Rasa Gurukul

I woke this morning to the singing of unfamiliar birds and insects chirping so I got up early and walked down to the river and watched a man on the opposite side bathing and washing and lots and of herons and avocets. After breakfast, I went on a tour of the farm given by Amil our yoga teacher. He showed us all the crops and spices and we watched the craftsman at work smelting iron for pots over a charcoal fire. He also took us via the elephant which is chained by the back leg as it is a bull elephant in musth (see extra). For most of the year it is free to wander although it cannot charge as its front legs have a rope which slightly restricts them. This animal killed someone last year at a festival and a client went too near four months ago and ended up in hospital with three broken ribs. I had a ride around the farm in a cart pulled by the bullocks that usually turn the coconut oil press. However this has developed a leak and a new press will have to be sought. Afterwards Amil took me down bamboo hut by the river and gave me a long explanation of some aspects of Hinduism and the spiritual elements of yoga. Lunch was again served on a banana leaf - lots of different pickles, grains and curries with spiced drinks and a sweet rice pudding.