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'I am the child of Time'

Do you believe in destiny because you were successful in films despite coming from a non-filmi background?

It could be. Even when I was young, it was my ambition was to be a part of the film world. Many people have such ambitions, but not all are lucky enough to get a break. Many want to be successful in this field, but not all are successful. I don't say that my hard work has not contributed to my success. But, above all, fate plays a major role.

You said you were a loner. Is that the reason why you went away from the city and started farming in the suburbs? I have read in the papers sometime back that you enjoy farming.

A loner can have many dimensions. A loner need not be unsociable. A loner may enjoy his own company. A loner may like to be in the company of his own thoughts. Even when you are farming, even when you are in your fields, you have you as your companion. So I don’t feel lonely there.

Do you communicate with your plants?

Yes. When you are watering the plants, you can feel them talking to you. When you sprinkle water on the plants, you see them dancing quietly, as if they are acknowledging your presence. When you silently communicate with them, you won't feel lonely at all.

Why did you decide to go away from the city and start farming? Are you fed up of the city life?

No, no. When I bought that piece of land, it was quite dry, devoid of any greenery. My dream was to make it green and, now, you see only greenery there. The kind of pleasure I derived in changing it into a beautiful piece of land is indescribable. Like Amrutanandamayi says, it was like a prayer. It was like lighting a lamp and praying. I changed a barren piece of land into a green, fertile spot. I had to become part of Nature to accomplish all that. My work was my prayer to Nature.

Are you a spiritual person?

I am not a spiritual person at all. I am very rational. I try to rationalise every action.

You believe in horoscopes and destiny. Now you say you are a rationalist. Are these ideas not contradictory?

No. How can it be? I try to find reasons behind everything. That is how I started believing in horoscopes and destiny. What is philosophy if you cannot question and come to your own conclusions?

But how can a rational person believe in horoscopes?

You mean a rational person can't believe in horoscopes? No, you are wrong. It is only when you think rationally that you see meaning in horoscopes. That is why I said you are a product of Time. Do you think my father and mother decided to make a child by name of Balachandra Menon? It just happened. I am the child of Time and not the child of my parents. The position of various planets has a bearing in my destiny. You see solar and lunar eclipses, you see high tides and low tides, you see the sun rise and the sun set. How do all these things happen?

Do you believe in God?

A hundred per cent.

What is God to you?

I have a small wart on my right ear. My daughter has a wart of the same size at the same place and it looks exactly like mine. That is God to me. I find God in these things.

There are thousands and thousands of small butterflies in this world with beautiful and amazing colours and designs. I see God in them. Even after several generations and several centuries, Nature remains. I think of God when I see Nature.

I planted several plants in my farm and most of them bore flowers. I did not make any arrangement for pollination, still the flowers appeared. I see the power of God in all these mechanisms, which work in spite of you.

I pray to God because I am amazed at his abilities and not because I was made rich and successful. Don't you see the hands of a sculptor in all the images in the world, in the shape of a tree, its leaves, branches and flowers?

Do you yearn for material things in life? How important are material acquisitions to you?

I am content in life. I am not after material comforts at all, but I need certain things. For example, I need a vehicle to move around. Any vehicle. I need a house to stay. Any house. But I don't crave for things. I know they cannot provide any meaning to your life.

What gives you contentment in life?

I am generally content. I don't experience excitement in life. It could be because I know that nothing in life has everlasting quality. Nothing stays forever.

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