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Excerpt:
Chapter 3
Swami Raghu Vishwa had one favorite pastime when he went perambulating around the inner compound of his Siddhi Prapti Sansthan (The Institute for the Attainment of Siddhi). He liked to caress the flowers and leaves of wild anise that were abundant in his ashram at Bear Valley Trail in Napa, California. He told his followers that the touch of wild anise reminded him of “the glory of sentience.”
Vishwa was a slight but sharply defined figure who had mastered the art of beatific smile. At 76, he did not look much older than 50. However, at 50, he looked his age as the only photograph of his in his sparse office-cum-bedroom showed. He seemed to smile and laugh a lot. In the photograph, he smiled so wide that it seemed to spill out of the frame.
He came to America when he was 24 to expand the base of the institute, which was until then mainly restricted to a few ashrams in Haridwar and surrounding pre-Himalayan hills. Swami Sadhu Vishwa, the founder of the order, was already 86 when he found Vishwa as an 18-year-old roaming along the ghat of Har ki Pauri in 1956. Sadhu Vishwa saw in the joyful teenager a spirit that he said was like the rushing waters of the Ganga.
At 92, as he prepared to take Samadhi he told Raghu Vishwa, “The Sansthan needs to spread its message outside India. America is where you are needed. For India, my legacy alone is enough.”
Raghu Vishwa left for America a week after Sadhu Vishwa had “elevated himself to the ultimate destination of consciousness”. In simpler terms, Sadhu Vishwa had essentially starved himself to death. The running of the main ashram in Haridwar was entrusted to Swami Tapeshwar Vishwa with the clear instruction from Sadhu Vishwa that Raghu was his successor.
Copyright 2014 Dr. Bharat Thakkar
The first review of 'Unsuitable Celibate'
Some Spoiler Alert. Avoid reading the review if you intend reading the book.
(The following is from a review of 'Unsuitable Celibate" that appeared in the Gujarati literary journal 'Gurjari Digest' in July, 2015. The original was published in Gujarati. This is a translation. To read the original Gujarati review click here.)
By Ashok Vidvans, Gurjari Digest
I have just got to read a lovely novel that should cause the whole Gujarati society to pause and think. Of course, Dr. Bharat Thakkar is better known as a poet than a novelist. Apart from his collections of poetry in Gujarati he has published two more in English. But his novel ‘Unsuitable Celibate: Mistaken Glory of Celibacy’ in English poses an unusual and very important question.
Although this is his first novel, he has succeeded as a writer for two strong reasons. The first is that he has deeply studied (the practices of) certain sects which is so necessary as a background to a book like this. The second is his firm conviction that in order to reform society it is important to reform religion. His story stands on the pillars of these two rocks.
The difference between prose and poetry, as I understand literature, are of two kinds. It is said that emotion and sensitivity are at the heart of poetry whereas thought/analysis (thinking) is at the heart of prose. When prose comes in the form of a short story it raises questions of human values and offers answers where possible. When prose takes the form of a novel it addresses profound issues confronting society. Characters and events unfolding in their lives are discussed. At conclusion, the author offers their dénouement. The more the characters are fleshed out and events made more complex, the more the novel becomes thought-provoking. A novel that does not address any human values tends to have a short life-span.
It is appropriate to call this a novella. The story in brief is like this: Ramnik and Deepti, a couple of Indian origin living in California for some 25 years run a grocery store and are followers of a sect. They want their teenage son Parthiv to follow the sect which insists on celibacy. Parthiv resists it initially but then suddenly decides to join it much to his parents’ shock. Once in the sect he discovers aspects of its inner workings that leave him disillusioned.
The important thing that the author has been able to include all attributes of a novel. He has been able to candidly address an important and delicate question. When it comes to discussing religious matters there is always the possibility of causing controversy. Under the circumstances, it is highly commendable that Bharatbhai has shown the courage to write it. In the name of religion, in our society (and around the world) there are many abhorrent practices being encouraged. There is urgent need to draw attention such dangers. But because of the fear of the fundamentalists few show such courage. We are grateful to the author for this.
In addressing such an important issue, the author has succeeded as an accomplished story-teller. Short sentences and accurate dialogue indicate his command over the English language. His style is not highly descriptive but focuses more on the events and dialogue, as a result of which it is captivating. Typically when those who were educated in India and had the foundation of the English language laid in India speak and write in English, they tend to translate more than live/feel the language. Bharatbhai’s language is free from that flaw. His words and sentences do not betray that he is translating or interpreting (from his native tongue). The story’s lift is very good. At places where the story takes its various turn, families, their surroundings and society all become familiar. Strong characterization is the author’s attribute.
The character of the protagonist Ramnik has been done such that if we met him on the road somewhere we would recognize him. Similarly, by bringing in the character of Stella, who designs a coffee-corner in Ramnik’s store, the author has shown great skill. He also makes the story gripping by introducing twists at the right places. The important thing is that these events do not come across as unnecessary or forced but intrinsic. This is an important part of the story’s success. The fire in Ramnik’s store, the damage caused by it and dismay it creates as well the renovation of the store and introduction of a coffee-corner do not come across as contrived.
There are a couple of weak points in the novel. The first is the attraction that Bela Shah, Parthiv’s very attractive girlfriend, feels toward him. One has to wonder about it as to why she feels drawn. The other is why Parthiv chooses to leave a beautiful girl like her to pursue the life of a celibate. These remain unresolved in our mind. Parthiv joining the sect and then leaving it are at the heart of the story and while doing so Parthiv’s would have agonized. That sense of agony does not come through fully.
