Yesterday afternoon I attended a Death commemoration ceremony of an eminent personality from our society. The agenda was formal, like lighting the lamp, a few speeches, and lunch to close. The function started in time. I was present right from the ‘Mike testing’ time. It was a big hall. Only Sixty percent of the chairs were occupied and the attendants were scattered. I sincerely paid attention to the proceedings.  While the meeting was in progress small groups here and there were engaged in their discussions, not paying much attention to the proceedings on the dais. Occasionally they were clapping to identify themselves with the ceremony.  I was all by myself without any company.

As I was seated in a row, I found a group of people continuously engaged in conversations. It was one person dominating in explaining and others giving their attentive ears to him. They literally ignored the proceedings on the dais. After garlanding the portrait of the late person, the formal introductions were in progress.  So, I could hear them for some time by partly paying attention to them.

The main character, who was talking continuously, said, that he read most of the books of the popular religious saints. He also said that he tried all meditation methods. He said that he was leading an ascetic life after retirement. He quoted Sankaracharya, Vivekanada, etc. He also said after a visit to Aruna Chalam, he was transformed completely. For the last couple of years, he was staying at Ashram, for most of the time. He also said that after reading many books in Ramana Ashram, he felt that he would write his version of the teachings of Ramana Maharshi so that every common soul would understand and get the blessings of Ramana Maharshi. He added finally, that he also wrote some books on Bhakti and devotion. (How can there be any other commoner than himself.)

He pulled a bundle of books from his bag and gave a book to each person in the group. He mentioned the price of the books and also said that the amount could be paid by any mode. The transactions happened. I heard the last few sentences clearly “Tell your friends, I can give as many copies as required. If they buy ten copies at one time, we can give a twenty percent discount.” He also said that he would give to libraries with a fifty percent concession. I felt uneasy to note that he found this place and occasion for his marketing. His understanding of spirituality and eternal happiness finally transcended to books and bhakti promotion. The spiritual enterprise made them to be oblivious to their surroundings. The people around participated in this discussion and ignored the main event and its purpose.

There was a huge sound of claps and laughter from the podium. I thought it was time for me to completely focus on the dais. For my crooked mind again I found the speeches to be shallow, peripheral, and without any point. Mostly I found them very funny as they never matched the spirit of the event. I was disappointed more when I heard people next to me nodding their heads in appreciation with frequent applause for every speaker.

Let me reproduce briefly their speeches as accurately as I can.  

 One gentleman speaker:

 “Good afternoon, dear friends, we assembled here to pay homage to Sri …. Garu, a great person. He deserved to be revered and remembered for a long time. Each of us got a lot of help and inspiration from his life. I know him very closely. I also would have become a doctor like him and would have become rich as Sir. But my grandmother did not want me to touch dead bodies. I obliged her wishes. I chose agriculture as my profession as I felt I would a lot of good service to the country and people through farming. I invested all my earnings and life to buy a hundred acres of land and started farming. My paddy fields are next to the fields of Sri ….. garu. He was a visionary, I used to take his advice about crops and he was always correct and we all got a lot of benefits. I served as chairman of our cooperative society for four terms, and it was his courtesy. I used to sanction loans whenever he recommended without hesitation.” 

“Sri …. Garu, was a great philosopher. I read all the Upanishads and researched our Vedanta's intricate concepts. Many people come to me for clarifications for their doubts. I can recite the complete Bhagavadgeeta by heart. When I was in school I got many prizes for my Bhagavadgeeta reading. And later after farming, now I bother less for the yield and earnings. I do farming as a duty. I observe Karma, the spirit of Geeta. Our farming society fights for purchase terms with the Government, but I do it as a duty.  I worship Tirupati Balaji and I have absolute faith in him.  Sri … Garu and my family made a pilgrimage to Tirupati, two years back. We enjoyed. He was a great person. "

“Last year I suffered a heart attack and I had a stent for my heart. And  I stopped long tours. I have visited almost all important temples around the country. All of us owe a lot to this great man, Sri… Garu. I pray to God to give him a good place in heaven. Thank you all.”

All the people cheered and felt happy (That he concluded so early).

 Another speaker:

“Good afternoon to all of you. Almighty is great that he sometimes sends great people onto earth to guide us in life. Sri….. Garu was, one such great man. He was an intelligent businessman. He gave business tips to many people. I was one of the beneficiaries of such advice. Sir was my guide forever. I was born very poor. I did my engineering with the help and assistance of many relations. He advised me to think differently than looking for conventional employment like many others. That advice made all the difference. I went to colleges and sold engineering study tools and materials. After some time I started selling medical student material. I started training the students for examinations. That gave me the idea to start student training centers. That progressed so well that today I have a chain of training schools all over the city. Remember I never wanted education to be business.  I feel this is a service to education seekers. I give fee concessions to eligible students. I announce to all the people here that they should please collect special coupons available at the gate. I promise to give special attention and of course concession to the students with the coupons. However big I am today, it is because of Sri…Garu. May god bless him with the peace and I am sure he will not have rebirth. I thank the organizers for giving me this opportunity.  

Again there was a lot of cheers and applause from participants. The organizer concluded by saying that all the speakers gave great information about the departed person. It was my turn to wonder and feel amazed. In these three hours time, people used the occasion for exposition, marketing, etc.  The gathering broke for lunch. I on my part bid a nonchalant goodbye to the organizers.   Finally, I came out with a feeling of more fun and less in the spirit of homage.