Shivpreet Singh

All things are subject to interpretation. Whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth. ~Nietzsche

Here is a poem about "Lotan Baba" or the rolling saint. And also a video about him. Per Reuters: "Lotan Baba, a holy man from India, rolled on his side for four thousand kilometers across the country in his quest for world peace and eternal salvation." Per Wikipedia:

Mohan Das, more commonly known as Lotan Baba (or "rolling saint") is an Indian holy man promoting peace by rolling his body along the ground when he travels. He claims to have covered 30,000 kilometers (19,000 mi) to various cities in India, including Kashmir, first setting off from his hometown Ratlam, in Madhya Pradesh. Witnesses report Mohan travels on average roughly 10 to 12 kilometers (six to eight miles) a day rolling on the ground, at times smoking a cigarette while in motion. Media reports indicate Mohan Das began his life as a mystic after leaving home at age 12, and once undertook penance for 7 years by standing in one place and eating grass.

Different people sing in different colors. And this baba sings by rolling. Its an interesting kind of singing. Its not really hurting anyone. He says his aim was peace. And he seems be raising awareness about it.

I first found his rolling and standing on foot for 7 years ludicrous; what useless waste of a man's energy I am thinking. But after 15 minutes of the shock of reading this and watching his video, I felt much better. Is our routine any less ludicrous -- we have been working for years and years, or studying for years and years. Are we not the dog chasing its tail? And a dog that craves attention. He might also be craving attention, at least from he also carries the message of peace -- in a very unique color. No wonder he thinks he hears God whisper when he rolls.

I also read that he tried to roll his way to Pakistan to Nankana sahib. He was stopped because he did not have a passport. He said the government should get him a passport and visa. He did end up going to Darbar Sahib in Amritsar, where he was given a bath before he entered the temple.

Quite an interesting story. I just think this rolling saint should have a twitter account so we know what he is doing everyday. What do you think? Do you think your endeavors are more meaningful than his?

The Rolling Saint
BY AIMEE NEZHUKUMATATHIL

            Lotan Baba, a holy man from India, rolled on his side for
            four thousand kilometers across the country in his quest for
            world peace and eternal salvation.
                                                                —Reuters

He started small: fasting here and there,

days, then weeks. Once, he stood under

a banyan tree for a full seven years, sitting

for nothing—not even to sleep. It came

to him in a dream: You must roll

on this earth, spin your heart in rain,

desert, dust. At sunrise he’d stretch, swab

any cuts from the day before, and lay prone

on the road while his twelve men swept

the ground in front of him with sisal brooms.

Even monkeys stopped and stared at this man

rolling through puddles, past storefronts

where children would throw him pieces

of butter candy he’d try and catch

in his mouth at each rotation. His men

swept and sang, swept and sang

of jasmine-throated angels

and pineapple slices in kulfi cream.

He rolled and rolled. Sometimes

in his dizzying spins, he thought

he heard God. A whisper, but still.

SHIVPREET SINGH

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