Namaskaram.
Couple of latest threads discussed about some action of Brahmins and this prompted me to initiate this thread. adiyen would like to narrate (bit longer, bear it, request people who blindly support them to avoid reading) an incident. But I would not say this is the case with all of them. Probably, this will force me a cautious approach to deal with them.
A popular temple, popular utsav day, more than 1000 devotees within the temple complex, heavy rain for an hour. Devotees took shelter wherever place was available within the temple and the point of interest is the 12 feet x 12 feet mandapam, where eatable (deliberately avoided the word prasadam) are sold at front side (main sales) of the four sides.
Half the mandapam occupied by 5 sellers (brahmins with vadakalai namam, not sure whether they are bhagavatas) and materials on the front side. Rest of the place, at the back side was empty. There was little more than 5 feet space available on (sub sales side) one side after the seller. There was neither any material kept nor sales in this 5 feet gap. About 3 feet extended coverage was made on top on this side for protection against sun / rain.
The rain was quite heavy and not sure about the time of start of the utsavar’s ula. As I can not stand for more than 30 – 45 mins, I sat close to the pillar at the rear end, leaving a gap of about a metre from that sales man. I just utilised the time available to get into meditative mood. Two ladies sat, filled that gap and about 25+ devotees took shelter by standing on our side (completely covering the sub sales side), leaving no space even to stand under that cover.
After some time, the sellers were asking these 2 ladies (only) to take shelter at some other place, even while it was raining. But they got up and continue to sit and this went on for a couple of cycles and finally started standing. I thought, the seller did not like ladies sitting next to him. Due to rain the sales was less.