On Sunday morning, September 11, I decided to spend some time walking around Pondicherry. My intent was to find some jewelry stores that sold little containers called "Vermillion Pots" that are used to hold the red powder that goes on your forehead. My wife had wanted some of these and I agreed to see what I could find.
Setting off across the city I walked all the way to the west side of the traditional section of the city and crossed Anna Salai. An old man walking towards me caught my attention. I nodded to him as I passed.
An hour later, about 1 km away I passed this man again.
Finally, 2 hours after that I was eating lunch in the center of town when I looked out the window and noticed him again, this time with a woman.
The mystery man, now with a mysterious woman (in the center of the frame, with tan bag).
I thought this could not be coincedence, there must be a reason for me to have seen this man in so many different places. I hurried and settled my bill and headed down the street in pursuit. I had to talk to this man and find out what cosmic link we had. He didn't really look like a sadhu but maybe I would learn some useful wisdom, or at least a good story.
I followed him down Mission Street and crossed to the other side of the street when I drew close behind him. My plan was to get in front of him and then wait for him to come to me. I carried out this plan, and then looked down to where I expected him to be and saw nobody. He had vanished. Frantically I looked around and noticed that he had gone in a side gate to the courtyard of the Church of the Lady of Immaculate Conception. Peeking through the fence I watched as he drank water from a cistern provided by the church. I walked into the courtyard just as he was walking out. He looked at me and held out hands, wet from drinking the water in the church courtyard. Figuring that wisdom doesn't come cheap I put 40 rupee into his hands. He raised cupped hands to me and muttered something. He then turned and started to walk away. I knew that there was more to this than chasing a man down to give him money so I called out to him. He stopped, turned around and looked at me. I said "My name is Shawn". He obviously didn't understand a word I said. After an awkward pause, I reached for my camera, pointed to it and said "Ok, Ok?". He nodded yes and I took his picture.
The man turned and left. I didn't even get a name. I murmured "nandri" to him and then returned to the church courtyard to ponder.
I think wisdom, karma, or a good story have to find me, not the other way around.
Leaving the courtyard I decided to continue my search for meaning at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, a long walk across town.
There had been a couple of other men sitting on the curb outside the church. When I walked out onto the street they quickly moved towards me with outstretched hands. The man must have said "Hey that German man gave me 40 rupee". (I am usually mistaken for a German).
I finally received the wisdom that I knew the mystery man had to offer:
If you are going to give big money, make sure you have enough to go around.