Well, it was a cool lazy morning. We were returning from Puttaparthi and as we approached Bangalore currently renamed Bengaluru by zealous politicians. we saw a cute temple complex which attracted our attention. We stopped the car to investigate. The temple was serene and peaceful. No long ques, not much people milling around. In fact, barring us and the poojari there was only one person sitting under a tree lazily observing us and a few cleaners repairing the suit filled dhuni.
Shirdi Baba was sitting majestically on a pedestal unpertubed by the lack of people milling around unlike shirdi. What really caught my attention was this tree, which on first appearance looked like having hundreds of orange leaves. I was wondering since when autumn leaves appear in Bengaluru, on closer scrutiny I found that they were small Orange tags tied to the tree leaves , by faithful followers presumably once their wishes were fulfilled.
Now the question arose, Is a wish fulfilling tree Or a tree of desires? Why do most go to a temple for fulfillig their desires rather than for getting liberated from them?
Hmm, if you find and answer please do leave a comment.
meanwhile enjoy the picture of the tree of desire.
Krishnamachari Santhanam.
