IN HIS OWN WORDS · JUNE 2019
Papa’s Testimony by Raju
I can share some insights and depth as it relates to Papa, Suryakant J. Bhatt, and share this in the Spirit of the “Bhatt Family” … you see, the legacy runs deep and wide, and the stories are pearls, unwinding like flowers on a vine. So here is my added masala to the dish. I invite you to share your story about Papa, and feel free to add a message on the blog. The final dish can always be better, and still, I know how to appreciate, love and treasure the flavors and aromas given me.
Being born first, and a son, it was for me to help with the karmic ties that we are all bound to. At age 9 months, I saw my first duty of action, and had my first few years in the Vaso village the same place Daddy was raised by Chatulaxmi Baa. I also had the gift of being raised by this amazing loving woman; thus, started the karmic adventure I shared with Papa. When returning to London as a toddler age 3, I had already finished my first solo flight back from India, and I was ready to start my new adventure with the parents that I had only connected on by momentary phone calls.
This background is important as we see that Dada and Baa had both entered Samadhi when Papa was still just an infant. I was helping the karma clear by participating. Later I was able to clear out the cobwebs that clouded my life, the “illusions of separation”, as I spent a great deal of my journey in life healing this karma. In the process, the blessings of discovery and illumination descended in droves.
Later, in life, I found out that the separation, and other factors like an experience of head trauma and/or vaccinations can contribute towards the issues that I had to overcome in life like Asperger’s. This is another story and adds more depth to the story. It explains emotions like temper and frustration. It explains issues like self-care and impulse control. It explains the actions of many family members who have probably felt the shadow of their story, without knowing, that the stories interweave in a magical Godly presence, and generations of family karmic participation.
Daddy taught me to love God, and to be a family man while having a spiritual teacher(s); Daddy showed me to help others in sickness and to remember compassion in action; Daddy modeled how to be adventurous and to take risks like his bold move to London, and to Dallas; Daddy reminded me to remember family members far and wide like in New Zealand, Canada, England, Kenya; Daddy revealed his heart to show his love for original home essences in India, Gujarat, and Vaso. Daddy reminded me to respect others and to serve in any capacity like he did as a Priest, an Accountant, a Caregiver. Daddy taught me to keep my values and to find good in all people. Daddy allowed us to be children. Daddy helped give me the confidence to be myself and to practice self-reliance. I have been blessed. Om Shanti, Om.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
My Dad by Seema
My father was many things to me and as I have grown older I have learned to appreciate and admire all that he was.
Dad was the utmost disciplinarian. Having grown up in a strict household, he expected certain things from us. We weren’t poor, but money was always tight. We all knew we couldn’t ask for anything extravagant. Getting new clothes was a treat. We all had to help out – whether it was cleaning, cooking, earning extra money on the side. We all had to do our part. One ritual was our Saturday mornings were spent cleaning the house. We didn’t have the luxury of sleeping in. I remember the 70’s hindi music playing in the background on Saturday mornings as we vacuumed, dusted and cleaned the house under his direction. Not helping was not an option. The house had to be cleaned and the lawn had to be mowed and every child pitched in with songs from Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar playing from the record player.
Dad helped domestically any way possible. He had parts of dinner prepared by the time mom came home from work. He did whatever was necessary to make the house run smoothly. He never had any abhimaan or pride. He drove me to my singing lessons, waiting in the car and resting for the hour. He drove us to our scout meetings, skating lessons, bowling lessons. Whatever needed to be done he did.
Dad was a beautiful singer. We shared that bond after new Hindi movies would come out – especially those that had duets. He would write down the English transliteration for all the Hindi words and we would practice our parts. Of course, I know my pronunciation was rather poor, but he would patiently work with me and when the time came at our weekly gathering at friends’ we would perform together. I would cringe knowing what was awaiting me once the music started, knowing I would be called out soon to sing something, but I look back on these times as very special.
My most fond trip was our high school trip to India. Dad took three of us with him to India for a trip around India. It’s amazing how we went all around India from Taj Mahal to Kashmir to Gujarat and Mumbai. He wanted to show us India through his eyes. We all got sick in the summer heat, but he cared for us and nurtured us back to health. He wanted to show us the India he grew up in.
When I look back at Dad’s later years in life, as I was busy raising the children and engrossed in family life, I loved seeing him play the role of a grandfather. He would come and play in the sandbox with the kids. My best memories are seeing him act silly or goofy around them. Our special time was going to Olive Garden for his and Anand’s January birthday. By then, he had definitely mellowed.
Recently on a trip home I saw some of his notes on meditation and Hinduism, some written on the side of paragraphs. I wonder if I missed the opportunity of discussing his thoughts with him. I knew he was engaged in performing pujas, but I missed the knowledge aspect that he had gained from reading. As I have now become more interested in doing pujas and am reading more spiritual books, I feel rather humbled that I didn’t see this aspect of him.
My dad was an interesting complicated person. He wanted the best for all of us and provided us all the opportunities for us to excel. His only request that we grow up to be good productive human beings.
He sacrificed much for his family and sometimes had a hard way of expressing himself and this frustration would usually come out as anger, but his love showed in all that he did and provided. My love for music, my enthusiasm for life and love of India is all because of him. What I am today is because of his sacrifices, support and special love.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Papa by Vivak
During the funeral they brought his body back to the house.
Which I always thought was rather strange, but I got it, it was a custom. On many levels very sweet as well. I heard the comment, “that is not him” , as people paid their last respects, unable to recognize this organic matter without the person.
He was sometimes about the physical presence, but like all human had his good days and bad.
He was always about his spiritual side, it was his energy that radiated positive vibrations of love and peace, an energy that can never be destroyed. His vessel without the amazing charisma and spirit of this soul is like the Mona Lisa with no paint.
This energy stays with us and is palpable and accessible on any given day.