Ananthakrishnan IPS
Rajesh always loved to meet, people in high position such as Ministers,IG , DGP and IAS. His scool problems, he see from his childhood and the kill the opponent attitude – all should have made him like this and many a time his opponents’ cunningness was crushed to defeat just by his knowing these people in high positions. His Periyappa, a man with crooked ideas, took up fight against his father years back in this family where his grandfather was the Panchayat President. Rajesh has shown me writings on his grandfathers glory from the magazine clippings of yester years. Their school, which is more than 100 years, that has produced innumerable number of dignataries, professionals in all walks of life, do not want to be associated with the school, due to the present condition of neglect, infighting in the family and with the poor benchmarks of the present teachers who got into the school by paying a good sum with some recommendations. This school is a classic example of where a great institution can be brought down to because of the infighting in the family and also proves to point that the present day Brahmins are not capable of managing such institutions with pulls from Government, politically motivated teachers and with people with no respect for the Brahmin community around. Added to this was the instigations by the crooked thinking people inside the family also. A sorry state of affairs especially when we come to see with our own eyes, the schools run by Muslim and Christian communities, where the politicians do not get in, because of the Communal powers. There is another sect in the country which scans all news to see that these communities are protected by branding the news into communal and others. And in this imbroligo, there are many Rajesh who longs for the people in power.
Yesterday, myself and rajesh, my relative from Coimbatore, went to see Mr.Venugopalan Nair, IPS, DGP Armed Battalion, Police Training College, Thycaud, Trivandrum. Rajesh and myself entered his room after getting his permission through the person standing in front of the closed room. We entered and we introduced ourselves. He did not have any idea of why we have gone there. When Rajesh told me that he wanted to visit this DGP, I thought he knew him earlier. Yet he showed his mettle in handling such situations. He told him that his uncle (mr sreeram of Coimbatore) knew him and he is working in KG Group. Then he suddenly rang up his uncle on the mobile and gave it to the DGP. Though he did not bother the embarrassment at the other end, this act gave confidence in DGP and he started to talk of lot of things. He told us that his father is from Kongad in Palakkad and his mother is from Pulissery, between Palakkad and Kollengode. He was a textile graduate, posted as CEO in Steel sector in Tamilnadu. He then showed some interest in Banking. When I told him that Educational loan was a worry among bankers, he expressed his disagreement. He said that bankers are happy to give loans for educating Doctors, but when does he repay. He can start his profession only after many more years after his MBBS, whereas the nursing loans can begin repayment after the studies. He also had to sit upon a Branch Manager in Canara Bank to help a student get such a loan. (That proves the point why people get agitated when we ask questions to educational loan applicants. We bid his bye and got into the waiting auto for visiting another ADGP, Mr. Anathakrishnan. While in the auto Rajesh got a call and I could gather easily that it was from Mr.Sriram (Mohan Mama) from coimbatore and it was the reprimand for ringing him and without even an introduction, passing on the phone to the DGP, though they knew each other.
Mr Ananthakrishnan’s office was in Pattom. Years back, we stayed in PMG quarters nearby. The old palace and PSC office were the only marks and Pattom was not at all a junction and now, it is now one of the busiest junctions in Trivandrum and has grown beyond our imagination with lots of Offices, Hospitals and shops At the Office, we waited for about an hour. Then we were called in. He recognized immediately on seeing me. He, though in a high and powerful position, stood up and asked me to take the seat. We talked on our families, enquired on those who were with us at SBT Pappanamcode branch. In 1986, I was in charge of the extension counter KSRTC when Mr Ananthakrishnan was a clerk. Thereafter he got IPS and left the bank for good.
I reduced myself and had to cut a sorry figure when I saw that except Mr SS.Suresh Kumar and Velayudhan, I am not in touch with any other person who were with me then. When everyone speaks high of the asset side of one’s balance sheet which should weigh more of the asset of friendship, my own balance sheet weighs less of this great asset. I can later sit and think of why it diminished to so little.
Then when he asked of Rajesh, Rajesh told him that he had gone to invite him to his college in Palakkad and though he agreed did not make it. That means, Rajesh was a fan but never met him, though he tracked him, and it surprised Mr Ananthakrishnan as to how I could find out that he is now there.
But I felt flat on the last question. “OK What brings you here sir, whether any passport issues or so”. I said No, it was just to revive the old friendship and because of Mr Rajesh who wanted to see you. “
Is it that people in high posts get visitors only with issues..? ( I have a fear that Rajesh may use this friendship when he faced any issues)..
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
seeveli
14.04.2011
It was evening 8.30. I decided to eat idli from the thattukada near Bhajanapura palace. I also wanted to go to Padmanabha swamy temple. It is seeveli time.
So I first went to Padmanabhaswamy temple. I kept my shirt in the scooter and wore the rendan mundu – a cover instead of shirt. Only in this dress we can go inside the temple. The time schedule in this temple is worth emulating. It has been this schedule since decades nay century and is continuing in the same fashion. The difference is that it was oil lit lamps which gave way to electric lamps. We can see electricians climbing up some ladder to light the lamps in the place of men with oil kindis climbing up ladders to light the lamps and to pour oil (some say they carry up empty kindis and the oil in the lamp is shifted to kindis through a small cloth and it is then taken to their homes. This was the incentive money to work in the great temple)
There are two seeveli per day during the Festival. This temple has two festivals in a year. The first seeveli is at 4.30 in the evening and the next at 8.30 in the night.
Each day has a different vahana. Garuda Vahana, Indra vahana, Chapram,
There are many festivals related to this temple. The major festivals are bi-annual. The Alpashy festival which is in October/November and thePainkuni festival which is in March/April, lasts for 10 days each. These festivals culminate with the Aarat (holy bath) procession to theShankumugham Beach. The word Aarat refers to the purificatory immersion of the deities of the temple in sea. This event takes place in the evening. The King of Travancore escorts the Aarat procession by foot. The idols of Sri Padmanabhaswamy, Krishna and Narasimha are given a ritual bathe in the sea, after the prescribed pujas. After this ceremony, the idols are taken back to the temple as a procession in the light of traditional torches, marking the conclusion of the festival.
Sri Krishna after coming from Shankumuka Beach during Aarat Festival
Big Idol of Pandavas displayed during Panguni festival
I have witnessed the festival umpteen number of times. As years pass by, it is pilgrims progress. During the childhood days, we clad a small dhoti and to stick to the body its ends were tied around the neck. At sharp 8.45, the deities of Lord Padmanabha and Narasimha are brought to the eastern gate and deeparadhana is done. Then the procession begins. The elephant which was standing at the western corner starts and the drummer starts ( the rhythem equals to the words “Ane mele Kochanji..Ane mele Kochanji.” The children below 10 years numbering about 15 or 20 used to run before the elephant shouting at their peak of their voices. I also run at times far ahead of the group because I am of the group which wants to show that they are not afraid of the elephant, but does have the fear.
Nobody from the public is allowed in between the elephant and the last temple servant to accompany. Next to the elephant comes four or five children on each side carrying different flags resembling the king’s days (these children are relatives of those working in the temple and get a few bucks). Then the special nagaswarams are seen ( these instruments are seen only here). They render keerthanas as per the laid down rules. Then the pramukhs and Royal prince and others walk in two rows. After that the King walks in the middle with folded hands smiling at people at both sides and occasionally praying to the Lord and a Brahmin walks just in front of him carrying the sword of the King. Just after the King the three lords follow. At the front and the back of the Lords, the man with the lamp goes and nobody is allowed in between. Behind the deities, a row of ladies clad in Kerala dress with lamps in their hands go. After that there goes the Mulla mootil bhagavathars. We often wonder why these old group sings which is not heard by anybody coming for seeveli. But that is a ritual. The seeveli has three rounds but the king accompanies only for the first round.
The deity of Krishna joins the procession at the western gate where there is another deeparadhana, which is supposed to be witnessed by Indras and 33 kodi devadas. The Royal ladies see this deeparadhana from the North West side. As a child I used to wait for having a glance of these beautiful ladies.
During our childhood days we used to come to the temple by around 7.30 p.m. and play around in the white sand around the temple.
When we were adolescents, we will have small groups and slots and with eager eyes waiting for smiling beauties. We used to feel that they smile because they liked us, which may not be true. For some it may grow to love and troubles and for a very few, it ends up in marriage. But it was very interesting to watch these beautiful Brahmin girls. It makes us imagine to be handsomes.
And now, the same people come with their children and taking care of these naughty children is interesting. These children will be ready to go for the festival because this is one outing we do not object.
Then we really pray when we are above 40. But we will not appreciate the very same things we did and also that the structural developments , other changes inside the temples do not make us feel happy. We would like things to be the very same as it was in our early ages.
It was evening 8.30. I decided to eat idli from the thattukada near Bhajanapura palace. I also wanted to go to Padmanabha swamy temple. It is seeveli time.
So I first went to Padmanabhaswamy temple. I kept my shirt in the scooter and wore the rendan mundu – a cover instead of shirt. Only in this dress we can go inside the temple. The time schedule in this temple is worth emulating. It has been this schedule since decades nay century and is continuing in the same fashion. The difference is that it was oil lit lamps which gave way to electric lamps. We can see electricians climbing up some ladder to light the lamps in the place of men with oil kindis climbing up ladders to light the lamps and to pour oil (some say they carry up empty kindis and the oil in the lamp is shifted to kindis through a small cloth and it is then taken to their homes. This was the incentive money to work in the great temple)
There are two seeveli per day during the Festival. This temple has two festivals in a year. The first seeveli is at 4.30 in the evening and the next at 8.30 in the night.
Each day has a different vahana. Garuda Vahana, Indra vahana, Chapram,
There are many festivals related to this temple. The major festivals are bi-annual. The Alpashy festival which is in October/November and thePainkuni festival which is in March/April, lasts for 10 days each. These festivals culminate with the Aarat (holy bath) procession to theShankumugham Beach. The word Aarat refers to the purificatory immersion of the deities of the temple in sea. This event takes place in the evening. The King of Travancore escorts the Aarat procession by foot. The idols of Sri Padmanabhaswamy, Krishna and Narasimha are given a ritual bathe in the sea, after the prescribed pujas. After this ceremony, the idols are taken back to the temple as a procession in the light of traditional torches, marking the conclusion of the festival.
Sri Krishna after coming from Shankumuka Beach during Aarat Festival
Big Idol of Pandavas displayed during Panguni festival
I have witnessed the festival umpteen number of times. As years pass by, it is pilgrims progress. During the childhood days, we clad a small dhoti and to stick to the body its ends were tied around the neck. At sharp 8.45, the deities of Lord Padmanabha and Narasimha are brought to the eastern gate and deeparadhana is done. Then the procession begins. The elephant which was standing at the western corner starts and the drummer starts ( the rhythem equals to the words “Ane mele Kochanji..Ane mele Kochanji.” The children below 10 years numbering about 15 or 20 used to run before the elephant shouting at their peak of their voices. I also run at times far ahead of the group because I am of the group which wants to show that they are not afraid of the elephant, but does have the fear.
Nobody from the public is allowed in between the elephant and the last temple servant to accompany. Next to the elephant comes four or five children on each side carrying different flags resembling the king’s days (these children are relatives of those working in the temple and get a few bucks). Then the special nagaswarams are seen ( these instruments are seen only here). They render keerthanas as per the laid down rules. Then the pramukhs and Royal prince and others walk in two rows. After that the King walks in the middle with folded hands smiling at people at both sides and occasionally praying to the Lord and a Brahmin walks just in front of him carrying the sword of the King. Just after the King the three lords follow. At the front and the back of the Lords, the man with the lamp goes and nobody is allowed in between. Behind the deities, a row of ladies clad in Kerala dress with lamps in their hands go. After that there goes the Mulla mootil bhagavathars. We often wonder why these old group sings which is not heard by anybody coming for seeveli. But that is a ritual. The seeveli has three rounds but the king accompanies only for the first round.
The deity of Krishna joins the procession at the western gate where there is another deeparadhana, which is supposed to be witnessed by Indras and 33 kodi devadas. The Royal ladies see this deeparadhana from the North West side. As a child I used to wait for having a glance of these beautiful ladies.
During our childhood days we used to come to the temple by around 7.30 p.m. and play around in the white sand around the temple.
When we were adolescents, we will have small groups and slots and with eager eyes waiting for smiling beauties. We used to feel that they smile because they liked us, which may not be true. For some it may grow to love and troubles and for a very few, it ends up in marriage. But it was very interesting to watch these beautiful Brahmin girls. It makes us imagine to be handsomes.
And now, the same people come with their children and taking care of these naughty children is interesting. These children will be ready to go for the festival because this is one outing we do not object.
Then we really pray when we are above 40. But we will not appreciate the very same things we did and also that the structural developments , other changes inside the temples do not make us feel happy. We would like things to be the very same as it was in our early ages.
Anna Hazare (part II)– Kappi Kudikalama.
Anna Hazare (part II)– Kappi Kudikalama.
This branch was situate in the first Industrial estate in Kerala. When I became the field Officer, almost half of the industrial units are declared sick or were on the way. A handful of units were working.
One such unit was manufacturing ‘stabilisers’, which was much in demand ( because of the most fluctuated current flow). He was brilliant to make one for each item i.e. one for fridge, one for TV etc. and once a customer always a customer – probably a simile is seen in NI Act.when we say once a bearer always a bearer.
He has a ‘sami’ as accountant cum collector cum manager cum secretary. This ‘sami’ frequently visit the branch that many would have felt that he is an employee of SBT. Usually, I go home only after the entire area goes to sleep ( may be as some would like to say “its your inefficiency sitting late” but I also remember when encountered with the question as to why he didn’t wear watch, the honble defence minister answered that others decide his time and in the case of SBT field officers we would stand by the defence minister’s quote). Unsually one day I wanted to go home a little early say by 6.30 p.m. and Sami also came along. Seeing me tired of a day’s work he asked “ Oru Kapi Kudikalama ?” I without further thinking said “Why not It’s a pleasure”.
There was a good Brahmin’s hotel in Karamana. We had a dosai and coffee. Suddenly it came to my mind that he was my borrower and anybody seeing him paying for me would be detrimental to me. I said “OK I am paying”. When he insisted on his paying I reminded him “you know you are a borrower” – Immediately, he got the point and agreed with a ‘chiri” ( which probably meant – madayan” )
Continues…in next part
This branch was situate in the first Industrial estate in Kerala. When I became the field Officer, almost half of the industrial units are declared sick or were on the way. A handful of units were working.
One such unit was manufacturing ‘stabilisers’, which was much in demand ( because of the most fluctuated current flow). He was brilliant to make one for each item i.e. one for fridge, one for TV etc. and once a customer always a customer – probably a simile is seen in NI Act.when we say once a bearer always a bearer.
He has a ‘sami’ as accountant cum collector cum manager cum secretary. This ‘sami’ frequently visit the branch that many would have felt that he is an employee of SBT. Usually, I go home only after the entire area goes to sleep ( may be as some would like to say “its your inefficiency sitting late” but I also remember when encountered with the question as to why he didn’t wear watch, the honble defence minister answered that others decide his time and in the case of SBT field officers we would stand by the defence minister’s quote). Unsually one day I wanted to go home a little early say by 6.30 p.m. and Sami also came along. Seeing me tired of a day’s work he asked “ Oru Kapi Kudikalama ?” I without further thinking said “Why not It’s a pleasure”.
There was a good Brahmin’s hotel in Karamana. We had a dosai and coffee. Suddenly it came to my mind that he was my borrower and anybody seeing him paying for me would be detrimental to me. I said “OK I am paying”. When he insisted on his paying I reminded him “you know you are a borrower” – Immediately, he got the point and agreed with a ‘chiri” ( which probably meant – madayan” )
Continues…in next part
Anna Hazare (part I)– Nokkatte.
Anna Hazare (part I)– Nokkatte.
Though Anna Hazare ( somebody spelt it as Anna Hazarde) is full in media – In papers , in TV.., and his name is now synchronized with anti-corrupt, I just read a nice piece on the subject by KTR in his Wannebewodehouse and I thought of a few words on the subject.
Il etait 1987. It was in 1987. I was posted as a Field Officer at our Pappanamcode branch. Many of the eye brows were raised on hearing this, I being inexperienced and I was offered an accountant’s post in sreekaryam or karyavattom. But I was determined to learn and go up the career ladder. As they say I aimed the stars to reach the sky). The first thing I did – I took a notebook and went to Mr.Sankar a sincere field officer at our Puthenchanthai branch (who retired in MMII four or five years back). He taught me of basics of how to be a Field Officer ( But he did not teach how to face corrupt people ) I also learned from my predecessor on the routine things on the seat.
Inspections, putting up for sanction etc became a routine matter. And one day a calm mid-aged man came for a loan. I understood that it was for ‘Kozhi valarthal’. I decided based on experience in the branch and other’s experience and also on the background of the applicant, that this is not a good proposition. So I told him on his face of my decision ( even before I gave the application form). But he would come every alternate day and he became a “salyam”. Later he began complaining to my Branch Manager, who trusted me and brushed aside the complaint. But the Branch Manager was afraid of any repercussion in case the complaint is sent to his boss. So he asked me to inspect the unit and then decide.
Though I was reluctant due to constant pressure from him, I said “Nokkatte” (let me see). A day was fixed. An auto was arranged. He came along to show me the place. The unit was somewhat away from roadside. After alighting from the auto, we walked along the pathway. There was some hens in a makeshift tent. I put a lot of questions to which he half-answered. He knew that I had not changed my mind of rejecting the loan. We turned back and after a few steps, he suddenly gave me a ‘pothi’. I was shocked. “He was trying to bribe me”..Untolerable act.. I shouted at him and took another auto and came back to Office.
When I told this to my senior friend, he calmed me saying that he also had similar experiences and asked me to smilingly tell him not to do such things in this Office. After a few days, the applicant again came to me. I asked him why he attempted to do this. To this he replied that I uttered the same words people in Govt Office said… “Nokkatte” ( it means that if bribe is OK, the papers will be ready). Thereafter I stopped using the word. The loan was not sanctioned.
Though Anna Hazare ( somebody spelt it as Anna Hazarde) is full in media – In papers , in TV.., and his name is now synchronized with anti-corrupt, I just read a nice piece on the subject by KTR in his Wannebewodehouse and I thought of a few words on the subject.
Il etait 1987. It was in 1987. I was posted as a Field Officer at our Pappanamcode branch. Many of the eye brows were raised on hearing this, I being inexperienced and I was offered an accountant’s post in sreekaryam or karyavattom. But I was determined to learn and go up the career ladder. As they say I aimed the stars to reach the sky). The first thing I did – I took a notebook and went to Mr.Sankar a sincere field officer at our Puthenchanthai branch (who retired in MMII four or five years back). He taught me of basics of how to be a Field Officer ( But he did not teach how to face corrupt people ) I also learned from my predecessor on the routine things on the seat.
Inspections, putting up for sanction etc became a routine matter. And one day a calm mid-aged man came for a loan. I understood that it was for ‘Kozhi valarthal’. I decided based on experience in the branch and other’s experience and also on the background of the applicant, that this is not a good proposition. So I told him on his face of my decision ( even before I gave the application form). But he would come every alternate day and he became a “salyam”. Later he began complaining to my Branch Manager, who trusted me and brushed aside the complaint. But the Branch Manager was afraid of any repercussion in case the complaint is sent to his boss. So he asked me to inspect the unit and then decide.
Though I was reluctant due to constant pressure from him, I said “Nokkatte” (let me see). A day was fixed. An auto was arranged. He came along to show me the place. The unit was somewhat away from roadside. After alighting from the auto, we walked along the pathway. There was some hens in a makeshift tent. I put a lot of questions to which he half-answered. He knew that I had not changed my mind of rejecting the loan. We turned back and after a few steps, he suddenly gave me a ‘pothi’. I was shocked. “He was trying to bribe me”..Untolerable act.. I shouted at him and took another auto and came back to Office.
When I told this to my senior friend, he calmed me saying that he also had similar experiences and asked me to smilingly tell him not to do such things in this Office. After a few days, the applicant again came to me. I asked him why he attempted to do this. To this he replied that I uttered the same words people in Govt Office said… “Nokkatte” ( it means that if bribe is OK, the papers will be ready). Thereafter I stopped using the word. The loan was not sanctioned.
sai
Sai
I just entered my flat after a condolence visit to Attingal Harihara Iyer’s house. Harihara iyer’s daughter-in-law is my son-in-law’s (daughter’s husband) father’s sister (athai). He was Devaswam Board Member and a Congressman. Swamigal from Sringeri, Kanchi muts used to camp in his house.
Condolence visits which have been put as part of Brahmin custom, in order to give strength to the family. But somehow some additional interpretations have got into it, which I don’t know whether is part of scriptures or not. It is if you do not see the relatives on Sundays and Thursdays,you should not see them on other days for the next one year. Mostly, it is likely that we meet them on the days other than Sundays and Thursdays, it is bad for you and your family. May be if you put some fear then the customs will continue. But one thing is true. When you are forced to repeat the same story of how , when and why of the death, It helps you overcome the grief ( as it happened when my mother died).
Coming to Sai, the TV, Papers were airing Sai’s condition for the past many days. But I as many others, felt that a miracle would happen and with all the greatness in Him, Sai cannot die as any other human being die. There should be some divinity.
Unfortunately that did not happen. That worries me. And I again want to hear miracle stories after the death of Sai so that we can believe that only the body is no more, but the Atma is still there doing all those miracles.
I have seen Sai two times. Once at Puttaparthy and other at Chenthitta Sai Samithy. While at Puttaparthy, I was able to see Sai three times. I don’t know why I was not among the chosen ones to be his bhakthas. Probably, as devotees believe, I do not have a clean mind.
In 1980 or so, I took my first LFC to attend a marriage at Bangalore. My friend Mr Thanu Pilai (later Swami) of Credit Department, asked me to visit Puttaparthy also. So I gathered details from a Bhakta in Bangalore.
My parents and myself, boarded a bus from Kalasi palayam in Bangalore. By evening we reached Puttaparthi and the first thing that attracted me was the chirping of lot of birds on the trees as if it was morning. It was bhakti mayam. Everyone believed that Bhagavan was watching you. If you are lucky you will be called inside and will have special darshan.
We took a room and had food from a neat canteen where I was told that the cleaning was done by a Maharani from North India ( seva).
In the early morning by 3.30 am or 4 we saw a small group of people going round chanting prayers loudly. There were some verses from Koran also. By 5 am we were inside a hall and the bhajans started. In between bhagavan visits and smiles at all of us. After Arathi, we went back. We reassembled at a ground in front of the big building. The people sat in rows neatly with volunteers guiding them. One side for gents and the other for ladies. If Baba asks a man to come he can take his wife and children alongwith him. Silently everyone sat praying. Baba arrives and walks towards the row of people. I and my father was in the first row. My father sat some two people got in between and then I sat. As baba was coming towards slowly gliding, His walk was so soft that we have to believe that his feet is not fit with wheels. I saw Baba even going in between rows and getting letters, pens etc raised to him. It was believed that once he accepts these from you, your problem is not simply solved, the problem vanishes. My mind flutters. I wanted to see his face, his toes ( I even wanted to know that by his divinity his feet do not touch the ground) and at the same time wanted his blessings. When he came near my father, he touched Baba’s feet with both hands round his feet. For the next few seconds, nobody knew what to do.. You are not supposed to touch Baba.. but this man got hold of his feet and his head was on the lotus feet. The feet is covered by the long dress. Then the volunteers took my fathers hands away.
And I waited for my turn to touch the feet. But suddenly Baba turned away and went to the row where the disabled people waited on wheel chairs.
My heart suddently sunk down with sadness. What a man I was, with impure mind and the Lord did not want to bless me. My father is a great Sabarimala bhakta, but never he was a sai bhakta. In fact, I have been to sai bhajans in a house in Trivandrum.
I don’t know who took me to that house. I went there one day for the Thursday Bhajan. After the bhajan, the man and wife in that house, cleared the baba photos kept along with Krishna and Rama and other gods. The photos were full of vibuthi. The devi photos had kumkum and one or two shining stones were also found in the kumkum. He gave prasadam for putting on our foreheads and Chundal for eating. He was a driver in Varma Travels. He and his wife stayed in a house on the way to Palkulangara. The mami with big kumkum pottu on her forehead recognizes me when she see me in temples. But Baba knows the purity of the heart.
I also used to hear Sai bhajans every Thursday in the morning in the radio. The Trivandrum AIR used to air sai bhajans every Thursday. Butafter wards, as usual, AIR also was bitten by the Secular Bug and Socialist Bug.
In those days, Mr.Wellington a Minister, Christian by faith, was a known Sai devotee.
It surprises me why we did not become ardent devotees.
One thing that did not go into my mind was the using of Sai along with the names of the Gods.
Then some of the devotees were not human in their approach and behavior.
Also the use of symbols of other religions along with ‘Om’ did not go well into my mind. Though I loved Christ’s teachings, I did not like the way they convert Hindus to Christianity.
Once brother of Sri Ramakrishna paramahamsa, showed light from his body when the light went off. He was immediately warned and advised not to use of such small divine like miracles which one would get during the course of going up the Vedanta ladder.
But I liked the manava seva of the devotees.
One of the other things that make me feel that Baba was a great soul is that the Hall in Puttaparthi was designed and overseen by the Baba single handedly, though Engineers were there. This feat can be done only by a great soul.
Mr Sethu madhavan, near sree durga, and his wife were great sai bhaktas.
Now adays, I include Baba also along with My gurus Kanchi Mahaperiaval and Sringeri swamigal.
I just entered my flat after a condolence visit to Attingal Harihara Iyer’s house. Harihara iyer’s daughter-in-law is my son-in-law’s (daughter’s husband) father’s sister (athai). He was Devaswam Board Member and a Congressman. Swamigal from Sringeri, Kanchi muts used to camp in his house.
Condolence visits which have been put as part of Brahmin custom, in order to give strength to the family. But somehow some additional interpretations have got into it, which I don’t know whether is part of scriptures or not. It is if you do not see the relatives on Sundays and Thursdays,you should not see them on other days for the next one year. Mostly, it is likely that we meet them on the days other than Sundays and Thursdays, it is bad for you and your family. May be if you put some fear then the customs will continue. But one thing is true. When you are forced to repeat the same story of how , when and why of the death, It helps you overcome the grief ( as it happened when my mother died).
Coming to Sai, the TV, Papers were airing Sai’s condition for the past many days. But I as many others, felt that a miracle would happen and with all the greatness in Him, Sai cannot die as any other human being die. There should be some divinity.
Unfortunately that did not happen. That worries me. And I again want to hear miracle stories after the death of Sai so that we can believe that only the body is no more, but the Atma is still there doing all those miracles.
I have seen Sai two times. Once at Puttaparthy and other at Chenthitta Sai Samithy. While at Puttaparthy, I was able to see Sai three times. I don’t know why I was not among the chosen ones to be his bhakthas. Probably, as devotees believe, I do not have a clean mind.
In 1980 or so, I took my first LFC to attend a marriage at Bangalore. My friend Mr Thanu Pilai (later Swami) of Credit Department, asked me to visit Puttaparthy also. So I gathered details from a Bhakta in Bangalore.
My parents and myself, boarded a bus from Kalasi palayam in Bangalore. By evening we reached Puttaparthi and the first thing that attracted me was the chirping of lot of birds on the trees as if it was morning. It was bhakti mayam. Everyone believed that Bhagavan was watching you. If you are lucky you will be called inside and will have special darshan.
We took a room and had food from a neat canteen where I was told that the cleaning was done by a Maharani from North India ( seva).
In the early morning by 3.30 am or 4 we saw a small group of people going round chanting prayers loudly. There were some verses from Koran also. By 5 am we were inside a hall and the bhajans started. In between bhagavan visits and smiles at all of us. After Arathi, we went back. We reassembled at a ground in front of the big building. The people sat in rows neatly with volunteers guiding them. One side for gents and the other for ladies. If Baba asks a man to come he can take his wife and children alongwith him. Silently everyone sat praying. Baba arrives and walks towards the row of people. I and my father was in the first row. My father sat some two people got in between and then I sat. As baba was coming towards slowly gliding, His walk was so soft that we have to believe that his feet is not fit with wheels. I saw Baba even going in between rows and getting letters, pens etc raised to him. It was believed that once he accepts these from you, your problem is not simply solved, the problem vanishes. My mind flutters. I wanted to see his face, his toes ( I even wanted to know that by his divinity his feet do not touch the ground) and at the same time wanted his blessings. When he came near my father, he touched Baba’s feet with both hands round his feet. For the next few seconds, nobody knew what to do.. You are not supposed to touch Baba.. but this man got hold of his feet and his head was on the lotus feet. The feet is covered by the long dress. Then the volunteers took my fathers hands away.
And I waited for my turn to touch the feet. But suddenly Baba turned away and went to the row where the disabled people waited on wheel chairs.
My heart suddently sunk down with sadness. What a man I was, with impure mind and the Lord did not want to bless me. My father is a great Sabarimala bhakta, but never he was a sai bhakta. In fact, I have been to sai bhajans in a house in Trivandrum.
I don’t know who took me to that house. I went there one day for the Thursday Bhajan. After the bhajan, the man and wife in that house, cleared the baba photos kept along with Krishna and Rama and other gods. The photos were full of vibuthi. The devi photos had kumkum and one or two shining stones were also found in the kumkum. He gave prasadam for putting on our foreheads and Chundal for eating. He was a driver in Varma Travels. He and his wife stayed in a house on the way to Palkulangara. The mami with big kumkum pottu on her forehead recognizes me when she see me in temples. But Baba knows the purity of the heart.
I also used to hear Sai bhajans every Thursday in the morning in the radio. The Trivandrum AIR used to air sai bhajans every Thursday. Butafter wards, as usual, AIR also was bitten by the Secular Bug and Socialist Bug.
In those days, Mr.Wellington a Minister, Christian by faith, was a known Sai devotee.
It surprises me why we did not become ardent devotees.
One thing that did not go into my mind was the using of Sai along with the names of the Gods.
Then some of the devotees were not human in their approach and behavior.
Also the use of symbols of other religions along with ‘Om’ did not go well into my mind. Though I loved Christ’s teachings, I did not like the way they convert Hindus to Christianity.
Once brother of Sri Ramakrishna paramahamsa, showed light from his body when the light went off. He was immediately warned and advised not to use of such small divine like miracles which one would get during the course of going up the Vedanta ladder.
But I liked the manava seva of the devotees.
One of the other things that make me feel that Baba was a great soul is that the Hall in Puttaparthi was designed and overseen by the Baba single handedly, though Engineers were there. This feat can be done only by a great soul.
Mr Sethu madhavan, near sree durga, and his wife were great sai bhaktas.
Now adays, I include Baba also along with My gurus Kanchi Mahaperiaval and Sringeri swamigal.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)