Page 71 - GOTIL (ENG) Sample

The Procession: A Reminiscence 293

procession moving so quickly, the palanquin carriers
almost trotting. I waved frantically, afraid I would go
unnoticed, since the procession showed no sign of slowing
down for me. As it neared, I looked over my shoulder
and was relieved to see my mother appearing out of the
house, practically running. Grandmother was behind her,
making slower progress. My mother was carrying the pot
of ravā-kesari, covered by a fresh banana leaf.

“Please! Stop!” I shouted to the pūjārī, “My mother has
brought an offering!”

The procession halted, and the carriers set down the
palanquin. By now my mother had arrived. Handing me
the pot she said, “Give it to the bhaṭṭar.” 87

As I struggled with the weight of the pot, the pūjārī reached
over and took it. “Namaskāram,” he brightly greeted my
mother.

By now my grandmother had joined us. She pulled some
camphor from the corner of her sārī and gave it to the
pūjārī. He placed the pot of ravā-kesari in front of the
Lord and removed the banana leaf. He put the camphor
in a brass holder, lit it, and then offered it to the Lord,
sonorously chanting Vedic hymns, all the time ringing a
bell. The three of us folded our palms and fell before the
Lord to offer our respects.

As the pūjārī returned half of the offering to my mother,
he said, “In this Kali-yuga not many people know how to

87. Bhaṭṭar — synonym for priest.