Sanyasins in the Steam Era

 During my stint of plying trains over the Western railway network in India as a Locomotive Pilot/ Motorman for 41 years, I often encountered these revered holy men, the Sadhus, and Sannyasins, who traveled ticketless in their Railway journeys.

Railway officials and ticket examiners generally do not harass them. Still, sometimes…!!

I remember an incident that happened in the bygone days of the steam era.

We were based at Valsad / Bulsar (BL). One schedule required us to work a passenger train up to Udhna (UDN), avail a six-hour rest, and then resume our trip ex UDN to Vadodra (BRC).

My guard was Mr. Abdul Hamid (AH).

One morning, on arrival at UDN, we were on our way to the UDN Running room to rest.

While passing the Magistrate’s Court, we were surprised to see a sannyasin (S), majestically sitting among the arraigned ticketless travelers, awaiting sentence.

AH went into the court, and whispered into the ears of the Magistrate, offering to pay the required penalty on behalf of S.The magistrate said, “Strangely, I was thinking of paying the penalty myself.” On the magistrate’s insistence, the penalty was shared equally by the magistrate and AH.

On being released, AH asked S where he was going.S replied, ‘Bharuch (BH).

He was advised to catch a train from UDN platform, as we were only leaving at 18.00 hours (06.00 p.m.)

When AH boarded the guard’s compartment at 18.00 hours, he was pleasantly surprised to find S seated inside, as unruffled and peaceful as ever.

S introduced himself as an ‘Aghori’ sadhu. He was head of math (monastery) in Palitana.

On the run, AH suggested getting some tea at the next halt.

S covered his lota (pot) with his shawl and brought out two cups of hot, hot chai (tea)!

Again, AH suggested getting something to eat.

Again, S produced khaman dhokla (snacks) in the same way.

S did get visibly irritated when AH asked him about his long hair! Hair is considered sacred, and holy men never cut their hair.

However, a repentant AH apologized profusely to calm him down.

AH asked S where he was going.

S: ‘To bathe in the Narmada River. I will get down at the outer signal of Baruch (BH) when the train stops out of course near the bridge over the Narmada River.’

AH: ‘The Mail train is closely following us. If we are stopped out of course at the outer signal near the bridge, the Mail train will be detained. We will be taken directly into the BH loop line without stopping at the Outer Signal.’

S replied (matter-of-factly): ‘This train will stop at the outer signal.’

Right enough, the train stopped at the outer signal.

On alighting, AH asked him for his blessing.

S: “Now? Why did you not ask me earlier? Anyway, you will come once.’

The sequel was that AH once sent a friend whose wife was not conceiving, to Palitana for S’ blessings. S asked about AH. Almighty granted the request and the friend became a proud parent.

I do not know if AH did visit S.

 

I recall another incident of a shopkeeper’s son in Marol, Andheri (E), Mumbai. He was seized of the desire of attaining moksha at a very early age. He left home at the age of 13 and became a wandering sannyasin.

Ultimately, he entered a monastery in the jungles surrounding Mt. Abu.

Years ago, when he learned via the grapevine that a Marol resident was visiting Mt. Abu, he paid a surprise visit in the middle of the night. The overjoyed Marolite was overjoyed to meet the sannyasin, and learn that he was peaceful, contented and happy.

However, we later learned that the sannyasin was mauled to death by a wild animal.