05.02.2012 ►Amet ►Farewell And Towards Udaipur

2012 Karuna's Mewar Tour

Coming home meant this Sunday also being nearer to departure. It was a curious atmosphere. Although the usual sounds were heard from the kitchen, there was a vibration different from usual. When someone in the family goes on a trip, those staying back are consoled by the certitude that the traveller will come back after some time. If a family member goes abroad for work it is differently. Nobody knows the future, and therefore the feeling that a familiar situation in life might irretrievably be over is dominating. A visitor who has become dear to his hosts gives at his upcoming departure an idea of a vacuum where there had been life. I had experienced that several times. While remembering my farewell in Amet, globally there is not much difference I think.

Ashok Dak kindly had organized car & driver. When the driver Mr. Mahendra arrived, there was only time to take in a hurry some photos of the family members. The grandmother did not want to be in the picture, but the neighbours’ daughter did. Someone brought my luggage to the car, we waved to each other, and Mr. Mahendra and I vanished around the corner. Quick and easy. Cordial relations had emerged with all members of the family, with grandfather Mohanlal ji, grandmother, their son Ashok, his wife Shamtu, and their daughter Akruti. Akruti’s brother is in Hyderabad for his studies. He could not come to Amet for Maryada Mahotsav. That’s why I missed to meet him.

Language did not matter, Ashok Dak’s mother talked in Mewari to me, I replied in German. Perfect communication. We laughed together about Bollywood series in TV and exchanged informations on number and age of children, own age, and even on cooking, each in her language. With all other family members I communicated in English. With Mohanlal ji and his son Ashok I exchanged views on life in general and on spiritual aspect of life in special. We agreed in values, told about the vows we had taken, and compared their impact on our daily life, as there is strict vegetarianism and the avoidance of Himsa in thoughts, words, and actions. With Shamtu and Akruti Dak I exchanged views on social and personal relations. We came very close to each other. Shamtu originates from Mysore and had lost her mother some years before. When I heard this I told her that I could be her mother from age, which created a new kind of relationship between us. And even the young woman who gave a helping hand had started to reply my morning salutation.

All this has made my stay in Amet an unforgettable happening in my life.

There was another wonderful experience for me during 148th Maryada Mahotsav in Amet. People from different cultural background, even different languages, can harmonise with each other and develop the feeling of togetherness on the base of mutual tolerance and respect, while recognising their merits and virtues. This is what I have understood and at the same time experienced as realisation of Jain lifestyle. To practice and to spread it is a lesson the Jain way of life can offer to the world.

These were my thoughts when Mr. Mahendra suddenly directed the car to the entrance of a marble company. I suppose Ashok Dak had told him how much I was interested in marble, and how much impressed by its impact on the whole region. So Mr. Mahendra made me visit the company he was working for. They mainly were processing the pure white marble called Dhartandhari. Now I understood that there was no Mr. Dhartandhari owning so many marble companies, but many companies in the region proudly announcing their specialty.

After some time we continued our journey to Udaipur. Mr. Mahendra stopped at the most beautiful sites, and I was happy for the opportunity to take photos. We reached Udaipur at lunch time. Mr. Mahendra knew the way to the hotel, where I felt very well accommodated. Again a recommendation of my friends in Amet. Mr. Mahendra went back to Amet, and for some time I followed him with my mind on his way back. I was interrupted in this by a phone call from Akruti, took lunch and rest, and then had a little walk in the nearby beautiful park.