Today morning on 3am, i wokeup due to some unusual dream. When I woke up, I was literally sweating all over my body. In my dream, I was sweating due to lava type fire over my head. I could see that This scorching heat was coming from the torch I was holding in my hand. I could see that I was walking ahead of all people while other 100 and 1000’s of people were following me. I could see my relatives were all dressed like some faded whites clothes & others people’s were in some sporting attire. I was walking & holding the torch for which I feel like I am heading to begin the starting of an torch relay with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
THE OLYMPIC TORCH
At first glance, holding torch of Olympic i felt like Prometheus's gift of the flame to humanity was said to be given to humankind its nudge toward civilization & for the modern Olympic Games, which represents consideration of that myth, an ode to the growth of civilization, and the ancient tradition of the Game’s beginnings ....But all of sudden the flame of sadness continues to burn in the cauldron in my heart and all glittering turned into faded environment of someone’s funeral.
THE OLYMPIC SONG & MUSIC
While further walking, I could see a race track colored with white line of control for each opponent to walk. On one side of race track, all people were cheering for the crowd walking on it.
I was witnessing the ceremonies typically started with the raising of the host country's flag and a performance of its national anthem. The host nation then presents artistic displays of music, singing, dance, and theater representative of its culture, history, and the Olympic game motto.
All of sudden all songs & music turned into dirge- a somber song turned into lament expressing mourning for someone who died and the race track turned into cremation meeting of my Damubaa. A well-decorated photograph of her is carried by my Papa in the center of race-track. Floral arrangements were made to pay regards to the lost one. The Pandit/Priest announces the death of the lost one and everyone started paying respect to my Papa & other family members.
THE OLYMPIC RING
On one side of race-track, I could see symbol of Olympic, The Olympic Rings which are used to represent the 5 continents of the world that contain countries to show that they are united together... the 5 continents with countries are represented on the Olympic Rings turned into face of my family member - headed by Papa in Center Ring, Dhanesh on left top Ring, Darshana on right top ring, Alka on left bottom Ring & myself on right bottom Ring of Olympic symbol.
THE LAST RITE
One of the sportsman was announcing the history & idea for the Olympic flame that was derived from ancient Greece, where a sacred fire was kept burning throughout the celebration of the ancient Olympics on the altar of the sanctuary of Hestia. Sacred fires were present at many ancient Greek sanctuaries, including those at Olympia. The modern Olympic flame is ignited at the site where the temple of Hera used to stand turned into funeral of my mother, Damu....and lead cremator i.e. me & Dhanesh were leading the cremation ceremony with carrying burned dhup, fragrance sticks in small pot. I could see I circumambulated the dry wood pyre on her, says a eulogy or recites a hymn by priest, I places sesame seeds or rice in her mouth, sprinkles the body and the pyre with ghee, then draws three lines signifying Yama (deity of the dead), Kala (time, deity of cremation) and the dead.
Prior to lighting the pyre, an earthen pot which was filled with water, and i circled her with it, before lobbing the pot over my shoulder so it breaks near the head side on the floor. Once the pyre is ablaze, both lead mourners… me & Dhanesh and all closest relatives started circumambulate the burning pyre for one or more time.
For Brahmin, birth & death are closely associated as a part human life cycle of “coming and going” as seen in transient stage towards liberation complete unity with God for the peace of the soul. There is a belief that the soul of the departed is still conscious of any emotions on people’s behalf. These rituals assist the spirit of the deceased to obtain a new body for reincarnation in this Prayer halls being divine and purity help in this process. And hence the cold collected ashes from the cremation is later consecrated to Nashik by me & Dhanesh.
I could see panaromic view of my mother’s funeral as all instances has been associated with consolidation of my memory, which suggests that dreaming may serve an important cognitive function of strengthening memory and informational recall that I had in the past….
Rest In Peace my mother….happy for your liberation from Birth, Death, Old Age & Diseases…
