Delhi Metro Chief E Sreedharan is having a stressful time. He speaks to Daipayan Halder about how he lets off steam
Delhi Metro Chief E Sreedharan is having a stressful time. He speaks to Daipayan Halder about how he lets off steam
It wasn't a very long time ago when everyone was going gaga over Metro man E Sreedharan. Today, they're pelting stones and pointing fingers, but he's as calm and composed as he then was. The secret: a holy high, which he's been experiencing since quite some time now. MiD DAY prods him further.u00a0
When did your spiritual journey begin?
Around five-six years back. Today, I'm getting closer to sacred secrets that not many know of. Earlier, of course, I didn't have any particular hobby, except some football during childhood. But you can't do that in middle age. Cars, TV watching, socialising and clubbing were never my things. It took me a while to know what was.
Who introduced you to the 'other world'?
In 2002, I came across my guru, Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha Ji. I met him accidentally during one of his many lectures in Delhi. I had attended some at the Chinmaya Centre, but this time, it was one on the Bhagwadgeeta at FICCI auditorium. Curiosity drove me, and his discourse left me impressed. From then on, I became a regular. I read all his books and periodicals, and requested for a meeting.
And that, you believe, was your first tryst with God?
It happened late that year, when the meeting with my guru actually took place. Then, I visited his ashram in Trichur. I didn't know he lived at a stone's throw from my native town; it made me feel only closer home. Interestingly, on October 2, the peace-man's birthday, I took my mother Diksha to meet him, along with my wife. We spent the next two days at the ashram, and turned ardent devotees thereafter. I also started reading the Bhagwadgeeta religiously. I had read it during my student days, too, but this time, I was really involved.
What happened next?
I got attached to the Shrimad Bhagwadam, thanks to a sanyasini there. Soon, I was attending the Bhagwad Saptah in the Mayur Vihar temple in Delhi whenever I got the time. Today, I spend half an hour in the morning and 20 minutes in the evening to the Geeta, daily. I have no other commitments: office, work and this.
How was this new pursuit different from your previous ways?
My interest in spirituality changed the way I worshiped. Earlier, I used to offer prayers in our puja room. Today, my prayers take the form of meditation and introspection. They, I've discovered, involve my whole being, and the whole universe. My outlook towards life, too, has seen a radical change. I yearn to be purer, more perceptive, more helpful, as opposed to earlier days, when all I was concerned with was efficiency at work. I think more clearly and I've become more productive. Now, I can anticipate things better, and I know destiny's guiding me right. I am less stressed, too.
What is the most important lesson spirituality has taught you?
Some of the lessons that I've learnt along the way are that I do whatever needs to be done, but in reality, I do not do anything. That's what Yogavasishtha Ramayana says. The other is that whatever I am doing is service to the almighty, and so, it should be done to the best of my ability.
Do you really think spirituality can help practical problems?
If you can imbibe spirituality as a part of your management style, there will be a complete change in the country. That is the only remedy. If the country has to come up fast, it will only be through individual spirituality. Corruption, petty feelings and selfishness will go down automatically. It is only spirituality that's driving me away from my work: it wants to bring down my material pursuits. When I read slokas, I get transported to a different world, where I feel I wish I could throw away my work, and only continue with Shrimadbhagwad.
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