"Why you want to go to a temple!? Go alone, I'm not coming with you," Ravi burst out. Because Sid was stubborn like a preteen. Let's go to a temple, this was something unaccustomed among youths, but now the same sentence he'd heard from his best friend's mouth.

Actually, Ravi couldn't make head or tail of Sid's desire to visit a temple. His excuses were, religious places are not holy place anymore, where there's huge inflow of wealth as donations in the name of God. Illogical rituals, getting stuck with externals, pray-pay-obey concept, bigotry, fanaticism, and terrorism. On top of that, religious leaders are shams and money-grubbers.

Ravi didn't have a good opinion anything related to God or religion after having unpleasant experiences from bigots like Nikhil and Raj. But after catching a glimpse of unflinching determination displayed by Sid, he even came up with true life incident. Back in his native place, there was one religious leader, who claimed himself to be God. That so-called God told Ravi to bow down before him, but Ravi wasn't the guy who would give in to such bogus God, he rejected it bluntly. Just because he denied to do that, his family later tongue-lashed him like anything.

But still, Sid was determined. "Hold your horses, cause I just wanna buy a Bhagavad Gita. We're not departing to the Himalayas, alright?"

Ravi's heart skipped a beat with the thought of, what will people of this world think about them? Two teenagers in a temple? For what reasons they come before God? Probably teenagers go to God, a day before exams result; or to seek divine intervention for fulfilling their love interest. These are two major factors when a teenager approach a temple (Yeah, but nowadays Pokemon Go brought in third factor: Pokestop). Since they say jo dar gaya, wo mandir gaya which means: only those people who are scared goes to the temple.

Now come to think of it. Sid mulled over his reason for going to the temple. Fear? No, he doesn't even fear his dad. Desire? Probably he has every luxury in his life. Duty? Technically, he didn't even know what his duty towards God. Love? Well... How can he love someone whom he didn't know at all? Therefore, he concluded, Bhagavad Gita could dispel his all queries. And the temple is the right place to get that.

"But why don't you buy it from any library or bookshop?" Ravi suggested. Let's cut to the chase, Ravi was a staunch follower of PK the alien protagonist from an Indian movie, who challenged all religious leaders and proved how all religions and people related to them are hoodlums, so better maintain your distance from them. And believe it, PK was the highest grossing Bollywood movie ever, which Ravi appreciated from the depth of his heart.

Obviously, Sid had done some research on the best version of Bhagavad Gita. After hours of research and contemplation, he found out Bhagavad Gita As It Is by A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, is the best-selling edition and about more than sixty million copies sold out so far, and translated into sixty languages.

Apart from that, the commentator himself was a great devotee of Lord Krishna. In 1965, at the advanced age of sixty-nine, Srila Prabhupada departed to America in a cargo ship in order to spread the teachings of Lord Krishna. In the middle of the journey, he was struck with two heart attacks. But somehow or other he recovered, and never gave up. And as they say, God helps them who help themselves. Within the span of twelve years, he turned millions of people around the world-Krishna conscious.

Krishna consciousness, this word particularly enamored Sid's mind.

Sid rose up from his seat. His eyes lit up as a confident grin beamed across his face. With a galvanizing voice he spoke up, "Here's the deal. We go to a temple, grab one copy of Bhagavad Gita, and bolt out like the wind."

Ravi responded with an "hmm" while stroking his chin. Although he despised this plan, but now there was no escape. If possible Ravi would even disguise himself, so that he may not run into a relative or someone. Because the place was such a drag for him where Sid was taking him to. At last, he stood up from his seat and smoothen wrinkles of his sleeves. "Phew! Let's go."

Ravi got onto his bike and insert the key in the ignition. Vroom sound was made when he pulled accelerator, his other hand gripped the clutch. He rode the bike like a gust of wind; whooshing away everything. They were heading to Juhu temple—which was a very famous temple of Lord Krishna—maintained by the Hare Krishna movement. Along with Lord Krishna, there were deities of Lord Rama. Both of them are apparently one and the same person, but different avatars. That's all information Sid knew so far.

Certainly, Sid was devoted to his plan. Only buying a copy of Bhagavad Gita, that's it. But as he was walking on the temple premises, mellifluous sound vibration reverberated the whole surrounding. It seemed to be a Sanskrit mantra, which had total sixteen syllables. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

All of a sudden, there was pin drop silence. As if everyone placed their fingers over their lips. Amid this imperium of quietness, a flute resounded in everyone's ears. A Hare Krishna melody. In the meantime, Sid and Ravi set foot in the temple. Inside was a huge celebration of a festival. In the courtyard, there were colorful rangolis made up of varicolored flowers. And of course, there was a long queue as well, which seemed endless but it was moving every now and then.

Because there was no other way for getting on the other side, therefore, Ravi and Sid followed the queue. As they were getting closer to temple hall, the flutist was slowly becoming visible, who was playing that Hare Krishna melody. He was a monk. But there was something unusual in this monk, that he was not an Indian. His brownish hair and white skin distinguished him as an American. But what in the world he's doing in India? Whereas on the other hand, millions of Indians want to go to his country? C'mon, it's not just that he's in India. But he adopted Indian culture, wearing saffron dhoti kurta and singing Hare Krishna!?

Certainly, a heap of doubts grew in Sid's head, but at the same, he didn't want to be judgmental. Basically, it was more of a favorable inquisition. Adding more to his astonishment, there was not just this American monk, but many other Krishna devotees with different nationalities. There were Indians, Americans, Russians, Bangladeshis, Europeans, Africans and a few more. All of them were dancing on Hare Krishna kirtan.

Sid and Ravi reached near colossal temple room, where there were deities. In the middle were Radha-Krishna and their two more associates. On the right side were Sita Ram Lakshman and Hanuman. On the left, there were two more deities, but Sid had no idea who were they. Actually, these proficiently dressed deities were not objects of his attraction. He was unable to take his eyes off from these Krishna devotees hailed from every part of the world, which was the eighth wonder of the world.

By this time Sid and Ravi reached at the end of the queue and stood aside for a while. "Man! This is real UN," Sid exclaimed.

Although Sid said this to Ravi, but instead of him, someone else responded. "Yes! I can experience the true meaning of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," he said. That phrase is a Sanskrit verse, which means, the world is one family.

Sid's brow furrowed because he didn't expect someone else's reply. He turned towards that guy. "Vasudev what?"

That guy became pensive for a while. "Hmm," he signed. "I understood now, without Vasudev world can't be united."

"Who's Vasudev?" Sid narrowed his eyes.

That guy shook his head to snap him out of his reverie. He explained to Sid: his own life story. He was a theological student, being interested in comparative studies. He vigorously researched about world's traditions and practices. Hinduism was his prime interest, by his own research and study he came to the conclusion that 'Brahman' is the absolute truth. However, Krishna devotees didn't accept this. They said, the ultimate reality is not "Brahman," or "Paramatma," but "Bhagavan." Krishna the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the origin of impersonal Brahman and localized Paramatma or Supersoul. The final self-realization is to understand Him.

That guy continued. "I've been doing my research for almost a decade. But within few months devotees made me comprehend the absolute truth."

Of course, not to mention, Sid felt a pressing ache of confusion, everything went above his head. He had a brain fog with this new jargon he heard for the first time. "Brahman," "Bhagavan," "Paramatma," "the absolute truth," and a few Sanskrit words. All that he make out was, the literal meaning of these words must be different than what he was assuming.

Sid turned his attention back on Ravi. He was leaned over the railing and had his chin rested on the other palm while stalking at young girls in the temple hall. "Man, I would prefer girls in sari over miniskirts."

A grimace made its way up on Sid's face. "You perv," Sid scolded, "at least, consider we are in a temple."

Sid dragged Ravi away by arm and headed towards the bookshop. The sole purpose of their coming. But they'd utilize a significant amount of time on observing devotees. That was awesome, though. The good thing was, the bookshop was connected to the temple hall, just where queue ends. Inside bookshop, on the right-hand side, there was a humongous table. On the top of that, thousands of books were set up in order.

The first book on which Sid laid his eyes was, as clear as day, Bhagavad Gita As It Is. He grabbed a copy and gazed at it for a while. The front cover was a picture of a battlefield in Kurukshetra, Lord Krishna driving Arjuna's chariot. A dim smile manifested on Sid's face, that feeling of having something in his hands which he wished so badly.

"Can you pack this book?" Sid looked at the guy on the counter.

"Great! You don't know how lucky you are to buy Bhagavad Gita, today is a very auspicious day," the guy said.

Sid and Ravi exchanged looks. At first, it was perspicuous for them, that this guy might be using customer alluring tactics so that Sid won't abate his thought. He continued, "Five thousand years ago, Lord Krishna spoke Bhagavad Gita on this day." He completed his sentence.

Whoa! So today's Gita Jayanti and I don't even know about it, Sid wondered. On the spur of the moment, Sid purchased it and walked off. His face was as dazzling as the morning sun because he presumed that he's going to get answers to all his queries. At least, people claim that Bhagavad Gita has answers for every question.

"So you got what you wanted?" Ravi manifested a triumphant smile on his face.

Sid gave a nod laced with a contented grin. Both of them headed towards the parking lot, which was far away from the temple. While walking, Sid cuddled the copy of Bhagavad Gita against his chest as if like an infant. Whereas on the other side Ravi was simply happy to realize, nobody curled their brows about detecting two youths in a temple.

"Hey there, long time no see, Siddhant," someone exclaimed from behind. Sid turned around. "Remember me?"

Who's this guy? Ravi whispered. But it didn't take long for Sid to recognize this guy. Sid had met him long ago, followed by hour-long discussion in one seminar of a self-proclaimed God, Swami Mukteshwar, who happened to be the spiritual master of this guy. It's Prakash, one who propounded in "hate against hate" philosophy, which means if someone abhors or make sport of your religious ethos, you should get back at such radical person with coequal temperament. But this time he donned himself in maroon robes, unlikely to a Hindu monk.

"Yes, I do. It's been a long time. Never thought we'll meet again." Sid smiled.

"Yeah, time flies, I guess. You see, I'm no longer a disciple of Swami Mukteshwar. I'd abandon him already. I'm a follower of rationality now." Prakash threw his hands in the air and a flare of embarrassment spread across his face.

Why? How? When? As clear as day, these questions sprinted in Sid's mind. But he gave into silence. Actually, Sid didn't feel sorry for Prakash. In fact, this was a good news.

"Chuck it. By the way, I'm participating in a national debate competition on science and spirituality. Why don't you enroll for it?" Prakash replaced welcoming gesture on his morose face.

Sid caught a glimpse of Ravi to see an expression on his face. How he would make of that. "Well, I don't have, I mean, that's not a cup of my tea."

"Well, there's still three months to go. You can prepare yourself. You know, you have something in you, which is not common with everyone. You must participate."

Actually, the time was not an issue. It's just that Sid couldn't manage time for all this. And he didn't even have any idea how to present himself in a debate. Plus, he has his own college books to study, which he hasn't touched for ages. But it would be a great opportunity to garner whole new spectrum of spirituality from savants.

However, Sid was in a fix. Dealing with a paroxysm of vacillation, he anticipated the inner voice' counsel. Because he has to make a quick decision, his eyeballs appeared as if dancing. He heaved a sign and eyed Prakash, his mouth pulled into a confident smile on his bow-shaped lips.

******

A/N: So at least, we are heading towards the climax. Sid has Bhagavad Gita now, will it make drastic changes in his life? And now we have Prakash and his invitation for debate competition, how thing will work out for Sid? Please, share, comment, and vote.