A Walk down Astachal - My Tryst with the divine at Scindia

I am a product of Made-in-Scindia. I think what I am today – spiritually, is because of Scindiachal (Scindia Astachal). Interestingly, as in most cases, it was my materialistic desire (Taste) that became instrumental in shaping my experience and view on spirituality back in 1950. I invite you to join me on my nostalgic walk down at Astachal as we travel back 75 years to one Wednesday evening at one of the finest Educational Institution in India. For Non-Scindians, Astachal was our Amphitheatre and a spiritual space in school. Its literal translation is “Hill at Sunset”.

It is safe to say I was a foodie back in the day with a passion for Potatoes. Pre-boiled potatoes in Vegetable Pulao in particular. This meal was served only at Mid Dinner on Wednesdays. I did not eat anything else prior during the Mid Dinner Meal to reserve my appetite for the coveted Pulao. One Wednesday I thought, to better utilize the waiting period leading upto the Mid Dinner, I would continue to enjoy the solitary refreshing atmosphere at Astachal while my batch mates left for dinner. As I sat alone perched on the Amphitheatre steps, William Wordsworth’s My Heart Leaps Up came to mind as I witnessed the Surya-Ast at Astachal.

I became fond of my solitude time at Astachal every Wednesday evenings. In between the seating arrangement and sunset behind the hills, there was an ever energetic, ever determined and humble statue of Mahatma Gandhi Ji - “Ekla chalo, Ekla chalo, Ekla Chalo re. Teri koi haak sune na to bhi ekla chalo re”. I sat non- plussed contemplating about the path Mahatma Gandhi took and the path I wished to embark upon. Caught up in my thoughts, I would sometimes get late even for my favorite Pulao servings. I was even reprimanded for being late for dinner.

I smile now remembering the Bhajans, Prayers, Sermons, Songs conducted by our teachers, in particular, Pakrasi Sir & Khanolkar Sir. “Jhini Jhini Bhini Chadariya” and “Aab Jaag Musafir” come to mind immediately. Perhaps these experiences were the reason I preferred to be alone, aloof, introspecting and listening to the Silence of Divine Music or rather Nature’s Music of Divine silence whilst watching the chirping birds returning to their nests at Astachal.

Astachal taught me a lot. From Gandhiji’s Statue signifying “Walk alone on the path of practical truth irrespective of hurdles and obstacles” to realizing that the Sun also walks alone on the cosmic path of creation giving light and life to all the planets, which circulate along its path.  

This subconscious conditioning helps me till date to isolate and enjoy Nature, even humans, birds, animals, plants in a metropolitan’s highly polluted and concrete rubble like setting we live in. Our evenings leading upto Astachal were filled with activities and classes. After a good full day’s mental study followed by an hour of physical activity we would have a refreshing bath at the open view Nahanis followed by tuning up of the biorhythms of soul at Chabutra near horse riding ground, where we recited an appropriate meaningful shloka which I recite at every lecture / presentation I give till date.

“Om Sahana vavatu, Sahano Bhunaktu Saha Viryam Karva Vahe

Tejasvina Vadhi Tamastu Maha Vidvisa Vahe. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti”

Let us live together. Let us study together, let us do good things together, let us elevate (through knowledge) together. And above all let us not misunderstand each other.

This philosophy is more befitting in present day-to-day life style, and I wish this Shloka is being recited at Assembly prayers even today.

I believe the statute of limitations has passed on what I am about to share next. Let’s call it a confession. I was drawn to Astachal more frequently after that Wednesday evening. I would try to go up there at midnight or dawn during Brahma Muhurat to further experience nature and cosmic radiations, when the divine silence was the loudest. Sometimes I meditated or did pranayama or just lost myself looking at the sky. Sitting at night in Astachal even for just half an hour, I would walk along the parapets to the Raani Taal. I overcame a lot of mortal fears with that walk to Raani Taal where I sat and watched the small vibrations / wrinkles in water.

If I were to be penalized for this confession, I humbly pray that I be served a summons calling me back to the campus and allowing me to sit for hours at Astachal 75 years later for one sunset. And ofcourse followed by a serving of my favorite Pulao with potatoes.

I am grateful to my Alma Mater - Scindia (Spiritual Cultural India) School to have shaped my journey at a pivotal point in any adolescent-teenagers life. It established and enhanced my foundation of spirituality, Rational dialogues with God, Universal Religion and much more.

I am reminded of our School Motto and its true meaning of which I later realized.

“Saa Vidhya  Ya  Vimuktaye”  meaning knowledge is that which liberates you from ignorance. I later thought that education liberates you from ignorance, which is true but a subtle higher meaning I now realized is that true knowledge is that which liberates you from materialistic ignorance / illusions and elevates you towards self realization. My respectful obeisance to the founders for having the Vision of combining academics with spirituality, a rare blend with the trend.

I thank you for reading along with me as I relive these moments. Even today I desire and look forward to re-experience these feelings before my Surya-Ast at my life’s Astachal. I hear the echo at Astachal telling me that “Students may come and students may go, but I shall go on forever”.  I hope Astachal continues to shape the minds of the young generation in spite of modern hi-tech lifestyle as it did mine.

God Bless Everyone.