God's Own Man

Our reader and regular contributor T.V. Kothandaraman narrates an unusual and moving experience at Palakkad in Kerala. Read and share if you can. 

Mr Raman with Rahim, the auto driver in the story. Pic courtesy: Mythily Ramachandran

While speaking of her experiences during a holiday visit to United States, my granddaughter narrated a conversation she had with a clergyman she met on way to a shopping complex. After the friendly greeting, the priest asked her, Do you believe in God After hearing an affirmation from my granddaughter, the priest added, Good and extended a Bible to her. She paused for a while and then took out the Bhagavath Gita from her bag. It was a pocket edition that I had given her before her departure to the United States. Extending it to him, she said, I read this book. Surprisingly, the priest deftly avoided touching the Gita and walked away .

Compare this to our experience on an auto drive at Palakkaad, in God's Own Country, Kerala. The friendly driver, Rahim, shared an incident about an old couple waiting late evening by the side of the road. Stopping, he asked if any help was required.

They wanted to visit Lord Saneeswaran temple for fulfilling their Neercha, (a promise they had made). As it was nearing 7 PM and around the closing time of the temple, Rahim promised to make an attempt before the temple doors closed.

By the time they reached their destination, the temple was closed for the day. Watching their disappointment at being unable to fulfil their prayer, Rahim suggested another Saneeswaran Temple in the vicinity which could have been open still.

Speeding his auto up, he brought them to the temple just before it closed for the day. The old couple happily fulfilled their scheduled prayer. Thanking him they asked Rahim where the Kalpatti Shiva temple was. They were keen on visiting this temple, which it is believed to be equivalent to visiting Lord Shiva at Kashi (Benares ).

Rahim once again took the old couple to Kalpatti Shiva temple and their joy knew no bounds. Rahim is a Muslim but he went out of the way to help a Hindu couple. All religions profess their love for God but it is only the route taken that may differ in the form of rituals and beliefs. While the pastor shrunk away from touching the Bhaghwat Gita, here was a common man of a different faith, who did not let his religion come in the way of helping people at the time of need.

Ram became Rahims friend in no time and whenever I visit Kerala, I call him to take me around.

Why should religion come in the way of friendship?