Vrooom..mmmm
“Don't be gone for too long”, Mythili told Rangarajan who was planning to go to Thiruvanaikaval temple. His plan was to attend the uchchikala pooja (afternoon prayer) to be performed by the priest dressed as Goddess Akilandeshwari.
Rangarajan's house was located in Kondayam Pettai Agraharam. When he came onto the veranda of his house and looked at the street, it was empty. The scorching sun made people to hide inside their homes. Rangarajan was a outlier.
Mythili, Rangarajan's wife was busy preparing lunch in the kitchen. Govindhan, the couple’s one-and-half year old kid was fast asleep in the bed fitted firmly with a mosquito net. Very caring parents indeed.
The time was around 11am, Rangarajan had nothing to do. After having his breakfast and a hot coffee, he read the daily newspaper from start-to-end, including advertisements ranging from houses-for-rent/sale to obituary if any. On a Sunday like this, he usually gets bored. So he thought of going to Thiruvanaikaval temple, Trichy which was approximately one kilometer from his house.
When he intimated his wife about his plan to visit the temple, the immediate reply from Mythili was “Don’t be late for lunch."
He took his shining TVS 50 (moped) and carefully brought it out of the house, on the steep-ramp between the four steps, onto the street. He felt proud the way he used the hand breaks tactically and his energy to safely bring the two-wheeler onto the street.
Rangarajan had a very lean body. Neatly shaven jaws and chin, hair oiled and neatly combed. He was dressed in white full-sleeve shirt, and was wearing his veshti (rectangular cloth wrapped around the waist covering the legs, and tucked at waist) in panchakacham style. Before his marriage, he tried to eat four-to-five times a day to gain weight and look hefty. Nothing worked, all his efforts of making himself look as a good match for Mythili went in vain.
Where as Mythili is very beautiful. She has her long hair neatly parted at the center, and plaited in an all so traditional South-Indian style. Mythili prefers to wear her saree in madisar style. Her daily routine includes: waking-up early morning, after taking bath and getting dressed, she lights-up the incense-perfumed sticks and offers prayers to Gods and Goddess nicely decorated with flowers in the prayer hall. Overall she is a wonderful homemaker. Rangarajan at times thinks that the house is on fire, when he finds the house fogged with the smoke emitted due to the burning of incense-perfumed sticks.
Mythili may look chubby, especially when compared with her husband. At times, Rangarajan has an opinion that if her wife pursued a career in sports she would have been a good athlete especially in boxing and running. Because when ever she tenderly punches him in the cheek, though she does it kiddingly it hurts Rangarajan a lot. He tries to hide his pain at that point of time, later he tries to relieve the pain by softly massaging his cheek. Whenever Mythili tickles his hip and runs, it is close to impossible for Rangarajan to chase her and return the revenge-tickle. In the chase, he always ends up gasping for breath, where as Mythili has the stamina for another couple of sprints.
Coming back to the streets, Rangarajan utilized his full strength to pull back the two wheeler and mounted it on its main stand. The entire exercise of bringing the two-wheeler out of the house and halting it on the street, would have burnt a good number of calories for Rangarajan. Sweat uncontrollably was trickling out of the pores on his forehead.
Igniting the two-wheeler's engine was a hell-lot-of-work for Rangarajan. Because, the pedal-start was not an easy task for his right foot’s pressure. Anyway he decided to pedal-start the vehicle. Its a very tiresome job, but he did not have any other option left.
Though there is this option, where in he has to turn the key on, get a good grip of the handlebar, and run along pushing the two-wheeler until its engine ignites. One day, midway from his office to home, the two-wheeler stopped. He tried pedal-start approach. The vehicle failed to start. Then he tried the option of running along pushing the two-wheeler until the engine ignited. In this approach, he pushed the two-wheeler ....it did not start...he pushed the vehicle little farther..it did not start...in this fashion he would have pushed the two-wheeler for approximately 100-200 meters. Yet the vehicle's engine did not give any signs of starting. During this push-stop-push feat, his shirt was completely drenched with sweat, he looked as though he had run a half-marathon race. Finally, he reached home..... by cycling the two-wheeler. :-)
Now for his temple visit, he was trying to pedal-start the two-wheeler. He raised the right-side pedal to the maximum height, and placed his right leg, and tried to balance his entire body’s weight on the pedal, and stood on the pedal. Ideally the pedal should have come down rapidly in semi-circle igniting the two-wheeler's engine. Instead Rangarajan was standing still on the pedal in the mid-air slightly bent with his two hands gripping the two-wheeler’s handle bar. He applied more force standing mid-air on the pedal, it did not come down.
With no success, he stepped down from the pedal. His consciousness immediately made him to look around to see if anyone has noticed his failed act of pedal-starting the two-wheeler, otherwise people would have bursted out laughing loud.
Rangarajan was at ease and said to himself, “Thank God... there was no one around.......”, he would not have finished this sentence when he turned towards his house to find Mythili standing and was trying to control her laughter, and finally bursted out laughing in a loud voice. It took her a while to control and compose herself. Now Rangarajan tilted his face down in embarrassment, later he looked up at Mythili, and he too had a little shy smile.
Mythili came down the steps and gestured him to move away from the two-wheeler and give her a way. Rangarajan gave space for her to try the pedal-start. She raised the pedal to the maximum height with her right leg, then she placed her right leg over the pedal, and placed her entire body’s weight on the pedal, and stood on it. This time, the pedal came down rapidly igniting the engine. Later she accelerated the engine for a little while simultaneously applying brakes so that two-wheeler does not go out of her hands. Once she confirmed that the engine has ignited enough, she handed over the two-wheeler to her husband.
After gaining control over the two-wheeler, Rangarajan comfortably sat on it and waved his left hand saying, "bye-bye", to his wife. The two-wheeler's engine vroomed, leaving behind the dust on the road to settle at its own pace.
Mythili still remembering her husband’s efforts to pedal-start the two-wheeler, again burst into a laughter, and went inside her house to continue her cooking for the lunch.
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Semi-Circling the Elephant
Rangarajan’s two wheeler smoothly paved through the traffic and entered the main-temple-tower entrance and turned left. He parked his two-wheeler near the temple’s ratham (chariot). He left his sandals near his two-wheeler's main stand, and started walking towards the temple.
Post crossing the entrance mandapam, he was walking towards the next gopuram (tower), thats when his eyes caught the iron gates. It is the staying area for the temple’s elephant, where it relaxes and is taken care by its caretaker. Usually devotees coming to the temple little early would have seen through the iron gates an elephant and one of its leg being chained to a wooden bamboo immersed deep inside the earth’s clay.
Before we move further, there is a important thing people should know about Rangarajan. That is, he is very much afraid of elephants. In fact he is terrified. Whenever he sees an elephant, he keeps a extra-safe distance from the huge animal.
Whenever he finds himself walking in the vicinity of an elephant, he would be walking perpendicularly 10 feet (radius) away from the elephant’s standing point. His walking tracks roughly would resemble a semicircle line of foot steps with the elephant being at the center.
Given a chance, he would even walk farthest away from the elephant. Possible scenario would include Rangarajan side-walking with his back sliding on the temple wall till the end, and there after walking straight away from the elephant.
In temples devotees offer money or eatables to the elephant. The elephant on the instruction of the caretaker will bless a devotee by lifting its trunk up and slightly tapping the head of the devotee with its trunk. The elephant’s trunk blessing is religiously perceived as a boon. The elephant which receives money for the blessing service would give the collected sum to the caretaker and if it was food such as coconut or cabbage it consumes to gain energy. Rangarajan because of his fear of elephants has never experienced the elephant’s trunk blessing.
Today, the fear of elephants has surmounted. Because in the morning daily newspaper, he happened to read a news article that somewhere a temple elephant in Maharashtra, India went out of control chasing devotees and killing a woman and injuring many. With this thought he entered the third gopuram, thats where he happened to see the elephant standing gigantically, swinging its trunk up and down, and at times sidewards. Now and then the elephant was also flapping its big ears. The elephant caretaker was seated beside it with a long cane.
Now Rangarajan with some unknown-level of fear was semi-circling the elephant. He was hurrying forward avoiding an eye-contact with the elephant towards the left side of the temple's third entrance. The elephant was standing on the right side of the temple's third entrance. Somewhere while crossing the elephant, when he turned his head slightly towards right, his eyes abruptly met the elephant’s big eyes. It gave him a shiver and he immediately withdrew his gaze and increased his pace of walking.
Once he was away from the territory of the elephant, his mind was at ease. He was now thinking that there should be a system of announcements similar to weather forecasting in daily newspapers, intimating sensitive people like him about the temple’s elephant mode..which may run like this.."Taking into consideration the temple-planned procession today, the elephant’s mode is expected to be completely stable and alright...and it is completely safe for the devotees to visit the temple and offer prayers.”
At times, Rangarajan thinks that the elephant would have been offended as he was not taking its blessing. He feels as though the elephant’s eyes are always fixed on him waiting for an opportunity to take revenge on him. He also knows that elephant’s memory is very good. He believes that one day or the other the animal is going to grasp his hand with its huge trunk, swirl him in the air and throw him away.
Even the slightest 'cling'ing sound of the bracelet of bells tied on the elephant's neck terrifies Rangarajan.
Once inside the shrine, he prayed to Jambukeswarar, the lord Shiva’s idol which was surrounded by Kaveri river water. This place is considered to be one of the pancha bootham (fire, earth, space, air and water) temples. This temple represents lord Shiva as the water element. After offering prayer to lord Shiva, Rangarajan went to see Goddess Akhilandeshwari in her shrine. Around 12 clock, the archakar (priest) wearing Akilandeswari's saree and crown, carried water in a large copper/bronze pot placing it on his shoulder, and came out of the shrine moving towards the lord Shiva's shrine.
The story behind this ritual is that: Because of Lord Shiva’s curse, Goddess Akilandeswari was born on earth. To get rid of the curse, she forms the idol of Shiva lingam with water and then worships it. Impressed with her devotion, Lord Shiva appeared in person and relieved Akilandeswari of her curse.
Since the Goddess worshiped Shiva in this place, as a ritual, the archakar dresses himself as Goddess Akilandeswari and carries water in a large copper/bronze pot, and offers prayers to the Jambukeswarar, lord Shiva idol. After a while, the archakar comes back and offers prayers to the Akilandeswari's Idol as well.
After this uchikala pooja (afternoon prayer), Rangarajan walks out towards the temple's third entrance and tries to avoid an eye-contact with the elephant. Once he comes out of the temple, he drives his TVS 50, and reaches home safely.
After much struggle, without the help of Mythili, he drags his two wheeler onto the ramp and places the two-wheeler inside the house’s lounge.
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Keeey.... Keey.. Key
When Rangarajan entered the house, suddenly he realized that his son Govindhan was awake. The kid was busy riding his imaginary two wheeler fast, and saw his father coming. So Rangarajan stopped for his son to drive past him. Instead, Govindhan halted his imaginary two wheeler giving time for his father to walk through the hall. Finally, Rangarajan walked through the imaginary zebra-crossing, and reached the hall safely and rested himself in his easy-chair. Later on Govindhan continued running his imaginary two-wheeler around the house.
Throughout his drive the kid was making the sound of engine dup..dup..dup....duuuuuuur...The thing which really irritates Rangarajan is when his son makes the loud sound of horns.... keeey... keey..key.
The kid driving the imaginary two-wheeler should have drawn the inspiration seeing his father every day driving the real two-wheeler.
During lunch Mythili and Rangarajan have to run behind Govindhan to feed him. Mythili during the chase carries a small bowl containing cooked rice nicely mixed with dal curry or curd to feed her son. As though the rice-bowl is a basketball and Govindhan's mouth is the basketball ring in which Mythili has to push the cooked rice to score a point.
Mythili sometimes asks Rangarajan to help her catch and feed food to their son. Its a very challenging task for Rangarajan to chase and catch Govindhan. By the time he corners and holds Govindhan tightly in his arms, Mythili pushes food in her son's mouth. While the kid is gulping the tasty food, Rangarajan holding his son in his arms would be gasping for breath and sweating a lot.
Rangarajan in his childhood days used to play badminton very well. His grip over the racket, his stamina and accuracy were always appreciated by his co-players. He was always the best one to partner with in doubles. Awesome were the moments when he quickly jumps in the air with both his legs bent backwards, with the whole body bent in semicircle shape hanging in the air for split of a second and then hitting the cock with such a rapid force. Sure the opponent would had a tough competition. It would be difficult for the opponent to judge the flying shuttlecock, and its speed, and give a reflexive hit.
Viewers in the badminton court used to cheer when Rangarajan quickly jumps into the air to form a semicircle shape to hit the feather-cock. The opponent starts to mind-calculate Rangarajan’s action and moves back to hit the feather-cock. At this moment Rangarajan, as a technique, slows his action and slightly taps the cock with the racket so that it falls near the net on the opponent’s side. The opponent realizing this unexpected hit, immediately stops moving back and tries to move forward, but it is too late, and finally misses to hit the feather-cock.
Rangarajan with his sports prowess, discussed earlier, was now aiming a mosquito wandering in his home. Irony of life.
Without losing sight of the mosquito, he fetches his electric racket. At this time Mythili enters the room, seeing Rangarajan aiming to hit the mosquito, she halts as though she is witnessing an real-tension match. Rangarajan swings his electric-mosquito-racket in the air aiming the mosquito. All this scene is imagined by Rangarajan and Mythili in slow motion. When the racket hits the mosquito, the spark and sound of electric shock is echoed.
Rangarajan looks at Mythili with an accomplished look. She blissfully smiles acknowledging her husband's win. For Rangarajan it is a cloud nine situation.
All these mosquito-hunt actions where to safeguard Govindhan from sickness such as malaria. Though Govindhan sleeps inside a mosquito net fixed on the bed, Rangarajan and Mythili taking turns, follow this electric racket-mosquito killing routine as an extra precautionary step.
Before the birth of Govindhan, Rangarajan was looked after as a king by his wife. In the evenings, he used to lay relaxedly in his easy chair, and Mythili used to sit beside him with dried-palm-leaf-fan (manual fan) swinging it for her husband. When he begins to imagine himself as a king seated in a maharaja’s gold-diamond-rubee mounted chair, with two beautiful women standing beside his chair swinging the peacock-feather-fan for him... just then a tight smashing sound and severe pain in the left hand awakens Rangarajan from his being-a-king imagination. He finds a dead mosquito on his left arm. Mythili now with an accomplished smile of hitting the mosquito with the dried-palm-leaf-fan looks at her husband for a kingly reward for her mosquito-hit.
Rangarajan rubbing his hand faster to relieve pain, grinding his teeth gives a serious look at his wife. Mythili’s accomplishment smile now gradually turns into a sorry smile.
Things have changed for both husband and wife after Govindhan was born. Rangarajan and Mythili's love for each other will never ever dwindle, but they both now realize that their existence and happiness is in the well being of Govindhan, and nothing else.
Rangarajan who used to live relaxedly and imagine himself as a king, now has to be on toes running behind and safeguarding his son.
Day by day, Govindhan’s activities started becoming notorious (of course in a loveable fashion for Mythili). Most of the time, the victim was Rangarajan.
Whenever Govindhan falls and cries to gain attention, Mythili comes running to the rescue. She comforts Govindhan saying, “Don’t cry my dear, its your father’s fault we will punish him.” When Mythili punches Rangarajan in the hand kiddingly, Govindhan stops crying and starts laughing.
Knowing this method of making Govindhan laugh, all started implementing it. Meaning, whenever Govindhan cries, all including Rangarajan’s parents, and his in-laws would hit Rangarajan in his arm. Though getting hit kiddingly, Rangarajan's hand would be in great pain and swelled. Rangarajan would be standing in pain all-alone whereas all the other family members would be consoling Govindhan. Govindhan really cherishes the moments, when all eye Rangarajan as a culprit who should be severely punished for petty crimes.
Where as Mythili always has a good time with her son. Govindhan goes and hides behind her mother. Mythili though she knows that her son is hiding behind inside her long hanging saree, she acts as though Govindhan is lost and she is seriously looking for her son saying "Where is my kid? Did anyone seen my dear?". Govindhan really enjoys this hide and seek play. When Mythili pulls her saree and finds her son. Mother-son look at each other and have a nice-hearty loud mischief laugh.
Coming back to Rangarajan, it becomes very difficult for him to chase and catch Govindhan. His breath moves up and down. At the same time, Govindhan will be getting ready for the next sprint with a sneering Heee-heee smile on his face.
Govindhan is now one and half years old. Rangarajan and Mythili always enjoy appreciating every aspect of Govindhan. When they see their son now walking firmly or running fastly, an image of their son crawling and taking the first step quickly comes to their mind. For them it seemed as though all happened yesterday. Amazing and beautiful transformation, but all happened quickly.
Govindhan is quiet and sweet-loving little boy. But at times, Rangarajan and Mythili find it very frustrating when their son relieving himself from the holds of their hands suddenly starts running away from them.
Even as a toddler, Govindhan used to stumble forward-backward at times sideward very fast. Seeing their son taking tiny steps and balancing or about to slip will make Rangarajan and Mythili's heart beating rapidly with great concern. When the kid is about to fall, both the parents rush and lift-up their son. On the contrary, Govindhan would be having great kick learning to walk and run.
Govindhan enjoys running and is very happy to do it when ever he pleases. In Rangarajan's opinion Govindhan was more likeable when he was a toddler and crawling. Because it was easy to catch and control him. Apart from running, the other activities of Govindhan which irritates and bothers Rangarajan were:
(i) being stubborn of learning to climb stairs on his own
(ii) hiding his father's things and making him to search frequently
(iii) riding the imaginary bike running around the house mimicking loudly the sounds of engine (dup..dup..dup....duuuuuuur...) and the horn (keeey...keey...key) very frequently
(iv) at the time of sleep, Govindhan finds it intriguing to bring his toys and plays with it on the bed, sitting in between him and Mythili. Getting Govindhan to sleep is a stressful job for both of them. Govindhan brings all his toys and tries to build a fort of out it, disturbing his father's sleep
(v) Govindhan is very strong willed and until unless he gets what he wants, he will not quit, what he does is to cross his arms and gives weird looks at Rangarajan and Mythili showing that he is frustrated and angry with them and stomps off into the other room
(vi) whenever a toy vendor or balloon selling person crosses the street, Govindhan quickly runs and approaches the entrance of the house and gestures the vendor to halt. The result, the vendor gains confidence of selling his products with ease. It really frustrates Rangarajan, because after few minutes of purchasing toy/balloon Govindhan would have bursted the balloon or broken the toy into pieces. All money gone in vain.
But Mythili loves all the above mentioned things except running. Mythili has good mothering skills, Govindhan only listens to her. Rangarajan at times feels that his bonding with Govindhan is not as good as that of Mythili and Govindhan.
Its really annoying when Rangarajan sees Govindhan insisting, demanding or being stubborn.
Its hard for Rangarajan to ignore Govindhan’s immature behavior but he forces himself to like Govindhan. And continuously works on strengthening the bonding element between him and his son.
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The Elephant Roars
In the weekends, Mythili and Rangarajan usually try to visit Sri Rangam temple. On this particular Sunday morning, the couple decided to visit the Thiruvanaikaval temple, which was nearer to their house when compared to the Sri Rangam temple.
Rangarajan pedal-starts the two-wheeler, luckily the vehicle's engine gets ignited. Now the three of them get ready to settle on the two wheeler. With Govindhan half standing and half seated on the front edge of the two wheeler, with Rangarajan in the driver’s seat and Mythili seated behind him sidewards facing left-side of the vehicle, with both her legs comfortably rested on one of the footrests provided near the back wheel especially provided for the back seater. For support, she runs her right hand over her husband’s hip and gets a firm grip. This really tickles Rangarajan, but he tries to control.
TVS 50 was efficient enough to carry the two-and-quarter load. Rangarajan was driving very cautiously. Because sometimes, his son takes control over the handle and slightly deviates the vehicle from the actual path. Whereas Rangarajan overpowers his son’s control over the two-wheeler’s directions and brings it back onto the actual path. Mythili is unaware of the father-son’s fight over the control over the two-wheeler handlebar. She would be busy looking around shops and people in the streets. For Mythili it's a kind of outing and enjoys it thoroughly. She also takes pride in sitting behind Rangarajan and going for a ride.
Through out the drive, Govindhan mimics the automobile’s engine sound with frequent horns, as though Govindhan is driving the two wheeler, and Rangarajan and Mythili are mere passengers.
At home, when the vehicle is halted on its main stand, Rangarajan standing in a hiding place often notices that Govindhan invites his imaginary friends for a ride. The kid becomes the conductor giving imaginary-tickets, and collecting imaginary-money from the imaginary friends. Once done with the conductor job, the kid slowly climbs and stands on the space between handle and the seat. The kid now shoulders the role of a driver, and mimics again the sound of engine (dup..dup..dup....duuuuuuur...) and the horn (keeey...keey...key). Rangarajan opinions that the saddest part of this whole imaginary vehicle ride is that he never gets any imaginary-commission. Its a unfair, because it is his two wheeler and he is the owner. Rangarajan at times thinks to take the commission-issue to the imaginary two-wheeler-father-owner association. This is a nationwide issue for fathers which has to be sorted out.
The family reached the temple. All the three deposited their foot wears near the vendor selling flowers near the entrance of the temple.
Mythili holding Govindhan’s right hand with her left hand was very busy going around the temple. Rangarajan was busy keeping pace with the two. Though Rangarajan is a badminton player with sports prowess, he cannot keep pace with Mythili and Govindhan in walking and running respectively. Where as Govindhan was happily running along with her mother without showing any sign of tiredness. At times, Rangarajan thinks that Govindhan’s liking for a sprint or running is drawn from his mother, Mythili.
The family entered the Ardha mandapam. The line was crowded. After few minutes, Mythili and Rangarajan considering the entrance’s height, both stooped to enter the Lord Shiva’s shrine. The garland, lamps and the archakkar’s recitals caught Govindhan’s attention. The kid’s eyes was wide-open and was engaged. Meanwhile, Mythili and Rangarajan putting their hands together in namaskaram position offered prayers to the almighty. After offering prayers, the family came out of the room adjoining the shrine. Mythili applied the vibuthi (sacred ashes given by the priest) to Govindhan and Rangarajan’s foreheads.
After which, Mythili went on to offer prayers to other gods in the vicinity of the temple. Govindhan was running behind her with Rangarajan keeping pace with them. Mythili and Rangarajan, walked through the temple lounge halting for a short-while at each of the god’s shrine to offer prayers starting with Lord Subramani Swamy, Lord Sri Kalyana Sundarar, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Natarajar Swami, 63 Nayanmargal, Navagrahas, and Chandikeswarar shrine. Later both the couple stood for-a-while to look at the main temple's gopuram (tower of the main shrine). Both closed their eyes reciting mantras and offered prayers. When they opened their eyes both realized something missing.
Govindhan was not around. Its been while that husband and wife were immersed in the beauties of the God and Goddess idols and going around offering prayers that they forgot to keep an eye on their son, Govindhan.
The moment Mythili realized that Govindhan was missing she started panicking. When ever she panics or in fear, she starts yelling and scolding Rangarajan as being very careless and irresponsible. Both were running hither and thither inside the temple in search of their kid, calling 'Govindhan.. Govindhan' in chorus.
Even in the rush, she was praying to God to help her find Govindhan. Last few words of Mythili were little audible...and Rangarajan was able to hear it clearly...and those where .."If we find our child safe and healthy we will come to Tirupathi and offer my husband’s hair”. Even in those moments of despair, Rangarajan turned and looked at her with a surprise, and said to himself, “Why always me?”. When Rangarajan looked at her again, he realized that it was a serious prayer. Rangarajan’s mind was multi-tasking. On one side, his mind was giving him commands to search his son and on the other-side, he was imagining his scalp without hair, and looking ridiculous.
Mythili was looking around the main shrine premises for her son. Whereas Rangarajan started to run outside the main shrine.
Suddenly a fear crept in Rangarajan’s mind, he stopped for a while and started running as though he got an rough idea where his son could be found. He was fast approaching the place, where the elephant and its caretaker stood and sat respectively.
There was a little crowd near the elephant. When Rangarajan made his way into the little crowd and crept in. He was astonished and shocked to find Govindhan standing near the elephant’s front legs and holding the stick of the elephant caretaker.
Govindhan was controlling the crowd gesturing them to be patient and come one by one to offer money to the elephant and get the trunk-blessing. Seeing him was relief to Rangarajan, but he was fearing the elephant's mode-of-conduct.
At this time Mythili too guessed and fast approached the place where the elephant offers trunk-blessing. Now she found Rangarajan in the crowd. Looking at her husband's gaze firmly locked on to something, she realized that the something was none-other-than their own son. She now came and stood beside Rangarajan. Mythili’s face returned to a bliss. Parents have found their son.
Seeing Rangarajan and Mythili, Govindhan beckoned them to come forward. The couple went forward and bowed their heads clasping their hands in namaskaram posture to get the elephant’s trunk-blessing.
Rangarajan was overcoming his fear of elephant and was waiting for this blessing episode to get over soon. Rangarajan closed his eyes tightly. Time was passing by. Meanwhile, he was imagining that the elephant in the name of blessing, swinging its trunk fastly in the air and hitting him on his head, smashing him into the ground.
Time passed, he thought that the elephant is very kind to bless him with a touch so soft that he did not even realized it. In a thanking note he opened his eyes to find Govindhan and the elephant seriously looking at him. Rangarajan did not understand the reason behind those looks, when he side glanced at Mythili even she had the same look. It was a mysterious puzzle for Rangarajan.
Then Mythili with her right hand elbow-hit her husband in the ribs and told him to offer money. Then only Rangarajan realized the mistake that he has committed.
So he took a 10 rupee note and placed it in the elephant’s trunk. When Rangarajan felt the rough skin of the elephant, he immediately pulled back his hand dropping the rupee note, and simultaneously fearing that the elephant would catch his hand and with three swirls would through him up in the air, out of the temple.
When the elephant placed its trunk on his head, it was a different feeling, and altogether a new experience for Rangarajan.
When the elephant snuffed out its breath on Rangarajan's head, he wished the insects on the scalp, causing dandruff, seeing such a big elephant’s trunk and snuffing should get vanished in fear from his scalp. So that he could save some money on purchasing shampoo. :-)
Mythili took the cane from Govindhan and handed it to the elephant caretaker with a smile. With both her hands she lifted Govindhan close to her and hugged him. Both mother-son walked away from the crowd happily, Rangarajan slowly and calmly started walking behind them. Mythili realizing that she has been very hard on Rangarajan, immediately turned to look at Rangarajan. She turned and looked at Rangarajan. Rangarajan too was looking at her. Now even, Govindhan who was resting his head on his mother's shoulder lifted his head, turned and looked at Rangarajan.
Rangarajan’s face was so peaceful to look at mother-son’s happy faces that he was starting to feel blissful and happy. Suddenly, the elephant in a happy-mode roared. This ear piercing roar suddenly gave a shock to Rangarajan, who was standing close to the elephant with his back facing the animal. The blissfulness vanished from Rangarajan’s face and turned into fear-mode. Seeing this, mother-son burst into laughter. Rangarajan, jumping little far from the elephant now stood behind Mythili who holding Govindhan in her arms. Rangarajan had the embarrassing-shy smile on his face. All happily once again bowed their heads and offered prayer to the elephant.
The elephant gave its signature trumpet call, and flapped its ears with a smile on its big cheek. :-)
The temple bell rang. Rangarajan felt as though the clinging sound vanished the fear element in him, and brought harmony and peace to his mind. The dangerous image of the elephant now turned into a divine animal in Rangarajan's mind.
With the help of Govindhan, Rangarajan’s fear for elephants got vanished. Children sometimes just like that bring a transformation in their parents. It is a beautiful feeling altogether.
They all came out of the temple and took a happy-two-wheeler ride home. :-)
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Kick Started
Nowadays whenever Rangarajan visits the Thiruvanaikaval temple, he finds the elephant more friendly, and looking at him with a giggle on its big cheek.
One day Rangarajan was seated on his easy-chair, and Mythili was seated on the ground beside the chair busy slicing vegetables for cooking dinner. Govindhan was riding his imaginary bike in the other room.
Rangarajan pondering over the temple episode said, "Mythili, the kid is very courageous. He was fearless when standing near the elephant. And even he was controlling the crowd waiting for the elephant’s trunk blessing.” Rangarajan continued, “Govindhan despite being a little kid, stood beside the elephant without any fear. I myself was very much afraid of elephants. We need to learn to be brave like our son. “
Mythili composedly replied, "I too should be credited for his bravery. After you go to office, whenever time permits I used to take Govindhan to the temple. Initially even he was afraid, I used to bring him in the front of the elephant and offer money to get the elephant’s trunk blessings. Over a period of time, the kid became fond of that elephant. Since I offer money regularly for the elephant, the elephant caretaker used to allow Govindhan near the elephant and play with his stick as well. Do you really think that an elephant caretaker will allow a kid so near the elephant ?"
With a wink in her eyes, Mythili said, "By the way, since you are afraid too I will also take you every day to the temple and make you get rid of your fear of elephants, what do you say?"
Mythili continued "Dear, there is nothing to be afraid of the elephants in the temples. Until unless they are well taken care of and not tortured, they are nice and peaceful animals. Our Tamil Nadu government annually takes all the temple elephants for a break from its daily temple routine for a rejuvenation camp. The camp's objective is to improve the health conditions of these elephants and provide complete rest to them. These elephants are put on special diet and given exercises in the morning and evenings. Hope every other government in India does this regularly."
Rangarajan remembering his reading about rejuvenation camps in the news papers nodded his head agreeing to Mythili's point of view.
On the same day in the night, Rangarajan was fast asleep, when he turned to his right on the bed and opened his eyes, he found Govindhan sleeping beside him instead of his mother. May be in sleep, Govindhan would have rolled up to him. Looking at his son’s loving face, Rangarajan cuddled his son close to him. Just when Rangarajan was enjoying the moment, suddenly Govindhan kicked Rangarajan's stomach with great force in sleep. Rangarajan suddenly yells and moves away from his son. The father-son’s bonding has just kick-started.
Rangarajan with pain in the stomach gives an annoying look at his son, just to find a blissful smile on his son’s face. At this point of time, coincidentally even the elephant in the temple which terrified Rangarajan previously also has a smile on its face. Govindhan is still fast asleep may be planning again to kick-start his imaginary two-wheeler in his dreams. :-)
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At this moment of you reading this short story, the Thiruvanaikaval's elephant called Akila which has participated in the rejuvenation camp held in the month of December for 48 days in Mettupalayam, Coimbatore, India has returned back to the temple to continue its service.
Elephant Akila undergoes a daily exercise routine which includes walking, pulling huge log of wood with a rope, lifting both its front legs and standing on its two back legs, grabbing its ears with its trunk and circling, the elephant is given a mouth organ to play music for an hour, this is a part of its breathing exercise. This physical exercises for the elephant are currently taken care by its caretakers Arjun and Krishnamoorthy. After these daily exercises, the elephant is given a bath with caretakers splashing water over the elephant. This is one of the routines, where the elephant is said to enjoy a lot.
The previous elephant which offered service to the Thiruvanaikaval temple, that is before Akila, was called as Santhi, was donated to the temple by Actor Sivaji Ganesan. Santhi elephant after serving the temple for 48 years breathed its last breath on July 15, 2010.
On December 06, 2011, the current elephant, Akila was brought to the temple from Assam at the age of 10 by Thirugoshtioor Swami Narayana Trust. Akila took one month to get used to the temple procession and daily exercises.
Readers when visiting the Thiruvanaikaval temple in Trichy can find Akila trunk-blessing devotees. Give it a try :-)
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Sources:
“Don't be gone for too long”, Mythili told Rangarajan who was planning to go to Thiruvanaikaval temple. His plan was to attend the uchchikala pooja (afternoon prayer) to be performed by the priest dressed as Goddess Akilandeshwari.
Rangarajan's house was located in Kondayam Pettai Agraharam. When he came onto the veranda of his house and looked at the street, it was empty. The scorching sun made people to hide inside their homes. Rangarajan was a outlier.
Mythili, Rangarajan's wife was busy preparing lunch in the kitchen. Govindhan, the couple’s one-and-half year old kid was fast asleep in the bed fitted firmly with a mosquito net. Very caring parents indeed.
The time was around 11am, Rangarajan had nothing to do. After having his breakfast and a hot coffee, he read the daily newspaper from start-to-end, including advertisements ranging from houses-for-rent/sale to obituary if any. On a Sunday like this, he usually gets bored. So he thought of going to Thiruvanaikaval temple, Trichy which was approximately one kilometer from his house.
When he intimated his wife about his plan to visit the temple, the immediate reply from Mythili was “Don’t be late for lunch."
He took his shining TVS 50 (moped) and carefully brought it out of the house, on the steep-ramp between the four steps, onto the street. He felt proud the way he used the hand breaks tactically and his energy to safely bring the two-wheeler onto the street.
Rangarajan had a very lean body. Neatly shaven jaws and chin, hair oiled and neatly combed. He was dressed in white full-sleeve shirt, and was wearing his veshti (rectangular cloth wrapped around the waist covering the legs, and tucked at waist) in panchakacham style. Before his marriage, he tried to eat four-to-five times a day to gain weight and look hefty. Nothing worked, all his efforts of making himself look as a good match for Mythili went in vain.
Where as Mythili is very beautiful. She has her long hair neatly parted at the center, and plaited in an all so traditional South-Indian style. Mythili prefers to wear her saree in madisar style. Her daily routine includes: waking-up early morning, after taking bath and getting dressed, she lights-up the incense-perfumed sticks and offers prayers to Gods and Goddess nicely decorated with flowers in the prayer hall. Overall she is a wonderful homemaker. Rangarajan at times thinks that the house is on fire, when he finds the house fogged with the smoke emitted due to the burning of incense-perfumed sticks.
Mythili may look chubby, especially when compared with her husband. At times, Rangarajan has an opinion that if her wife pursued a career in sports she would have been a good athlete especially in boxing and running. Because when ever she tenderly punches him in the cheek, though she does it kiddingly it hurts Rangarajan a lot. He tries to hide his pain at that point of time, later he tries to relieve the pain by softly massaging his cheek. Whenever Mythili tickles his hip and runs, it is close to impossible for Rangarajan to chase her and return the revenge-tickle. In the chase, he always ends up gasping for breath, where as Mythili has the stamina for another couple of sprints.
Coming back to the streets, Rangarajan utilized his full strength to pull back the two wheeler and mounted it on its main stand. The entire exercise of bringing the two-wheeler out of the house and halting it on the street, would have burnt a good number of calories for Rangarajan. Sweat uncontrollably was trickling out of the pores on his forehead.
Igniting the two-wheeler's engine was a hell-lot-of-work for Rangarajan. Because, the pedal-start was not an easy task for his right foot’s pressure. Anyway he decided to pedal-start the vehicle. Its a very tiresome job, but he did not have any other option left.
Though there is this option, where in he has to turn the key on, get a good grip of the handlebar, and run along pushing the two-wheeler until its engine ignites. One day, midway from his office to home, the two-wheeler stopped. He tried pedal-start approach. The vehicle failed to start. Then he tried the option of running along pushing the two-wheeler until the engine ignited. In this approach, he pushed the two-wheeler ....it did not start...he pushed the vehicle little farther..it did not start...in this fashion he would have pushed the two-wheeler for approximately 100-200 meters. Yet the vehicle's engine did not give any signs of starting. During this push-stop-push feat, his shirt was completely drenched with sweat, he looked as though he had run a half-marathon race. Finally, he reached home..... by cycling the two-wheeler. :-)
Now for his temple visit, he was trying to pedal-start the two-wheeler. He raised the right-side pedal to the maximum height, and placed his right leg, and tried to balance his entire body’s weight on the pedal, and stood on the pedal. Ideally the pedal should have come down rapidly in semi-circle igniting the two-wheeler's engine. Instead Rangarajan was standing still on the pedal in the mid-air slightly bent with his two hands gripping the two-wheeler’s handle bar. He applied more force standing mid-air on the pedal, it did not come down.
With no success, he stepped down from the pedal. His consciousness immediately made him to look around to see if anyone has noticed his failed act of pedal-starting the two-wheeler, otherwise people would have bursted out laughing loud.
Rangarajan was at ease and said to himself, “Thank God... there was no one around.......”, he would not have finished this sentence when he turned towards his house to find Mythili standing and was trying to control her laughter, and finally bursted out laughing in a loud voice. It took her a while to control and compose herself. Now Rangarajan tilted his face down in embarrassment, later he looked up at Mythili, and he too had a little shy smile.
Mythili came down the steps and gestured him to move away from the two-wheeler and give her a way. Rangarajan gave space for her to try the pedal-start. She raised the pedal to the maximum height with her right leg, then she placed her right leg over the pedal, and placed her entire body’s weight on the pedal, and stood on it. This time, the pedal came down rapidly igniting the engine. Later she accelerated the engine for a little while simultaneously applying brakes so that two-wheeler does not go out of her hands. Once she confirmed that the engine has ignited enough, she handed over the two-wheeler to her husband.
After gaining control over the two-wheeler, Rangarajan comfortably sat on it and waved his left hand saying, "bye-bye", to his wife. The two-wheeler's engine vroomed, leaving behind the dust on the road to settle at its own pace.
Mythili still remembering her husband’s efforts to pedal-start the two-wheeler, again burst into a laughter, and went inside her house to continue her cooking for the lunch.
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Semi-Circling the Elephant
Rangarajan’s two wheeler smoothly paved through the traffic and entered the main-temple-tower entrance and turned left. He parked his two-wheeler near the temple’s ratham (chariot). He left his sandals near his two-wheeler's main stand, and started walking towards the temple.
Post crossing the entrance mandapam, he was walking towards the next gopuram (tower), thats when his eyes caught the iron gates. It is the staying area for the temple’s elephant, where it relaxes and is taken care by its caretaker. Usually devotees coming to the temple little early would have seen through the iron gates an elephant and one of its leg being chained to a wooden bamboo immersed deep inside the earth’s clay.
Before we move further, there is a important thing people should know about Rangarajan. That is, he is very much afraid of elephants. In fact he is terrified. Whenever he sees an elephant, he keeps a extra-safe distance from the huge animal.
Whenever he finds himself walking in the vicinity of an elephant, he would be walking perpendicularly 10 feet (radius) away from the elephant’s standing point. His walking tracks roughly would resemble a semicircle line of foot steps with the elephant being at the center.
Given a chance, he would even walk farthest away from the elephant. Possible scenario would include Rangarajan side-walking with his back sliding on the temple wall till the end, and there after walking straight away from the elephant.
In temples devotees offer money or eatables to the elephant. The elephant on the instruction of the caretaker will bless a devotee by lifting its trunk up and slightly tapping the head of the devotee with its trunk. The elephant’s trunk blessing is religiously perceived as a boon. The elephant which receives money for the blessing service would give the collected sum to the caretaker and if it was food such as coconut or cabbage it consumes to gain energy. Rangarajan because of his fear of elephants has never experienced the elephant’s trunk blessing.
Today, the fear of elephants has surmounted. Because in the morning daily newspaper, he happened to read a news article that somewhere a temple elephant in Maharashtra, India went out of control chasing devotees and killing a woman and injuring many. With this thought he entered the third gopuram, thats where he happened to see the elephant standing gigantically, swinging its trunk up and down, and at times sidewards. Now and then the elephant was also flapping its big ears. The elephant caretaker was seated beside it with a long cane.
Now Rangarajan with some unknown-level of fear was semi-circling the elephant. He was hurrying forward avoiding an eye-contact with the elephant towards the left side of the temple's third entrance. The elephant was standing on the right side of the temple's third entrance. Somewhere while crossing the elephant, when he turned his head slightly towards right, his eyes abruptly met the elephant’s big eyes. It gave him a shiver and he immediately withdrew his gaze and increased his pace of walking.
Once he was away from the territory of the elephant, his mind was at ease. He was now thinking that there should be a system of announcements similar to weather forecasting in daily newspapers, intimating sensitive people like him about the temple’s elephant mode..which may run like this.."Taking into consideration the temple-planned procession today, the elephant’s mode is expected to be completely stable and alright...and it is completely safe for the devotees to visit the temple and offer prayers.”
At times, Rangarajan thinks that the elephant would have been offended as he was not taking its blessing. He feels as though the elephant’s eyes are always fixed on him waiting for an opportunity to take revenge on him. He also knows that elephant’s memory is very good. He believes that one day or the other the animal is going to grasp his hand with its huge trunk, swirl him in the air and throw him away.
Even the slightest 'cling'ing sound of the bracelet of bells tied on the elephant's neck terrifies Rangarajan.
Once inside the shrine, he prayed to Jambukeswarar, the lord Shiva’s idol which was surrounded by Kaveri river water. This place is considered to be one of the pancha bootham (fire, earth, space, air and water) temples. This temple represents lord Shiva as the water element. After offering prayer to lord Shiva, Rangarajan went to see Goddess Akhilandeshwari in her shrine. Around 12 clock, the archakar (priest) wearing Akilandeswari's saree and crown, carried water in a large copper/bronze pot placing it on his shoulder, and came out of the shrine moving towards the lord Shiva's shrine.
The story behind this ritual is that: Because of Lord Shiva’s curse, Goddess Akilandeswari was born on earth. To get rid of the curse, she forms the idol of Shiva lingam with water and then worships it. Impressed with her devotion, Lord Shiva appeared in person and relieved Akilandeswari of her curse.
Since the Goddess worshiped Shiva in this place, as a ritual, the archakar dresses himself as Goddess Akilandeswari and carries water in a large copper/bronze pot, and offers prayers to the Jambukeswarar, lord Shiva idol. After a while, the archakar comes back and offers prayers to the Akilandeswari's Idol as well.
After this uchikala pooja (afternoon prayer), Rangarajan walks out towards the temple's third entrance and tries to avoid an eye-contact with the elephant. Once he comes out of the temple, he drives his TVS 50, and reaches home safely.
After much struggle, without the help of Mythili, he drags his two wheeler onto the ramp and places the two-wheeler inside the house’s lounge.
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Keeey.... Keey.. Key
When Rangarajan entered the house, suddenly he realized that his son Govindhan was awake. The kid was busy riding his imaginary two wheeler fast, and saw his father coming. So Rangarajan stopped for his son to drive past him. Instead, Govindhan halted his imaginary two wheeler giving time for his father to walk through the hall. Finally, Rangarajan walked through the imaginary zebra-crossing, and reached the hall safely and rested himself in his easy-chair. Later on Govindhan continued running his imaginary two-wheeler around the house.
Throughout his drive the kid was making the sound of engine dup..dup..dup....duuuuuuur...The thing which really irritates Rangarajan is when his son makes the loud sound of horns.... keeey... keey..key.
The kid driving the imaginary two-wheeler should have drawn the inspiration seeing his father every day driving the real two-wheeler.
During lunch Mythili and Rangarajan have to run behind Govindhan to feed him. Mythili during the chase carries a small bowl containing cooked rice nicely mixed with dal curry or curd to feed her son. As though the rice-bowl is a basketball and Govindhan's mouth is the basketball ring in which Mythili has to push the cooked rice to score a point.
Mythili sometimes asks Rangarajan to help her catch and feed food to their son. Its a very challenging task for Rangarajan to chase and catch Govindhan. By the time he corners and holds Govindhan tightly in his arms, Mythili pushes food in her son's mouth. While the kid is gulping the tasty food, Rangarajan holding his son in his arms would be gasping for breath and sweating a lot.
Rangarajan in his childhood days used to play badminton very well. His grip over the racket, his stamina and accuracy were always appreciated by his co-players. He was always the best one to partner with in doubles. Awesome were the moments when he quickly jumps in the air with both his legs bent backwards, with the whole body bent in semicircle shape hanging in the air for split of a second and then hitting the cock with such a rapid force. Sure the opponent would had a tough competition. It would be difficult for the opponent to judge the flying shuttlecock, and its speed, and give a reflexive hit.
Viewers in the badminton court used to cheer when Rangarajan quickly jumps into the air to form a semicircle shape to hit the feather-cock. The opponent starts to mind-calculate Rangarajan’s action and moves back to hit the feather-cock. At this moment Rangarajan, as a technique, slows his action and slightly taps the cock with the racket so that it falls near the net on the opponent’s side. The opponent realizing this unexpected hit, immediately stops moving back and tries to move forward, but it is too late, and finally misses to hit the feather-cock.
Rangarajan with his sports prowess, discussed earlier, was now aiming a mosquito wandering in his home. Irony of life.
Without losing sight of the mosquito, he fetches his electric racket. At this time Mythili enters the room, seeing Rangarajan aiming to hit the mosquito, she halts as though she is witnessing an real-tension match. Rangarajan swings his electric-mosquito-racket in the air aiming the mosquito. All this scene is imagined by Rangarajan and Mythili in slow motion. When the racket hits the mosquito, the spark and sound of electric shock is echoed.
Rangarajan looks at Mythili with an accomplished look. She blissfully smiles acknowledging her husband's win. For Rangarajan it is a cloud nine situation.
All these mosquito-hunt actions where to safeguard Govindhan from sickness such as malaria. Though Govindhan sleeps inside a mosquito net fixed on the bed, Rangarajan and Mythili taking turns, follow this electric racket-mosquito killing routine as an extra precautionary step.
Before the birth of Govindhan, Rangarajan was looked after as a king by his wife. In the evenings, he used to lay relaxedly in his easy chair, and Mythili used to sit beside him with dried-palm-leaf-fan (manual fan) swinging it for her husband. When he begins to imagine himself as a king seated in a maharaja’s gold-diamond-rubee mounted chair, with two beautiful women standing beside his chair swinging the peacock-feather-fan for him... just then a tight smashing sound and severe pain in the left hand awakens Rangarajan from his being-a-king imagination. He finds a dead mosquito on his left arm. Mythili now with an accomplished smile of hitting the mosquito with the dried-palm-leaf-fan looks at her husband for a kingly reward for her mosquito-hit.
Rangarajan rubbing his hand faster to relieve pain, grinding his teeth gives a serious look at his wife. Mythili’s accomplishment smile now gradually turns into a sorry smile.
Things have changed for both husband and wife after Govindhan was born. Rangarajan and Mythili's love for each other will never ever dwindle, but they both now realize that their existence and happiness is in the well being of Govindhan, and nothing else.
Rangarajan who used to live relaxedly and imagine himself as a king, now has to be on toes running behind and safeguarding his son.
Day by day, Govindhan’s activities started becoming notorious (of course in a loveable fashion for Mythili). Most of the time, the victim was Rangarajan.
Whenever Govindhan falls and cries to gain attention, Mythili comes running to the rescue. She comforts Govindhan saying, “Don’t cry my dear, its your father’s fault we will punish him.” When Mythili punches Rangarajan in the hand kiddingly, Govindhan stops crying and starts laughing.
Knowing this method of making Govindhan laugh, all started implementing it. Meaning, whenever Govindhan cries, all including Rangarajan’s parents, and his in-laws would hit Rangarajan in his arm. Though getting hit kiddingly, Rangarajan's hand would be in great pain and swelled. Rangarajan would be standing in pain all-alone whereas all the other family members would be consoling Govindhan. Govindhan really cherishes the moments, when all eye Rangarajan as a culprit who should be severely punished for petty crimes.
Where as Mythili always has a good time with her son. Govindhan goes and hides behind her mother. Mythili though she knows that her son is hiding behind inside her long hanging saree, she acts as though Govindhan is lost and she is seriously looking for her son saying "Where is my kid? Did anyone seen my dear?". Govindhan really enjoys this hide and seek play. When Mythili pulls her saree and finds her son. Mother-son look at each other and have a nice-hearty loud mischief laugh.
Coming back to Rangarajan, it becomes very difficult for him to chase and catch Govindhan. His breath moves up and down. At the same time, Govindhan will be getting ready for the next sprint with a sneering Heee-heee smile on his face.
Govindhan is now one and half years old. Rangarajan and Mythili always enjoy appreciating every aspect of Govindhan. When they see their son now walking firmly or running fastly, an image of their son crawling and taking the first step quickly comes to their mind. For them it seemed as though all happened yesterday. Amazing and beautiful transformation, but all happened quickly.
Govindhan is quiet and sweet-loving little boy. But at times, Rangarajan and Mythili find it very frustrating when their son relieving himself from the holds of their hands suddenly starts running away from them.
Even as a toddler, Govindhan used to stumble forward-backward at times sideward very fast. Seeing their son taking tiny steps and balancing or about to slip will make Rangarajan and Mythili's heart beating rapidly with great concern. When the kid is about to fall, both the parents rush and lift-up their son. On the contrary, Govindhan would be having great kick learning to walk and run.
Govindhan enjoys running and is very happy to do it when ever he pleases. In Rangarajan's opinion Govindhan was more likeable when he was a toddler and crawling. Because it was easy to catch and control him. Apart from running, the other activities of Govindhan which irritates and bothers Rangarajan were:
(i) being stubborn of learning to climb stairs on his own
(ii) hiding his father's things and making him to search frequently
(iii) riding the imaginary bike running around the house mimicking loudly the sounds of engine (dup..dup..dup....duuuuuuur...) and the horn (keeey...keey...key) very frequently
(iv) at the time of sleep, Govindhan finds it intriguing to bring his toys and plays with it on the bed, sitting in between him and Mythili. Getting Govindhan to sleep is a stressful job for both of them. Govindhan brings all his toys and tries to build a fort of out it, disturbing his father's sleep
(v) Govindhan is very strong willed and until unless he gets what he wants, he will not quit, what he does is to cross his arms and gives weird looks at Rangarajan and Mythili showing that he is frustrated and angry with them and stomps off into the other room
(vi) whenever a toy vendor or balloon selling person crosses the street, Govindhan quickly runs and approaches the entrance of the house and gestures the vendor to halt. The result, the vendor gains confidence of selling his products with ease. It really frustrates Rangarajan, because after few minutes of purchasing toy/balloon Govindhan would have bursted the balloon or broken the toy into pieces. All money gone in vain.
But Mythili loves all the above mentioned things except running. Mythili has good mothering skills, Govindhan only listens to her. Rangarajan at times feels that his bonding with Govindhan is not as good as that of Mythili and Govindhan.
Its really annoying when Rangarajan sees Govindhan insisting, demanding or being stubborn.
Its hard for Rangarajan to ignore Govindhan’s immature behavior but he forces himself to like Govindhan. And continuously works on strengthening the bonding element between him and his son.
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The Elephant Roars
In the weekends, Mythili and Rangarajan usually try to visit Sri Rangam temple. On this particular Sunday morning, the couple decided to visit the Thiruvanaikaval temple, which was nearer to their house when compared to the Sri Rangam temple.
Rangarajan pedal-starts the two-wheeler, luckily the vehicle's engine gets ignited. Now the three of them get ready to settle on the two wheeler. With Govindhan half standing and half seated on the front edge of the two wheeler, with Rangarajan in the driver’s seat and Mythili seated behind him sidewards facing left-side of the vehicle, with both her legs comfortably rested on one of the footrests provided near the back wheel especially provided for the back seater. For support, she runs her right hand over her husband’s hip and gets a firm grip. This really tickles Rangarajan, but he tries to control.
TVS 50 was efficient enough to carry the two-and-quarter load. Rangarajan was driving very cautiously. Because sometimes, his son takes control over the handle and slightly deviates the vehicle from the actual path. Whereas Rangarajan overpowers his son’s control over the two-wheeler’s directions and brings it back onto the actual path. Mythili is unaware of the father-son’s fight over the control over the two-wheeler handlebar. She would be busy looking around shops and people in the streets. For Mythili it's a kind of outing and enjoys it thoroughly. She also takes pride in sitting behind Rangarajan and going for a ride.
Through out the drive, Govindhan mimics the automobile’s engine sound with frequent horns, as though Govindhan is driving the two wheeler, and Rangarajan and Mythili are mere passengers.
At home, when the vehicle is halted on its main stand, Rangarajan standing in a hiding place often notices that Govindhan invites his imaginary friends for a ride. The kid becomes the conductor giving imaginary-tickets, and collecting imaginary-money from the imaginary friends. Once done with the conductor job, the kid slowly climbs and stands on the space between handle and the seat. The kid now shoulders the role of a driver, and mimics again the sound of engine (dup..dup..dup....duuuuuuur...) and the horn (keeey...keey...key). Rangarajan opinions that the saddest part of this whole imaginary vehicle ride is that he never gets any imaginary-commission. Its a unfair, because it is his two wheeler and he is the owner. Rangarajan at times thinks to take the commission-issue to the imaginary two-wheeler-father-owner association. This is a nationwide issue for fathers which has to be sorted out.
The family reached the temple. All the three deposited their foot wears near the vendor selling flowers near the entrance of the temple.
Mythili holding Govindhan’s right hand with her left hand was very busy going around the temple. Rangarajan was busy keeping pace with the two. Though Rangarajan is a badminton player with sports prowess, he cannot keep pace with Mythili and Govindhan in walking and running respectively. Where as Govindhan was happily running along with her mother without showing any sign of tiredness. At times, Rangarajan thinks that Govindhan’s liking for a sprint or running is drawn from his mother, Mythili.
The family entered the Ardha mandapam. The line was crowded. After few minutes, Mythili and Rangarajan considering the entrance’s height, both stooped to enter the Lord Shiva’s shrine. The garland, lamps and the archakkar’s recitals caught Govindhan’s attention. The kid’s eyes was wide-open and was engaged. Meanwhile, Mythili and Rangarajan putting their hands together in namaskaram position offered prayers to the almighty. After offering prayers, the family came out of the room adjoining the shrine. Mythili applied the vibuthi (sacred ashes given by the priest) to Govindhan and Rangarajan’s foreheads.
After which, Mythili went on to offer prayers to other gods in the vicinity of the temple. Govindhan was running behind her with Rangarajan keeping pace with them. Mythili and Rangarajan, walked through the temple lounge halting for a short-while at each of the god’s shrine to offer prayers starting with Lord Subramani Swamy, Lord Sri Kalyana Sundarar, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Natarajar Swami, 63 Nayanmargal, Navagrahas, and Chandikeswarar shrine. Later both the couple stood for-a-while to look at the main temple's gopuram (tower of the main shrine). Both closed their eyes reciting mantras and offered prayers. When they opened their eyes both realized something missing.
Govindhan was not around. Its been while that husband and wife were immersed in the beauties of the God and Goddess idols and going around offering prayers that they forgot to keep an eye on their son, Govindhan.
The moment Mythili realized that Govindhan was missing she started panicking. When ever she panics or in fear, she starts yelling and scolding Rangarajan as being very careless and irresponsible. Both were running hither and thither inside the temple in search of their kid, calling 'Govindhan.. Govindhan' in chorus.
Even in the rush, she was praying to God to help her find Govindhan. Last few words of Mythili were little audible...and Rangarajan was able to hear it clearly...and those where .."If we find our child safe and healthy we will come to Tirupathi and offer my husband’s hair”. Even in those moments of despair, Rangarajan turned and looked at her with a surprise, and said to himself, “Why always me?”. When Rangarajan looked at her again, he realized that it was a serious prayer. Rangarajan’s mind was multi-tasking. On one side, his mind was giving him commands to search his son and on the other-side, he was imagining his scalp without hair, and looking ridiculous.
Mythili was looking around the main shrine premises for her son. Whereas Rangarajan started to run outside the main shrine.
Suddenly a fear crept in Rangarajan’s mind, he stopped for a while and started running as though he got an rough idea where his son could be found. He was fast approaching the place, where the elephant and its caretaker stood and sat respectively.
There was a little crowd near the elephant. When Rangarajan made his way into the little crowd and crept in. He was astonished and shocked to find Govindhan standing near the elephant’s front legs and holding the stick of the elephant caretaker.
Govindhan was controlling the crowd gesturing them to be patient and come one by one to offer money to the elephant and get the trunk-blessing. Seeing him was relief to Rangarajan, but he was fearing the elephant's mode-of-conduct.
At this time Mythili too guessed and fast approached the place where the elephant offers trunk-blessing. Now she found Rangarajan in the crowd. Looking at her husband's gaze firmly locked on to something, she realized that the something was none-other-than their own son. She now came and stood beside Rangarajan. Mythili’s face returned to a bliss. Parents have found their son.
Seeing Rangarajan and Mythili, Govindhan beckoned them to come forward. The couple went forward and bowed their heads clasping their hands in namaskaram posture to get the elephant’s trunk-blessing.
Rangarajan was overcoming his fear of elephant and was waiting for this blessing episode to get over soon. Rangarajan closed his eyes tightly. Time was passing by. Meanwhile, he was imagining that the elephant in the name of blessing, swinging its trunk fastly in the air and hitting him on his head, smashing him into the ground.
Time passed, he thought that the elephant is very kind to bless him with a touch so soft that he did not even realized it. In a thanking note he opened his eyes to find Govindhan and the elephant seriously looking at him. Rangarajan did not understand the reason behind those looks, when he side glanced at Mythili even she had the same look. It was a mysterious puzzle for Rangarajan.
Then Mythili with her right hand elbow-hit her husband in the ribs and told him to offer money. Then only Rangarajan realized the mistake that he has committed.
So he took a 10 rupee note and placed it in the elephant’s trunk. When Rangarajan felt the rough skin of the elephant, he immediately pulled back his hand dropping the rupee note, and simultaneously fearing that the elephant would catch his hand and with three swirls would through him up in the air, out of the temple.
When the elephant placed its trunk on his head, it was a different feeling, and altogether a new experience for Rangarajan.
When the elephant snuffed out its breath on Rangarajan's head, he wished the insects on the scalp, causing dandruff, seeing such a big elephant’s trunk and snuffing should get vanished in fear from his scalp. So that he could save some money on purchasing shampoo. :-)
Mythili took the cane from Govindhan and handed it to the elephant caretaker with a smile. With both her hands she lifted Govindhan close to her and hugged him. Both mother-son walked away from the crowd happily, Rangarajan slowly and calmly started walking behind them. Mythili realizing that she has been very hard on Rangarajan, immediately turned to look at Rangarajan. She turned and looked at Rangarajan. Rangarajan too was looking at her. Now even, Govindhan who was resting his head on his mother's shoulder lifted his head, turned and looked at Rangarajan.
Rangarajan’s face was so peaceful to look at mother-son’s happy faces that he was starting to feel blissful and happy. Suddenly, the elephant in a happy-mode roared. This ear piercing roar suddenly gave a shock to Rangarajan, who was standing close to the elephant with his back facing the animal. The blissfulness vanished from Rangarajan’s face and turned into fear-mode. Seeing this, mother-son burst into laughter. Rangarajan, jumping little far from the elephant now stood behind Mythili who holding Govindhan in her arms. Rangarajan had the embarrassing-shy smile on his face. All happily once again bowed their heads and offered prayer to the elephant.
The elephant gave its signature trumpet call, and flapped its ears with a smile on its big cheek. :-)
The temple bell rang. Rangarajan felt as though the clinging sound vanished the fear element in him, and brought harmony and peace to his mind. The dangerous image of the elephant now turned into a divine animal in Rangarajan's mind.
With the help of Govindhan, Rangarajan’s fear for elephants got vanished. Children sometimes just like that bring a transformation in their parents. It is a beautiful feeling altogether.
They all came out of the temple and took a happy-two-wheeler ride home. :-)
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Kick Started
Nowadays whenever Rangarajan visits the Thiruvanaikaval temple, he finds the elephant more friendly, and looking at him with a giggle on its big cheek.
One day Rangarajan was seated on his easy-chair, and Mythili was seated on the ground beside the chair busy slicing vegetables for cooking dinner. Govindhan was riding his imaginary bike in the other room.
Rangarajan pondering over the temple episode said, "Mythili, the kid is very courageous. He was fearless when standing near the elephant. And even he was controlling the crowd waiting for the elephant’s trunk blessing.” Rangarajan continued, “Govindhan despite being a little kid, stood beside the elephant without any fear. I myself was very much afraid of elephants. We need to learn to be brave like our son. “
Mythili composedly replied, "I too should be credited for his bravery. After you go to office, whenever time permits I used to take Govindhan to the temple. Initially even he was afraid, I used to bring him in the front of the elephant and offer money to get the elephant’s trunk blessings. Over a period of time, the kid became fond of that elephant. Since I offer money regularly for the elephant, the elephant caretaker used to allow Govindhan near the elephant and play with his stick as well. Do you really think that an elephant caretaker will allow a kid so near the elephant ?"
With a wink in her eyes, Mythili said, "By the way, since you are afraid too I will also take you every day to the temple and make you get rid of your fear of elephants, what do you say?"
Mythili continued "Dear, there is nothing to be afraid of the elephants in the temples. Until unless they are well taken care of and not tortured, they are nice and peaceful animals. Our Tamil Nadu government annually takes all the temple elephants for a break from its daily temple routine for a rejuvenation camp. The camp's objective is to improve the health conditions of these elephants and provide complete rest to them. These elephants are put on special diet and given exercises in the morning and evenings. Hope every other government in India does this regularly."
Rangarajan remembering his reading about rejuvenation camps in the news papers nodded his head agreeing to Mythili's point of view.
On the same day in the night, Rangarajan was fast asleep, when he turned to his right on the bed and opened his eyes, he found Govindhan sleeping beside him instead of his mother. May be in sleep, Govindhan would have rolled up to him. Looking at his son’s loving face, Rangarajan cuddled his son close to him. Just when Rangarajan was enjoying the moment, suddenly Govindhan kicked Rangarajan's stomach with great force in sleep. Rangarajan suddenly yells and moves away from his son. The father-son’s bonding has just kick-started.
Rangarajan with pain in the stomach gives an annoying look at his son, just to find a blissful smile on his son’s face. At this point of time, coincidentally even the elephant in the temple which terrified Rangarajan previously also has a smile on its face. Govindhan is still fast asleep may be planning again to kick-start his imaginary two-wheeler in his dreams. :-)
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At this moment of you reading this short story, the Thiruvanaikaval's elephant called Akila which has participated in the rejuvenation camp held in the month of December for 48 days in Mettupalayam, Coimbatore, India has returned back to the temple to continue its service.
Elephant Akila undergoes a daily exercise routine which includes walking, pulling huge log of wood with a rope, lifting both its front legs and standing on its two back legs, grabbing its ears with its trunk and circling, the elephant is given a mouth organ to play music for an hour, this is a part of its breathing exercise. This physical exercises for the elephant are currently taken care by its caretakers Arjun and Krishnamoorthy. After these daily exercises, the elephant is given a bath with caretakers splashing water over the elephant. This is one of the routines, where the elephant is said to enjoy a lot.
The previous elephant which offered service to the Thiruvanaikaval temple, that is before Akila, was called as Santhi, was donated to the temple by Actor Sivaji Ganesan. Santhi elephant after serving the temple for 48 years breathed its last breath on July 15, 2010.
On December 06, 2011, the current elephant, Akila was brought to the temple from Assam at the age of 10 by Thirugoshtioor Swami Narayana Trust. Akila took one month to get used to the temple procession and daily exercises.
Readers when visiting the Thiruvanaikaval temple in Trichy can find Akila trunk-blessing devotees. Give it a try :-)
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Sources:
- Temple Tower - http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2012/02/jambukeswarar-temple-thiruvanaikaval.html
- TVS 50 - www.gaadi.com/twowheelers/model-Mileage-tvs_50_xl
- Elephant's eye photographed by Manikanda Prabhu
- Mosquito bat - www.dealsupto.com/electronics/mosquitto-bat-for-rs-99-one-day-deal-93743.html
- Badminton bat - www.globalsources.com/gsol/I/Badminton-racket/p/sm/1048967275.htm#1048967275
- Elephant clipart - http://www.cartooncliparts.com/picture/elephant-vector-drawing-cartoon-pixmac-clipart-37402901/000037402901
- Thinamani, New Year Special Edition, Trichy Publications 2015
- www.ndtv.com/india-news/temple-elephant-goes-berserk-in-maharashtra-one-killed-722092
- www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/elephant-rejuvenation-camp-in-tamil-nadu-from-december-11/article6678455.ece
- www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/pampered-at-camp-they-put-on-weight/article6846815.ece
- www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/curtains-down-on-elephant-rejuvenation-camp/article6828321.ece
- http://www.pbase.com/image/91968667
- http://indiandefence.com/threads/developments-in-india.35993/page-36
