Just then he heard the fat man, the one reading the paper and hogging most of the berth opposite him speak out, ‘These godmen and godwomen forget leading saintly lives. She needs bullet-proof enclosures, SUVs, personal swimming pools! In her case they say she has an empty one which is filled with milk and has a bath with it!’ The other passengers were immediately interested in his rambling. Some were not too happy with his statement, a few nodded in empathy and one guy sitting three seats away, with a slightly balding head and a reasonable belly, immediately spoke up, ‘Only the blind who cannot see her true grace fall for the media-written crap.’ The others turned to acknowledge this feisty voice. The fat guy gave the puny guy a once over and dismissed him, ‘Ya, we see her true grace for personal luxury – lavish lifestyle, holiday homes, swimming pools, foreign accounts, home theatre – and god knows what else?’

Kesar could smell a fight in the train compartment already.

‘You have visited her house? Made an inventory?’ The puny guy was clearly not ready to back off.

‘I haven’t but my sister-in-law’s friend has. She has even visited that one of her Satlok Ashram near Barwala. The ashram is spread over twelve acres of land.’

Kesar’s brain immediately screamed, He was headed to the same Satlok Ashram to meet her today! Was it an omen? He quickly buried the thought lest this man would see what he was thinking. He focused on his nasal sarcastic remarks, ‘Your Durga is believed to have been living in a five-storey house in one part of the ashram complex. The building is also a home for her entire family! The whole building has luxury fittings from granite tiles, marble flooring, fancy grills, well-equipped bathrooms with modern fittings, split air-conditioners, flat-screen TVs and even massage beds. The personal rooms were big ones that I saw myself in a magazine last month!’

The man with the briefcase was not willing to back off.

‘God knows why you are keeping stock of all her electronics especially flat screen TVs, like given a chance you would steal it!’

There was a little snicker from the audience. The puny guy had claws. The other passengers were settling down, a clear indication they were all set to enjoy the argument, a welcome entertainment during the long journey. Getting bolder by the minute as the fat guy decided to let the catty remark go, the devotee decided to press his luck further and drive his point home.

‘She has the blessing of Goddess Durga. She was named after the goddess at birth. And her followers also live in the same grace. Her blessing can fight the mightiest impediments that even Lord Shani can’t!’ He reminded Kesar of a well-trained parrot.