2. Prutvi’s parents meet Swamiji

CHAPTER 2

Prutvi’s parents meet Swamiji

It was Swamiji’s hut. Swamiji was waiting for Randir. Randir and his wife entered the hut with the secretary. Swamiji was very happy to see them. The couple was also happy to see Swamiji. They presented fruits and flowers and did namaskara. Swamiji blessed them and pointed to a mat nearby. They sat on the mat.

Swami smiled and asked, “How was the journey?”

Randir said happily, “Everything was fine with your blessings.”

Swami laughed. “Good. I want to give you good news. Your son, Prutvi has got seat in a college in Mumbai for B Tech. His friend, the orphan Arvind too got admission in the same college.”

The couple was very happy to hear this. Randir did namaskara. “Swamiji, it is all due to your blessings. We are his parents only in name. You are everything to the boy. You have brought him up since he was 3 years old.”

Srimati said, “Not only that, you are father, mother, guru and god to thousands of children growing up under the roof of this ashram.”

Swami closed his eyes for a while and pointed to them. “It is all by the grace of god and people like you. 20 years ago ….”

He looked at the hill which could be seen through the window.

“I came to this place with a goal in my mind. Your Prutvi, a 3 year old boy at that time, came as a seed for that aim of mine. With the help you have been providing, this ashram has grown to become such a huge educational institution. I am only a medium. The ashram is now providing food, shelter and education to thousands of children. All this is possible only because of the donations given by you people.”

Randir was moved to hear this. “Forgive me. Swamiji, but you are talking of great things.”

Swami was confident. “I am saying the truth. Ever since the 3 years old boy put his legs on this ground, the ashram has kept growing. Now we even have degree college here. Prutvi completed his degree here and now he will be going to Mumbai for B Tech. I will miss him.”

He called a disciple. “Go to the kitchen and bring Prutvi and Arvind who are working there.”

He turned to the couple again. “Your son is now in charge of the kitchen.”

Srimati said sadly, “Ever since we left our 3 year old boy here, we have never taken him to our country even once.”

Swami was surprised. “Why? Are you taking him to your country?”

Randir shook his head. “No, Swamiji. We will never take him there. We do not want the shadow of that culture to fall on him. We are helpless. For the sake of livelihood, we are forced to live there. But it was our greatest wish to bring him up in an Indian atmosphere of spirituality.”

Swami was satisfied. He closed his eyes for a while.

Srimati said, “Swamiji, the boy has been in such a pure atmosphere for so many years. I wonder whether he will be able to adjust to the atmosphere of Mumbai.”

“What to do? Mumbai is 180 km away from here. If the college was nearby, I would have sent him daily from here itself. But you don’t have to worry. One of my disciples is staying near the college. She has a number of houses inside a compound. Last week she had come to meet me. She was mentioning that one of the hoses was going to become empty soon. I will give a letter to Prutvi. She will definitely give a house to the boys. The atmosphere in that area is very good.”

Randir gave money to Swami. “Swamiji, this is for the expenses in Mumbai.”

“I will open bank account there in his name. You can put the money in the bank.”