Narmade Har

I have always wondered as to what inspires a person, especially a Hindu to worship the river Narmada. I have seen its magnificence in parts before. I have swam in the holy river in Jabalpur, in Pipariya, in Narmadapuram and in Awali ghat and have sat beside the banks of the river at several places. I have seen the big dams built across its length from Bargi to Indrasagar, to Omkareshwar, to Sardar Sarovar. Having already seen the river in Bharuch where it merges with the sea and converges in infinite water, my quest drove me to the origin of the river. 

I was excited to travel to Amarkantak, the place of origin of the river, as I had heard so much about it. The journey was long yet it brimmed with thrill. I took a break after a meeting at Jabalpur to start again the next day with a halt at Dindori for another meeting before reaching the district Anuppur. I had to return the next day so I decided to stay at Amarkantak for the night. As I travelled towards the place I noticed the shrinking size of the river. The twists and turns of black charcoal road, meandering through the mountains, looked to shake the vehicle from its stability; however, the central white marker kept the vehicle on track. 

The vista of trees on both the sides and the canopy it formed provided a calming and cooling sensation as if comforting the bare footers who walk across the length in reverence of the river. The thick green color was becoming black as I raised my eyes towards the horizon reflecting the abundance of the woods. Soon mountains were everywhere on every side. The horizon was lost in the closeness of the inclines. Yet the valley, when looked from above, had a soothing effect on my soul. 

The lush green paddy crop reflected the profound optimism on the countenances of farmers and the people I encountered on the way. 

When I glanced at the milestone I saw that Amarkantak was just 7 kilometers away, and suddenly a sharp turn brought sal tree covered hills and tall trees looming over the car. I couldn’t see anything beyond 50 meters. I was overwhelmed with greenery until I reached a place where the sky became visible after a brief magical road that reminded me of the deep and dark woods I have read only in books and that was my destination. 

After settling in the government circuit house I refreshed myself to get ready to visit the place I had come for. I felt a burst of emotions as I led my way to the temple. As the destination was getting nearer, I was remembering the numerous photos of Amarkantak I had seen over the years in various places. I was struck with awe and reverence as I entered the premises. It was simple yet elegant and was full of devotion. It was humming with the chants of vedic mantras yet it was as peaceful as space. One troupe of devotees was singing and chanting mantras with the deepest devotion in their heart while the other was waiting and watching for its turn to offer prayer at the sanctum sanctorum. 

After offering prayers in the temple, I sat near the temple. However, for me the real worship is in meditation which gives me real satisfaction. So I just sat and concentrated on the ultimate. After a brief dive into that wholeness I went to another place and returned to the rest house. I was very tired and had to travel again the next morning.

It was 2:41 AM when I got up suddenly. I felt as if someone shook me out of bed. I was alone in that room. My thoughts were going back to the temple again and again as if they were wandering the temple compound in reverence. An unknown fear gripped my veins and I could hear my own heavy gasps of breathing. I was terrified for a brief spell as I gathered my senses. I couldn’t believe what I was undergoing as I had never believed in anything supernatural or out of this world. I went to relieve myself and stayed in bed for about a minute after coming back and finally I could overcome the horror I witnessed that gripped me surprisingly. My rationality forced me to divert my attention from the incomprehensible event to the fact that any new place has its own toll on sleep many times. Despite all my efforts, I could not sleep and kept thinking about the river and what I realized was a kind of revelation for me. 

My thoughts went back to the temple again and again and I suddenly realized that the river has something unique about itself. This river is special. Despite starting from a plateau at a height of about 1000 meters, it is perennial in its journey to the sea. Generally, rivers which do not originate from the Himalayas are not perennial, but Narmada is. 

I felt that a river also has a life of its own. It has a lot to teach us. It starts small and grows big. Despite being big it shrugs the arrogance stealthily. It faces innumerable hurdles on its way yet it sails through and completes its journey and reaches the destination. It might be slow sometimes but remains on the course. Monsoon and rain might swell and drive it beyond its bank to the fields and forest, but it settles soon without any smell of pomp or show-off. 

The river is committed to its goal, is eternally focused and is disciplined to its core. Day and night it has only one task - to continue the journey. The river never gets tired on the way. The patience it enshrouds when it is small and low is instrumental in completion of its journey as it never gives up or fades away in slumber. During summers it may appear that it has lost the steam, yet the patience gives it the strength to grow and once the water is back it flows again with a delightful bang. 

In its journey Narmada gives so much without taking anything from the people in return. Despite the dams built across, it fills them completely and continues to flow to give again to more and more people. It provides water to the fields. It amuses people who look at it for entertainment and gives them the opportunity to indulge. It feeds the fisherman, it drives businesses, it blesses people with what they wish. It has a multifaceted aspect of benevolence. 

This journey inspires devotion in the masses and propels them to walk even barefoot to cover it from origin to destination. It inspires people to learn and get drunk with spirituality. 

My journey to find substance in the journey of a river was complete as I was nearing my home. Such is Narmada. Such is her style. You too can feel it. Narmade Har…