om bhur bhuvah svah
om tat savitur varenyam bhargo devasya dhimahi
dhiyo yo nah prachodayat om
Om, oh, Creator of the universe!
We meditate on Your supreme splendour;
May Your radiant power illuminate our intellects, destroy our sins, and guide us in the right direction. Om. - The Gayatri
Stepping out, dripping with holy water, the guide leads me to the priest on the platform. I bow before him and he applies a red and saffron tilak to my forehead. This whole thing is of great significance and it cannot be put into words. Palms together I bow in pranaam. I am instructed to place one rupee onto a brass platter by his side.
Having dried and dressed, Samji tells me I am now free of my sins and, for that day, whoever touches me will be also. Anyone elevated to the rank of saviour, even for a day, would be thrilled. I am silent.
