The
early morning sunlight filters in through the trees. Occasional shouts from
kids practicing at their basketball coaching session break the silence. There
is an increasing hum of voices as the crowd swells in size. Some people have
lined up in a queue that is snaking its way to the tables set up near the
stage. Others are standing in small groups, interspersed all over the
playground, talking of this and that.
It
is 6.30 am and already, several hundreds of people have gathered at the
Malleswaram playground opposite K. C. General Hospital. Surprisingly, there are
as many elderly folks as there are youngsters; and a sizeable proportion of the
crowd is in gear that is not conventionally considered suitable for the purpose
of the event. There are even two guys sporting a bizarre look, drawing more
than a fair share of stares that later, turn into smiles of awestruck approval.
There
is the usual enthusiastic set of young athletes, looking for the challenge of a
run. There are formal-looking representatives from the Athletic Association who
tell me they are there to flag off the run. To me, it seems like they look a
little bewildered at the motley crowd gathered there, unlike anything they’ve
seen before. The fact that someone like me – who has no history of participating
in a walk/run before – is there at the venue, is proof of the motivation that
has driven most people there – devotion rather than physical prowess.
The
occasion: Sri Ramanuja 5K Run 2016 on the theme of “Rush towards Ramanuja,”
organized as part of the Ramanuja Millennium 2017 celebrations.
Participants
have been asked to gather at the venue by 6.30 am; but the event only starts by
7.45 am and yet, there is no dampening of the spirits. There is a small
inaugural lighting of the lamp, the customary address by the local MLA
supporting the event and the asheervachanam by H.H.
Sri Sri Sri Yadugiri Yathiraja Narayana Ramanuja Jeeyar Swami of the Sri
Yadugiri Yathiraja Mutt, Bangalore. Jeeeyar Swami says that this event was
conceptualized as a walk, but looking at the enthusiastic participation, he is
feeling like running.
True to his words, once the run is flagged off, Jeeyar Swami
sets a rapid pace for the crowd to follow. The marathoners then get into their
stride and take off, leaving the rest of us to walk briskly along the right
side of the road, chanting slogans of “Namma Nade, Raamanujaredege” and “Rush
towards Ramanuja.”
We try not to affect the early morning traffic along Sampige
Road. The trees provide a welcome shade as we walk. With the monsoon just
around the corner, Bangalore has returned to her glorious weather and there’s a
strong, cold breeze blowing that makes it an invigorating walk.
A bus driver slows down to ask what the run is about. A lady
selling flowers on the pavement hurriedly stands up with folded hands and a
prayerful look and bows to Jeeyar Swami from afar. There’s a couple who’ve come
with their baby in a pram, and someone advises them to keep away from the
centre of the road. A volunteer in a T-shirt with “Civil Defence” written on
it, keeps people in line, making sure they don’t obstruct the flow of traffic.
The run is to pass down 16th Cross, to the TTD
temple in Vyalikaval, to Sankey Tank, then Margosa Road and finally get back to
the Malleswaram Ground where it all started.
I break off at the 16th Cross to head back home partly
because I’m not sure if I can endure a 5 km walk in place of my usual 2 km one.
Besides, samsaara and the duties of a gruhastha beckon. I bow silently to the
mental image of Ramanujacharya and walk away from the devout gathering.
The image that sticks with me for long after is the sight of
the Jeeyar Swami walking barefoot, with an agility that belies his age, with a steady
benevolent glance that shows a spark of the Divine. He who has already found
Ramanuja is guiding us to rush towards Him.
Lovely article anu. I experienced it as if I was myself there physically. Small sneak peep for those of us who could not make it. Of course the "spirit" of the run had got captured well. .
ReplyDeletemultiple pranaams at the holy feet of Swami Ramanujacharyar and H H Sri Sri Jeeyar.
Thank you Vatsala...indeed, helping the reader to experience the event was the main objective of writing this piece.
DeleteI was feeling bad having missed it.But your words made me rush mentally towards Ramanuja.The concluding sentense that "he who has already found Ramanuja is guiding us to rush towards Him"!- the best.I who have closely seen the Jeeyar Swami couldnot stop without remarking that he is Ramanuja's return!
ReplyDeleteThank you Subbuji for this. Indeed, we are blessed to be in this holy land that gives us the opportunity to get divine guidance from such elevated souls.
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