Misplaced Sermon

Over the past few months, we have stuck to a daily ritual, post-exercise, while wrapping up the morning’s proceedings: Santosh Tyagi and Kishor Babani would narrate some jokes by turn and amidst a chorus of impulsive laughter, we would disperse for the day. If one of the narrators were to be absent, the other would make up by recounting a few extra jokes. The idea, quite clearly, is to keep everybody in good cheer for the rest of the day.
Today, for once, neither Santosh-ji nor Kishor-bhai showed up. In their place, a strange looking, self-styled godman (right) appeared out of nowhere and subjected us to a dreadful sermon on how we should be leading our lives. Quoting profusely from the Gita (who is to say?) in Sanskrit, he spoke about self-righteousness, dharma and the many ways to extend life on earth before we meet our Creator.
Now, who is interested in all this – especially when we are conditioned to listening to jokes at that morning hour? Yet, out of politeness, we were all ears for a while. And then, one by one, people started drifting away. By the end of his sermon, he still had a captive audience comprising Shekhawat, Monthi Serrao, Dilip Babani and Bhaswati Bose among others, listening intently to all the drivel on having lukewarm water instead of healthy food (“Never drink water in a standing position”), abstaining from everything that gives you pleasure, finding happiness and salvation by working harder in life, etc. Dilip-bhai got the message loud and clear: “Banish the housemaid right away and start doing the dishes and washing by yourself!”
By some coincidence, the same subject was discussed earlier in the course of the exercises (but in another context), when Srichand Arora commented that he is no hurry to meet the Creator. “There’s a long queue, a complete traffic jam up there,” he informed. “Who wants to get stuck in the traffic jam? It should not happen that we’d have to return half-way and find ourselves neither here nor there.”
Incidentally, his alter-ego and true likeness (above) is organizing a Sindhu Darshan Yatra to Leh between 23 and 25 June, 2011. He dropped into the Club with a flex banner, seeking the participation of members. Those interested may call (91-22) 26488240 or 26057250 for further details.
Renu Babani says:
I guess today was different, considering everyone present heard a satsang of sorts. Well, am sure it must have been interesting if this gentleman had some members hanging around. Mr Arora's comment about 'traffic jam' up there -- that is funny actually. Just imagine, it's like going to a movie and you are told it is houseful. However, with the movies you can go home but from up there, where do you go? Certainly, that is the reason each one has a certain time, and everything is organised accordingly. However, for now, let's live in harmony and enjoy the day. Who knows what tomorrow holds?
--Renu