Mrs. Krishnamachari

This happened about two decades ago. I took to travel by Pallavan Express from Srirangam to Chennai as I always used to. On that day I had Mrs. Krishnamachari smile at me sitting in the seat opposite to me. It was a non AC coach in a winter month and the ambience was absolutely orthodox for a sathsang. As the train started in just about few minutes she asked me if I belong to Srirangam. As she was worshipping in the direction of the Temple from the moving train as long as she could see the Gopuram, she was silently or perhaps murmuring prayers. After about 10 minutes when she told me who she was , I was all attentive with awe. Then she started off with the kindest words asking about me and my family followed by a very engaging lecture on the sanctity of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple and the deities there in. I was a silent listener to this genius lady who has the Lord all over her heart as I could see. Pasurams , shlokas, puranas, Azhwars, Acharyas and a gamut of other things that she could explain with related verses from the text. She could bring tears of bakthi whenever she wanted with no inhibitions and that was the most beautiful sight for all of us around. Madam Chari never spoke about cricket, Srikanth or her daughter Ms. Srikala Barath or Barathanatyam. It was all about Srirangam and Sri Ranganathaswamy. The great Bakthi she displayed cannot be explained easily. When we got down at Egmore, she blessed me so much, told that I’m blessed to be in such a temple town and moved away with all smiles. Now we all know where our beloved Cricketer Krish Srikanth got his glib talking ability from.