Chapter Two
Chapter Two
“We’re blessed with one lifetime as humans. Can we navigate unprecedented challenges and still fulfil ancestral obligations?” the young kīrtana-preacher orated. “Raghav … Purohit - my two names. Tonight, I’m performing kīrtana - a Purohit family tradition, but today, I went to work as Raghav, aspiring to create world-transforming software.”
Varun, expecting an abstruse metaphysical kīrtana-topic, was pleasantly surprised to hear Raghav’s personal ideals. Of course, standing before congregated devotees, Raghav couldn’t say what Varun wanted to hear: that Varun’s attraction to him was welcomed and reciprocated. Look at me, Varun willed Raghav, smile at me … You know I came here for you, not for God!
Raghav’s next words caught Varun’s attention.
“Long ago, Bhagīratha felt the same conflict. He was expected to govern the kingdom and beget an heir, as each of his ancestors had. Yet Bhagīratha aspired to share heavenly River Gaṅgā and purify the world.”
Bhagīratha! Varun remembered a Bengali friend citing Kṛttivāsī Rāmāyaṇa with pride: Bhagīratha was conceived by a divinely blessed lesbian union. Would Raghav speak up for same-sex partnerships?
Watching Varun’s expectant face, Raghav felt his world improving already. “Brahma-Deva warned Bhagīratha that the earth would shatter when Gaṅgā descended. She would wash away civilizations, not only dirt. Bhagīratha was terrified. So, whom did he call to deliver him?”
Smiling at Raghav, Varun joined the chorus of “Hara, Hara, MahāDeva!”
Raghav knew that rebellion against his conservative upbringing was inevitable. Like Gaṅgā shaking herself free, drop by drop, his coming out would be tortuous, but ultimately powerful.
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