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From Athens I flew to Asia Minor. In 11 hours, we travelled 1200 and odd
miles to miles to Beyrut. The journey was quite comfortable. We flew over
mountains and small islands studded in the sea. As I was not having Bhu
pursa(?) (youch or contact with earth) I read the whole Gita from the air
from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Sastras enjoin on us as an expiation ceremony to
offer prayers without touching the earth for a short time at least. As this
was not possible certain Pravaschityas (?) remaining in water, Tulabhara
and G**** were prescribed for the ******. Beyrut ……….to Haifa, a **** city
with an harbour in Palestine.
The whole coast of Palestine which was sandy and marshy in being made
fertile and cultivable and looks like another Eden as a result of the Zionist
movement and the Hebrew settlement there. Next I visited Jerusalem, about
100 miles from Haifa. Jerusalem is the holy city for three great
Nationalities, Jews, Christians and Muhammadans to the latter of whom it is
the third holy city, Mecca and Medina being the first and second. Jerusalem
is 2500 feet above sea-level and is all rocky. This holy city was the scene
of conflict of religions, both Christian and Muhammadan for centuries, and
within its walls are buried many tales of love and hatred. The crusaders
once converted the holy mosque of Omar into stables. Many pilgrims come to
Jerusalem for the final release of their lives. Greeks, Assyrians,
Abyssinians, Catholic Armenians and Patriarchs daily worship the Holy
Sepulchre of Christ. I was invited by two of these Patriarchs to visit
their Palaces where they presented me with their autographed photos and in
a sacred procession which was being held I was given a place of honour. I
met the Chancellor and professors of the Hebrew University and discussed with
them the plans to open a chair for Sanskrit, in that University.
On the northern side of Jerusalem is the Dead Sea, about 1200 feet below
sea level. It is a marvel of nature. It is supposed to have curative
properties especially for skin diseases and many patients flock to the
place. The river Jordan falls into it. Many foreign scholars are there
doing research work in ancient civilisations like Babylonean. There is
motor road to Baghdad from where a train goes to Persian Gulf and the
steamers take one to Karachi. From Baghdad it is also possible to come to
India via Quetta by land. I returned by rail to Port Said from jerusalem
which took me about 10 hours (150 miles) and at Port Said I boarded the
Italian steamer Conte Verde and sailed for Bombay.
I have finished the narrative of my tour. I have avoided Political and
other aspects that do not concern my purpose in view. I went and returned
as a pilgrim, covering about 15,500 miles in Europe and Asia starting from
Bombay and back to it. (see the Map).
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