And the King departed...

The Aura has ascended, away from the physical world, up to the greater world which must have yearned for it since long. It belongs to the King who blessed several lives for 75 years, and will rule several hearts forever.

This King built his mighty empire of ideals, principles, genius, knowledge and loads of affection in all those great years. A month ago he left it in the hands of his 8 princesses, who took it to faraway corners of the country. And further we, the grand-kids, blessed with a tinge of his genius, continue to expand his empire.

In the calm town of 'Kolaras' near Gwalior, Nanaji grew up to be this wonderful lawyer 'Advocate Chintamani Jain'. Such was his genius, agility and impact that dawn of his 70s could not stop his practice. His growing storehouse of knowledge impressed me whenever I visited his libraries: the personal with myriad flavors ranging from PG Woodhouse and Jefferey Archer to Premchand and Maxim Gorki along with the pious Jain literature, and the Advocate's with racks and racks of books which all appeared same to me!

All the visits to nanaji's place had this in common: as soon as you enter the front graden, a loud, enthusiastic call, with that unique tone of kiddish affection was the first voice you heard; then 2 coarse, hard hands, caressed your cheeks, which was the first touch you recieved and finally the owner of this voice and hands soon planted a lovely kiss on your forehead. Irrespective of you being a teen or an adult, you could not resist the child in you! Can't help but miss it.....that feeling of assurance and protection.

I remember my latest meetings with him, as travel enthusiast Nanaji planned trips to visit his daughters and their children too! He could not feel prouder and happier looking at his grand -children ascending up their family and career ladders. As much he spoke with pride of his kids, the prouder I feel when I introduce myself as his granddaughter.

How much I write about him, his grandeur was unsurpassable. I sometimes secretly fantasized of my future family meeting him, while myself feeling proud of my own descent! But the sudden call of fate did not even let me see him for the last time. I now can just wish that our paths cross again in these cycles of life.

Though I knew it before, but still the truth has fallen upon me, and asking me to take moments out to caress the roots of your being, your self, and to take time off to get lost in the adorable lap of grandma or the experienced talks of grandpa....before they depart!