sacred thread yoga

wednesday, march 20. this man, whom we meton the stairs of the trichy temple, offered to be our guide. he's used to tourists. he recites his speech by heart,with expressive faces.

sacred thread yoga, he's a temple employee. i ask what his job is. "my job is to draw water fromthe cauvery river below the temple. the water's usedin the ritual bathing of the gods,

done daily by 18 priests." he says he's had other professions. he traveled across the country,all the way to burma. he worked as interpreter,accountant and typist. "this is the cycle of life:one day here, another day there. today i work carrying holy water.that's the way it is." is he a brahman? is he a priest,or what we'd consider a priest? he wears the sacred thread over his leftshoulder, the sign of the twice-born,

the hindus of the upper castes. this thread is magic circle, protective barrier and divine link,all rolled into one. there are dozens like himin every temple. the temples are self-managed,with a board of administrators. they're generally very rich.the faithful are generous. "i'm not asking for a lot. give five more rupees.it's not for me. i'm still young and can climbthe temple stairs five times a day.

it's for my daughter's schooling.she's 15 and learning to type." we're fleeced like thisat every temple. the priests'greed knows no bounds.