Oliver Benjamin
I attributed the power of his speaking to the nature of his being—he
spoke as he lived.
“So why did I tell you this story?” Haridas went on to say,
“Because when you leave this little place here in the mountains, when
you return to the modern world, you may forget what you have
experienced here. If you just remember to be honest in everything
you do in the world, you will no longer be separate from it. Otherwise
life is like a bad movie, without soundtrack. Don’t be an actor—be the
action. Do not forget this story.”
“How could I forget?”
“You already forgot once. When you stopped being a child. We
all forget sometimes, and it isn’t until we are desperate that we come
back again. Remember the story.”
“I will. So what was the name of Tansen’s master anyway?”
Haridas looked a little surprised, but he soon smiled and
responded: “Why, his name was Haridas.”
“Ah. Is that why you like that story so much?”
“No, it is because I like the story so much that I adopted the
name. My real name is not Haridas.”
“So what’s your real name?”
“If you promise that you won’t tell anyone my real name ever, I
will tell you.”
I raised my hand and said, “I promise.”
“My name is Krishnaswami Chandradevi.”
I laughed and said, “Don’t worry, I don’t think I could remember
that name if I…” My eyes widened.
“Vikash?” I blurted.
He put his hand to his forehead and sighed. There was grave
concern on his face. “Oh, no. Did they send you here?” he asked.
“No! They didn’t,” I said. “I was on the Omniraja ashram for a
month and didn’t like it, so I left to go on this trek. Our meeting, as it
would seem, is pure chance.”
“What did they tell you about me?” Haridas inquired.
“Not much, really. You’re a taboo topic around there. I did hear
something about you opposing the Omniraja and him throwing you
off the ashram.”
“Yes, I wish it were so simple,” the old man said solemnly.
“Years ago, the Omniraja was a great and brilliant man who
understood much and gave everything he had so that others would
learn what he had to teach. But as it is said, and as he has perhaps
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