“I believe so far you’ve discovered that the bold letters in the booklet are the clues. Let’s see the box now,” said Pawan asking for the wooden box.
Sanjeev handed over the box to Pawan and came closer to his chair where he kneeled down on the ground. Pawan examined the box closely. “Your observations were right. I could make out the caution note, grooves and the tinkling sound. But did you see here?” asked Pawan pointing at the corner near the caution note. There was a small Swastika symbol engraved in the wood. It was the same color as the wood and could be easily missed due to its miniature design and size.
Sanjeev was again spellbound. “I… I didn’t notice…. But what does that mean?” he asked.
“It’s a symbol of our family key maker. He also makes idols of Gods and Goddesses. But only on demand. He’s grown old and hardly makes anymore. But he’s a very skilled artist I must say. You should speak to him. He will tell you why he made this mysterious box,” answered Pawan.
Sanjeev’s eyes sparkled with hope. “Oh what a lead. Thank you so much Sir,” he blurted out.
“Here, take his address, note it in your mobile,” said Pawan finding it in his old address diary. “His name is Bajrangi. He doesn’t give business cards anymore. Go with a friend of yours, he stays in Mussoorie,” informed Pawan.
Sanjeev was elated with joy. The key maker would give him the spare key and all his problems will be solved soon. Once again his face was happy with anticipation.
“Mussoorie! Here I come,” he thought.
Chapter 6
Mahavir Vikram Bajrangi Kumati nivar sumati Ke sangi
With Limbs as sturdy as Vajra (The mace of God Indra) you are valiant and brave. On you attend good Sense and Wisdom. You dispel the darkness of evil thoughts.
“Bajrangi Artifacts. Library Bazaar, Gandhi Chowk, Mussoorie,” was the address which Pawan had given Sanjeev. Sanjeev and Ravi were staring at the address and then at the busy market street trying to find the shop. Standing in front of the old Mussoorie library in the warm sun of a cool winter morning, Sanjeev was struggling with his eyes to locate the shop. The streets were busy bustling with locals and tourists. The market shops were open with their brightly colored paraphernalia adding warmth to the surroundings.
“Let’s ask someone. Else the entire day will be wasted in locating the shop,” said Ravi.
“Yes,” answered Sanjeev and headed for the huge Nath Jee departmental store. “Sir, do you know this address,” asked Sanjeev to the old man sitting at the billing counter.
“Oh you are looking for Bajrangi?” he replied. “There’s a small shop at the corner on right side. It’s a very old shop. You’ll see some paintings of Gods at the doorway,” he guided.
“Thank you uncle,” said Ravi and they both headed for the shop on their bike.
“Look it’s there in the corner,” said Ravi pointing to the shop. Sanjeev parked his bike near the shop and both of them reached the vintage shop. The shop had an old wooden door with intricate carvings and numerous idols of various deities adorned the shop. The passage to the door had paintings displayed.
Sanjeev saw an old man in his late sixties, with a black carbon framed spectacle placed on his nose. A black string hung around his neck attached to the spectacles. His few graying hair were giving way for bald scalp to emerge like a rising moon. He was lean and thin and stooped while walking. He wore woolen pants and shirt and a hand knitted sweater, and a maroon monkey cap covered his head and face. The shop had a wooden table as a counter blocking the way to the interior of the shop. The interior was carpeted and had various relics to its display.
“What do you want,” he said sternly.
“Are you Bajrangi? Pawan Sir gave me your address. I have something important to show you,” said Sanjeev taking out the wooden box from his backpack. The moment he saw the box his expression changed and soon he was yelling at Sanjeev. “Who gave you this box? Who are you? A thief? How dare you come to my shop? And how dare you place your dirty hands on this box? Oh look, what have you done to this masterpiece? You’ve broken it, you dumb head,” Bajrangi screamed and took the box in his hands.
Sanjeev was shocked to see his reaction. “Let me explain. I…. I got this box from….,” Sanjeev tried to explain but Bajrangi was bursting with anger. “Oh you youngsters of today, irresponsible people!” he exclaimed. Just then a lady stepped into the shop from the back door. She was lean and thin too but appeared friendlier than Bajrangi. She wore a woolen kurta pajama and covered herself with sweaters and shawl. The shawl covered the most of her head and face so that one could barely make out her eyes and nose.
“What happened? Why are you screaming Pappu’s father?” she asked.
“See Sumati, he broke this,” Bajrangi showed the box to his wife. She took the box delicately in her hands and stared at it for a moment. “Calm down please. Let me talk to him,” she tried to console her fuming husband.
“Who are you, Son? How did you get this?” she asked warmly.
“I’m Sanjeev. Pawan Sir gave me this. He said Dr Anjana had left it for me. She was my guide and professor in college,” Sanjeev tried to explain. “I don’t know what it is so I came here to ask you about it. Please help me, it’s very important for me,” Sanjeev said sounding remorseful. Sumati gave him a thoughtful look and then asked, “How do I know that you’re telling the truth?” she asked. Sanjeev felt the sincerity in her voice and realized that she knew something, something important which could help him. He reached out for the booklet and his college ID which was signed by his guide.
“Look here,” he said. “This is the booklet she left for me along with the box and this is my ID. I can call Pawan Sir, you can speak with him,” he said showing Pawan’s phone number on his mobile.
The old lady was cautious too. She checked all the details and only after speaking to Pawan showed her willingness to help Sanjeev.
“Ok, I trust you. Pappu's father, we can help him,” she proclaimed. Bajrangi came closer grumbling and picked up the box.
“OK boy, listen carefully. Anjana madam is our very old customer. My father had made idols and locks for their family since long and now my wife and I do the same for them. However, since few years we’ve stopped this work and make only on demand for some special customers,” Bajrangi started narrating.
“Yes, Anjana madam was a very kind lady. We couldn’t say no to her,” added Sumati. “She wanted us to design something very unusual. In fact she was very specific in her design. We made for her what she wanted. But this, Son, is not what we gave her,” she said.
Ravi noticed Sanjeev’s face fading its color. He said, “What do you mean it’s not that? This is exactly what we got,” he said.
“Do you think we’re lying,” blurted Bajrangi in anger.
“No, no, we didn’t mean that,” said Sanjeev. “Can you please explain,” replied Sanjeev.
“I’ll tell you Son,” Sumati offered help. “Actually this box had deities of Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman on it. Those served as levers for the lock. Unless you have those idols this box will not open. If you try to break open it will burn to ashes. Can you see the two drawers here,” she said pointing at the side of the box. “See here, there are two drawers. The upper one carries inflammable material and lower chamber is for protecting valuables. On applying force or wrong levers the materials mix in a certain pattern and burn the box. Each idol is a lever formed by complicated sequence. The moment you fix an idol, a cylindrical lever will project out and lock itself in the indentation. Thereafter you will be unable to remove it. To open the box, you will need all the idols in place,” said Sumati disclosing the secret of the box. “My husband designs such secret locks and vaults. I make idols and I designed the idols for this box,” she added.
Sanjeev didn’t know how to react. For once his heart glowed with happiness when he knew the secret of the wooden box. However, instantly his mind was again clouded with despair. There were no idols on the box, just some gr
oves in its place and he had no clue where the idols were.
“We don’t know where the idols are, can you make them again for us? Then we can open the vault and….,” Ravi continued to say when he was interrupted by Bajrangi.
“Ah! Another dumb head. How will it be a safe vault if I can design another key so easily?” exclaimed Bajrangi. “Can’t you see how uniquely this was designed? All the effort and pains were taking in making the box so that there is no other way to open it,” he added.
“OK, I understand,” said Sanjeev trying to gather his broken thoughts. “Can you help us find the levers, I mean the idols to open this box?” he asked.
“Son, I’m not sure where Anjana madam kept those. But I believe, she was trying to protect something very valuable. Maybe she has carved out a path for you to find the pieces together of your jigsaw puzzle. Once you find those idols, we can help you open the box. Nothing more till then,” said Sumati.
“What’s this?” asked Sumati looking at the booklet.
“This is Hanuman Chalisa. Madam left it for me along with the box,” replied Sanjeev.
“Let me see,” said Sumati opening the booklet. “Oh look here, the word Bajrangi is highlighted in bold and Sumati too,” she exclaimed to her husband. “Probably Madam wanted to hint towards us.”
Sanjeev saw the booklet and was again amazed by it.
“Son, maybe this is your map to the key,” told Sumati. “This will help you find the lost idols. Above all madam gave you Hanuman Chalisa which is a powerful weapon in itself. Do you know what Hanuman means? I hope Pawanji would have told you. Did he?” she added.
“Pawan Sir? No he didn’t tell me,” said Sanjeev perplexed. “Oh then you should ask him. I’ve never heard such a beautiful explanation ever in my life,” Sumati advised.
Sanjeev found himself in a vacuum again. It seemed to him that for every step he took forward he fell two steps back. He collected his relics in his backpack and prepared to leave. “What more can Pawan Sir tell me?” he thought as he left with Ravi for Dehradun.
Chapter 7
Kanchan varan viraj subsea Kanan Kundal Kunchit Kesa
Your physique is beautiful golden coloured and your dress is pretty. You wear ear rings and have long curly hair.
Next day Sanjeev and Ravi arrived at Pawan’s house with a hope that he could sail their ship further. For their surprise the house was locked. As they were retreating, they saw Pawan entering the premises.
He was all in a different avatar today. Wearing only a dhoti, his well-toned body showed through. His biceps and triceps were carved to perfection for that of a wrestler. His body was shining with his sweat. He wore a white sacred thread, Janeu, across his chest and two golden earrings twinkled in his ears. Though it was cold outside, Pawan was still sweating without any warm clothing.
“Good morning, Pawan sir,” said Sanjeev as Pawan approached him.
“Oh, Sanjeev!You came here again?” Pawan asked.
“Yes, Sir. We needed some more help from you,” said Sanjeev.
“Now what help you want from me?”
Sanjeev and Ravi started following him towards his house.
“I have re-started my wrestling school. After Ma died, I didn’t go there,” Pawan said as he opened the door and the trio walked in. “So, did you meet Bajrangi?” he inquired.
“Yes, we did,” replied Sanjeev. “He has a very short temper. His wife was very humble and helpful though,” informed Sanjeev.
“Oh yes, I told you Bajrangi is an eccentric man. Sumati is a nice lady and a skilled craftsman,” Pawan chuckled. “Come, sit down and tell me what she said.”
Sanjeev told Pawan about the vault and the story behind it.
“Hmmm….. That means you need to find the idols to open the vault,” Pawan nodded. “Actually after you left, I realized that you should talk to Suresh as well. He is a genius when it comes to gadgets. He has designed many successful unique gadgets during his graduation from IIT Kanpur. I’ll call him over to my house whenever he is free. The kids won’t let you talk in his home.”
“Yes, that would be of great help to me! I also want to hear the explanation of Hanuman Chalisa. Sumati said you give one of the best explanations,” Sanjeev replied.
“You both wait here in the living room. I’ll change and come. Probably then we can discuss,” Pawan said leaving the room.
Sanjeev and Ravi took out the relics and sat gazing at them.
“Do you think the explanation of Hanuman Chalisa will lead you to your answers?” asked Ravi.
“I don’t know what it will lead to. But since years it has helped people overcome their fears. At this time I need to overcome mine. I know it’s nothing new, but every research is a search of the old. That’s why it’s called ‘ReSearch’. I want to take that plunge into my soul again and find peace. All these events have left me very insecure,” contemplated Sanjeev.
“You are right Sanjeev,” said Pawan as he stepped into the room. “Hanuman Chalisa will help you look into you own self. Every answer lies there, inside you. You just need to look for it.”
“I’m all ears Sir. Please tell me everything,” said Sanjeev like an obedient student handing the booklet to Pawan.
“Ok, so let’s begin,” said Pawan.
“The moment you surrender to yourself to knowledge, your search ends and the secrets reveal. Hand me the booklet,” asked Pawan pointing at the booklet of Hanuman Chalisa.
“Remember, I told you that this booklet is written in red ink on a yellow paper, which means it’s very powerful?” asked Pawan. “What do you think red and yellow signifies here?”
Perplexed by the question Sanjeev was about to comment when Ravi interrupted. “It’s a junior school question, Sir. Red means light is reflecting red color and absorbing all other colors of white light. Same goes for yellow,” he answered.
“Correct, you know too well. You should have been an engineer,” Pawan mocked. “What I want to know is the significance of red and yellow color. Do you know it?”
“You tell us Sir,” said Sanjeev.
“When a body reflects red color it appears red to us, as your dear friend stated. But in reality, it has actually rejected that color. All other colors define it, but the world sees it as red, the color which it reflected. We are also defined by the qualities which we reflect to the world. However, inside you is what you have absorbed.
Red is the color of vibrancy. All other colors may be nice and pretty, but only red is vibrant. It’s full of vibrancy and exuberance.
Red is the color of kumkum, which imparts vibrancy to a bride. It is the color of blood which brings exuberance to your life. Red is the color of apples, strawberries and tomatoes. A red rose is the symbol of love. It increases physical energy, vitality and stamina.
Similarly, yellow is the color of stability, the basic need of life. It symbolizes creativity, intellect, personal power, optimism and logic.
If you see these colors as chakras of your body, Red is the lowest Muladhar Chakra and yellow is the third or the Manipura Chakra at your navel.”
“That’s a very deep insight. I never thought like that,” said Ravi.
“So can I combine this information to find a meaningful answer? What I’ve understood is, that it means the use of physical strength, creativity and logic to accomplish our goals,” pondered Sanjeev.
“Yes, one aspect of the chakras can be that,” answered Pawan. “Is not Hanuman a symbol of that? He is physically strong, has great intellect and has proved in his life how impossible things can be achieved with devotion and sincerity.”
“I’ve always understood Hanuman as the monkey God who is very brave and muscular. He is also called Pawan Putra, the son of wind God because he can fly as fast as wind,” said Sanjeev.
“I don’t know much about mythology, but I remember that as a child I was always told to worship Hanuman and recite the Hanuman Chalisa. I guess every one in the Hindu family is advised to do that as Hanuman is the epitome of
valor and bravery,” added Ravi.
“Yes, Hanuman defines that. However, he’s more than that. He is also an epitome of bhakti, pure hearted devotion to Lord Ram,” explained Pawan.
“He is also the heart chakra of your body, the fourth chakra, the seat of love consciousness. I’ll tell you a small story,” added Pawan.
“Once Goddesses Sita gave Hanuman a precious gift of pearl necklace. When Hanuman saw the necklace, he broke each pearl with his teeth trying to find something. This annoyed the Goddess and she asked Hanuman why he did so. Hanuman answered that he was looking for Ram in the pearls. Laughingly Sita asked if Ram resided in him. At this, Hanuman tore his chest and within his heart people saw the image of Ram,Sita and Lakshman,” told Pawan.
“Divine story,” said Sanjeev. “But does it hold any meaning?” he asked.
“Yes, sure it does,” said Pawan. “It means that Hanuman was so much devoted to Lord Ram, that his heart was full of love and reverence for his Lord. His allegiance to his Lord is true and pure,” Pawan explained.
“Hmmm… does the story have any metaphysical significance? Sometimes I feel, that all these mythological stories are vedic advises put forth in an animated way,” reflected Sanjeev.
“Well if you want to ponder over it in that way, you have to understand the true essence of Ramayana. Hanuman is incomplete without his Lord Sri Ram and Hanuman Chalisa is incomplete without knowing the story of Ramayana. If you want to know about Chalisa and Hanuman, you should have a small reference of Ramayana as well,” Pawan spoke.
“We have to understand that these are epics written by great Maharishis who were very renowned scholars of their times. If they’ve written a story, it’s not just a story. There is a very deep meaning attached to it.
When you see the important characters of Ramayana, you will realize that they are not characters but they define a typical human character or nature,” remarked Pawan.
“I never thought like that. May you explain in detail?” asked Sanjeev.
The Secret of the Chalisa Page 3
