Biren-da (The Captain)

Biren-da was the captain of the then Khaki group. I have already spoken about him in another context. When The Swimming pool was constructed, he was given the charge to teach swimming and be there every afternoon to see that members from all the groups (those who were interested in swimming) used the pool in a proper way.

Biren-da was frankness and straight-forwardness personified. He never minced his words. He called a spade a spade.

The day Sahana-di passed away, I met him on the way to the Playground and informed him of Sahana-di’s demise. He then uttered a very significant statement, “there goes another of those who came to serve The Mother and The Master. You know in earlier days everyone who was a sadhak had but one single aim: to serve The Mother and The Master. Now the inmates serve their managers.”

Biren-da loved to go outing. Once we, a few girls requested him to take us to lake. He put up a condition – we have to walk all the way to Lake. If we are ready to do that, he will arrange for the outing. We agreed to walk.
In the evening, at the playground, after the distribution our group approached The Mother with the list of us all. After going through the list she asked “With whom?”
“With Biren-da Douce Mere.” We replied. Biren-da who was waiting nearby came and stood behind us. The Mother looked at him and said “Too far!” and wrote on the list “Red Hills”; signed it and handed it to Biren-da.

    On two occasions I had the privilege to visit quite a few historical places in South India. Once we visited Kanchipuram and all around. Most of us associate the town with its famous saris. How many of us know that in olden days it was a great seat of learning. In fact there was a university in Kanchipuram which was as important as Nalanda or Takshashila. The most important subject was Sanskrit language & its literature.

Entering a temple and going around admiring the architecture & the sculpture he would become ecstatic and repeat again and again: “See, enjoy. What work of art our forefathers have left behind for us. Be proud and grateful.”

For our weekly film-show Biren-da used to be one of those who spread an old bedsheet or bedcover to sit on the ground. I had my place by his side. What used to amuse me was that just after a while Biren-da used to go to sleep. If we saw a long film he would wake up and begin to comment on what we were seeing. I felt that after the day’s work he must have been tired & thus snoozed off. Once throughout a film he slept and I had to wake him up when the lights went on. I naturally commented “Biren-da, often during the film we see you sleeping. Why don’t you remain at home and  go to bed!”

He answered “Do you think I come to see the film! I am present here because The Mother had begun a programme and we should respect Her gesture and be present there.”