The Secret of the Chalisa (4 page)

Kanchan varan
viraj subsea
Kanan Kundal
Kunchit Kesa

Your physique is beautiful golden coloured and your dress is pretty. You wear ear rings and have long curly hair.

Next day Sanjeev and Ravi arrived at Pawan’s house with a hope that he could sail their ship further. For their surprise the house was locked. As they were retreating, they saw Pawan entering the premises.

He was all in a different avatar today. Wearing only a dhoti, his well-toned body showed through. His biceps and triceps were carved to perfection for that of a wrestler. His body was shining with his sweat. He wore a white sacred thread,
Janeu
, across his chest and two golden earrings twinkled in his ears. Though it was cold outside, Pawan was still sweating without any warm clothing.

“Good morning, Pawan sir,” said Sanjeev as Pawan approached him.

“Oh, Sanjeev!You came here again?” Pawan asked.

“Yes, Sir. We needed some more help from you,” said Sanjeev.

“Now what help you want from me?”

Sanjeev and Ravi started following him towards his house.

“I have re-started my wrestling school. After Ma died, I didn’t go there,” Pawan said as he opened the door and the trio walked in. “So, did you meet Bajrangi?” he inquired.

“Yes, we did,” replied Sanjeev. “He has a very short temper. His wife was very humble and helpful though,” informed Sanjeev.

“Oh yes, I told you Bajrangi is an eccentric man. Sumati is a nice lady and a skilled craftsman,” Pawan chuckled. “Come, sit down and tell me what she said.”

Sanjeev told Pawan about the vault and the story behind it.

“Hmmm….. That means you need to find the idols to open the vault,” Pawan nodded. “Actually after you left, I realized that you should talk to Suresh as well. He is a genius when it comes to gadgets. He has designed many successful unique gadgets during his graduation from IIT Kanpur. I’ll call him over to my house whenever he is free. The kids won’t let you talk in his home.”

“Yes, that would be of great help to me! I also want to hear the explanation of Hanuman Chalisa. Sumati said you give one of the best explanations,” Sanjeev replied.

“You both wait here in the living room. I’ll change and come. Probably then we can discuss,” Pawan said leaving the room.

Sanjeev and Ravi took out the relics and sat gazing at them.

“Do you think the explanation of Hanuman Chalisa will lead you to your answers?” asked Ravi.

“I don’t know what it will lead to. But since years it has helped people overcome their fears. At this time I need to overcome mine. I know it’s nothing new, but every research is a search of the old. That’s why it’s called ‘ReSearch’. I want to take that plunge into my soul again and find peace. All these events have left me very insecure,” contemplated Sanjeev.

“You are right Sanjeev,” said Pawan as he stepped into the room. “Hanuman Chalisa will help you look into you own self. Every answer lies there, inside you. You just need to look for it.”

“I’m all ears Sir. Please tell me everything,” said Sanjeev like an obedient student handing the booklet to Pawan.

“Ok, so let’s begin,” said Pawan.

“The moment you surrender to yourself to knowledge, your search ends and the secrets reveal. Hand me the booklet,” asked Pawan pointing at the booklet of Hanuman Chalisa.

“Remember, I told you that this booklet is written in red ink on a yellow paper, which means it’s very powerful?” asked Pawan. “What do you think red and yellow signifies here?”

Perplexed by the question Sanjeev was about to comment when Ravi interrupted. “It’s a junior school question, Sir. Red means light is reflecting red color and absorbing all other colors of white light. Same goes for yellow,” he answered.

“Correct, you know too well. You should have been an engineer,” Pawan mocked. “What I want to know is the significance of red and yellow color. Do you know it?”

“You tell us Sir,” said Sanjeev.

“When a body reflects red color it appears red to us, as your dear friend stated. But in reality, it has actually rejected that color. All other colors define it, but the world sees it as red, the color which it reflected. We are also defined by the qualities which we reflect to the world. However, inside you is what you have absorbed.

Red is the color of vibrancy. All other colors may be nice and pretty, but only red is vibrant. It’s full of vibrancy and exuberance.

Red is the color of
kumkum
, which imparts vibrancy to a bride. It is the color of blood which brings exuberance to your life. Red is the color of apples, strawberries and tomatoes. A red rose is the symbol of love. It increases physical energy, vitality and stamina.

Similarly, yellow is the color of stability, the basic need of life. It symbolizes creativity, intellect, personal power, optimism and logic.

If you see these colors as
chakras
of your body, Red is the lowest
Muladhar Chakra
and yellow is the third or the
Manipura Chakra
at your navel.”

“That’s a very deep insight. I never thought like that,” said Ravi.

“So can I combine this information to find a meaningful answer? What I’ve understood is, that it means the use of physical strength, creativity and logic to accomplish our goals,” pondered Sanjeev.

“Yes, one aspect of the chakras can be that,” answered Pawan. “Is not Hanuman a symbol of that? He is physically strong, has great intellect and has proved in his life how impossible things can be achieved with devotion and sincerity.”

“I’ve always understood Hanuman as the monkey God who is very brave and muscular. He is also called
Pawan Putra
, the son of wind God because he can fly as fast as wind,” said Sanjeev.

“I don’t know much about mythology, but I remember that as a child I was always told to worship Hanuman and recite the Hanuman Chalisa. I guess every one in the Hindu family is advised to do that as Hanuman is the epitome of valor and bravery,” added Ravi.

“Yes, Hanuman defines that. However, he’s more than that. He is also an epitome of
bhakti
, pure hearted devotion to Lord Ram,” explained Pawan.

“He is also the heart chakra of your body, the fourth chakra, the seat of love consciousness. I’ll tell you a small story,” added Pawan.

“Once Goddesses Sita gave Hanuman a precious gift of pearl necklace. When Hanuman saw the necklace, he broke each pearl with his teeth trying to find something. This annoyed the Goddess and she asked Hanuman why he did so. Hanuman answered that he was looking for Ram in the pearls. Laughingly Sita asked if Ram resided in him. At this, Hanuman tore his chest and within his heart people saw the image of Ram,Sita and Lakshman,” told Pawan.

“Divine story,” said Sanjeev. “But does it hold any meaning?” he asked.

“Yes, sure it does,” said Pawan. “It means that Hanuman was so much devoted to Lord Ram, that his heart was full of love and reverence for his Lord. His allegiance to his Lord is true and pure,” Pawan explained.

“Hmmm… does the story have any metaphysical significance? Sometimes I feel, that all these mythological stories are vedic advises put forth in an animated way,” reflected Sanjeev.

“Well if you want to ponder over it in that way, you have to understand the true essence of Ramayana. Hanuman is incomplete without his Lord Sri Ram and Hanuman Chalisa is incomplete without knowing the story of Ramayana. If you want to know about Chalisa and Hanuman, you should have a small reference of Ramayana as well,” Pawan spoke.

“We have to understand that these are epics written by great
Maharishis
who were very renowned scholars of their times. If they’ve written a story, it’s not just a story. There is a very deep meaning attached to it.

When you see the important characters of Ramayana, you will realize that they are not characters but they define a typical human character or nature,” remarked Pawan.

“I never thought like that. May you explain in detail?” asked Sanjeev.

“Sure I will. What I want you both to understand is, that you need to view characters of Ramayana as abstract nouns. You need to go beyond your common intellect and perceive them as metaphysical beings. When you open your eye of wisdom, you will realize that they are not mere Gods and Goddesses, they are human qualities inherent within you.

Lord Ram is the hero of the story, He is the
Body
. He is you, in your pure and enlightened form. Goddess Sita is the
Soul
. She is the spirit which resides within your astral body. She is a form of energy that drives your body.

Lakshman signifies
Consciousness
and
Will power
. He is the close companion of the body but very frivolous in nature. His impulsiveness makes him impatient and so he is under constant guidance of the body.

Hanuman is the most interesting character. He is the son of a monkey king and also known as the son of the wind God. He depicts your
Mind
. He is restless, flies with a speed of wind, leaps from one place to another. He is inquisitive; he is a celibate and highest form of devotion. Isn’t our mind also like that? Restless, inquisitive, curious and creative. Our mind is completely dedicated to our body and its wellbeing. At one moment our mind is here and at the other it is in some other world billions of years away. A thought has its own mass and velocity and probably is the fastest thing on earth, even more than the speed of light.”

Sanjeev and Ravi were amazed at Pawan’s theory. Never in their life had they come across such an explanation which made perfect sense to their analytical brain.

“So you mean to say that all characters of Ramayana exist within us,” asked Sanjeev. “What about Ravana? Is he also present in us?” asked Ravi.

“Yes, even Ravana is found within us. Ravana is ignorance personified from the depths of unconscious mind.. He was a great scholar and devotee of Lord Shiva. But arrogance took him over. His ten heads are each significant of an adverse nature within us. So his ten heads depict lust, anger, delusion, greed, pride, envy, mind, intellect, will and ego,” answered Pawan.

“I recite the Hanuman Chalisa every day since years, but never did I think it had such an intellectual meaning,” remarked Sanjeev. “However, I’m still wondering what significance it has for me, when my guide left it for me. Was she trying to hint me something?”

“I’m sure Ma must be trying to hint you something important in a coded language. Had it been something explicit, she would have not bothered to make it so complicated,” said Pawan.

“Can you explain Hanuman Chalisa to me?” asked Sanjeev.

Hath
Vajra
Aur
Dhuvaje
Viraje Kandhe moonj janehu sajai

You carry in your hand a lightening bolt along with a victory (kesari) flag and wear the sacred thread on your shoulder.

“Lord Hanuman is an embodiment of faith and devotion. He is the epitome of
Bhakti
. Hanuman Chalisa is a forty verse composition composed by Saint Tulsi Das,” Pawan started his explanation of Hanuman Chalisa.

“It is said that once Emperor Akbar detained Tulsi Das in his court and asked him to prove his powers. It was then; Tulsi Das started chanting the chalisa with utmost devotion. Soon there was a herd of monkey which surrounded the palace and created a menace. Akbar had to set Tulsi Das free.

It is also believed that Tulsi Das had a trance in which he saw Lord Hanuman. The Lord then told him the Ramayana which Tulsi Das wrote as Ramcharitra Manas,” told Pawan.

“My mother told me a story when I was a small child,” added Sanjeev. “She told that Tulsi Das was a post-mature baby. He was born after a year of pregnancy. When he was born he had a full set of dentition and cried Ram. In fact he is considered as incarnation of Valmiki who write the Sanskrit version of Ramayana.”

“Yes, I’ve read about it too,” said Pawan. “He was an orphan and would many a times beg for his meals. When he got married he was madly in love with his wife. When his wife went to his father’shime, Tulsi Das swam the flooded river at night to reach her. Seeing this, his wife remarked that if he had shown this devotion to God, he would have redeemed himself. Tulsi Das was struck by such a remark and so he left his family life and became a Saint. It was then, that he composed the Awadhi version of Ramayana and numerous hymns in praise of Lord Ram.”

“So Hanuman Chalisa is sung in praise of Lord Hanuman?” asked Ravi.

“Hanuman Chalisa defines and praises Lord Hanuman, but it’s actually a path to reach Lord Ram,” replied Pawan. “When you walk through this path of
bhakti
, you discover Ram.”

“Is there any esoteric meaning attached to it too?” questioned Sanjeev.

“Actually there is. If you observe Hanuman as your mind, then purification of the mind leads to the perfect balance of body and soul. When you control your thoughts you can use all the energy to discover the secrets of the super conscious mind. You remember what your guide use to say?” asked Pawan.

“Yes, I do. What the mind does not know, the eyes cannot see,” replied Sanjeev.

“Your mind is not just an abstract noun; it has a mass of its own. If you channelize your thoughts well, you can make anything happen in this world,” said Pawan.

“Really? Does mind has that much power?” Ravi was surprised at the discussion.

“I know there is a similar theory in medical science. The mind plays the disease. If you think you are sick, you will be. That’s why many diseases are cured not only by the medications but also by the will power of the patient,” added Sanjeev.

“Is this not the proposition on which Ma was working on her new drug? I believe it was your thesis project,” asked Pawan.

“Yes Sir. We were working on a component of medicine which can relieve patients from pain and depression. The results were remarkable. It is one of the components of an entire medicine. Madam was working on other components as well,” told Sanjeev.

“Hmmm.. Well, on second thought I was wondering if all this is the hint for that medication. Maybe she has secured the composition of the entire drug for you to find,” Pawan contemplated.

Sanjeev was befuddled at this thought. It seemed quite rational that her guide would hide such a secret formula. However, the thought that she left behind a trail for Sanjeev to discover was giving him goose bumps.

“Really? I…. I mean can it be true?” he muffled.

“Yes, why not. Had it not been true, you would have not been in possession of the relics and this booklet,” remarked Pawan.

“May be treating depression is just a part of it. As it is depression is just a symptom of a disease. If she has left a composition, it may be a medicine to treat some illness of the mind. But how do I find it? I don’t have a clue how to open that wooden box,” replied Sanjeev in helplessness.

Sanjeev then picked up the booklet and started reading again from the beginning hoping to find something important. He reached the next verse after his last clue and was wondering over the highlighted words.

Hath
Vajra Aur Dhuvaje
Viraje Kandhe moonj janehu sajai

He gazed at the letters Vajra and Dhuvaje and asked Pawan,” What is the significance of Vajra and Dhuvaje?”

“
Vajra
is the weapon of Indra. It signifies thunderbolt and is supposed to be the strongest, sturdiest and the most powerful weapon. Mythology says that it was made from the rib cage of a great saint Dadhichi. He sacrificed his body so that Indra could have that weapon,” Pawan explained.

“As for the
Dhuvaje
, which means flag, is a sign of victory and identification. In context of Hanuman Chalisa, it signifies spiritual victory over self. When the mind is free from impure thoughts, it becomes one-pointed. It is that single pointed mind which is the seat of infinite wisdom.”

“I’m sorry for asking such a childish question, but has Madam left any Vajra and Dhuvaje for me?” Sanjeev remarked.

“Ha,ha!” Pawan burst out in laughter. “I don’t know of any such thing,” he said.

“Then how do I find them and where?” Sanjeev was puzzled.

The trio was busy with their discussion when there was a knock on door. The knock was hard and repetitive as if someone wanted to break the door. Pawan got up and walked swiftly to open the door.

At the door were standing four young men dressed in white khadi kurta pajama and looked as if they belonged to some political party. With them was a lawyer in his traditional black coat and pant and a file tucked beneath his arm.

“Whom do you want to meet?” asked Pawan sternly.

“Mr Pratap Tiwari has sent you a legal notice to vacate this house in next thirty days,” spoke the lawyer.

“Oh, so
Mamaji
has sent legal notice now!” exclaimed Pawan. “What if I don’t vacate?” he asked.

The two young men rolled up their sleeves and came forward to threaten Pawan. “Then we will throw you out,” they shouted.

Pawan was about to retaliate when the lawyer signaled them to move back. “You will have to come to the court and answer,” replied the lawyer.

“I’ll see who throws me out from my house. As for the legal part, my lawyer will see you in court,” answered Pawan.

Sanjeev and Ravi were startled at the incident. They came to support Pawan but discovered that the group was leaving. Sanjeev could see a white Mahindra Scorpio SUV parked with two orange triangular flags mounted on its roof. The vehicle looked as if it was owned by some political party and used for campaigning. On the right side of the windshield, Sanjeev noticed a peculiar symbol. It was a yellow colored sticker, which had a weapon drawn on it. The weapon was white in color, and resembled a rib cage. Its handle was covered with a silver jacket which had antique carving.

Just then Sanjeev saw the group moving towards the car ready to depart. They hurriedly started the engine and drove off in a rowdy manner.

“The
Vajra
and
Dhuvaje
!” Sanjeev exclaimed.