- The Banyan Tree Has Fallen
People often say, “Even
if you can find gold, you cannot find a Wednesday.” Our ancestors probably said this meaning that it is a sacred time filled with spirituality and wisdom, holding a value far greater than gold or material wealth.
However, the dawn of that Wednesday—the second day of July 2026—did not break as such a golden moment for me. Instead, it dawned with a tragic piece of news that struck like a thunderbolt to my heart.
It was the news that a massive banyan tree, which had been a great light of Vaishnavism and had quenched the spiritual thirst of thousands, had fallen.
What greater shock could there be in my life than that dawn, which marked the end of an era?
In truth, this news of his passing was not entirely unexpected. Having closely observed his frail health, my inner voice had been constantly warning me.
My mind had been softly whispering that it would be rare for him to survive and return this time. Though death is a universal law of nature, knowing in advance that time is going to pull our loved ones away is a unique kind of torment.
After informing the prominent local devotees who knew him well, I set off for Chidambaram. Here I am, arrived at the sacred residence called ‘Venkatariya Gurukulam’, located opposite the police station and the vegetable market on West Car Street.
Inside, in the central courtyard, they had laid the body of that 92-year-old great soul on the floor.
By nature, I am easily moved by emotions. I can speak for hours about the impermanence of life. But having been born with simple human affections, facing the reality only brought uncontrollable grief.
Unwittingly, I broke down and wept for some time.
Amidst my weeping, I observed his holy face closely.
Surprisingly, a supreme peace and serenity resided on that face. In fact, it appeared to me as though a sense of relief and happiness—of being completely liberated from all the sufferings, the needle pricks, and the potency of medicines that his aged body had endured during the past month of medical treatments—was radiating from that holy face.
The face of that great soul silently made me realize that death is not the end of life, but the liberation of the soul.(contd.,) copy right (c) S,Gokulachari
