Treasure Of Life

7th floor of Geetanjali apartments, Friends Colony

Phone rings(light sound):

Hello from the other side, Beta Astitva

Hello dad, how are you?

Now I am feeling better after listening to your voice my son, dad you always told me about a treasure but what is the treasure you never told me.

Son you will get to know about that soon

Dad( in a disinterested voice) and cuts the call.

Astitva plans to go to his hometown Chamoli in the district of Tehri Garhwal, Astitva reaches to Delhi airport at 4 AM to catches his flight for Dehradun that was scheduled for 6 AM departure and in the meantime begins writing his daily diary.

Astitva finally reaches Dehradun airport, there was still a 120 KM difference from the airport to his hometown, meanwhile, he remembers that two of his friends are also from Uttrakhand.

So he starts moving to Haridwar first, after reaching there he finally meets his friend named Rahul Singh Rawat who works in the tours and travels business which operates mainly in the domain of char Dhaam( 4 pilgrimage sites) of India and his shop is located in the Moti Bazar. Expecting that his friend will not recognize him after all he is going to meet him after 15 years, he straight away goes to his shop, he opens the gate and finds the same smile on his face.

Hi Astitva, how are you, How do you know me? Well because you are one of the finest businessmen in our country. Rahul but I'm not finest among the people who live their life as well. Now you are here in Dev Bhoomi so now everything will be fine. God always keeps an eye on us. Do you know Astitva why people come to Haridwar after committing gross sins? It is believed that there is a big story behind river Ganga, it protects one after death as well.

In our culture we cremate the dead bodies by burning them, the remnant of the dead bodies is in the form of ashes which we immerse in Ganga or in the different holy river. This process is called Asthi Visarjan. It is also believed that if someone’s ashes remain in Ganga then the person remains to be in peace.

So what is the story behind this holy river?

Do you want to know why do people come here and why they have strong belief in Ganga?

There was a powerful king named Sagar. He had 60,000 sons. One day he wishes to perform 100 Ashwamedha Yajna. Ashwamedha is a practice where a horse is released to all places wandering wherever it wishes and defeating anyone who catches it. If the horse is returned to its original place without being captured then it is said that one Ashwamedha Yajna is complete. It is also believed that if 100 Ashwamedha is completed then you can sit in the throne of heaven, which is on hold by Indra.

King Sagar performs Aswamedha as he hoped and 99 Ashwamedha is completed without the horse being captured. On the 100th Ashwamedha, Indra, king of deities stole the horse and tied up in the ashram of sage Kapil. When King Sagar found that his horse had been stolen, he ordered his 60,000 sons to bring back the horse.

All the sons, in the order of their father, went searching for the horse. They searched all over and found the horse tied in sage Kapil’s ashram. When they saw sage Kapil, they all ran to kill him. But the sage at his one glance burnt all of them to ashes.

Oh so that is the truth behind ashes.

A few days later, Anshuman, grandson of King Sagar asked sage Kapil for forgiveness to what his elders had done. He wanted salvation for his elders. Sage Kapil advised that they could only get salvation if Ganga is brought to the earth and wash away their ashes. This could only be accomplished if he performs vigorous meditation and fasting for several years to please Lord Brahma, God of creation.

After the advice from the sage, Anshuman began to worship Lord Brahma by fasting and meditating with full concentration. But he failed please Lord Brahma in his lifetime. So his son Dilip continued his endeavor. Nothing could happen in Dilip’s time also. Then finally Dilip’s son Bhagiratha meditated vigorously. Lord Brahma appeared before him and asked him what he wanted. He said he wanted Ganga to flow on earth so that his ancestors can get salvation and abode heaven peacefully. Lord Brahma advised him to pray to Lord Shiva for the reason and his wish would be fulfilled.

So, Baghiratha started worshipping Lord Shiva. Shiva became pleased with Bhagiratha’s devotion and agreed to help him in his endeavor. Lord Brahma orders Ganga to flow on the earth. Ganga with her proudness thought of floating the earth with her tremendous force. Then Lord Shiva holds Ganga in his matted hair. Ganga’s ego relinquished. Then Lord Shiva released Ganga from his hair and she flowed smoothly on earth and washes away the ashes of Baghiratha’s ancestors. They all got salvation after this course. Since then it is believed that immersing ashes into Ganga will provide salvation.

And since then Ganga Mata has been providing salvation.

Thank you so much, Rahul, for telling me about this story.

Nitin welcomes Astitva according to his tradition, his wife stands beside Nitin holding Veneration plate in her hand and starts doing the traditional activities.

Nitin is from Rajput family and it is believed in Hindu culture that Rajputs always welcome Pandits in such a manner.

Nitin ask Astitiva, Bhaiji After a long time you are here?

Well Nitin, Yes, but I don’t know what is the purpose of coming here. My father always told me that he had a treasure and sooner he is going to tell me what it is, I am pretty much in an indecisive position right now. It is just like not every sky finds its horizon.

The world itself is like a paradise Astitva, why don’t you once go to one of the temples near Ganga river, do you remember when we went there last time?

Yes, when I was 5 years old

Can you take me there? Yes sure

Astitva and Nitin come across a place called Laxman Jhula that is the bridge across the river Ganga. Tapovan in Tehri Garhwal district, on the west bank of the river, to Jonk in Pauri Garhwal district, on the east bank.

Do you remember, how stubborn kid you were?

Haha, I know I was.

Finally, they come across the Trayambakeshwar Temple, Trayambakeshwar means “The abode of the three-eyed”. This temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.

Well, that’s interesting.

Nitin takes Astitva near the bank of Ganga River and asks him to take a dip but Astiva interrupts him and asks him If I take a dip then all of my sins will go away. No Astitva that is not true.

What the shastras(Hindu’s percepts) are trying to convey is not the physical act of dipping in Ganga. They are asking us to take a dip in the holy Ganga which is a symbolism of enlightenment.

After some time Astitva Thanks Nitin for telling him about the significance of the river, and the karma that is important.

Life is so difficult Nitin, Yes I agree only if you want to survive if somebody wants to live it than it is not that difficult.

Well, Bhaiji you forget how we used to say goodbye, I know its little difficult for you. We used to say see you soon.

He picks an auto from Laxman Jhulla to Rishikesh Bus-stand

After reaching there he bought a ticket from Rishikesh to Chamoli, it was going to be a 4-hour journey. Astitva got a window seat of the last row, After a long time, he was traveled on a bus.

Astitva looking out of the window, What is that hidden treasure that my father never told me about, Is it something luxury, I hope it is?

He could see the people taking a dip into the holy Ganga and filling a bottle as well. Aastitva in his mind Thank you, God, for bringing me back to this place and finally he understood why It is believed that this water is pure and never gets stale. A beautiful landscape of terrace farming was there.

He remembers when his father had to go in farms he used to go along with him as well, sowing seeds of dhaan in the month of May and June. He remembers how he used to play and dance along with one of her friend named Mansa. Mansa is also the name of Goddess.

Astitva in his heart: That was the best time I had but now everything has changed, She might be married by now with somebody who is at least not like me and there is no point of discussing this chapter of love.

At night he reaches Chamoli bus stand and steps down with his luggage in hand, His home was still 700 meters down in the valley, somehow he managed to reach his home. The home was old fashioned with a mud floor and outer built is of big stones.

Astitva looking at the sky it was the day of Poornima.

Just look at these stars, you are among one of these shining ones

Dad(in a soft sound), How are you? We were waiting for you my son.

I am so sorry Dad, I really don’t know how I should respond to your question, you always wanted me to come back at least once, but I always made excuses.

You know what my son, how precious your smile is for us. Dad brings a box and opens it and show him how he has saved his childhood memories in pictures and shows him one of the family pictures. He refuses to see anything and continuously ask his Dad, where is Mom?, Dad.

If you really missed her, then why you didn't even call her. Astitva in a low tone, eyes filled with tears, Dad where is Mom?

Dad handovers the pot filled with ashes to Astitva, She is no more my son, but she will always be with us.

This is the truth of the Universe my son, once you are born then you have to die one day.

Astitva in shock sits on his knees, This is the most difficult challenge to accept in our life. She always wanted to see you once. Please immerse these ashes in Ganga and pray that she always rest in Peace.

How my little steps started chasing dreams and I was so busy that I could not even manage time for my mom and dad? Looking at pictures on the wall he remembers how his father and mother always fulfilled his dream every time.

He lied but one thing I understood is that our life is the biggest treasure and someone's smile can heal our pain.

What is the treasure, Ganga Mata is the treasure for the people who commit a gross sin, Our parents are treasure who always showers unconditional love for us. We always have treasure in our life.

Treasure is the understanding of the principle of the Universe.

Thank you, Mom and Dad.