Tapan Vaidya: As I know him: Part 1

He has dropped his body, but he has influenced our minds to work for Guruji’s vision. I can feel him guiding me just closing my eyes and thinking what bhaiya will do if he was at my place. This is the synopsis of some intimate moments with my dearest Tapan bhaiya. Last 8 years, I have  spent minimum few moments with him either through phone, chat, in person or just remembering his presence, every day, without fail.

 

Tapan Vaidya @Mumbai

 

The Mind blowing answer: Bhaiya had got a major surgery at Breach candy. I was lucky to take him for a walk. I asked, how do you feel Bhaiya, ”He said, this life time I am doing Guruji’s work, other life I will continue doing the same. Riddhi Bhabhi later added, the doctor was amused looking at Tapan’s smile, he asked him what do you do and Tapan bhaiya gave him a talk about AOL while in Operation theatre and told me that he is going to do the program.

 

Most proud moment: I was proud to introduce him. It was a paid talk. When Tapan Vaidya graced at Microsoft for a Lifestyle talk to all my colleagues. That talk changed their perspective about Vishnu and suddenly they started appreciating me.

 

Grateful moments: There are lakhs, but the one , when I called Bhaiya just becoming AOL teacher, I can sense, he and Bhabhi were exponentially happy and proud for me. I was super-duper fortunate to have him on the last day of my first and second YES+ program.

 

My first Yes!+ program

 

Most funny moment: My email id srivishnuji@gmail.com. My earlier email id was vishnu4u1986@gmail.com which talks about my DOB and belongingness. While I was submitting my TTC application, I thought I will be doing Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s work, so add somewhere Sri in my new email id, I was fantasizing, I checked vishnuji, srivishnu which were already occupied, then I looked for srivishnuji and Aho, I got it. In 10 minutes, Bhaiya calls and addresses me SriVishnuJi, I have received your application. “Tu to abhi teacher bhi nahi bana aur ye Sri, Ji business started”. We had a great laugh.

 

When I met first:  Hyderabad, Madhapur petrol pump, 9^th Jan ,2008, 3:30 pm Bhaiya was taking a course at Tarun’s college. I was his travelling volunteer as we had to start at 3:30 pm. He first time took me to Basil( a veg affair). He gave me all the freedom, the way I was. Told me if you want, you can drink the lemon water(served at end).

The famous litchi malai

 

What he gifted me:  Riddhi Bhabhi. I was little insecure that we don’t get much time with bhaiya post his marriage, Infact Poornima shit scared me. Riddhi Bhabhi was other way round, she is our darling. I had been lucky to teach around 10-12 programs with her.

Rab ne bana di jodi

 

The Yoga Master of Hyderabad: Tapan bhaiya has always created leaders. He saw the spark in me to connect with youths and every program, by default I was his choice for warm-ups. I remember, we go until 54 surya namaskars some times in a duration of 30 minutes.

 

Yoga sessions

No of scolds I got: 3-4, my other peers have got in plenty and they can write a book on it.

 

Most intimate moment: Recently massaging his feet in ashram and chanting GuruPooja in my mind. Next day we had an exclusive appointment with Gurudeva. Guruji spent 10 minutes with us.

 

Best travel place: Maharashtra , we were chasing Guruji, we stayed in the same hotel where Guruji stayed. I remember, he had a great laugh, when I ran behind Gurudev with my brush and tongue cleaner. While returning, he drove all of us back as the driver was sleepy. We were amazed at his control of senses.

 

Best food: I used to cook Khichdi for Bhaiya and he used to cook dosa for me(when Bhabhi was not there). 

Khichdi

 

The 38 mantra: His all 38 size kurtas were actually mine.

 

My favorite time pass: Nice massage to Tapan bhaiya.

 

What I really missed: His marriage in Baroda.

 

Most grateful moment: He called me 2 am in morning for uncle’s hospital admission. I was there in hospital for 2 days. I was extremely lucky that he choose me.

 

Most humble moment: When I shared him that I am going for Gurupooja, He said, Awesome, you come back and bless us.

GuruPooja

 

 
 

Part 2 will have the mug story, the Trayambakam cycle, the Ashtavakra Gita, The Apollo mystery, being a senior volunteer, being with Vishnu’s Vaishnavi and many more.