Post Narmada Parikrama Talk: Q&A

Post Narmada Parikrama Talk: Q&A

These are the questions asked by various people after the talk on 07th June 2020. It’s our humble attempt to answer some of them, reflect more deeply on a few of them and some questions we are still holding.

Q1. Can you please comment on the impact of your pilgrimage on your child? And, the potential long term impact on her? I'm the father of a 3-year-old. I live in Austin.

A1. Gopal & Arti: We feel she has become more sensitive towards people, learned to live in the least, experienced adversities which has made her more adaptable, being in nature has made her more appreciative towards mother earth.

Drawing our inspiration from Inspiration from the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education: https://youtu.be/SOYOa4FIj-Y . One lesson we have learned is the importance of educating children's hearts as well as their minds. While children need knowledge to prepare them for life, those who love and care for them must also educate their hearts. Teaching compassion, acceptance, tolerance and respect are needed along with knowledge to adequately prepare children for the world.

Q2. It was mentioned that Ojasvi attends an experiential learning school. Can you share a bit more about what that means? And, the name of the school? And, finally, any advice on going about finding such a school?

A2. Gopal & Arti: Ojasvi’s school doesn’t have uniform, which is the most important aspect of treating each child as unique and not uniforming them with the common dress because no two children are alike. Also they don’t have typical exams till 7th grade. The school believe in creativity, potential of each child, focus on language teaching, etc. Simply profound!

It's difficult to find such a type of school(s) as it's rare but you can help to create an environment at home too. One can read Maria Montessori, J Krishnamurti, Sri Aurobindo & The Mother these are our inspirations.

One can even think of home schooling rather than pushing a child to a mediocre school. This needs lots of courage and a radical mindset. Also every city is having a home schooling group to connect with.

Q3. Rohit : Kayi baar suna hai yaatrio ko, ki narmada ko maa ke roop me dekhte hai..sach kahu to thoda ajeeb bhi lagta hai sunke. uske baare me aap kuch kehna chahenge? what is it you are referring to? What learnings it may have given to you as parents?

A3. Gopal & Arti: मां शब्द हम उस भाव से जोड़ते हैं जहां हमें प्यार मिलता है सुरक्षा मिलती है और जो जीवन का आधार है। मां नर्मदा का रूप नदी के समान तो है ही परंतु इसका सूक्ष्म रूप एक दिव्य शक्ति, अलौकिक ऊर्जा, और अपूर्व वात्सल्य और प्रेम से भरा है। विशेष कर जब हम परिक्रमा में होते हैं तो यह सब महसूस और अनुभव करते हैं जिससे मन में मां का भाव प्रकट होता है। और क्योंकि नर्मदा जी बहुत ही महत्वपूर्ण जीवन रेखा है कुछ राज्यों की जिससे कि वह मां के रूप में पूजी जाती है। इससे बहुत कुछ सीखने को मिलता है के जैसे मां नर्मदा हमें अपनी छत्रछाया में रखती है उसी तरह हम कैसे अपने बच्चों का पालन पोषण करें।

Q4. Nikhil : Kabhi prakrati aapse kuch keh rahi hai aur kya puraani zindagi ki yaadein aati hai yatra me jaise saadhna me hota hai?

A4. Gopal & Arti: यात्रा में आप हर समय प्रकृति के साथ होते हैं मानव प्रकृति की गोद में रहते हैं। पैदल चलना की एक बहुत बड़ी साधना है और जब हम पैदल चलते हैं तो हमारे मन की गति भी धीमी हो जाती है जिससे विचार आते भी हैं और चले भी जाते हैं। जीवन की कई यादें या कई रोशन बार-बार आंखों में आते हैं। जब हम पैदल चलते हैं तो शरीर और मन में एक अलग ही प्रतिक्रिया होती है जिसका अनुभव बहुत ही विशेष होता है।

Q5. Tejaswani -- Did you have any experience of ma Narmada as have heard she herself sometimes appears in different forms..from Pune. It was wonderful knowing about your divine parikrama.. really inspired to do

A5. Gopal & Arti: शायद हम सबके लिए मां नर्मदा का परिचय अलग है। अक्सर हम मंदिर या चित्र में जो मां नर्मदा का स्वरूप देखते है उसी रूप को जानते हैं या समझते हैं और यहां तक कि मानते भी है। हम उसी रूप के साक्षात्कार को दर्शन मानते हैं। हमारे लिए मां नर्मदा एक ऊर्जा, शक्ति, और अपार प्रेम है। यात्रा में हर समय हम उस सूक्ष्म ऊर्जा को महसूस करते थे जिससे हमें हमेशा ही शक्ति मिली है और वही नर्मदा जी का दर्शन भी।

Q6. Dharmesh: You ever lost your way during journey? Did you rely on google maps?

A6. Gopal & Arti: Yes many a times we lost our way either in a Jungle, Farms or on the river banks. Not everywhere Google Maps works but offline maps gives a rough estimate or atleast topography of the place which was helpful to ascertain the distance but not to navigate the route.

Q7. Questions from those interest in going for Parikrama :
Arjun wrote : Maa Narmade har!!!!!! I am Arjun from Sevagram, Wardha. Thank you very much for this live stream, I consider this as one of the trigger for me from divine to go for Narmada Parikrama ....

A7. Gopal: It’s wonderful that you are thinking of going to Parikrama.

Q8. How many months one may require it to complete?

A8. Gopal: It depends on the speed and the number of days halt you take in between. The distance is about 3,400kms. There are no multiple routes but some places you have to make a choice between the river bank/village road/highway. Taking any route doesn’t make much of the difference in distance coverage.

Q9. I have heard that, there is one route which takes 3 year to complete entire Yatra, can you please explain why there are variation for time requirement?? Can you please share detailed route (list of any important Ashram/place to visit, does season has any impact on Yatra??)

A9. Gopal & Arti: Traditionally it was said that the partikrama should be done in 3yrs 3months and 13days. Where you walk smaller distances and stay at various places. Also every year in monsoon the parikrama is closed for 4months which one has to stay in an ashram or temple on the banks of river narmada. But generally people walking with an average speed of 25kms/day completes the yatra in 4-5months.

Q10. Any recommended book on Parikrama?

A10. Gopal & Arti: Narmada Parikrama Margdarshan by Swami Atma Krishna published by Sri Avadhoot Sahitya Prakashan Kendra, Nareshwar, Gujarat

Q11. What things to carry (the excel sheet you talked about, specially do we need to carry cash or ATM services easily available?

A11. Gopal & Arti: Basic things like 2pair of clothes, good 1 pair of shoes, backpack, medicines (which you generally consume), water bottle, etc. Please write to us, we can share the list over email. ATM is available in major towns or cities which we come across. It’s a personal choice to carry cash or ATM card.

Q12. Is it safe to go on Yatra alone?

A12. Gopal & Arti: Yes, few people take up yatra alone. It is safe.

Q13. We have heard many stories of robbery, is it true?)

A13. Gopal & Arti: We haven’t come across any incidents. In the earlier days it was said that in one of the tribal regions (Shulpaneshwar Jungle) people were robbed with whatever they had. But now everything is normal. Now those same people who were known for robbery are now giving service to the pilgrimage.

Q14. Siddharth: Hello! Thankyou for this excellent sharing! I want to ask that for someone wanting to start on this journey who does not have much experience, how and where should they start planning?
Reflect on your intention to go on this yatra. What is your inspiration? Once you have the purpose clearly articulated you need to find time from your schedule. Following to that physical fitness, basic shopping, etc., will be required.

A14. Gopal: You are right. Along with your intention there is also a calling. Our initial purpose for going on the yatra was to walk, slowdown, give reflection time to self, be in nature and experience rural life. But once we started the yatra this purpose also got evolved to a more higher purpose of a seeker, questioning life and its purpose, prayers and practices. Once you have determined to go then you will be able to find time automatically. I struggled to find time in last 2yrs but last year when I have decided that after Deepawali I am going then things started getting worked out for me. Its the same thing of your purity in intention conspire the universe to fulfill it. Just decide and have determination :) everything will fall in place including your physical fitness and other preparations.

Q15. Sumita: One more thought is coming in my mind that I want to also walk. But when and how that I don't. I want to walk out of curiosity that what happens during walk? What will happen post walking. I just experience it once that I'm thinking about it

A15. Gopal: Good to know your intention to walk. Determination towards the decision is the most important stepping stone to prepare. But parikrama is not just walking, you have to broaden your horizon. Walking you can do anywhere but why parikrama is the question.

Q16. Reena Ginwala: Dear Friends at Service Space, I have been thinking of going on the Narmada Parikrama since 1.5 years. It seems to be time now … How can I receive the guidance and also find a few like minded yatris to go with? Would Gopal and Arti and Trupti have some links to share… Warmly, Reena

A16. Gopal: Wonderful and best wishes, there are many links but none of them is complete. Our link is also upcoming (www.narmadariver.wordpress.com). But we can connect you to people in the network to begin your exploration.

Q17. K M bhai : आप सभी को बहुत बहुत सलाम !! बेहद प्रेरक ऑर सराहनीय | मेरा एक प्रश्न है - आप लोगों को क्या लगता है कि नदियां का स्वच्छ ऑर स्वतंत्र होना हमारे वातावरण के लिए कितना आवश्यक है ? ऑर इसके प्रति लोग कितने जागरूक है ? ऑर हम इसके लिए क्या कर सकते है

A17. गोपाल: नदियां हर प्राणी की जीवन रेखा है। नदिया सिर्फ जल स्रोत ही नहीं बल्कि पर्यावरण को संतुलित भी रखती है। नदियों की स्वच्छता और सुरक्षा बहुत ही महत्वपूर्ण है। परिक्रमा के दौरान हमने देखा मां नर्मदा के साथ 100 से भी अधिक छोटी नदियां जो मां नर्मदा में मिलती है उनमें काफी प्रदूषण फैल रहा है इसका एकमात्र कारण मनुष्य ही है। अपने निजी स्वार्थ के लिए लोग रेत की चोरी करते हैं, बम विस्फोट कर मछलियों को मारते हैं और पकड़ते हैं, नदी में और कई प्रकार की गंदगी करते हैं। यह संभव है कि हम नदी की सुरक्षा कर सकते हैं जिसके हेतु हमें लोगों में जागरूकता लाने की जरूरत है। नर्मदा जी के किनारे ऐसे काफी लोग हैं जो इस कार्य से जुड़ना चाहते हैं परंतु कोई राह या सो सुझाव की तलाश में है। हम अगर इनके साथ मिल जाए और इन्हें सही संपर्क सूत्रों से जोड़े तो भविष्य में हम नदियों को स्वच्छ, सुरक्षित और पवित्र देख सकते हैं। इसके लिए हम एक वार्तालाप चालू कर रहे हैं जिस से जुड़ने के लिए आप ईमेल कर सकते हैं garggopal@gmail.com धन्यवाद।

Feel free to reach out at garggopal@gmail.com or visit www.narmadariver.wordpress.com (we have just started posting our experiences in this Blog)