Baptism by Fire

During 1984-85 I was an MPhil student of the Agra University. I was there on a one year leave from CMS college, Kottayam as a teacher fellow under the Faculty Improvement Programme (FIP) of the UGC. Our teachers were Dr S.P Goel, Professor and Head of the department and Dr Jaishanker then a reader. Both were good teachers but I got very close to Dr Goel. He spoke beautiful English and I felt delighted discussing various issues with him. I became a regular visitor of his residence inside the University campus. I still cherish those long evening hours I spent with him talking to him, hearing from him and violently reacting whenever there were conflict of ideas. I should say that these talks were very enlightening. We talked politics, religion, spirituality, art, literature and of course education. Those days I was very much impressed by Hindu philosophy and Marxist ideology. I read a lot of books on both. My faith was so strong that I was not prepared to listen to any argument against these. One evening I was in a combative mood while talking to Dr Goel and the issue was Hindu philosophy. Then an ardent follower of the philosophy, I was arguing vociferously and relentlessly. I felt that Dr Goel disagreed with my views. On that evening Prof Goel was unusually silent as if he wanted me to talk all that I have to. Even as I was very adamant and agitated and was trying to stick to my guns, I could see a disarming smile on Dr Goel's face. This added to my rage but Dr Goel remained unfazed. One can remain like that only when one is very clear in one's mind and thoughts. I continued for some more time but I could feel my arguments becoming less lethal. Finally I stopped. There was silence for some time. And in a very soft voice Dr Goel asked "Mr Rajan, let me ask you this. Forget the God or the Son of God Jesus Christ. Can you cite one instance in the entire history of mankind where an innocent person willingly opted to die for the sins of others? Why are you not moved by this supreme sacrifice by Jesus Christ? Tell me, what greater philosophy than this sacrifice? For a moment think of the humiliation and cruelty He suffered on the cross before dying for the sins of mankind?"
Oh GOd! I was terribly shaken by these devastating questions. I hung my head in shame and grief for not realizing this philosophy of love, tolerance and unparalleled sacrifice. I could not talk. I felt like all my strength drained off. I felt numb. I felt frozen in time. Yet I could feel the hot tears rolling down my cheeks. I sat like that. I dont know how much time elapsed. Finally I could say this much in a very feeble voice, but with the strength of faith:
"Sir, you my Hindu Professor has baptized me into Christianity".