All World
Gayatri Pariwar

Today we reached Bhojwasa camp. Tomorrow morning 

we have to set out for Gomukh. Here there is no traffic. 

One comes across pilgrims / travelers between Gangotri and Uttarkashi. In camps also there are crowds; but not so here. Today we are a group of only six persons. Everybody has brought with him his own tiffin. Though it is called Bhojwasa (catering establishment) and also has an inn; but there are no board and lodging facilities, as are available at the lower camps. 

On looking upwards the mountaintop in front, it seemed as if Himagiri (mountain peak) was performing worship of Lord Shankar by pouring water over it by its own hands. The scene was celestial. From a great height, a thin stream was falling down. Down below, there was a nature-made Shivlinga. The water was falling over it. While falling, the water was getting scattered into tiny drops and the sunrays falling on them were creating an enchanting rainbow. One concretely felt that Shiva was present in reality and the gods were showering on Him flowers of all colours from the Milky Way. The scene was so captivating and engrossing, that the mind and the eyes got glued to it. I kept on looking at it until darkness pulled the curtain over it. 

Beauty is the thirst of Soul. But how can it be found in the mud of artificiality? People decorate their homes with pictures of these forests and mountains and feign to enjoy their beauty. But none cares to look at the immense beauty spread all over in nature’s lap. The Himalayas are called the ocean of beauty. Walking in these remote regions creates heavenly vibrations in the soul, and one longs to get lost in this boundless beauty. 

Today’s scene was really nature’s wonder at its best; but in my imagination I was getting a glimpse of the celestial pleasure as if I was seeing Lord Shiva right before me in reality. I was inwardly feeling immense joy. If only I were able to describe even a part of this joy for the benefit of those who are not here, and let them get the feel of this celestial joy by reading these lines. 

The Milestone

The same difficulty as was faced during the journey from Uttarkashi in the beginning was faced again today. The widening and repairing work of the road up to Bhatwadi camp was going on. So the milestones were not there. The road was steep and hence the journey along it on foot was very exhausting. The way all along was surrounded with the beauty of the forest. Yet the delight and excitement it generated in the beginning was diminishing due to constantly seeing it all the twenty- four hours of the day. The lonesome journey through the unpeopled region was also getting more and more monotonous. Anyone who is used to the life of hustle and bustle in the midst of people feels it difficult to bear the pressure of solitude. When this loneliness and hard physical strain tire the mind and the body, the only desire is to know how much distance has been covered and how much yet remains to be covered. And it was not possible to know in the absence of the milestones.

After walking some distance, it was usually enquired from the travelers coming from the other direction as to how far away the next camp was. The distance to be walked was thus estimated on the basis of that information. Some travelers happened to be unresponsive and would disregard the question and would not answer. Some did not know the distance, some would tell the approximate distance; but their approximation differed by many miles. So there was no certainty about the correctness of the information given. It was thus a hopeless situation for a lone traveler. When traveling in a group of five or six people, joyfully walking, talking and laughing, the journey passes off without feeling any strain but the difficult journey all alone is very exacting. In such a situation the absence of milestones was acutely felt during the journey from Bhatwadi to Gangotri. In the absence of the milestones the walls of the mountain was whitewashed at places, and thereon the distances were indicated in red figures like 25/6 and so on. It meant that the spot was 25 miles and 6 furlongs away from Dharasu. From the mileages of camps mentioned on the maps, the distance to the next camp could be assessed. In this loneliness this information on the walls was very helpful. The entire journey was completed in this manner. Each furlong covered gave the solace that this much distance has been covered and this much remained to be covered. 

Again, on the way from Gangotri to Gomukh, there were no milestones or furlong stones and the difficulty experienced on the way from Uttarkashi to Gangotri was repeated. This journey of 18 miles from Gomukh to Gangotri was performed with great difficulty. The path too was very hazardous. And to top it all was the absence of the milestones that were the travelers’ guide! While writing these lines, I feel the distress all the more. 

How insignificant is a milestone! Its cost, qualification, ability, education, intelligence etc., are all ridiculous. But it stands erect at a fixed spot with a fixed duty. It never thinks of moving from the spot. It knows only one thing i.e. the distance from Dharasu to this spot is so much. With this much knowledge it has set out to serve. How useful its firm faith proves to be. Innumerable travelers like me get guidance from it and get relief from worrying about the distance between the places. 

When a small piece of stone can serve to guide, when a small earthen lamp of little value can offer light in darkness and help save from mishaps and dangers, should service-minded human beings remain idle only because of their ability, education, intelligence etc., being little and limited? Everybody has some drawbacks or shortcomings, but each one of us can serve at least those among us who are less educated, less intelligent and less fortunate. Instead of indulging in useless talk that such and such thing could be done if such and such potentiality and ability were there, would it not be better to do whatever we can with whatever we are capable of to help and guide others to better themselves? The milestone knows only the distance between Dharasu and Gangotri and nothing else. Yet its service is not of any less importance. The inconvenience and hardship caused by its absence during the journey from Uttarkashi to Bhatwadi is pestering me even in the midst of the happy imagination of the joy. I am going to have the Darshan (a view of the holy sight) of Gomukh tomorrow. 

Most of us are capable of serving humanity better than the milestone. But the opportunity to prove our utility will come only when we firmly come forward with self- confidence and dedication, with whatever ability we possess. 

Own and Alien

Constant walking has caused blisters on the feet. Today when I looked at the feet, there were in all ten blisters of varying sizes. I had worn canvas shoes hoping that they would be convenient to walk on the hard terrain, but they too caused two injuries. The small injuries and blisters were whitish and the larger ones filled with water inside were of yellow colour. The walking became painful. It looked as though the legs were expressing their helplessness in walking. 

The destination is far ahead. In any case I have to reach at the appointed place by Gurupoornima day, the full moon day of the Hindu calendar month of Ashadh. What to do when the legs are not in a fit condition? Somehow I walked limping yesterday, but today I feel it difficult. Some of the blisters have ruptured and are becoming septic. If it gets worse, walking would become extremely difficult, and if I could not walk, I would not be able to reach the destination in time. It worried me the whole day. 

To walk barefoot is also difficult. The entire way is littered with sharp stone chips that pierce like thorns into the feet and cause immense pain. A solution was devised. Half of the ‘Dhoti’ was torn out and divided into two pieces. Each foot was bandaged with it. The shoes were put in the bag. It worked. Slowly I started walking. 

On one side there were my own feet that began to express their inability at my hour of need, and on the other side was this bamboo staff (lathi) which, God knows where it was born and how and when it came to me, is helping me like a brother. Like the old and sick people, when they feel tired, are carried by their near and dear ones on their shoulders, this lathi, is lending me support like one’s own relatives and friends. 

The way beyond Gangnani camp was very slippery due to rains. The path alongside Ganga was narrow and the high mountain wall stood beside it. On this perilous path, this lathi alone helped to get over the difficulty. Had this one too given way like the shoes, God alone knows if I would have been here to write these lines today. 

The shoes that were bought with high hopes have caused injuries. The legs that were relied upon also expressed inability in this critical time. But this worth-less lathi proved to be so helpful that I feel indebted to it to no end. I feel like going on singing its praises. 

Expectations from those that were one’s own failed. It annoyed me much. But at the next moment the thought of the faithfulness of this unknown alien lathi, came to mind. It gladdened me. Instead of worrying over and cursing those that created trouble, why not remember the one that has graciously helped me reach here. Why think in terms of own and aliens? In this creation of God all are our own and all are aliens, too. 

So Satisfied with so Little

Today all along the way I have been carefully observing and pondering over the hazardous life of the hilly people. Wherever small soil patches measuring a few square feet are found in the hills, they are made use of for cultivation. Tilling the land using bullocks is out of question here. So the job is done by pickaxes. When the crop matures it is cut and carried to their residences up above the hills, where thrashing is carried out. Where there are no streams, water from the valleys down below is carried on heads or backs to the mountain above. Mostly women do all this backbreaking work including the collection and carrying of firewood from the jungle higher above. 

These people have to climb up and down many times more than we do on our journey that tires us. They have no means of entertainment either. They were clad in handspun woolen or cotton clothes, mostly torn or patched. Yet they were happy. While working in the fields they were singing in chorus. Being not acquainted with their language, the meaning of the songs could not be understood but the joy and enthusiasm coming out of them was easily comprehensible. 

In comparison to the people here, those living in the plains are many times better off in wealth, education, food, shelter, clothing and conveniences of all sorts. Comparatively they have to toil much less. Yet they are unhappy and dissatisfied. They always go on lamenting their lot. In contrast, these people exude peace, happiness and satisfaction by living on whatever comes to their lot, after putting in exacting hard work. Why this difference? 

It appears that dissatisfaction is a tendency, which is not due to lack of materials but on account of greed. Greed cannot be satisfied with materials. It is a bottomless abyss. Had it not been so why should those living on the plains with much more comforts than the hilly people with so little, be unhappy and dissatisfied? Why should the latter, with so little, enjoy a peaceful and joyous life? 

Having more means is not bad. They are also necessary. But what is desirable is to be satisfied with what one gets and not to indulge in acquiring more than is required for leading a decently simple life. And why remain unhappy and dissatisfied by disregarding the available gifts of God? 

The path of modernity that we have adopted for seeking the mirage of happiness by spending more and more and still remaining dissatisfied is not correct. It is amply illustrated by these hilly people, though they are unable to deliver lectures on it or write thesis on this subject. 

The Roaring ‘Bhairon’ Valley

Today I crossed the Bhairon valley. The traders’ route to Tibet via Tailang valley passes by this way. Merchants from Harshill use this route to take timber for sale in Tibet, from where they purchase woolen articles to sell here. Since the ascent is very steep, one gets tired very soon and starts panting, which makes it necessary to take rest at frequent intervals. 

I was resting, leaning against a mountain rock. Down below Ganga was roaring, the like of which was heard nowhere else along the way. Particles of water were seen rising high upto about 30 to 40 feet. I became curious to know why Ganga is roaring so loud, why is she so energy-filled and violently speedy here? I began to look below, around and far and wide. 

It was noticed that here Ganga is passing through a narrow course between two closely standing hills. The width might hardly be 10 to 15 feet. So it is natural for the water to develop so much velocity. Along the course there were also blocks of rock against which the water was forcefully striking, resulting in the roaring sound. The water, when broken, used to rise like pieces of brick. The scene of the speeding Ganga here is awe-inspiring. 

At places like Soron, where Ganga is miles wide, the velocity is very low. It has neither fury nor hurry. But here the velocity is intense because it has to pass through this narrow gorge between the mountains. Man remains unhappy because of his activities getting scattered in numerous fields. So he cannot create anything worthwhile. But when a man restricts his fields of activity and concentrates his energy thereon, astonishing results are found to be achieved. Is it not what Ganga proves here? Should we not emulate Ganga’s example so as to achieve something worthwhile by focused use of our energy, rather than frittering it away on inconsequential matters? 

The blocks of rock lying in the course of the stream compel the water to face the struggle by striking against them. The roaring and thundering were due to this struggle. The water particles were rising above like balloons of cotton. The action made me think that man’s potential, too, would remain untapped and unrealized if life is spent in indolence, petty pleasures and merriments, without any purposeful struggle. If man could focus his determination, capabilities, endurance, patience, and perseverance, his fame too would echo far and wide, like the roaring of Ganga here. The particles of the special qualities of his personality would be seen rising high like the shining water particles of the Ganga. Ganga is unafraid, passes through the little narrow available path; she does not get frightened by the hurdles on the way. On the contrary she strikes against them and makes her way. Alas! If only our inner self were charged with such profound energy and enthusiasm, we too would have the opportunity to refine our personality. 

Straight and Crooked Trees

Today I passed through a dense forest of Pine and Cedar trees. Seeing these thick, strong, tall and straight trees I felt very happy. They were so straight that they appeared like poles kept erect on the mountain slope. There were also thin, bent and crooked trees of Tewar, Dadra, Pinkhu and the like, which had sprouted branches in all directions. Excepting a few, all the rest were used as firewood. The contractors felled them to prepare coal as well. These trees occupy a lot of space, but they are of ordinary use only. The pine and cedar trees are used for building and furniture works, but the bent and crooked variety of trees are not useful for such works. So they are not considered to be of much worth and are cheap in price. 

It is observed by me that the trees, which are tall and straight, have not sprouted their branches all around. They have grown straight to the top without caring to turn this way and that. The underlying principle is that when energy is focused, one naturally rises high. The pine and cedar trees have adopted this very principle and they are proclaiming the success of this principle, holding their heads high. Contrary to this, the bent and crooked trees that had no firmness or consistency spread their branches in all directions, as if dissipating their energy in enjoying the tastes of all sides, chasing instant self-gratification and success. In this endeavour the trees spread small branches in all directions, with bodies giving appearance of bigness (false pride?).

Time passes. The roots find it hard to procure enough water and manure to feed all the branches. As a result, the growth is hampered and the twigs become thin and weak. The trunk of the tree also grows weak, and cannot gain much height. When dispersed in all directions, how can it remain strong? Unlike these Dadra and Pinkhu trees, wise people do not dissipate their energies and force it towards achieving worthwhile high aims like the Pine and Cedar trees.

Leafy Vegetables

Vegetables are not much in vogue in these remote regions. Other than potatoes no vegetable is available. Potatoes are costlier too because these have to be brought from far away places and transportation is also very difficult. The shopkeepers at the camps sell them at the rate of one rupee per seer (about one kg.). Though there are small cultivable patches here and there by the side of small streams, there is no practice of growing vegetables. I am bored of eating potatoes daily. On enquiry from the shopkeepers and the local inhabitants they told me that the leaves of three kinds of trees in the forest could be used as vegetables. They are (1) Morcha (2) Lingda and (3) Kola.

One of the natives was given some money and was asked to bring the leaves of one of these varieties. The tree was there right behind the camp and the man brought a good quantity of leaves of Morcha within no time. I learnt the mode of preparation from him. When prepared, it tasted nice. The next day Lingda leaves and the day after Kola leaves were obtained and cooked. They too were tasty. Each of the three varieties of these leafy vegetables was tastier than the other. The deficiency of green vegetables for over a month was made good by these tasty leaves and I felt very satisfied. 

On the way as well as in camps, I used to talk to the natives and asked why they were not using these green leafy vegetables that were abundantly available there. I explained to them that leafy vegetables are very good for health. But none of them took my advice nor considered these leaves to be tasty and beneficial. Finding their disinterest, the topic was dropped. 

In my view all those three leafy vegetables were nutritive and hence I found them as important diet supplements, apart from being tasty. The natives here neither knew their dietary utility nor considered them of much use and hence could not make use of them despite their being abundantly available there. Unless the utility of a thing, idea or a virtue is understood, man is neither attracted towards them, nor can make any use of them. So, more than a thing being important, the greater role lies in knowing its use and getting convinced of it. 

All around us there are many things and ways of living whose knowledge and adoption in life would benefit us greatly. Celibacy, physical exercise, getting up from bed before sunrise, prayer in the morning, noon and evening, proper utilization of time, nourishing and pure food, regularity in daily routine, non-indulgence in bad habits, sweet talk, good behaviour etc. are some of the many useful practices, which are not only highly beneficial but also easy to adopt. Yet most of us disregard them as useless and remain deprived of the benefits attainable by their adoption. 

These hilly natives were unaware of the nutritional benefits of these leafy vegetables abundantly available around them and hence were unable to take advantage of them. But they are not to be blamed. How many means of self- betterment are available around us? How many of us adopt them and take the benefits? 

Reached Upto the Clouds

Today it has been raining since morning. Normally, clouds were seen daily passing over the mountaintops, but today they have come down much low. The valley that was being crossed today was over 10,000 ft. above sea level. The sight of clouds menacingly approaching us was very entertaining to watch and very exciting too. The clouds appearing like mountains of carded cotton were flying fearlessly across us. A sort of white darkness made of thick fog surrounded us and dampened our clothes. Had it rained then, we could have seen for ourselves how the clouds were melting and forming raindrops. 

When we used to see clouds in our village, they were seen very much high up. My grandmother used to tell us that gods lived over there where the clouds were seen. According to her, clouds are the vehicles of gods and by riding on them they roam about wherever they want and also send down rains wherever they pleased. In childhood I used to wish how nice it would be if I could have the privilege of riding on the clouds and go roaming about at will. In those days I imagined the clouds to be very costly - many times costlier than aeroplanes.  For riding on an aeroplane, one should purchase it, arrange for petrol and oil and learn to fly it, all of which were very difficult. But for clouds! Nothing to bother, sit over them and get going, that’s all. 

Today I did not ride on the clouds like I imagined in childhood. But seeing them flying and moving with us thrilled me. We had climbed to such a height where clouds touched our feet. It made me think that the difficult targets that seem to be too high and unattainable could be reached in this manner. The endeavour to climb over the mountain made us reach up to the clouds. The magnitude of a great noble ideal is also of Himalayan height. If we go on climbing, without giving up, we can rise much above the common people who are engrossed in mundane needs of food and sex. Take this example of ours in reaching over 10 thousand feet height, due to our strong will to go on climbing. 

Clouds are difficult to touch. But on top of a mountain they are very close. A high sense of devotion to duty can take us as high as the clouds. The intense aspiration to rise high carries us to the height of clouds and makes them come to us. Thoughts like these were swelling up in my mind while touching the clouds. But what can thoughts alone do? If they cannot be put into practice they would die out like a ripple in the water. 

Apple of the Forest

In today’s journey I had many co-pilgrims. Among them there were a few women, too. Along the way there were Binni trees laden with ripening and attractive fruits. The ladies began to debate amongst themselves as to which kind of fruits they were. Someone from amongst them said that these were forest apples. It was therefore concluded that those were apples of the forest anyway. Fruits were in abundance, and wore a mixed colour of red and yellow, which imparted the impression of their being ripe.

  The group of ladies stood back. A grownup girl climbed up the tree. It seemed that she must have had the practice of climbing up trees in her village. She shook down about 40 to 50 fruits. The ladies standing on the ground picked them up, scrambling. Some smart ones could pick up more than the others. Those who got less started quarrelling with those who got more. While quarrelling, a lady who had got less started accusing that the other woman blocked her way and picked up more. The woman who picked up more retorted that she picked up more because of her agility and her ability to move fast. She reasoned that those who moved fast are bound to be the gainers. If you had been more agile than me you could have outdone me and collected more. 

They decided to eat them at the camp along with the food. The fruits, they opined, were sweet and beautiful and would taste well with the food. Putting the fruits in their apron, they began moving happily, for having collected so many of these costly fruits so easily. Though the quarrelling ceased after sometime, the mutual ill will of collecting less and more continued. They were angrily staring at each other. 

The camp was reached. Everyone sat down. Food was prepared. Fruits too were taken out and served. And lo! Those who hastily put it in the mouth began to spit out. The fruits were bitter. The beautiful fruits, for collecting which they quarreled and laboured a lot, have turned out to be bitter. 

They were greatly disappointed. The native porter standing beside was greatly amused and started laughing. He said, “These are fruits of Binni tree. They are not eatable. The seeds are used for extracting oil.” The ladies felt ashamed for having collected and carried the fruits without knowing the truth about them. 

I too was there and was a witness to the entire episode from beginning to end. The ladies now started laughing over the fruit episode. They got a chance to make fun. It is common that people feel happy on laughing over others’ mistakes and faults. Their mistake was that they assumed the fruits to be sweet and tasty because of their attractive shape and colour. How can everything that appears attractive be sweet? They should have known it. The ignorance caused them to be ashamed of themselves. Moreover, they quarreled for a worthless cause. 

I ponder as to why these ladies alone be laughed at, while nobody laughs at the whole society which is crazy after attractive appearances, like moths dying over the flame. In the world of appearances, god of beauty is worshipped; pomp and show attract everyone; and due to the temptation people madly fall for worthless things. They waste their lives chasing shadows of happiness and fulfillment and in the end repent over the futility of their pursuits, like the ladies who were repenting here due to having collected the bitter fruits of Binni trees mistaking them for forest apples. People who go after appearances would do well to cultivate a deeper vision to be able to realize the inner worth rather than the form. But it is possible only when one is wise enough to discern the pitfalls of attractive appearances and be able to keep away from them. 

None could eat the Binny fruits. They had to be thrown away. Those were not eatable at all. Riches and wealth, beauty and youth, merriment and fun, sex and infatuation, enjoyment and easygoing lifestyle and the like are some of the many vices, which disturb and pollute the mind. But most of the glittering things in the world are such that their acquisition ultimately causes only deep remorse and disgust.

Mules that Walk Carefully

In mountainous regions, sheep and mules are used as beasts of burden. They are the only means available for transport too. Like we see carts, tangas, rickshaw, etc on our roads of the plains, mostly mules are seen moving safely on the difficult paths of the mountainous regions. 

We walk with great caution on such perilous mountain footpaths, taking proper care to avoid hitting the foot against stones. The mules also walk likewise. Our head is so positioned on the body that we can see where we are putting our next step and can thus avoid danger. But it is not so with the mules. With their type of movement of the neck and position of their eyes, they can see ahead, but cannot see where the legs are being placed. Yet every step of the mule is always carefully placed at the right spot. Else the slightest slip would cause it fall down and end up its life like the cow calf we saw yesterday lying dead on the way to Gangotri due to falling from a height of about 80 feet. The poor thing lost its balance due to keeping one of the legs on the wrong spot. Such happenings are rare even in case of mountain cows. But in the case of mules such instances are never heard of. 

The man in-charge of the mules told us that these animals were extremely careful and were wise in treading the way. They walk fast, yet every step is kept carefully. When they apprehend any dangerous spot they suddenly control themselves, take the step back and search out the safe spot with the leg and then go forward. While walking, its attention is concentrated on the balance between the foot and the ground. Had it not been so they would not have been so useful on this difficult terrain. 

The wisdom of mules is commendable. While man repeatedly takes wrong steps without caring a bit and consequently suffers without growing wiser, the mules make no mistake in finding the balance of their feet. If we too learn to carefully put our steps on the uneven and perilous path of life, our conduct would also become commendable like that of the mountain mules. 

Sight of Gomukh (The Origin of Ganga)

Today my long cherished desire of seeing the origin of Mother Ganga got fulfilled. The journey of 18 miles from Gangotri to Gomukh is fraught with far greater difficulties than those faced in the journey upto Gangotri. When the road to Gangotri gets cut off or blocked, the Government officials of the Public Works Department arrange for its quick repair. But this route to Gomukh mostly remains neglected and unrepaired. The mountain roads get damaged every year and if they are not repaired for a year or two the paths become very hazardous. In some places the paths were cut off in such a way that to pass by it was nothing short of gambling with life. A slight slip of step and there ends your life. 

The glacier, from which Ganga originates, is of blue colour. This place of origin of Mother Ganga looks uniquely magnificent by the presence of snow-clad mountain peaks all around. The course of water appears like an ordinary fountain. Though the course is thin its velocity is tremendous. It is said that this course of Ganga comes from Kailash - Shiva’s matted hair. From Kailash to Gomukh Ganga is said to travel underground. The tremendous speed of Ganga at this visible origin is attributed to her having endured the weight of millions of tonnes of glacier for over hundreds of miles. Whatever that be, for imaginative minds, it is milk coming from mother’s breast. A pious urge surges within to drink it and to get immersed in it like it happened with the writer of ‘Ganga Lahari’ (Waves of Ganga) a composition of poems written in praise of Ganga by Shri Jagannath Mishra, who went on reciting his own composition, putting one step ahead with the chanting of each stanza and at the end of the last stanza plunged into Ganga in a fit of heightened emotion and accepted the watery grave (Jal Samadhi). 

I satisfied my urge by taking a sip and a dip in the Ganga. Throughout the way my imagination and emotions were billowing like the waves of the Ganga. Many thoughts appeared and disappeared. At this time I cannot restrain the urge to write down an important thought that has just surfaced in the mind. So here I put it. 

Here at Gomukh, Ganga is only a thin tiny course. On the way hundreds and thousands of fountains, streams and rivers join it. Some of them are many times bigger than the original Ganga at its source. It is only due to all those rivers and streams and fountains joining her that Ganga has become so large and wide as seen at Haridwar, Kanpur, Prayag etc. Big canals are dug to carry water from the Ganga for irrigation. The water from Gomukh will not suffice for even a single canal. If no other stream or river had joined the Ganga its water would have been absorbed by the soil within a few miles of its origin, and it would have vanished, thereby millions of human beings would have lost the opportunity to be nourished by its life-giving waters. Ganga is great, certainly great, for it has bound myriads of streams and rivers in the bond of love. She threw open her arms of magnanimity and embraced them to her heart. Taking no notice of their virtues and faults, she assimilated them all in her fold. How can one whose heart is full of feelings of boundless love, intimacy and oneness be short of water? When the lamp burns, moths also get ready to burn themselves over it. When Ganga has set out on the path of public welfare by spreading life-giving nourishment, why should not the rivers and streams come forward to sacrifice themselves in it. We can see for ourselves that innumerable souls have merged themselves in the large-hearted soul of Gandhi, Buddha, Jesus and the like. 

Ganga’s bed level is the lowest. This has enabled the streams and rivers to fall into it. On the contrary if Ganga had, instead of keeping herself low and humble, held her level high feeling proud of her qualities, other streams, though not much worthy would not have tolerated her conceit and would have turned away from her, feeling rather jealous of her. The magnanimity of the streams is truly great and their sacrifice is also praiseworthy, yet it is the humility of Ganga in presenting herself as humble that has given the opportunity to the streams to make their existence fruitful. Ganga has many other great attributes but this one virtue of humility alone is so great that words fail to admire her. 

The farsightedness of the streams and rivers in renouncing their own ambition of attaining fame, keeping their separate identity and importance is also highly appreciable. They enrich the capacity and greatness of Ganga by losing themselves. They realized the importance of unity and co-operative working. So they deserve unbound appreciation. They did not preach nor discoursed on the strength of unity but showed it practically by their deed. This is called courage of conviction. This unique example of renouncing one’s identity is not only great but instinct with foresightedness too. Had they insisted on perpetuating their separate identity and sought to themselves the credit of their performance, they could surely have had their own name and fame, but that would not have been considered of much value. In that condition, no one would have considered their water to be holy nor worth using for sanctifying body and soul. 

The sacred Gomukh that I saw and bathed in today is only the origin of Mother Ganga. The complete Ganga is formed by the collective effort of thousands of streams and rivers. Gangasagar has welcomed it. The entire world worships it. Only a few like me go in search of Gomukh and reach it. 

I wish that a sacred united angelic and divine force may emerge in human consciousness to eradicate sin and promote universal welfare. If only our leaders and their followers could pick up this example of collaborative working like that of Ganga and her tributaries? 

Darshan (View) of Tapovan

I felt blessed on having had the sacred sight of the origin of goddess Ganga. In appearance, Gomukh is a gap in a huge rock through which a small fountain having the purity of milk is gushing out. Due to the tremendous force of flow the water strikes against the stones lying on its way so hard that the drops of water rise high. The sunrays falling on this spray of water create a rainbow whose beauty is simply to be seen and to be enjoyed.

The soul gets purified by merely remembering the message of redemption and the great culture which mother Ganga, starting from this sacred source, has been spreading throughout the ages. I wish I were able to captivate forever this sight in my eyes.

My destination was still ahead. The area surrounded by Ganga, Vamak, Nandanvan, Bhagirathi peak and Shivlinga Mountain is the heart of the Himalayas. Innumerable unknown souls of very exalted spiritual stature are dwelling here and are engaged in acquiring the necessary power required for the purpose of redeeming this world. It is neither fair nor necessary to discuss it here. It would be rather premature too. Hence I desist from throwing light on this matter.

Here onwards my guide has been directing me along the path. After negotiating miles of hazardous ascents I got the glimpse of Tapovan, an interior region situated beyond Gomukh. The snow-clad mountain peaks were spreading their supernatural beauty all around. There was the sight of Shivlinga Mountain in front looking exactly as if huge serpents are poised with their raised hoods. Those who are endowed with the vision of imagination could see with their naked eyes the sight of Lord Shiva with matted hair. On the right side there is the purple snow mountain of Sumeru. The other radiant bluish mountain peaks are called Brahmapuri. A little behind on the left side is Bhagirath Mountain. It is said that this is the place where Bhagirath performed tap (penance) whereon Ganga was pleased to grant his request to come down to earth.

There is a rock called Bhagirath Shila near Gaurikund in Gangotri which is also said to be associated with the Tap of Bhagirath. Anyway this snow-clad mountain is the real Bhagirath Mountain. Geologists also consider this mountain to be the origin of Ganga. Behind Bhagirath Mountain there is Nilgiri Mountain wherefrom Neel River with bluish water flows. All these colorful mountains of heavenly beauty can be viewed from a high spot. When snow starts melting, the wide expanse of Bhagirath plateau becomes inaccessible. When ice breaks, huge gaps are formed. If anyone ventures to get there, the chances of his coming back are remote. When the melting is over by August-September, it really appears like Nandanvan, the garden of heaven. This is not simply a lovely name of the place, but here the atmosphere is truly heavenly. During that period there sprouts soft grass all over and the whole area is filled with the fragrance of flowers and rare plants. The earth here is decorated with flowers. There is no wonder if gods dwell on such a ravishingly beautiful part of the earth. If Pandavas had come here on their way to heaven there appears to be no exaggeration.

The beauty of Tapovan, which is the heart of the Himalayas, is inexplicable. Reaching here is equally difficult. Hardly anyone may venture to stay here and enjoy the beautiful sight at temperatures much below zero degree Celsius. Badrinath and Kedarnath come within the range of this holy Tapovan. Going along the existing route, the distance from Gomukh to Badrinath is about 250 miles. But if one goes along the route crossing Mana pass the distance from Tapovan to Badrinath is only about 20 miles (32 Km). Likewise Kedarnath is only 12 miles (20 Km) from here. But it is not possible for everyone to tread the snow-clad track. Tapovan is called a paradise. On reaching here I felt that I was really standing on heavenly grounds. All this is due to the showering of grace of that Supreme Power at whose behest this body is merely dancing like a puppet in the hands of the master Puppeteer