THE EXHIBITED TRUTH

On a bright Sunday morning, my father took me to an ethnic exhibition at Bandra. Being well-acquainted with my taste, he was sure that I would enjoy it. We reached there and I was pleased to take a view of the brilliantly organized exhibitions set there and experienced the power of our Indian culture. There were stalls displaying beautiful bronze deities, intricately carved wooden statues, authentic dress materials of a particular state, and wonderfully designed Sarees and ornaments. But one of these stalls pulled me towards it and the centre of attraction was none other than the idol of Lord Jagannath Maharaj with His associates. I love collecting idols related to Shri Krishna and always ask my parents to buy them for me. This time, too, it was the same case. I dragged my father towards the stall where the tiny idols were placed well decorated with bright paint and shinny dresses. As we reached there, a stout man with paan-stained teeth welcomed us. I asked him to show me those small idols. Before even giving me those idols the man started blabbering about his store, “We sell all authentic Orissi goods. You are lucky, girl, you have met Jagannath Maharaj. Take Him, take Him!” His tone sounded so fake and business like. I had a look at the beautiful idol, when he again started,” It’s made of pure neem wood…it won’t decay, buy it!” I looked at my father. My father doesn’t like people who chatter so much in the first go itself. I could see the awkward look on his face but for my sake he asked the shopkeeper, “Beautiful idols! What might be their cost?” The little man, trying to sound religious, opened his big mouth again, “I won’t tell you its cost till you actually decide to buy it. “ He said this by pointing his red eyes into my father’s eyes. I could see the discomfort overflowing from my father’s body. I pulled him away from the stall and did not even ask him to get the idols. We never went back to the store. This time I wasn’t the usual me throwing tantrums. Nor did I find myself upset because I hadn’t got my way. Surely the idols were pretty, but prettier was the lesson that they had taught me. I always searched for God in idols and always thought that, the more idols you buy, the more God will stay with you. That day, I realized that God was always within us. Jagannath Maharaj is always within me. Devotees may say that I missed an opportunity to welcome the Master of the universe in my house but, I say that we always- everyday, every minute, every moment have the opportunity to realize God and welcome Him in our lives. It’s just for us to realize.
















Jagannath Maharaj (Extreme right), along with His
brother, Balarama ji (extreme left) and sister,
Subhadra Devi (centre).