Day 9 - 12 June 2006

We reached Chopta, the base of Tunganath. We decided to
visit Sri Tunganathji after long deliberation. It is a three
kilometers steep climb. We took the services of horses. Anjaiah
was very frightened to climb on a horse. He walked all the way
up to the great appreciation of the rest of the group. The
scenery on the way up was very beautiful. Its beauty was
excelled only by the scenery on the top of the mountain, where
the temple of Sri Tunganathji was situated. It was a very calm
place. There were not many people. We had a nice darshan and
sat quietly for sometime facing the vast stretches of open
meadows. This place was too high up for the pine trees to grow.
We could clearly see the line above which the tall pine trees
dared not to set their foot. Only humble ferns, grass, and some
small plants and creepers grew in this place. Most of the plants
had beautiful small flowers. This seemed to teach us the attitude
we should have when approaching the Lord.

Upon enquiry, we found that accomodation is available at the top
of the hill with all facilities for a very low price. We decided
to plan to come there and spend a week or so, in solitude sometime
in future. It is a very good place to test your nerves on a
solitary life.

We reluctantly came down from Tunganath. We started towards
Joshimath. We reached Joshimath at night. We had a darshan of
Swami Swaroopanandaji Maharaj, the Shakaracharya of the Math.
Gopiji and the other devotees had the privilege of rendering
some personal service to the Swami. They felt very blessed. We
had prasad in the Math and our accommodation was also arranged
there.

After enquiring about our whereabouts and welfare, the Sankaracharya
encouraged us to ask questions. Gopiji asked a question, after much
hesitation.

G: Of the two great devotees of Lord - Bhishma and Vibhishana - in
Kaliyuga, whom should we follow? Bhishma has waged war in favor
of Kauravas and against Pandavas knowing fully well that Kauravas
are on the wrong side and God and Truth are on the side of Pandavas,
whereas Vibhishana has deserted his own brother, who committed a
mistake, and surrendered to their enemy, Sri Rama, and then became
responsible in killing his own brother, Ravana, in the hands of Sri Rama.

S: Bhishma is a sign of ego. Bhishma has promised to his father that
he will not claim either the kingdom or the crown and, at the same time
taken a vow to protect the throne and the kingdom of Kauravas as long
as he is alive. And, he stuck to his vow till his last breadth. Bhimsha says
to Draupadi, when he was on the bed of arrows, that he could not object
to the misdeeds of Duryodhana and Kauravas earlier, as his blood was
polluted by the food offered to him by Kauravas, and now that blood
was taken out by the arrows of Arjuna and is now in a position to teach
Dharma to Yudhishtira.

In the case of Vibhishana, he has not left the company of his brother
Ravana of his own volition. He was asked to leave Lanka by Ravana,
when the former pointed out Ravana's mistakes. Instead of getting killed
in the hands of an Asura like Ravana, Vibhishana thought it better to surrender
to Sri Rama, who is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and serve Him. Due to
his devotion and surrender to Sri Rama, Vibhishana, has not only got the
love and protection of Sri Rama, but also became the king of Lanka.

Coming to the present conditions, one has to protect Dharma while
surrendering one's own actions to Lord. Though adharma appears to be
winning, ultimately Dharma will emerge victorious and the present day
human being should follow what is dharma. In other words, one should
have the dedication to duty of Bhishma and devotion of Vibhishana in
this Kaliyuga.

Day 10 - 13 June 2006
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