Gerald D'Cunha

  “Gratitude is an amplifier of wealth.” Handrith Vanlon Smith Jr.   A friend of mine, a professional photographer, is presently travelling across the holy cities like Varanasi, Rishikesh and so on. He had been wanting to go to these places alone, stay in very modest inns, eat simple food, and, of course, offer prayers. Being a photographer, he, also, wanted to capture some beautiful images. It has been two weeks now… Last morning, there was a call from my friend… He seemed disturbed by a thought: “I am unable to capture images the way I had wanted to,” my friend complained. “Why so?” I asked. “The places are heavily crowded,” my friend said, “There are hundreds of photographers out here… They have far superior cameras… They are freely taking pictures in rain or shine… I am worried about taking my cameras in the water… etc., etc.., etc.” I asked, “Are you there for pictures, or for a quiet spiritual experience?” “Well, both,” my friend said measuredly. “What...

“I laugh when I hear that fish in the water is thirsty… I laugh when I hear that people go on pilgrimage to find God.” -           Kabir I have never been to Shirdi. But, I have, always, been awe-struck by Sai Baba’s life and teachings. He and Kabir will, always, remain close to my heart… Last evening, along the Eastern Express Highway, I saw hundreds of pilgrims… men and women, young and old… dozens of volunteers, vehicles carrying food and beverages, medicines and first-aid… saffron flags and silver palki … some chanted… some laughed… some quietly walked… By foot, our driver told us, it would take the padyatris  about eight days to reach the shrine at Shirdi… Many groups across the city organize these pilgrimages, he told us. Faith is purely a personal matter. Right from inside the car in which I was commuting, I remembered Baba’s life… So utterly simple and uncomplicated it wa...