Lawyers and Spiritualism: Sounds Incredible Yet It’s Possible in Allahabad! ( Photo Feature )

( Lord Hari said to Narada in Padma Purana: “Naham Vasami Vaikunthe Yoginam Hridaya Na Cha, Madbhakta Yatra Gayanti Tatra Tishthami Narada”, “I am not in Vaikunthe and not in the heart of Yogis, but I am there where people worship me and sing my name, O Narada”. )
 

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ( Albert Einstein ) It’s not often the case that you find lawyers gathering at some place to discuss about issues pertaining to spiritualism. However, in a city like Prayag, which has been seat of intellectual discourse since time immemorial, the unconventional route is not a rarity. Lawyers may or may not emerge as spiritual giants yet they are potentially more divine than others. Let me explain how. Is there any other section of society other than lawyers which witnesses most tragic ironies from such close angles? It’s entirely impossible to beat lawyers in being face-to-face with chosen paradoxes of life. They witness darkest chapters of life almost daily from shattering of human bonds to heinous episodes involving treachery and killings! They see all. That makes their soul crave for peace more and more.

The commonplace observation about lawyers and doctors is that they are extremely materialistic, greedy and manipulative. There is, indeed, an element of truth in such misplaced notions. Yet the greater truth is that they are the most logical, methodical and damn accurate about happenings of life. It’s an easy task for lawyers to change the course of destiny only if they really desire so! Mahtama Gandhi did it for us in beginning of 20th century, and so did Muhammad Ali Jinnah, trained as a barrister at Lincoln’s Inn, when he played an instrumental role in creation of Pakistan.

The Indian Independence movement involved selfless gestures of so many lawyers having diverse political orientations. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Lala Lajpat Rai, Pandit Govind  Ballabh Pant, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, P.V. Narsimha Rao, Purushottam Das Tandon, Tej Bahadur Sapru and Pandit Madan Malaviya, to name a few, provided excellent leadership at different levels to make “India’s tryst with destiny” a significant affair in the history of world. Interestingly, Clement Attlee, Britain’s Prime Minister at time of India’s Independence, was also a trained lawyer! One thing more. Some of the these lawyers had close connection with Allahabad.
 

In modern India, nowadays, false notions about lawyers dominate psyche of average mass of people. In fact, a large section of Indian people still believes that studying law is last option for hopeless creatures rejected in other professions! It’s only now that tough entrance, introduction of standard professional approach, and creation of state-of-the-art institutions offering law degrees have virtually sealed the scope for mediocre minds to enter in this profession. However, even now there are lots of loopholes which have ensured that “black gown” is held hostage to lesser minds. If that’s not enough the irresponsible approach of Bar Councils have ensured that life for hardworking lawyers remains like walking on the razor’s edge! And how can we ignore the fact that block-headed, shrewd and arrogant judges are killing the scope of emergence of young lawyers as successful lawyers!!

( Kudos to all the souls involved in spreading the words of Lord Krishna )

Against the backdrop of this sorts of dismal scenario, the emergence of group of lawyers at Allahabad High Court for uplifting the cause of spiritualism under different banners comes as whiff of fresh air. Kudos to Mr S C Upadhyaya for spreading the message of Lord Krishna under aegis of “Gita Mission For Cosmic Well-Being”.  One also can’t ignore role of Adv. Devendra Kumar Tiwari, Ex Vice-President of High Court’s Bar Association, and Adv. Sanjay Mishra, to name a few, for ably steering the course of spiritual wave at Allahabad High Court. This should not sound as exaggeration that Devendra ji with his academic bent of mind is setting good precedents in an era wherein lawyers are being perceived as opportunist and shallow creatures. I have been lucky enough in having long conversations with both Mr Tiwari and Sanjay Mishra and realized immediately that both of them excel at carving excellent strategies. No wonder that augurs well for expanding cause of spiritualism in distant lands. Very recently “Gita Mission For Cosmic Well-Being” organized a spiritual discourse on very first day of 2016 at Brahma Vidya Kendra situated inside historic Company Garden located in heart of Allahabad!

Overall, the year began on great note for lawyers-cum-spiritual enthusiasts! The pictures bear testimony to this assertion. It would be a fatal blunder on my part if I omit the name of few sincere activists promoting the message of Krishna with total application of mind and heart. I notice them in almost every event organised under different banners. Adv. Shashikant Kuswaha, Adv. Ramendra Giri, Adv. Adarsh Upadhyaya, Adv. Shashank Singh, Adv. Naveen Pandey and Adv. Pankaj Upadhyaya are some of the faces which are often involved in their tasks in fast and furious way. However, I need to appreciate Shashikant who happens to be my friend since college days. He deserves appreciation not because he happens to be my close friend. He deserves praises because he has evolved as good human being, performing with sincerity whatever tasks fell his way! His down-to-earth approach is infectious!! As concluding remarks I need to mention words of SMA Kazmi, former Advocate General of Uttar Pradesh, whom I served as junior in early days of my legal career, that it’s talent alone which ensures bright future provided lady luck at the same time remains kind towards you! So hope and wish that lady luck smiles on all my colleagues serving both humans and Lord at the same time!!

( Neither the position of Brahma nor that of Indra, neither suzerainty nor the rulership of the nether regions, neither power that comes through Yoga nor liberation- the man who has surrendered his mind unto Me desires nothing else but Me- Words of Lord Krishna for Great Yogi Uddhava in Uddhava Gita )

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* Pics Related With Events On January 01 And January 02, 2016 *

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( As I headed towards Brahma Vidya Kendra situated inside beautiful Company Garden, the rustic charm prevalent there took my breath away )

( I love walking on such muddy routes than being placed on metalled roads )

( Although I was getting late for the event. these bright flowers stopped me for a while )

( That’s the Brahma Vidya Kendra inside Company Garden )

( Both these lady saints manage the affair at this Kendra. They were truly in league with divine wisdom. That was so evident in humility exhibited by them. )

( That’s the team which orgainsed this event at Brahma Vidya Kendra on very first day of 2016. Some of the prominent ones are Adv. S C Upadhaya, Adv. Sanjay Mishra, Adv. Dr. Devendra Kumar Tiwari, Adv. Ramendra Giri and Adv. Pankaj Upadhyaya besides , of course, lady saint. )

( Adv. S C Upadhayaya and Adv. Devendra Kumar Tiwari garlanded Adv. Ramendra Giri for  ensuring excellent arrangement of Prasada distribution among the devotees. He prepared the prasada not from the hands but through the heart immersed in devotion towards Lord! )

( From Left To Right: Adv. Devendra Tiwari, Lady Saint, Adv. and Writer, Arvind K. Pandey ( i.e. myself 😛 ) and Adv. S C Upadhyaya.  )

( Senior Advocate Mr. S C Upadhyaya, President, Gita Mission For Cosmic Well-Being, throwing light on the role of mission while addressing the media-persons present on this occasion. )

( Some of the other advocates- the spiritual stars 😛 – who made this event a memorable affair 🙂 From Left to Right:  Adv. Ramendra Giri,  Adv. Nawal Kishore Pandey,  Adv. Shashikant Kuswaha,  Myself ( author of this post 😛 ) and  Adv. Shashank Singh )

( Green Bananas waiting to turn into yellow 😛 😛 😛 . The Kendra has lots of fruit trees, small and big ones which  makes this place a spectacle of greenery. )

( Anwala Tree 🙂 🙂 🙂 )

( Peepal Tree is loved by Lord Krishna!! It’s considered very sacred. Probably that’s why some devotee thought it to be a perfect gesture to hang image of Gooddess Durga ji 🙂 )

( Well, first day of New Year gave others a nice chance to play Cricket in Company Garden. I noticed that at every corner of the park  people of all ages were deeply involved in playing cricket!! )

( Advocates involved in a spiritual discussion at a different place on a different day in Allahabad! A pleasant sight since lawyers are usually involved in heated discussions 😛 )

( Advocates who visited my home ( and that’s my room 😛 )  and we had exchange of views on interesting issues. From Left to Right: Adv. Shashikant Kuswaha, Adv. Dr. Devendra Tiwari,  Adv. Nawal Kishore Pandey and my father Mr. Ram Murat Pandey, who as a Review Officer at UPPSC dealt with legal issues pertaining to engineers and others )

( Advocate Sanjay Mishra also paid visit to my home. He is , indeed, a very capable lawyer, dominating both in legal and spiritual world with his distinct aura! His rich insights made me re-think over some of the life’s burning issues. I wish to meet him often. Hope that’s  Will of Lord too 😛 In this short visit, he discussed about genesis of religion and effect of women empowerment in modern times!  )

( On the second day of New Year we all advocates gathered at residence of Adv. Shashikant Kuswaha wherein party of “litti-chokha” was organised! Notice Shashikant that whatever be the role, he gets involved in it with total dedication! )

 

( My friend Adv. Shashikant Involved in preparation of Chokha with help of his brother!! )

( Tomatoes being baked with help of Upali fire! Upalis are prepared from cow’s dung! ! )

( Adv. Ramendra Giri here too ensured that people gathered here do come to relish on tasty food 🙂 Indeed, we all enjoyed his preparations )

 

( Guavas were tempting the child in us to steal them even as they were too close to us 😛 😛  At Shashikant’s place one notices lots of greenery comprised of fruit trees and flower plants of various types. )

( Felt glad on noticing Sri Tulsi ji! She is so dear to Lord. )



( Advocates getting a chance to relish on Litti Chokha 🙂 Once upon a time it was darling of poor people. Now I notice it party of elites 😛 😛 :P )

( Being inherently a village soul, enjoying  background of farmer’s family, the Liiti-Chokha always manged to be part of my diet! In fact, it appears that Litti-Chokha manages to find me always 😛 😛 )

( Blessings of saints work wonders 🙂 )


( Feel glad to be in company of such good souls. Myself with Advocate Ramendra Giri ( Extreme Left ) and Advocate Sanjay Mishra ( Extreme Right ) )

( Let’s hope we all stay together helping each other in best possible ways. It’s need of the hour that good souls remain together. That’s the only way to rule over negative powers, weaken negative forces. Jai Radha Govinda 🙂 )