happy what can I say. I love you all and will be in touch in a few days from Kerala. I will let you know how my darshan of Saranath went. Om Namah Shivaya.
