- 17 -
There was no call from Rani till the eve of ‘Nav Samvat’ (First day of Hindu calendar). This was an indication that the situation was the same as before or at least had not worsened. There is a saying, ‘No news is good news’. Therefore, as soon as Alok woke up on the morning of ‘Nav Samvat’, he sent an SMS to Rani wishing her happy ‘Nav Samvat’ and informing her that they would talk when she is free.
Around two in the afternoon, when Rani was reading a magazine, her mobile rang. Seeing the name on the phone screen, her heart started jumping with joy. When she switched on the phone, a voice came from the other end, “Rani, many congratulations and best wishes to you on the occasion of ‘Nav Samvat’. May your life be filled with the same kind of joy and enthusiasm in the coming times as I felt while walking this morning! The park where I go for a walk has countless mango trees. Nowadays, these trees are laden with mangoes. The sweet fragrance of the mangoes was refreshing the mind and soul. The melodious cooing of the cuckoo sitting hidden on the trees, chirping of the little sparrows and the gentle gusts of wind were collectively creating a supernatural atmosphere. While strolling in such an atmosphere, following poetic lines came to my mind:
Amiyan pedon par tungeen, jaise bandanvar
Taza hawa basant ki, maano ho tyohar
Rishton ke aalas bhare, beet gaye is maas
Sookhe mun ke khet mein, bauraya ullaas.
(Mangoes hung on the trees like festoons
Fresh breeze of Spring as if there’s festival
Months of dullness in relationship are over
Joy blossomed in the dry field of mind)
“Today’s the first date of the Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month and our New Year begins on this day. It’s believed that Lord Brahma started the creation of the Universe on this day. That’s why it’s also a festival of the creation of the Universe. The beginning of Satyug (The era of truth) also took place on this day. You know very well that the worship of Maa Bhagwati (Navratri Puja) begins on this day. The Samvat that begins with the worship of little girls also underlines the importance of woman-power in Indian Culture. It’s mentioned in our scriptures - Yatra Naryastu Pujyante, Ramante Tatra Devtah (Where women are worshipped, gods roam there). It was on this day that Chandragupta Vikramaditya won over Shakas and started the ‘Vikrami Samvat’ (the Hindu calendar). The determination of time is an indicator of the amazing mathematical vision of our sages and saints. Our cultural traditions are also carried out by the Samvat that begins from the Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (First day of the first month of Hindu calendar). This new Samvat brings a change of season. After the departure of winter and before the arrival of summer, spring is at its peak. Alongwith the change of season, it brings new enthusiasm, new energy and vitality. Not only in the conscious world, but in the inanimate world too, the enthusiastic vitality to welcome the Supreme Power is visible everywhere. The old leaves fall off, all the trees and plants transform into new and green ones. The wheat crop starts ripening and the time for the farmer to reap the fruits of his labour is about to come. Whereas on the western new year (1st January), there’s no change in season. People, animals, birds and even trees and plants remain shrivelled due to the extreme cold. This Hindu New Year festival invigorates us not only physically but also spiritually.”
Rani was listening to Alok with rapt attention. When he finished, Rani said, “Thank you very much for the best wishes and a very useful information. God will definitely fulfil the heartfelt wishes that you’ve expressed on this auspicious occasion. I pray to God that from today, there is no place for any kind of sadness in our life. May our love be free from obstacles and remain protected from the evil eyes!”
“May God accepts your prayer! I now put an end to my talk.”
*****
