Manishe - Vasudhendra's Stories.

 

Manishe is a collection of short stories by Vasudhendra, a promising writer of our times. It is a collection of 6 stories by the author in Kannada. Two are really outstanding for a reader like me. Manishe- a story of two class mates, one an IT employee, another a vocalist, both from Bellary, a border district in Karnataka- Andhra Pradesh. They meet up after 20 years in Bengaluru. The vocalist has risen high in his profession, while the other has made a good career, but finding himself very much dissatisfied.

Huligevva- Story of two batchmates at High School, one a street beggar’s grand daughter, another a middle class Madhva brahmin. They have missed each other for a long time. The boy ends up an IT engineer, who is yet to get married, the Girl now a technocrat, meet up under strange circumstances, of she turning out the boss of him. Though the story line is very common, narration of 

the author is highly commendable. Huligevva is his boss!

Prof. LS Seshagiri Rao

 

 

Professor Lakshmeshvara Swamy Rao Seshagiri Rao, an important figure in the field of Kannada literature, has been a witness to the growth of Kannada Literature from the Navodaya period onwards. He taught us English literature at Government College, Kolar for 3 years. Affectionately called by his students as LSS,  he showed us a model of how language could be taught by using simple words avoiding glamour and fanfare. I still remember him quoting FR Leavis, ‘Shakespeare crated tragedy by dropping a handkerchief’’. In a career spanning over 5 decades, his books have educated generations about not only some of the best works in Kannada but also in English literature. Lakhs of students in Karnataka, including me would have referred to the English-Kannada dictionary put together by Prof. LSS Rao. History of English Literature in Kannada and English Drama are some among his Works. His translation of Bhagavadgita in Kannada is popularly read. Prof. LSS was awarded Sahitya Akademi Award, and also presided over Kannada sahitya sammelana at Udupi. 

He was a simple man, brimming with scholarship and curiosity and was ever happy to guide youngsters in fields of translation, editing of books and paly witing both in Kannada and English. he taught English at Govt. Colleges, Kolar, Madikeri, later at Bangalore University, where he retired from service. He was with Kannada University, Hampi.  He was first Chairman of Book Authority, Karnataka. had he lived now, he would have turned 100. 

Prof. SK Ramachandra Rao (Sep4 . 1925- Feb 2, . 2006)

 

It was during summer of 1998 I met Prof. Rao, to seek his blessings and guidance to bring out monthly Magazine, Sugunamala in  English from Puttige Matha, Udupi, while a Kannada Edition was already available since 1985. Sri Sugunendra Tirtharu of Puttige Matha, Udupi directed me to meet Prof. SKR for guidance. He received me with a smile in his Jayanagar home in the afternoon. He put me at ease and heard about what exactly I need. He was attentively listening to me on what I plan for this as its Editor.

After taking a brief from me, he pulled out a part of an inland letter, artistically tore it and began scribbling in his neat and small writing. Prof. Rao has very neatly jotted down all points to guide and help me out to bring out a Religio-cultural Magazine with limited readership, yet come out with interesting reading material. He could easily decipher requirements of such a magazine, not very scholarly, yet getting articles from experts in related fields like Madhva Philosophy, Vedic lore, Puranas in simple, yet highly readable in English language, which he said ‘Challenging’ task. In fact, he politely said: he has no time to speak in detail on this, due to his prior commitments on an ensuing Kosha Project, which he showed me.

I knew he had already published a book, ಪೂರ್ಣಪ್ರಜ್ಞ ದರ್ಶನ on the content of Madhva thought, with inputs on origin and historical background of Udupi Mathas, which had stroked a controversy.  We never spoke about it either. After thanking him, I came out quite satisfied.

Prof. Saligrama Krishna Rao Ramachandra Rao was born in 1925 at Hanasoge, near Mysore  had his education in Nanjanagudu and  Mysore, with specialisation in Psychology and Philosophy, he knew Sanskrit already through his father and other Gurus. He began his career as researcher with Indian Institute of Science, later worked with NIMHANS, prestigious institution for study of Psychology, even medical aspects and treatment thereon, where he taught and trained researchers. Later, he was with Bangalore University before he began contributing to National and International Journals on Indian Psychology, Yoga and incidentally books on various topics related to Indian thought, Chinese and Japanese counterparts, made Aanand Coomaraswamy accessible to local readers in India. I cherish  enlightening memories of meeting this great scholar.  

Worship in Linga form of other deities

 

Sri Narasimha swamy, Seebi, near Tumakuru. 

There are,  several temples dedicated to divinities other than Shiva worshipped in Linga form in South and North of our land. Narmada Linga is worshipped in a temple in Madhya Pradesh where the river goddess is worshipped in Linga form. Down South, Durga Parameshvari in Kateelu, Bappanadu and elsewhere in Dakshina Kannada district are worshiped in the form of Linga, with an outer cover of metal. Out of 9 famous Durga Parameshvari shrines near Udupi-Mangaluru, 4 are in the form of a dome or mound, looking like Shiva linga.

It is very difficult or unclear why of this type of statues there. These statues are lost in a nearby river due to intermittent floods in the coastal area. Worship of Divinities in the form of Ant-Hill or mound is somewhat primitive in nature, replaced later by beautiful sculpted images of Devi, Subrahmanya generally in this part of South. Even Ananteshvara form of Vishnu, in Udupi is in Linga form, worshipped as Anantasana  Vishnu, who in fact is Parshu Rama Avatar. 

Sri Vadirajatirtha,  noted Madhva saint of Udupi writes in his travelogue Tirtha Prabandha: 

  शिवान्तर्यमिताम् स्वीयां प्रियान् प्रति निबोधयन् |

दया वारिधिनिधिः शैवीं शिलामाश्रित्य शोभते ||

Sri Vishnu, as if reminding his Antaryami ( indweller )  in Shiva, is present here in form of Shiva linga. 

Anantasana is the reclining posture of Padmanabha, a form of Creation also known as Sesha Shayana, reclining on Ananta the Sesha, his bed.  This temple is pre-madhva built by local rulers of Hoyasala/ Alupa dynasties which ruled this area for over 250 years.

Sri Mukambika Sannidhi, Kolluru. Kundapur Tq. 

Kartaviryarjuna

  Yadu dynasty is very ancient family of Kings, Chieftains and warriors, and naturally finds a prominent place in Mahabharata and Bhagavata. Several great kings were born in this lineage. While king Yadu had five sons, the family continued later with great names up to Bhagavan Sri Krishna.

Arjuna, better known as Kartaviryarjuna, belongs to this family. He was born as one among grandsons of Kanaka, whose forefathers were rulers of cities of Vranaasi and Mahishmati on the banks of Ganga.  They belonged to Hehaya clan of Yadus. Arjuna was a brave son of Kritavirya. Hence his name Kartaviryarjuna.

Arjuna was born brave and adventurous, mastered art of warfare and other branches of learning, which prepared him to be a worthy successor of his father. He was a great devotee of Bhagavan Dattatreya, an avatar of Sri Vishnu. He observed  severe penance to have blessings of Dattatreya. He was granted one thousand arms whenever  he needed to attack an enemy. Lord Dattatreya blessed him with 4 boons. He was already blessed with one thousand arms. Apart from this, he requested another strange boon:

अधर्मे वर्तमानस्य सद्भिः तत्र निवारणं

‘Adharme vartamanasya sadbhih tatra nivaranam’-

whenever he went against Dharma, by any means, some noble soul should correct him’.

The third boon was:

सङ्ग्रामान् सुबहून कृत्वा  हत्वा वीरान सहस्रशः

‘ I need to rule the entire earth keeping my subjects happy and peaceful’, by  waging wars and if necessary, killing other heroes who obstructed my way’ .

The fourth boon he requested the lord was:

संग्रामे वर्तमानस्य वधं चाप्यधिकद्रणे

‘in case I die during a war, that killer  person shall be very much stronger than me’.

Bhagavan Dattatreya granted all four boons requested by him. Hence, Arjuna grew up as strongest warrior prince of his times. He would get 1000 arms whenever he needed them. By this, he could win over all 7 dvipas ( great island states), known for prosperity in his time.  He successfully conducted 100 yajnas there for the good of his subjects, pleasing various dieties.

Arjuna the great, was known for his generosity towards the poor, scholars, brahmanas, the weak and helpless. He was a household name in provinces he ruled, due to his benevolent nature.

There was a saying during his time:

न नूनं कार्तवीर्यस्य  गतिम् यास्यन्ति पार्थिवाः

यज्ञैः दानैः तपोभिर्वा विक्रमेण श्रुतेन वा||

• None can equal Kartvaveeryarjuna in performing either yajnas, giving gifts, tapas, and bravery and knowledge indeed’.

Kartavirya Arjuna, even threatened Ravana, great ruler of Lanka, humiliated him taking him a captive to his city of Mahishmati.  Later Pulastya, grandfather of Ravana, and a great Rishi has to get him released  from this captivity. Arjuna,

though a great Yogi-warrior against cruel kings of his times, once did a grave mistake of burning the Ashrama of great Rishi, Vasishta.

Vashishta cursed him: ‘You might have done several good deeds ,since  you have burnt away my Ashrama, you will certainly be killed by another braver person’. He also predicted who will kill him!

रामो नाम  महाबाहुः जामदग्न्यः प्रतापवान 

तपस्वी ब्राह्मणश्च त्वां  वधिष्यति स भार्गवः ||

‘Arjuna! know for sure, you will be killed by a brave Brahmana warrior by name Rama,  very soon’.

After some time, Arjuna the great was killed by Bhagavan Parashurama, son of Jamadagni, and an avatar of Mahavishnu,  when the latter started killing all Kshatriyas on earth’.

 

Rantideva

 There is an episode of certain King Rantideva, born in the dynasty of Bharatas, in

9 th Skandha of Srimad Bhagavatam. Rantideva was born to King Nara and as brother

of Guru. While Guru succeeded his father’s province, younger brother Rantideva left

the palace, with his devot wife and children to a forest, living the life of a sage.

Though brave, knowledgeable and generous, heHe was never greedy like rulers of

his time.

He always kept the company of Rishis, travellers and poor people who lived by

farming in a small piece of land they had. Rantideva, though left in poverty now,

never sent any person who came to his small dwelling during meal time. In fact, he

would wait for a guest to arrive, offer him some food and later partook what was left

with his wife and children. As a great devotee of Bhagavan Vasudeva, he always

prayed Lord to make people free of hunger and greed.

Once it so happened, he did not get anything to eat for 48 days. However, he fed his

wife and children with some wild fruits and vegetables and he fasted himself. He

went out in search of some food one day. Fortunately, he could get some Milk

Payasam, in a neighbouring place as it was a festival day. He brought some and

was about to feed his wife and children , while a hungry guest arrived. And he

offered him what he had brought in full to him.

The guest was fully satisfied and blessed him to have a life of prosperity. After he

left, another guest arrived who was a labourer tired and hungry after day’s hard work

in a field. He served him what was left in the vessel for feeding his family. He ate the

food offered abegging him for food to eat. nd left the place blessing Rantideva to

have more prosperity to feed more hungry people.

Suddenly, a hunter with dogs accompanying him arrived, begging him to offer some

food to eat. He said: Sir, I and my dogs are extremely hungry in this forest, we failed

to get anything to eat, and my dogs are almost starved, kindly feed us with what you

have at home.

Rantideva searched his house and found some milk, wild fruits and served them all.

He was left only with some water to drink. When he was about to quench his thirst,

another man, seemingly an outcaste arrived. He asked him to get some water to

quench his thirst, Rantideva gave him water which he was about to drink.

Rantideva now exhausted prayed Lord Vasudeva: O Swami! I am not asking you any

miracle to happen now, I don’t need any boon either. All I request from you, the

Creator is free people from miseries they have by way of hunger and sufferings of

various kinds. He was tired and was about to fall unconscious.

After a while, Vishnu, who tested his patience as Brahmana, Shiva as hunter with

dogs and Brahma as an outcaste, appeared in their real form and blessed him. 

Rantideva bowed to them, but he had no desire or boon to ask each of them! He

totally surrendred to them.

Bhagavatam has a great message to us: Nothing really belongs to you, except

Universal Love. Show uncommtted Love to those who are poor, hungry, uncared,

and offer what you have. Leave the fruits of action to Vasudeva, he will surely take

care of your burden and keep you happy in the real sense of the term.

JAYANTEYA UPAKHAYANAM

Srimad Bhagavatam is termed as Puranaraja by virtue of the chore of Jnana-bhakti- Vyragya thought imbibed in each of the anecdotes narrated therein by none other than Sri Shuka Muni, dearest son of the Great Vedavyasa Maharshi. As Bhagavata details several Avatara manifestations of Narayana, it has  several anecdotes of great Vishnu Bhaktas.

Krishna spends some time at Dwaraka with his family and relatives. Once, Vasudeva- Devaki, his parents ask Naradamuni who had come there to have Lord’s  Darshan and request  him to brief them about Bhagavata Dharma. Narada narrates them Jayanteya Gita or Upakhyanam, which was a topic of discussion in Videha Janaka’s palace.

Vasudeva  asked Narada : ‘O respected Yogis! I am aware of my son Krishna, in reply to my prayers to manifest  as my son: can you please tell me how to attain Liberation? Narada narrated him in detail what was discussed earlier at the court of King of Videha- Janaka, also called Nimi, in presence of 9 realised souls.

These Nine Yogis lived like Avadhutas away from the luxury of their parental palace, spent time in meditation and preaching Bhagavata Dharma. They are Kavi- Hari- Antariksha, Prabuddha- Pippalayana- Avirhotra- Drumila- Chamasa and Karabhajana.

Once, King Videha Janaka also called Nimi Chakravarti, a poweful yet benevelont King mindfuly invites  the great Yogis of his times, the Nine Yogis- sons of Vrishabhadeva and Jayanti, royal couple of Manu lineage, to his palace at Videha. Vrishabha deva is an avatara of Lord Srihari. These young celebate Yogis called themselves as Jayanteyas, after their mother Jayantidevi.

King Nimi asked a Question to them: Could you please tell me what makes Sri Hari pleased much? If it is Bhakti, what is the nature of genuine Bhakti?

1. Kavi, one among them said: When a devotee constantly serves the lotus feet of Sri Hari, he will certainly out of fear. Whatever you speak, do, eat or enjoy just dedicate all to Him. Do not worry about the results of your action. Chant his names: listen to his prayers. This makes a devotee free from fears. He develops intense love towards Him. He gets detached from wordly things: this is the basic discipline in Bhagavata Dharma.
2. Nimi puts another question: What are the signs of such devotion?

Hari answers thus: One who sees the Lord everywhere is indeed the best devotee ( Bhagavatottama). He is indifferent to evil, enemies of God, heretics, ties himself to the lotus feet of Sri Hari, and never gets disappointed. He is never separated from Him. There are 3 types of devotees of Lord. One we ho loves God, who is indifferent to non belivers is hates his enemies is mediocre: one who worships Lord only in images (Pratimas) is a basic devotee, but one who sees Him everwhere is Bhagavatottama- best among them. he can never be taken away from the Lord. He is Bhagavatottama- best among devotees.

3. ‘ What is  Maya, the deluding power of God’? asked Nimi.

Antariksha, one among them replied: Lord Sri Hari creates the world through the power of Maya. Jiva, individual falls in the trap, thinking that it is his original abode. Thus, he moves in the cycle of births and deaths, till the final day of pralaya, great dissolution of the world.

4. ‘ How  to get rid of this Maya of the Lord”? asked Nimi.

For this question, Prabuddha gives him a meaningful answer. O Rajan! There are certain ways to get rid of Sri Hari’s Maya. Seek knowledge ( Jnana) from those who are well versed in Shastras and Vaishnava lore. Give up  attachments slowly but steadily with wordly things: cultivate to be kind to all; be humble, have unaltered faith in scriptures. Practice self control ( Samyama) Start singing only the glory of God, not others. Dedicate and surrender all you do to Him. Remember him always, have ultimate supreme love and faith in him. This way, one can surely get away from his Maya.

5. The Fifth query by King Nimi was: ‘ What is the real nature ( Svarupa) of the Supreme Lord..?  

This question is answered by Pippalayana like this. ‘Paramatman is the Cause of Creation ( Srishti), Sustenanence ( Sthiti), and desolution ( Laya) of the entire world seen to us or otherwise. He is the Supreme Reality. He is unaffected by any action, and actions thereon. Indeed, He gives Life to our Body, Soul and Mind. He causes their manifestation. One who is beyond Birth and Death and all other related changes is the Supreme Lord, Sri Hari’.

6. Nimi feeling satisfied by above answers by the Yogis, has another Question to get answered: ‘ How can a seeker (sadhaka) gets purified by Yoga of Action ( Karma Yoga)?

Avirhotra answers him the 6^th question:

‘ My dear King! One can get purified by Anushthanams, procedure by scriptures, on periodical basis, however without any attachment or expectation, and the Result ( Phala) from them, which of course comes at the right time for sure’. At the end of each task on daily basis (Nityanushtana) they have to be offered at His lotus feet: Sri Krishnarpanamastu. This way, you can be free from the bondage of Karmas.

7. The Seventh Question was put by Nimi again: “ Please enlighten us about various Leelas, done by the Lord in his various Avataras - Manifestsations for the benefit of us, the mortals?

Drumila answered him: O King! The Lord manifests in several avataras by his Sankalpa, decision to help Sadhakas, who yearn to have his  presence felt from time to time. There are several Avataras, all for purpose of destroying evil forces troubling noble. Nara- Narayana, Dattatreya, Rishabhadeva, Hamsa and so on. They are Jnanavataras, apart from the known Dasha 10 manifestations like Matsya, Kurma and Varaha… He also assumed the form of Hayagriva, to restore Vedas. Kurma form was taken to help Devas in Churning of Ocean. Again he showed himself as Narasimha to bless the great devotee Prahlada. He crushed the ego of King Bali as Vamana, a dwarf boy. The Lord manifested as Rama to kill Ravana and save sages. God takes the form of Krishna among Yadavas to help Pandavas in restoring Dharma. He preaches nonviolence as Buddha. At the end of Kaliyuga, he assumes the form of Kalki, to kill unrighteous rulers.

8. Nimi was pleased at above answers and again has a doubt about “ How to control senses, which are always restless, making humans intolerant and stressed out. What happens to such people after death’.

Chamasa answers this query. ‘ in this world, many forget to show their gratitude towards God, never worship or even remember him. Some hate or intentionally ignore him. Both are non-dharmic, facing turmoil of several births and deaths. Many of them are literate, rich and know morality and sciences. For them, prime goal of life is to make money and enjoy. Since they are deeply attached to their body, they never attain peace. They workhard, make money, build mansions, surrounded by many keeping eye on their wealth.  But alas! Whether they like it or not, one day death comes to them, taking them to hell’.

9. Nimi, who was enlightened to a large extent feels curious to know the nature of God. He asks them: “ Please tell me about the form and complexion of God, and by what name we have to adresss him’.

Karabhajana, answers the King in detail. “ God takes innumerable forms. He has different complexions in various Yugas- Krita, Treta, Dwapara and Kali.  

God appears White in Satya (Krita) Yuga, in Treta he assumes Red complexion, blue in Dwapara Yuga, and Black in Kaliyuga. His form also varies. He has 4 arms in Satyayuga, holds a staff and bhiksha patra, known by names like Hamsa, Suparna and Eshvara. In Treta Yuga, he is 4 armed, having names like Vishnu, heYajna and Prishnigarbha. Dwaparayuga has him as Vasudeva, Sankarshana, Narayana and other names, dressed in yellow garment. Finally, in Kaliyuga, he is dark coloured as diamonds, accompanied by Parshadas ( attendants ) People adore him according to that particular Yuga.

In Satyayuga, seekers  worshipped by Tapas- meditation, Tretayuga by vedic rituals like Yajna. Dwaparayuga seekers worshipped Him by way of Veda mantras  and tantra ( rituals) ways. But, in Kaliyuga all above is substituted by just Namasmaranam, chanting His holy Names, and singing his glories.

Kaliyuga is indeed blessed since ways of worshiping the glory of God is very simple: Kalau sakeertya Keshavam’,  devotees get the same benefits by Nama Sankirtanam as that of Tapas, Yajna and other rituals in earlier Yugas. Thus, age of Kali is greater than other Yugas. After repeating the holy names of God, people make it a habit till the last breath before shedding off mortal coils, and surely be freed from Samasara, and attain liberation Supreme- Moksha.

On hearing this from Jayanteyas, the 9 supreme Yogis, Vasudeva and Devaki realised from Narada, that they are lucky to have Sri Hari, Krishna as their son. They lead the rest of their life in Peace, Devotion and Satsangha. This the gist of Jayateyagita/ upakhyanam  in 11^th Book (Skandha) of Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana.