48. Report - Sandals

 

The first pair of sandals

I was never comfortable slipping into these sandals. On the left, the bridge between the big toes often blocked. But the feet got used to it and I became thankful for them. I took them twice to the cobbler for 10 rupees and they are still good.

 

Shortly before Shravanabelagola, for the third time a strap breaks. It could be repaired again, but since people go barefoot anyway at this Jain pilgrimage site Shravanabelagola, I say goodbye. At a memorial I clean them as best I can, thank and bless them and leave them there.

 

After two days, on the other side of the pilgrimage site, I slip into the new sandals. I can walk in it for half a week, suddenly the skin on both feet chafed under the middle strap. It hurts. I try barefoot again; but in the open country it is sometimes very rocky or there are thorn branches on the way. I stuff some cotton under the critical spots in the sandals, but it only gets worse. Suddenly I remind that there are light sauna slippers in the backpack. Forgotten and unused until now, they are the solution. I pad the sore spots again and walk slowly.

 

I use them for half a month. When the sore spots have healed to some extent, I pull two nails and several thorns out of the sole while cleaning the slippers.

 

The new sandals now work better. But not for long. They suddenly disappeared from a beautiful pilgrimage site in Koppal. I look behind a little wall and - someone just threw them down. - But when I collect them, I realize that they are not mine. They're two sizes too small and the soles are cracked.

 

So it happened after all: so many times I left my luggage unattended on this way and risked that even the valuables would be stolen. And just now that the new sandals were getting comfortable, someone must have taken them.

 

A kind young temple servant motivates me to just put on the found ones. Well, they are two sizes too small for me and the soles have broken. Since the young helper offers me an evening meal in the dining hall and also wants to arrange a place to sleep, I shaky follow him to the reception.

 

There I have to explain the usual: who - from where - why - ... Suddenly I feel great confidence and I tell the other person that my sandals disappeared beforehand and I suspect that this will be good for something.

 

The next morning, leaving the temple precinct, I see the Swamji of this temple. People told that he is an important man. Now I see a line of people standing in front of him and one after the other their concerns are brought before him. I observe relaxed and yet attentive how such a ‘holy man’ behaves.

 

Then his gaze wanders past me. He fixes me and waves me over. I refuse. Only when some of his assistants clearly ask me to do so do I go. I'm supposed to sit in the empty chair next to him.

 

A mother has stepped before him with her little son. The boy has a weak left arm. The Swamji listens to the mother and at the end gives some hints which a helper writes down. Apparently it's a prescription. I later hear that many good things are done at this temple for those in need. After, in different shops, I discover the image of Swamji. People say good things about him.

 

But this morning, when the lame boy's mother had received words and the prescription from Swamji, he turned to me. He asks the usual questions. His charisma is rather inconspicuous for me. Instead, I'm glad that I have more control over myself, perceive him calmly and don't chatter so much.

 

At the end one of the assistants gives him a hint. He gets up and asks me to follow him. In the house opposite he hands me a pair of new luxury sandals.

Sri Gavi Siddeshwar Swamiji at a ceremony in Kollar