The man in the center in the above photograph is Govinda. Every single day, he comes to feed the dogs in the Vontikoppal area of Mysore. Some days he brings a pack of glucose biscuits and some days he can be seen distributing rice in neat bowls to all the street dogs. They obviously love him and come running to him as he arrives. But also, they are very respectful and wait for their turn, as if they are assured they will get their share and they don't have to fear or compete. His love can also be seen in the way he shows his concern for them. Let me explain this a bit more.
I have been seeing Govinda every day, as the place he has chosen to do this divine contribution, happens to be part of my walking pathway. Why I call this divine, you will know in a little while. One day I was inspired to speak to him. My curiosity to speak was because by the looks of him, I could make out that he is not very well to do financially. So, I was wondering why does he do what he does and I was curious to learn of his inspiration to do what he does. So, while I was speaking to him, one of the dogs was getting prepared for an attack and even before it could happen, his entire attention was on the dog and a car that was going to come by zooming past us! He knew the dog is getting prepared to chase his favourite car of sorts and he starting talking to the dog and calm it down....nevertheless the dog ran after the car and till the dog came back, Govinda had a worried look on his face and kept calling the dog back...he seemed like a father trying to calm down his young son. It was amusing to see so much compassion and love in his heart, his eyes and actually his whole being!!
I asked him if I could speak to him. He said "Yes", while he continued feeding his dogs. I asked him what does he do for a living. He said in a very calming tone, "I used to drive auto". I said "oh, so you are an auto driver" and he replied "No not anymore. I was. I cannot drive anymore." I said "Where do you live?" He looked up for the first time to me and said with a slight smile, "here, there, anywhere". I was in awe of this person and was trying to figure him out. I continued, "What about your family?" He said " they have all gone back to Chennai. I was also born there. My father was in Railways. He got posted here many years ago. So, we all came here. Now, after his retirement, they all have gone back. I decided to stay back here." I said "What do you do other than taking care of these dogs now a days?" He said, "oh, I am pretty busy during the day. I repair cycles in a couple of places. You might have seen me in those places actually." I asked him if I could take a picture of his. He nonchalantly said "sure".
I then asked him the most important questions "Why do you feed these dogs?" To be honest, I had assumed he will give one of the answers I already had in my mind, like 'Because I love dogs' or 'Because they are my family now' or 'Because I like feeding dogs' but when I heard his answer, I found my Spiritual Guru in him or it may not be wrong to say that I found my God in him!
He said " Because He (with his hands up) gives it to me and asks me to give it to them (dogs). He is the giver. Not me. I only do what He asks of me. I am only a channel for Him." While I stood there almost staring at him as if I was wanting to see his real face and trying to digest the fact that he gave such an enlightened answer, he was busy feeding the dogs as usual. Now you know why I said earlier this was his place and way of his own "Divine Contribution!"
It was as if I lost my words, I forgot how to speak....it did not matter to me anymore what he was doing, I was trying to process what he said and I was trying to see how I was lead to him to learn something so awesome. In my mind I touched his feet and in parting I asked "What is your name?" and he said "GOVINDA" and my heart went Govinda, Govinda!! and I had a smile on my face and tear in my eye and my soul spoke finally - " I knew it was YOU Krishna....you are the best teacher....THANK YOU! HARE KRISHNA!!"
