29 An Encounter
He came one day as I sat by the river. We smiled at one another in greeting and sat quietly for a while. It was the middle of the afternoon, and the sun bore down relentlessly on the water and rocks opposite. Occasionally a lapwing took to flight and uttering its distinctive call would glide over the flowing waters, before turning full circle and returning to its riverside post.
At first we just sat there absorbed with the wonder and mystery of it all, then he turned a little, and holding my hand gently in his, he said: ‘You sit here so quietly day after day, and I can see that you are at home here. Your eyes are clear and sparkling and I know that all that you see fills you with knowledge and love of its Creator. You know each bird and each leaf on the trees reveals the presence of something more. God, in His infinite love for life has formed every living thing individually: he was in each egg, totally present, and made each creature that flies in the air, walks on land, or swims in the waters. He made each according to its kind, but they are all unique and irreplaceable. God didn’t care to make a thousand creatures all the same, but gave Himself to every one of His creatures, forming them with care and attention. God is not absent, but present to His creation.’
Then we became silent, just sitting there observing. All was on the outside, nothing was hidden. A wagtail landed and bobbed along the shoreline as the sun descended beyond the riverbank, its light reflected on the gentle ripple of the water, and overhead light and shadow danced on the canopy of neem and mangrove acacia. It was a glorious evening, and the world in its own modest way seemed to be giving thanks for it. When I looked round my friend had gone.
At the Graveside of Swami Abhishiktananda
inconspicuous you lie in Bharat’s heart
the winds on the plains blow over your bones
you occupy a corner in another’s cemetery
your name so foreign amongst foreigners’ names
orange bougainvillea now honours your grave
branches of bamboo give you shade as they spread
many birds sing sweet songs to you
in a language man fails to understand
your name is there but you have gone beyond names
the date of your death but you are beyond all time
your life a long journey to answer the call
you have now crossed over to further shore
I laid two flowers on your tomb today
and made this prayer to your spirit so near
that your life may inspire all those who care
to pass beyond the signs that divide them