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In a serene valley surrounded by mountains, an older anchorite lives a life of isolation, tending to his flourishing garden and nurturing a bond with local villagers. Renowned for his wisdom, he forms a friendship with a new teacher, “Master Sahab,” who admires the beauty of the landscape. Their relationship deepens through discussions on life, faith, and the essence of God. The anchorite reflects on the importance of faith versus imposed belief, emphasising love and fraternity at the core of religion. As night falls, they continue their enlightening conversations, highlighting the personal journey of understanding spirituality and human connection.

Lone anchorite

The atmosphere was serene. Amidst lofty mountains and verdurous flat, a lone man lived in almost isolation. He was a frail but luminous person who was an octogenarian but looked younger than his actual age. His long white beard and locks of hair gave him a serious look. People from nearby villages would often visit him. He used to treat them tenderly and conversed with them, dealing with their small problems. He was popular in the area, and people would respect him.

(a) The dwelling

The anchorite had a small patch of land in front of his hut. He raised flowering plants and vegetables there and grew some fruit trees. A reticent but not uncommunicative, his necessities were frugal. They were fulfilled by the fruit trees. Some food items which people offered him when they visited also satisfied his needs.

(b) Pleasant morning

It was a pleasant morning. The sun was bright. Everything was well illuminated. The insects and butterflies were hovering on the flower. The sound of a flowing stream added melody to the bright, serene ambience. The anchorite was taking care of his plants and conversing with them. He used to treat each plant and tree as his children. He would call them with certain names he kept for them. The mute plants would respond to him appropriately by swinging their floral heads in the soft breeze.

(c) The stranger

A man approached him from nearby. The man appeared new to the locality. As he approached the anchorite, he bowed politely with his hands folded and drew closer. “Namaskaar”, the man said. Raising his hands in a blessing posture, the anchorite replied to the youth. “Who are you, and how are you here, dear young man?” Asked the anchorite. The man, who was in his late forties, looked simple. Wearing trousers and a shirt, he looked carefree with tousled hair.

(d) Stranger was a teacher

Bowing again, he smiled and said, “I’m a new teacher at the school in this locality.” Pointing towards a pinnacle of the mountain on his right-hand side, he indicated the direction. “There is the school,” he said, “At that top.” The anchorite nodded in acceptance and cast a glance at the school. He said, “It’s good that you have arrived here.” After a brief halt, continuing further, said, “It is a nice place with simple people. Lovely children are blazing and inquisitive.” The teacher smiled and looked around.

(d) The valley

It was a quiet valley. The picturesque flat dotted with clumps of conifers was eye soothing. The area appeared singing an ode to Nature, its beauty and generosity. After scanning the area, the teacher focused on the small hut-like dwelling. It stood a few paces away from where he was standing with the anchorite. The thatched enclosure was full of flowers of various hues and fruit trees. This elevated the spirit of the teacher.

(e) Not the native

“Your demeanour shows that you’re not a native of this topography,” the lost teacher heard the anchorite asking him. He turned his head. The anchorite was watching him. His clear and framed eyes were fixed on the teacher, who was lost in the scenic beauty. “Yes,” the teacher replied dreamily in affirmation. Without waiting further, he said, “I’m a native of the alluvial Gangetic plain. Nevertheless, I love mesmerising hills very much.” he completed his sentence in a breath and looked at the anchorite, who was endearingly smiling.

(f) Opted to serve

“So, you have opted for this place to serve, haven’t you?” The anchorite said. The teacher nodded in affirmation. They conversed for some time, wandering and often sitting on boulders along the nearby stream, enjoying Nature. After spending time with the anchorite, the teacher parted, expressing his wish to meet the anchorite again.

Closeness grew

The brief conversation opened an avenue for frequent meetings and discussion between the two. The teacher frequented the anchorite, whom he respectfully started calling “Swamiji”. It was a token of respect that he gave to the anchorite. The latter also started calling the teacher, “Master Sahab” (which became “Massab” in short after a few days).

(a) “Master Sahab” and “Swamiji”

The bond between them became strong with time. “Master Sahab” was a postgraduate in life sciences. He opted to become a teacher after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in education. He was inquisitive and eager to learn new things. Swamiji was a retired army man and a hardcore patriot. He used to put things logically. A widely read person, he had a scientific bent and thought philosophically. He was an experienced person. It reflected in his conversation. He never spoke absurdly, nor does he like it. Both started enjoying each other’s company.

Summers started

The summers had started. Examinations were over, and school was closed for vacation. It was a time when tourists started thronging to hill stations for respite from the scorching heat of the plains. Master Sahab had enough time. He often visited Swamiji.

(a) The Sun

One fine evening, Master Sahab visited Swamiji. Sitting in a pensive mood, Swamiji was staring at the sky. “Namaskaar,” sitting nearby, Master Sahab greeted him as usual. Swamiji looked at him and smiled. Pointing to the sun, he said, “Massab, look at the sun, the blazing celestial body!” The crimson heliacal ball looked stunningly beautiful. The azure sky was looking dark, contrasting the fluffy streaks of vagabond clouds. Master Sahab appreciatively nodded but said nothing. “People worship the sun for its bounties,” Swamiji said in a loud whisper, clearly audible to Master Sahab. Continuing further, he said, “Every morning the sun brings us joy, vigour and encouragement…” taking a deep breath, he continued, “…and while going down below the horizon, it instils hope of a better tomorrow.” Swamiji concluded.

Society

Society runs on certain norms. The human race is social, which has developed a well-organised and stratified society. They behave and act according to the tradition which reflects their culture. It is mainly religion-dependent.

(a) Religion is important

Religion plays an important role in human lives. It centres around a belief that roots down deep with time and at times becomes stubborn and difficult. People have a compartmentalised belief, and try to adhere to it sometimes without even realising it. At times, it ends up in a blind and narrow tunnel; the return becomes very difficult, if not impossible. Nevertheless, religion is a strong force which helps people realise faith and God. It also helps people stay glued together and gives them a sense of identity.

(b) Positive factor

Religion is a positive factor. It gives people a reason to unite for a good cause. Faith and God cause even the most disorganised and dishevelled group of people to come together. The unity helps in taking up the task of emancipation and development. Ralegaon Siddidhi, a small village in Maharashtra, was the laboratory of this social experimentation by Anna Saheb Hajare. On the contrary, it can be dangerously vicious if used for a parochial purpose and create strife among people. The bigotry is derogatory and regressive for a civilised society.

Words were flowing from the mouth of Swamiji like a fount. Looking at the sky, he was speaking without caring for anyone. It appeared he was soliloquising. His voice was loud enough and could be heard in the pure silence of the green valley.

“Faith inspires,” he said. Sitting beside him, Master Sahab was absorbed in his words, thinking in parallel.

God fearing or loving God

People are often taught to “fear” God. They imbibe this idea and try not to question. Why fear the Almighty? Can’t one organically love Him? He is our guardian and caregiver who gives us bounties. He punishes when His progenies become brats and behave irresponsibly. Faith and God are two aspects of the same coin. A big question that churned the fine minds since antiquity has been who God is and what faith is. An unseen, omnipresent and omnipotent force or a physical presence?

Faith vs belief

Faith like God is pure and unbiased. Contrary to it, belief is imposed. It is subjective and can be right or wrong. A belief is something that gradually takes shape after the birth of an idea. When deep-rooted, it becomes the psyche of people. In a somewhat distorted form, it becomes superstition. An old wife’s tale is often baseless and unreasonable. They often complicate lives. Ironically, they are fabricated using the warp and weft of religious threads. (The Times of India)

(a) Faith supports

Faith in something or God gives support and strength. In the pitch darkness of hopelessness, it acts as a beam of light that shows the path. The inner consciousness guides through the thick and thin of life, holding the string of faith. Unlike belief, it is not blind. A belief can deceive, but an innocent faith doesn’t ditch.

Master Sahab was totally absorbed in and attentively listening to Swamiji, who was saying, “God loves every one of us.” He was staring into the aether. “God is a concept,” Swamiji was saying. Words were flowing from his mouth. The sun had gone down on the horizon, and crepuscule had spread its stole. Birds were returning home, and trees looked like elongated shadows. Swamiji held the hands of Master Sahab and entered his cottage.

The cottage

There was darkness in the room. Familiar Swamiji groped in the dark nook of a shelf, took out a matchbox and lit the lamp. The pale yellow light of the lamp illuminated every corner of the room. It appeared that light vanquished the darkness of ignorance. The room was neat and orderly. A small table with a few books and some utensils was all that was in the room. On one side of the room, there was a mattress on the ground. Neatly folded, two blankets were placed with a pillow. The whole sleeping platform was laid on a cushion of hay, spread thickly on the floor. The room was cosy and warm.

“Be comfortable, Massab,” Swamiji said and added, “There is no chair. Please be comfortable on the mattress.” Master Sahab felt obliged and politely thanked. Swamiji quickly prepared tea and offered it to his guest. Picking up the thread, they continue their conversation. Both talked until nightfall.

God

The concept of God and faith was necessary as it gave a solid base for erecting a religious castle. Religion revolves around it. Yet the crux of every religion is love, fraternity and affinity vis-à-vis God. One can call Him by any name, but the cornerstone is the same. It does not allow bigotry and a rigid approach. God is an abstract thought but energy is not. It is the energy which drives a person towards good or bad, virtue or vice. It comes from within and can be steered.

(a) Manifestations

Look around, and one will find a plethora of His manifestations. God can be felt anywhere. Having faith in Him is like having faith in oneself. It is the confidence which is the driving force. It must be held tightly. Ups and downs are routine. They shouldn’t deter the faith.

Summation

“Lord Krishna says it in His discourse to his friend Arjuna in the Gita,” said Swamiji. His tone suggested he was summing it up. The darkness had set in. Master Sahab thanked Swamiji for the nice tea and the quality time. He washed his glass and placed it appropriately. Finishing it, he bowed and sought leave from Swamiji.

You may also like to read:

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• The Impact of Childhood on Religious Beliefs
• Mastering New Skills for a Changing World
• Study Room: A Space for Cogitation and Writing
• The Impact of Influential Teachers on Learning

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