'Atithi Devo Bhava'

The memory of that day is still fresh in my mind. I had gone to Srifort Auditorium to watch a show for which I had an invite pass. After the show around 8.30 pm, as I drove out and reached the intersection I took a left turn.

My car had yet not geared into speed. In a flash of a glimpse saw a middle- aged phirang (foreigner, from where I don’t know) standing on the footpath crying away tears. I had just passed by. An image registered in my brain and my feet applied brake.

“Why are you crying? Where do you have to go?” I asked with concern.

“Par..ya..wara..n  vi..har”was all she could utter in her anglisized tone.

I tried to stop a few autos but they buzzed by. Finally an autowala stopped.

I rushed to him and said, "Bhaiya yeh aurat videshi hai.Apne desh ki izzat hai isme, agar ek anjan ki maddat karen.Please inko jahan kehtai hain le jao.Kya mein tum par bharosa kar sakti hoon."

The man (god bless him) immediately said, "Don’t worry madam. Take my auto no. I’ll drop her."

The lady sat in the auto. The smile on her lips and gratitude in her moistened eyes said it all.

 They are still fresh in my mind.

Sitting back in the car I blurted out, "Atithi Devo Bhava."

I think I did my bit. With immense joy I drove back home feeling that I created one ‘good karma’ for myself.

Smile: An impact

 Just a few days ago, I went for a routine morning walk in Deer Park. People kept coming and going. They were all strangers, obviously didn't expect any greeting from anybody nor did I extend any. Enjoying the morning breeze, and the greenery around, I kept walking. Just then an Englishman, coming from the opposite side, wished me 'good morning' with slight nod, gentle smile and passed by.
'Goodmorning ', I returned his greetings.
Almost instantly I was transported in my thoughts to Minneapolis, a short vacation which I undertook in the month of June, last year. Everyday, I would go for a walk in a nearby creek. It was a pleasant surprise for me that every passerby would wish me with a nod, gentle smile and walk pass by. I would greet them in return. The impact was tremendous. I felt joy in my heart. A gentle smile ignited happiness and rejuvenated my whole being. That was the power of greeting with a smile. I liked their culture of greeting with a smile.
The same happiness I felt today .Encouraged I moved forward with a resolve, ‘Let me try the smile magic' and looked around hopefully. I started focusing on people. Smile! Oh it was a far cry. I found mostly people (those who walked alone), busy with their mobiles glued to their ears, or walking with a frown .The stress mostly writ large on their faces, deflated my whole focus and the smile evaporated within. I finished walking and sat in my car to go back, a wish lingering in my heart.
I wished everyone greet each other with a smile.. strangers too. I wish they could spread happiness and joy in each others heart...All that is needed is a gentle smile.. the impact--Tremendous!!