Wanderers in Eternity – Chapter 1 (Page 8)
March 4th, 2006“Oh, Janaki, father is no more.”
Everything that mother jabbered was lost in her tears.
Mother gave the bundle in her hand to Janaki. She hugged that parcel which carried all the smells of the shed. Thangamani who picked up Ranga held onto Janaki with her free hand and walked towards the village meeting hall.
They eventually came to a stop under the shade of the Bodhi tree in the temple ground. Since it was noon time no one was around. From above came only the cawing of the crows. Sitting in front of the Bodhi tree, Thangamani covered her face with both hands. Ranga started to draw lines on the sandy earth.
Janaki undid the bundle in her hands. Inside were two rotis among some clothes. Unable to tolerate her hunger, Janaki broke off bits of the roti and nibbled on it. Thangamani cried continuously while covering her head with the sash of the sari and her face with both hands. Janaki fed some roti to her younger brother.
Though she was hungry enough to eat the second roti, she left it alone, thinking of her parents. Then she went in search of a water tap. She quelled the rest of her hunger by drinking cold water from the faucet which was covered with a white gauze. There were no signs of mother getting up in a hurry from her place on the sandy ground. Taking off her shoes and hiding them in the bundle, Janaki ambled towards the main building of the temple. A myriad of floral and incense smells from within were enticing her to enter the sanctuary. She succumbed to this invitation and climbed the steps leading to the interior. The soles of her feet felt the coolness of the shiny tiles on the temple floor.
The gigantic Buddha statue in the inner sanctum was visible in red and yellow through the flimsy curtains. In front of this on the altar were many fading flowers. Looking up, Janaki felt that the roof was far far away. Gods and goddesses were standing amidst clouds holding garlands in their hands. Some gods appeared as if they were actually floating in heaven. If they were connected to any wall this was only from the sash of a robe they were wearing.
Janaki left this place and through another door entered the outer hall. On either side of this area were statues depicting various incidences from Buddha’s life. The birth of Siddartha, the great renunciation, the crossing of the Neranjana river atop the horse Kanthaka, the years of great suffering, the seven weeks after attaining enlightenment, the offering of milk rice by Sujatha…
From here Janaki went through yet another door and entered another dark hall. More statues glistened in the semi darkness. Though she felt a trepidation she continued on.
The statues at the farthest end were darker. Above was Lord Buddha sitting on a jewelled chair. Below were the Yakshas and the Nagas. They were getting ready to fight with each other and were carrying sticks, swords and lances. Janaki was scared on seeing the frowning red eyes and the matted curly hair of the dark bodied Rakshas. They were truly horrible. Carrying weapons they appeared real. Janaki stood frozen for a few seconds. Her lips and her mouth were parched. The staring eyes were ready to jump at her. Crying out loud, Janaki ran out of the building.