My 'Spirited' Co-Passenger

Every year, during the fortnight which is observed as 'Shraadh' by the Hindus, my town is deluged by over a lakh of pilgrims who come to perform 'Pind-Daan'.It is believed that by performing this ritual we set the souls of our ancestors free forever.

The incident i narrate, pertains to a journey i undertook during this time of the year..

I boarded the Rajdhani from Delhi and settled down in the lower berth of a AC2Tier coach.I am a frequent traveller on this route and thus tend to be a little skeptical about my co-passengers.The train left Delhi on time and i was pleasantly surprised to see rest of the three berths unoccupied.During 'Shraadh', this is very unusual as the Gaya quota is full on all the trains.

Anticipating a comfortable journey, i put my feet up on the vacant lower berth and settled down with a book.Ten minutes later, a handsome young man of about 30 came up to me and told me that the lower berth was reserved by him for his father,he and his wife were in another coach and if i would be kind enough to inform the TT.I was informed that he was going to 'Gaya' to perform the'Pind-daan' for his father!!For a few years now i have had this nagging doubt that i have become hard of hearing, so i did not pay much heed to the discrepancy in the statement.

About 15 minutes later this articulate,seemingly well educated and obviously affluent man came up again and proceeded to place a bright yellow silk stole with a green and gold border on one end of the berth in front of me.That was his father whose final rites he was going to perform!

Needless to say, i was completely spooked.First i retrieved my feet back to my own bunk as a mark of respect for my fellow traveller.Next i took the bedding i had dumped and placed it back on my berth.I could not concentrate on my book as inadvertently i found myself gazing at the silk remains of the 'die hard spirit'facing me. After finishing my tea, i decided to give my overactive imagination some rest and dozed off..

When i woke up , i saw that the front seat was now occupied by an attractive, solitaire laden, plump lady.The son and daughter- in law had managed to get their seats changed so they could all travel together as a family ! 'Father',had been unceremoniously moved to the berth above mine.I was relieved, as i was no longer the sole guardian of the father, as he may have got pilfered enroute.

At night ,the son called for the attendant and asked him to get a bedding for the 'father'.The attendant asked where the father was and he was told that he would not be able to see him but he was there.I wish i had recorded the expressions of the attendant ,he was ready to jump off the fast moving train.Wanting to get him out of his misery and dilemma, i told the confused man that these people were going to perform'pind-daan' and this was also a part of the ritual.He was not convinced but did oblige.

All night long i wondered what was it that made even the educated, partake such extreme acts of absurdity.My thoughts and the uncanny presence of a'Spirit' ensured that i had a rather fitful night.

Early morning , before the train reached Gaya, the attendant came to wake us up and collect the bedding.Very reverently he whispered in my ear' Bauji uth gaye kya, bistar le loon'?(has the father woken up, can i collect his bedding).This was the clincher! I sat their and guffawed..