Mana Kavi Gurajada Apparao Garu

         Om Sri Devebhyo Namaha -- Om Sri Rishibhyo Namaha -- Om Sri Gurubhyo Namaha

Once Sri Kandukuri Sivananda Guruji while addressing people in United States was asked by a Women - How India is Different from United States of America? No doubt the questioner knew the fact that US is an advanced country with state of art technology and ruling the entire world. She, was curious to know how a representative from India would deal with this question at a time when India is struggling with its own challenges like poverty, unemployment, religious disharmony etc. Very few knew that Sri Kandukuri Sivananda Murthy Guruji is a True representative of Guru Parampara and knew in Original the greatness of the Land called Bharat. Sri Sivananda Guruji took the question as a very good foundation to let the world know the Uniqueness of India with the Rest of the World. I may not exactly translate what he said but, I can try giving the essence of what he spoke in the august gathering. Guruji says - to compare India with USA in terms of material development, yes, there exists partial truth that India is still a developing economy. On the other side of the coin, India is the largest exporter of Software Engineers and today in the best IT companies, Indians occupy the Leadership roles. 

Guruji says - it is very easy to escape the question by giving this kind of reply, however, the fact remains visible that still Indians are not valuing cleanliness, rules & regulations and working for societal development. But, if an Indian is randomly picked and compared with another American and observed the differences, clearly, American may win over Indian in terms of outer civilized aspects of behavior and intelligence but fail in the concept of "Personality as an Organized Whole". We are proud to say that Indians spiritual roots are strongly organized! Our Personality is integrated with a timeless principle of "Sanatana Dharma". If a question is asked to an American - what he is prepared to sacrifice and not to sacrifice, in morals or money? Another question when asked, for how long an average American can retain his moral strength? But, We Indians are so rich in our remote past that we are finding it difficult to avoid them even after 5000 years of existence of this great Civilization. Indians are inspired from Sri Rama, who lived flesh and blood and established Rama Rajyam (righteous living) in this great land of Bharat. Sri Rama according to Mareecha is "Ramo Vigrahavaan Dharamaha", which means Rama is a personification of Dharma in human form. Which means Rama never left righteous living. Rama for the sake of his Father's vow to her beloved wife sacrificed kingship and left to forest to lead a normal life. According to Indian culture, Parents are next to God. Hence, in the prayer to them we Indians say - Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava, Acharya Devo Bhava and finally Athiti Devo Bhava. Which means, Mother, Father, Teacher and Guest are observed to be the Gods and are highly respected. Any word of instruction from the above are accepted without any conditions and without an iota of suspicion instructions are carried with utmost respect. Indians believe that their personal comforts are secondary than observing the principles of Dharma all throughout life. This act of Rama is observed in a great epic called Ramayana which is written by a great sage called Valmiki. Even though this greatest epic happened 5000 years before, still in this 21st Century, any typical Indian will observe this "Value" of following instructions of "Parents". For example, almost all of us regard Parents decision for Marriage. Still, we Indians are proud of Joint Families. We like to be in a group unlike Westerners who want others to respect privacy. All family members love to eat together and festivals are the most important occasions when all relations in a family come together to spend time with lots of enthusiasm. The feeling of oneness in the most complex country with many castes, creeds, sects, religions is what makes India a unique in the world. The value of Tolerance is what is the most significant characteristic that India had since times immemorial. Indians never conquered any country. On the contrary, we shared our space with Dutch, Portuguese, British, French etc. When, British traders in the name of East India Company came to do business in India, we Indians regarded them as Athiti, meaning Guests. We shared them the space, the resources, the people and everything we could to make them happy. Indians believe that we seek happiness in making others happy. However, this Virtue of healthy co-existence is not understood righteously. And the rest is history as the world knew how India is looted by the Europeans and left nothing to scratch. Yet, Indians struggled for their own rights and secured what they deserve to be Independent. There is nothing to celebrate as we did not achieve what is not there with us but, what we lost due to our "tamas" qualities.

By the time India realized that British administration took over India from East India Company, we are too lazy to fight our rights. Yet, India produced great leaders from time to time who could inspire and perspire the masses to fight for Independence. The fight for Independence is not just political but the fight came from all sides in different methods. There were poets, social activists, spiritual leaders name them they are always working as under currents to revive the lost glory of India. The richness of India can be found in the literary works of great persons like Kalidasa, a famous poet.

Arthur W. Ryder, one of Kalidasa’s translators, also paid his homage:

The best proof of a poet’s greatness is the inability of men to live without him; in other words, his power to win and hold through centuries the love and admiration of his own people, especially when that people has shown itself capable of high intellectual and spiritual achievement.(Arthur W. Ryder, Kalidasa: Translations of Shakuntala and other works, Everyman’s Library Series, Poetry and The Drama, Ernst Rhys ed., London and New York, 1912, xvii).

The German naturalist, traveler and statesman Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) wrote about Indian poetry and observed that Kalidasa, the celebrated author of the Sakoontala, is a masterly describer of the influence which Nature exercises upon the minds of lovers. This great poet flourished at the splendid court of Vikramaditya, and was, therefore, contemporary with Virgil and Horace. Tenderness in the expression of feeling, and richness of creative fancy, have assigned to him his lofty place among the poets of all nations.(quoted in the Introduction, Monier Williams, Sakoontala: or the Lost Ring, Hertford, 1855, x).

In 1789 Sir William Jones opened his career as one of the greatest Indologist by translating Kalidasa’s Shakuntala; this translation, re-rendered into German in 1791, profoundly affected Herder and Goethe, and through the Schlegels- the entire Romantic movement.(The Story of Civilization, 391-2).

Like wise, the pages will turn to books and volumes of knowing the greatness of noble souls India has ever produced. Whenever we talk about any country, we recognize the country with few names but, in India, the great men and women are born whenever there arises a need for social change and political transformation.

One such person, who belongs to Andhra Pradesh State who was born for Social transformation is Sri Gurajada Apparao.

One poem which introduces the birth of Sri Gurajada Apparao can be found in the following lines:

Sri Gurajada Apparao was born on Bhadrapada Suddha Traiodasi (Bhanuvaram, September 21, 1862). He was born to Smt. Kousalamma & Sri Venkata Ramadasu Garu. It was known that Smt Kousalamma did not complete 9 months of holding the womb for delivery but pre-conceived the baby boy. Family members thought that the birth was un-auspicious but the design of the God was different from the perception of the family. It was delight to note that Sri Rabindranath Tagore also born in the same year. The story of Sri Gurajada Apparao is the story of all of us. To know about Sri Gurajada means to know about our rich fabric of telugu language, literature and culture. He is recalled as the Modern Maha Kavi.

"దేశమంటె మట్టి కాదోయి, దేశమంటె మనుషులోయి"(Country is not identified by soil but it is made up of great men). He made it very clear not to devote in creating false impressions of patriotism. Even after completion of 55 years after his death, still his works on poetry occupy the Modern Society Needs and Challenges. In one occasion he mentioned that ageing is related to body and our hearts are always filled with youthful energy. 

Some of the important aspects of Sri Gurajada Apparao are as follows:

1.  Since childhood, Sri Gurajada Apparao displayed fearlessness. He showed resistance to slavery. He used to observe the village life and nature curiously. He used to get up early and read books thoroughly. 

2. When Gurajada was studying matriculation in Vijayanagaram (in Andhra Pradesh), he wrote a poem titled "Kokila". His school inspector, Sri Nagoji Rao was so enthralled on the poem that he took that poem to Sri Ananda Gajapati and read it to him. By observing the healthy intellect of Gurajada, Sri c. Chandrasekhara Sastry, the then School Principal took Gurajada to his home and taught him the telugu language nuances. Once, Sri Chandrasekhara Sastry spoke about Sri Gurajada like this - Gurajada Apparao is one of the few students who possess enormous amount of intellect. He was always the best sample of a student who was admired by all his teachers. Gurajada was always addicted to learning and speaking about telugu literature. He has the rare natural intellect towards Poetry. By exercising it frequently, the poetry manifested from him and forcasted that one day Apparao will achieve the highest recognition in poetry and literature. The best Virtues that describe Gurajada are Modesty and Social Maturity. The opinion of the Principal Sri Chandrasekhara Sastry was proved to be truth in the later years of Sri Gurajada Apparao.

2. During the year 1883, Dr. Sambhu Chandra Mukherjee for some time worked as Deewan in Tripura Sansdhan.  In the year 1885, Mukherjee started "The Mukherjee Magazine". This magazine is responsible for awakening economic and political nationalism and later the magazine was modified as "Reis and Rayyet", a weekly journal and became famous for his competence in english language publication. Mr. Mukherjee was very critical in evaluating the errors of British publications. In fact, the Governor General was always cautious about Mukherjee's competence.  While Gurajada was a student, he wrote a poem titled "Sarangadhara". Mr. Mukherjee learned about the greatness of poetic expression of Gurajada and convinced him to get them published in his journal. There was lot of correspondence between them. God knows where the documents went. But, few very recovered. in one of the letters dated January 27, 1884, to Gurajada, Mukherjee wrote -

"How long your are going to stay in Madras? Please mention about the social conditions and your observations on them. I want to understand about the political developments in Madras. How is Widow Re-marriage problem? What is the perspective of localities on this social evil? Did you start the poetry on politics that you have earlier contemplated? Please write about folk songs and poetry on different meters". All these questions were asked by a very senior person to a 22 years young boy called Gurajada. We can imagine the amount of Wisdom Gurajada possessed on Poetry and Literature and his works to challenge the social evils that were prevalent during those years.

3. From the way Gurajada dealt the issues, his close companions observed that Gurajada showed rare skills such as - Fun during most adverse conditions, happiness during struggles, ability to see good in bad situations and critical skills of inquiry. Unfortunately, the current academic system is not addressing these soft skills that are very important for any individual to deal with social issues in life. Our current academic system is preparing the person for a job only. But, there is a big vacuum in our education policy that was not bridged to deal with life problems by the students. 

4. Gurajada used to say that he always contemplates on the work that he has initiated and nothing else. He says belief in work is very important and he does not have sympathy on those who look for shortcuts to be successful in life. 

5. Gurajada was I think is the pioneer in bringing methodological changes in Teaching. While he was in teaching profession between 1887 and 1896 for almost 9 years, his teaching learning sessions have influenced his life perspectives. As a teacher, his learning never had any boundaries. The concept of Thinking and Practice are like inhalation and exhalation to Gurajada. He used to prepare detailed notes before going to any class. He did not like to spend time casually with students. He loved doing research, inquiry and invented methodologies for teaching learning aspects in class. He travelled to Madras, Bangalore, Calcutta and Bombay to gain knowledge about the topics that he dealt in the class. He had in several occasions discussed with experts on various fields about the subject matter that he dealt in the class. In this occasion his discussions with Kellet was worth remembering. Kellet,  Professor  of History, Christian  College,  Madras  asked  Gurazada to write the "History of Greece  and Rome" in the  comparative  method  and  Gurazada  said  that  it  was  beyond  his  capacity.    But  Kellet  said  Oh!  you can"!

In this connection  it  is noteworthy  as to how Gurazada  was  humble  and how   Gurazada   impressed   even   the   foreigners   as   a   person   of superior capabilities. Some  entries  in  his  diaries  throw  a  flood   of  light about  the interviews he had with eminent  people.  One  interview relates to his interview with Skinner, Professor  of the Christian  College, Madras.  Another entry reflects  his  interview  with  Tait,  Professor  of  English,  Bangalore Central  College. One more entry  mentions  his  interview  with  Cowper Oakley,  Professor,  Presidency  College, Madras, yet  another  interview  with W.  Kaine,  Principal,  Agricultural  College, Madras and  with the  Directors of public  instruction  during the days of language  controversy  were mentioned. He  could  assert  his  importance  by  virtue  of  his  innate  merits  and literary  talents.  On  30th  January   1913  he  received   an   offer   of  the Fellowship  of  the   Madras   University   from   the Governor  of  Madras,  and as  a  Fellow  of the  Madras  University,  he  came  into contact with  scholars and educationalists  of the higher echelons of society.

The highly acclaimed work of Sri Gurajada is "Kanyasulkam", (money in lieu for a girl). Sri Apparao Garu wrote this play-let to raise awareness about what he felt was a scandalous state of affairs in society. Exploitation on female gender was prevalent during those days and along with Kandukuri Veeresalingam, Sri Gurajada Apparao took the responsibility to eradicate the social evils. I never saw this movie "Kanyasulkam", but, while I am going through Sri Gurajada books, I came across the context of directing the movie "Kanyasulkam". After watching the movie, I was speechless. without a word, I was meditating as to how a person of a great virtue took the social issue to masses in a satirical way yet received many accolades for the spirit of "Kanyasulkam". I felt guilty about watching the movie when I am 39 years, yet I feel fulfilled that I could get to know the greatness of Sri Gurajada Apparao.

I am proud to say that I am a native of Vizianagaram District and I felt it necessary to bring back the lost glory of the great Telugu Poet through Sri Sivananda Guruji blessings. As said by Sri Gurajada, a country is not to be remembered by its geography but by the quality of citizens who work for the greatness of the Country. His opinions and poetry is still relevant today to the youth of India who are carried away with meaningless activities. 

If for a second, the youth of today can have a sincere glimpse of what Gurajada said in his poetry, I am confident that one day, the youth of India will recollect from their collective unconscious the purpose of their birth in the sacred land of Bharat. Hence, I am placing herewith a poem that I could gather from the internet sources for inspiring the youth of India to remember their responsibilities and work for reviving the glory of Bharat.

Desamante matti kaadoy Song lyrics with English Translation

Taken from (https://www.worthview.com/desamante-matti-kaadoy-lyrics-english/)

దేశమును ప్రేమించుమన్నా
మంచి యన్నది పెంచుమన్నా
వొట్టి మాటలు కట్టిపెట్టోయ్‌
గట్టిమేల్‌ తలపెట్టవోయి
Love your country
Widen good things
Stop shallow talk
Think of strong help

పాడి పంటలు పొంగిపొర్లె
దారిలో నువు పాటు పడవోయి
తిండి కలిగితే కండ కలుగును
కండ కలవాడేను మనిషోయి

Work hard in the land
Where the fruits  of irigation
feeds all,  You will have
the muscle  only if
you eat,  People with
muscle only  can lead the  country.

యీసురోమని మనుషులుంటే
దేశమేగతి బాగుఅగునోయ్‌
జల్దుకుని కళలన్ని నేర్చుకు
దేశి సరకులు నింపవోయ్‌
When people look depressed
How can the country make progress?
Learn skills and  Fill the country with
indigenous goods.


అన్ని దేశాల్ క్రమ్మవలె నోయి
దేశి సరుకుల నమ్మవలెనోయి !
డబ్బు తేలేనట్టి నరులకు
కీర్తి సంపద లబ్బవోయి

Fill all the nations of the world,
With the finished goods of our country,
Prosperity will not dawn On those who cannot
make money.


వెనక చూసిన కార్యమేమోయి?
మంచి గతమున కొంచెమేనోయి
మందగించక ముందు అడుగేయి
వెనుకపడితే వెనకే నోయి!

Why look back?  The past has not
many good things to boast of,
Do not relax, walk with confidence,
You will be left  behind  if you walk slow.

పూను స్పర్థను విద్యలందే
వైరములు వాణిజ్యమందే,
వ్యర్థ కలహం పెంచబోకోయి
కత్తి వైరం కాల్చవోయి
 

Compete in studies, Compete in business,Do not encourage wasteful enmity,
Burn the communal clashes.

దేశాభిమానం నాకు కద్దని
వొట్టి గొప్పలు చెప్పుకోకోయ్‌
పూని ఏదైనాను ఒక మేల్‌
కూర్చి జనులకు చూపవోయ్‌

Do not boast of patriotism
Make effort to do good to
the people.


ఓర్వలేమిపిశాచి దేశం
మూలుగులు పీల్చేసెనోయ్,
ఒరుల మేలుకు సంతసిస్తూ
ఐకమత్యం నేర్చవోయి

Jealousy is eating away the country at the
roots, Believe in unity,
Enjoy the happiness of the others.


పరుల కలిమికి పొర్లి యేడ్చే
పాపి కెక్కడ సుఖం కద్దోయి?
ఒకరి మేల్ తన మేలనెంచే
నేర్పరికి మేల్ కొల్లలోయి!

Where is the peace to the
man who is jealous of the progress of
the others. Winner is the man, who
believes in helping others.

సొంత లాభం కొంత మానుకు
పొరుగు వానికి తోడుపడవోయ్‌
దేశమంటే మట్టి కాదోయ్‌
దేశమంటే మనుషులోయ్‌

Be useful to the other man,
With a bit more of selflessness,
Country is not just the mud and soil,
Country means people.

చెట్టపట్టాల్‌ పట్టుకొని
దేశస్థులంతా నడువవలెనోయ్‌
అన్నదమ్ముల వలెను జాతులు
మతములన్నియు మెలగవలెనోయ్‌ 

All countrymen-walk hand in hand with
unity, All religions-live in harmony.


మతం వేరైతేను యేమోయి?
మనసు లొకటై మనుషులుంటే
జాతమన్నది లేచి పెరిగి
లోకమున రాణించునోయి!

How does it matter What religion one
belongs? It can matter the country
If all people can unite with their hearts.


దేశమనియెడి దొడ్డవృక్షం
ప్రేమలను పూలెత్తవలెనోయి,
నరుల చమటను తడిసి మూలం,
ధనం పంటలు పండవలెనోయి!

The great tree, namely our country should
sprout more fruit of love, The country should reap
a rich harvest with the sweat of the people.


ఆకులందున అణగిమణగీ
కవిత కోయిల పలకవలెనోయి;
పలుకులను విని దేశమందభి
మానములు మొలకెత్తవలెనోయి!

The literary bird Hiding in the branches
of  the tree,should hum beautiful songs,
Hearing these songs, Patriotism should
flourish in the country.

Conclusion: I thank Sri Kandukuri Sivananda Guruji for his insights on Bharatiyata and blessing his disciples for a greater purpose to achieve.  Sarve Sujana Sukhino Bhavantu, Sarve Jana Sujana Bhavantu. Om Santhi, Santhi, Santhi!

Manava Sarira is Madhavalaya

Manava Sarira is Madhavalaya - which means the Physical Body represents the Temple of Lord Vishnu.

This statement is given by none other than a renowned saint of Karnataka, Basaveshwara. We all hear that Brahmins have suppressed other weaker sections of the society during earlier times. This statement cannot be completely true. When we do not know the truth, we get influenced by speakers who articulate and manipulate few cases of suppression happened at remote places and magnify the opinion. 

This is a real story of a Brahmin saint, Basaveshwara, who was born in 1131 at Bagewadi in Bijapur District. This story will reveal how during early times Brahmins with their wisdom interpreted the society around them.

Basaveshwara met his Guru Sangameswara and undertook severe sadhana for 12 long years. He showed unique talents in learning, particularly his incredible memory. He is known for his dedication, sharp intelligence and a broad and liberal outlook. From the beginning, Basaveshwara showed strong resistance towards ritualism. King Bijjala, who learned greatness of Basaveshwara appointed him as his Minister. With his wit and wisdom, Basava, soon became a respected and trusted member of the King's court. Basaveshwara established "Anubhava Mantapa", which is known as a Spiritual Parliament, which encouraged discussion on varied aspects of Religion and Philosophy. 

Here we have to note that, during those times, the Kings encouraged discourses and discussions in a fair manner. Anyone was allowed to debate on religion and philosophy. However, today, if debate on Hindu religion is practiced, then few sections of society will cry and make a big mess of the situation. India, called as Bharat is Sanatana. Our Dharma is Sanatana. Our Vedas are as old as the existence of the mankind. Westerners have done extensive research on our sacred texts and declared India as Motherland of all Religions. Even the Greeks, find their roots from Land of Bharat. Yet, today, India, is struggling to convince that Hinduism is not just religion but - "A way of Life, which is Divinely Motivated". It takes time for all to accept, but, for time being, Hinduism is most complained, neglected and tarnished concept in India.

Let us come back to the story. Basaveshwara propogated the truth of one supreme God irrespective of caste, creed and colour. Basava shaped a literary genre called Vachanas easily understood by the common man. He dined with people of the so-called lower castes and defied the rigidities of caste.

Source: https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiBvcr2sebgAhWCknAKHe-GByoQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D7VeYEkG41W8&psig=AOvVaw0fqOa1-gEmWtkS3tnYMfev&ust=1551716755920875

Basava taught the great ethical and spiritual truths common to all religions. He emphasized the oneness and unity of all Gods. He advocated the human being as the greatest living temple of God and service to him as the most practical spirituality. However, in the name of serving the poor and downtrodden, now-a-days, some sections of culture are involved in un-necessary caste conversions. As the poor cannot understand the importance of their religion, they succumb to Verbal Influence and get converted for the sake of Monetary Benefits. I have a question for all those who are converting the poor people into their religion. If service is your goal, what is the use of Conversion? If the so called faith said to convert people, then there should strong doubts on the faith for its genuineness. Either the Faith is misleading its followers or Followers are mis-interpreting the faith. In any case, forceful conversion is not healthy in any given society. In this situation, I firmly believe that a strong awareness of Hinduism and how it survived 5000 years should be explained to its people of country. It the responsibility of every home to know their history not just the recent history but remote history of their caste and religion and understand without any bias or judgement the essence of spirituality. Sanatana Dharma always accepted diversity. The perfect example is Jaimini, who was the disciple of Sage Veda Vyasa. Vyasa, who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, has organized the Vedas appropriately. He categorized Vedas into two - a part which contemplates on Gyana and another which focuses on Karma. Jaimini, even though did not accept the Supreme Lord, accepted Vedas and propagated the Karma Philosophy. Here we have to understand that - in the remote past, there were differences about which methodology should be followed. Some believed in their theory after great personal exposure and experience and advocated their philosophy. However, Jaimini did not reject the greatness of Vedas. He accepted Vedas as the ultimate authority for disciplining our lives for reaching the purpose of our existence.  

This generation should also know how even though differences of opinion were there earlier yet the differences were in harmony. This generation should understand the greater purpose of earlier differences. Today, some sections say that God is not there. Agreed, let us for some time agree this statement. If so, what message they say to the common man? How should a common man live? What activities should he pursue and how? In case of any dilemma between what is right and wrong, how should a common man decide? Can Atheist help a common man address these problems? Certainly "No". Because, the so called Atheist do not have experience as Buddha. They were never into self analysis. They were never into experience of deep inner understanding of Truth. Yet they claim that God is non-existent. Truth can only be found by being non-judgmental. Logic cannot be the answer to know he Truth, because Truth is beyond Logic and Reasoning. Can you give me a logic when a Dog is feeding a baby goat through its milk glands? Is it acceptable? Should Dog feed Dog only? From where do the Unconditional Motherly Love emerged for the Dog to understand the hunger of the baby Goat. Hence, many a times we fail in understanding the Creativity and Creator of this Universe. 

Our Shastras say - "Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti" which means - There is only One Truth, the Wise call it by Different Names should be understood in letter and spirit by this generation.

There is no need for another Religion, because, since times immemorial, Bharat is known for a land where there is a greater purpose in Co-existence.  India has the world's largest Muslim Community and the India is the Cradle for great religions like Buddhism and Jainism. All these religions are off-shoots of Hinduism as I can proudly say - Hinduism is not just religion but teaches us the Sacred Way of Meaningful Life here and Life After. The new generation of students should recognize the greatness of our Civilization and know from its roots. 

Sarve Sujana Sukhino Bhavantu!!!!

Akka Maha Devi - A Women Poet & Fore-runner of Frenzied Bhakti Movement

Now-and-then we see that in Poetry that is filled with Bhakti, we are reminded of domination by male poets. However, this statement is not true. The problem is, this generation is not exposed to the greatest works of Andal - "Tiruppavai". This is a poem of 30 verses in which she imagines herself to be a cowherd girl during the incarnation of Lord Shiva. Akka Mahadevi is another tallest poet devotee who was born in 12th Century in Udutadi village in Sivamoga area located in Karnataka. She was initiated into Shiva worship at the age of 10 and became an ardent devotee of Chenna Mallikarjuna, which literally meant "Beautiful Lord, white as Jasmine".This description of Lord Shiva became her "Ankita" or "Signature" in her poetry.

Akka Mahadevi was the very first devotee who claimed that illicit love towards God was greater than most lawful wedded life on this earth. Her poetry exhibits her love for Chenna Mallikarjuna and Harmony with nature and simple living. This generation of students should be cautious not to mis-understand the intentions of Akka Mahadevi. Illicit love should not be understood for mere physical satisfaction of bodily needs but from a larger point of view. Here, Akka Mahadevi is immersed in Bhakti and she seeks the Love for the Lord which is un-conditional. Her poems are called "Vachanas".

Image Source: https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiP04manObgAhUaVH0KHRg9CpgQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.exoticindiaart.com%2Fbook%2Fdetails%2Fandal-and-akka-mahadevi-feminity-to-divinity-NAF629%2F&psig=AOvVaw2aR9mJ6NOf-VIOcifi0uKx&ust=1551710990885822 

Akka Mahadevi exhibits her love for Chenna Mallikarjuna and harmony with nature and simple living. She thus sang:

For Hunger, there is the village rice in the begging bowl,

For Thirst, there are tanks and streams and wells,

For Sleep, temple ruins do well,

For Company of the Soul I have YOU, Chenna Mallikarjuna!

The love that Akka Mahadevi exhibits is not just limited to physical relationship but, in more deeper understanding, the Jeevatma in Akka Mahadevi realized the need to be in communion with the Paramatman i.e Chenna Mallikarjuna. It is said that Akka Mahadevi left for Shrisailam Mountain where according to legends, with great penance and single-pointed devotion, she developed ‘nirguna bhava’ and achieved union with Chennamallikarjuna, her Lord.

Image showing Akka Mahadevi Cave, where it is said that Akka Mahadevi is involved in deep penance and merged with Lord Shiva.
Source: https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiJk9jroObgAhUacCsKHe9BBZcQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.holidayiq.com%2FAkka-Mahadevi-Caves-Srisailam-Sightseeing-665-10334.html&psig=AOvVaw3UKeWroHeeWL14zJfSAbNS&ust=1551712263120377

Akka Mahadevi is still a household name in Karnataka, remembered in festivals and folklore. She has also been commemorated in films, music videos and a couple of NGOs that are established in her name.

Reference:

Some parts of the text were extracted from "Sant Darshan", Published by Vivekananda Institute of Human Excellence.

A Bible in the Hand of a Hindu

I happened to read a book titled "Tales of Prison Life", by Sri Aurobindo. My experience reading the book was remarkable. I was thinking why I could not read this book quiet early in life. But, nevertheless, we have to believe in Time and Destiny. 

Sri Aurobindo is an unassuming greatness personified. The impressions that I had towards him during my early years is of a Saintly Figure, lost in the world of Vedanta. This impression did not allow me to read any of his books because, the language he used to describe his perspectives on Spirituality was higher than my normal understanding. For him it was a natural flow to describe his experiences but for me, with my immaturity and lack of exposure towards higher levels of thinking I could not grasp his essence and slowly, his books such as "The Life Divine", occupied my home Library. 

However, while I was reading the book - "Re-writing Indian History" by Francois Gautier, I saw Sri Aurobindo in a different shade. Sri Aurobindo can be described as a Caterpiller before his One Year Term in Jail (1908-09). His deeper contemplation of the Truth in the Alipore Jail was a transformation of his self from a Caterpillar to Butterfly. Sri Aurobindo did not find any reason to write about his life in the Jail. He doesn't want to project his awakening. But, in the process of sharing the truth, he revealed the plight of Jail Conditions under the rule of British Government. The British Prison, says Sri Aurobindo "is not a place for reform of character; on the contrary, for the ordinary convict it is but an instrument for the degradation of character and manhood." British Government thought that to arrest Sri Aurobindo means to silent the invisible and under cover operations of few Indians against British Administration. However, the forgotten truth is that a Divine Soul cannot be oppressed or suppressed. The soul does not have any limits. In the case of Sri Aurobindo, British Government failed in silencing him. Because, Sri Aurobindo returned to the world of action with tenfold hope, with fixed notion about Indian superiority, with redoubled respect for human character, the future progress and well-being of the motherland and the human race.  He was bold enough to say..."The only result of the wrath of the British Government was that I found God." 

Now coming to the relevance of the title - "A Bible in the hand of a Hindu". This statement sounds alarming to disturbed and sick minds. Just think of a situation, when a Muslim was forcibly given Bhagawad Gita to Read or a Christian was given Koran to Contemplate. How does the recipient react? If you are in this position how do you respond? In the current situation, belief in one religion means hatred towards others. A true religion is one that offers universal principles of harmony and peace. It preserves the right to live and directs others to live in harmony with others. 

Sri Aurobindo was narrating the following incident in his book "Tales of Prison Life". There were two educated young men - Nagendranath and Dharani who were imprisoned by Britishers. They were in prison for somebody else fault and there was no slightest anger or censure or annoyance found on their face. Both of them accepted the punishment with a smile. The brothers were "Sadhaks" but their natures were different. Nagendra was steady, grave and intelligent. He was very fond of Godly conversation and religious topics. After the day's labour the jail mates were permitted to read books. Nagendra who had asked for the Bhagavad Gita had been given the Bible instead. He was expressing the inner sense of Gita's verse - once in a while it even appeared as if the sublime and divine statements of Krishna at Kurukshetra were coming out of the same lotus lips of Vasudeva in the Alipore prison. Without reading the Gita, to be able to realise in the Bible the spirit of equality, renunciation of the desire for fruit, to see the Divine in all things, etc., is the index of a not negligible inner life or spiritual capacity, sadhana. 

This experience to read, to listen and to share the above incident is much needed among all the educated elites. What intelligence we acquired when we cannot resist the temptation of verbal abuse on matters related to religion. Why so much hatred on Hindus and on their Temples? A real Muslim and a True Christian are always happy with a Just Hindu. 

Religion in its noblest sense is a path to reach the Truth. But now, the path shown by religion is less understood by people and more trespassed by Politicians and Intellectual Idiots to sustain their identity and pursue their survival in India. If at all something can be done to revive the true spirit of religion, then education can play a significant role in making aware the essence of religion. 

It is high time, India introspects where India stands? Does it stand on fuzzy, volatile, fragile, Constitution which is always on the headlines of controversy? If there is any discrepancy in Constitution on whom are we depending? Are we to depend on some intellectual arrogant's who are not aware of our great History, Culture and Civilization? In such a situation, is it not necessary to review and re-design the Constitution and firmly place it on the principles of Sanatana Dharma? For every law should be firmly backed by a Dharma. Only then, the culture and tradition which sustained since thousands of years will remain un-scratched for the next generations to cherish.  

The young generation should question and reason the Religion not to prove it Wrong but to prove its Relevance in the current situations. They should read books, do research and see which religious texts can solve the current myths and apprehensions that are hindering the economy. Only when the current generation indulge in serious works to bring together the Science and Spirituality, then there is Awakening of New Aryan Breed that will certainly Celebrate the Past Glory of Indianess and Revive its Ancient Glory. It is for certain that India should grow not for its own sake but for the sake of uniting humanity and lead the world to a meaningful destination.  

Ravi Kant Ph.D

Reference

Tales of Prison Life, by Sri Aurobindo, 90-92
(Some parts of the texts were reproduced originally in order to preserve the essence as I fear that any change in the verbatim may dis-respect the originality. My sincere thanks and respects to Aurobindo Ashram for this published work).

You Want Me to Talk to You in ENGLISH?

In his speech "Building a Strong India" at Island Grounds, Madras on 23rd February 1949, Sardar Vallabhai Patel, who is regarded as "Iron Man" of India says - "You want me to talk to you in English. I shall obey your command; but take it from me that it will not be long before you yourselves will have to speak in our NATIONAL LANGUAGE. If you do not do that, you will drag the country backward. We have to exert our maximum effort to go forward. Unless you do that, I am afraid, you will suffer. These sentences have to be contemplated by the Govt., if they want India to have its uniqueness in the world community. 

Its almost 70 years we achieved Independence from British rule yet we are haunted by poverty, economic inequity, corruption and many such evils. The 18th and 19th Century generation who suffered physical and mental trauma for the sake of Indian Independence are the real Nationalists. By Nationalists, I mean people who are patriotic and sacrificed their lives to bring back past glory of Indianism or Sanatana Dharma. British showed resistance to leave India by show-casing India as a victim of Communal Problems. In such situations, Britishers claimed that they deserve to rule India for the sake of making India more stable. Is this perception true? 

Is the world blind to acknowledge the fact that India never occupied any other country? When India was living peacefully, who in the name of traders occupied the coastal regions of India and expanded their territories and deceived India for its soft attitude? Or is it true that Indians before British rule were not happy with the rulers and hence took chance to invade India and planned to put things in Order? Yes, this question is partially true. Because, during Moghul dynasty, lacs of Hindus were killed and many temples were destroyed. Is it written in the Holy Quran that no other God has to be accepted other than Muhammad? and subsequently, those who practice any other religion should either be forcefully converted to Islam or if they resist they should be beheaded. If a religion does not accept a harmonious relation with other religion, then what is the universal credibility of this religion? 

We can go on arguing about the damage Moghuls and Britishers have done to the India. Whatever has happened..., happened. The fact is that when the home rule is weak, then it is quite natural that foreigners will capture the territory and exploit the conditions for their benefit. It is somehow not correct to be in the present and complain about the past. 70 years passed by and still India is a Developing Country. I do not agree to this statement. I say India is a Developing Country BY CHOICE. Where-ever we want development, we have developed. For example - India is the largest exporter of software products and services. India is among the elite countries in the space explorations. Some of the Indians are leading the best Companies in the world such as Google, Microsoft etc., The West is turning towards East to learn and master the "Art of Living" through Yoga and Meditation. The world would have developed materialistically but Indians since ages have mastered the inner world. Unfortunately, we lost our memory of who we are from an unprecedented incidents during Moghul and Britishers treachery. 

Now, the problem is not by outsiders. There is actually no threat from China or Pakistan. The threat is only within India and manifested in different forms such as - Economic Injustice, Animal and Human Violence, Corruption and much bigger threat is LACK OF PATRIOTISM among Indians. Yes, I strongly believe that all the problems mentioned above are just off-shoots of lack of patriotism towards ones own country. Are Indians not patriotic? Patriotism among Indians is ego-based. Just because, Indians hate Pakistan and China, they love India. Real patriotism depends on the kind of knowledge an individual has about ones own country. We are taught about our Glorious Past by Europeans and French. We felicitate them by Padma awards and keep the MATTER at rest. Why should people from other lands sacrifice their comforts and do active research and fight for protecting the left-over memories of Sanatana Dharma? We are still clinging to the Britishers policy of Education and never trying to question its relevance to our conditions. 

If we want to change the fate of India, it can only happen if we try once again with all our efforts to change the education system in India. Our education system comprises of Primary, Secondary, Higher Secondary and Higher Education. What is the goal of this education system? To convert a student into a job seeker and make him a professional slave in a Foreign Organization? If he is lucky he will survive 40 years working like a donkey or else he will be thrown out from the organization by blaming the automation syndrome. If a person loses job at the age of 40 years, will he easily be employable at the age of 40 years? If he does not secure equal pay and status, who has to be blamed? Higher education should lead to Higher Learning. Higher learning is about knowing by which all everything is learned. During Ancient days, students are not just taught subjects related to vocational interests, but, they are exposed to concepts such as Patience, Will Power, Dedication Perseverance, Morality, Self Control, Self Mastery etc. which they believed are important elements for reaching higher goals of life. Now-a-days, the present education system is just training the minds leaving the heart. Hence, we find apathy among Indians for the weak and downtrodden. The present education system teaches short-cuts to be successful but is silent on why we are failing. 

Hence, it is high time, the policy makers come together and re-engineer the current education system from the grass roots. It is waste to wet the leaves and ignore the roots. The plant will die. Hence, if a change has to take place, it is at the grass root level. The weapon to change is through education.

• The education that connects the students with the past competence of Indians and teaches the student the current responsibilities, 

•  the education that enables student to be more patriotic, 

• the education that allows people to achieve material pleasures but with spiritual approach, 

• the education that leads every citizen to connect his work to the country's identity, 

• the education that helps Indians teach the world the proper way of living and finally 

• that education that teaches us ART OF LIVING AND ART OF LEAVING. 

This is not something new and we need not get confused about how we can gain such knowledge. Its all there HERE AND NOW. Even though we have lost the rich ancient texts, still we access the wisdom from our Vedas and Upanishads. 

There is a general feeling among the present community that Vedas are related to Hindu Religion. This perception can be removed by educating the young minds only when they are exposed to the Science involved in the Vedas. Researchers from Greece, German and French have concluded that what is observed as rituals in Vedas is only 15% but what can be studied to reveal the secrets of Medicine, Astronomy, Management, Art, War is observed to be 85%. Basically, as Germans did, we Indians need to be exposed to the language of Sanskrit. By encouraging Sanskrit in Indian schools and colleges, India need not fear of taking blame of promoting religion. Learning a language that allows us to know the secrets of life and living is universal. In fact, Sanskrit is the best and easiest language for Computer Programming and this is proved by none other than a Developed and Cosmopolitan country called USA. NASA Scientist Rick Briggs says - "There is at least one language, Sanskrit, which for the duration of almost 1,000 years was a living spoken language with a considerable literature of its own. Besides works of literary value, there was a long philosophical and grammatical tradition that has continued to exist with undiminished vigor until the present century. Their grammar experts device a method for paraphrasing Sanskrit in a manner that is identical not only in essence but in form with current work in Artificial Intelligence,."

Hence, time and again we should remember that instead of going after a language that is only used to communicate our opinions and understood by many, it is better to research and learn the language of Sanskrit that reveals many secrets and will pave way to solutions to current world problems. For example, if someone writes a wonderful thought provoking book in English and becomes successful. In how many languages it will be converted? Why is the language conversion? When someone likes the "truth in a book", they feel to read it..., or for that matter they even try to learn the language used to read it or translate into their language to read. In the same way, if India and Indians do learn about Sanskrit and translate their learning into innovations that enables peace in the world, every country has a reason to associate with India and learn from India. Because, there should be some uniqueness about India for the relation to sustain else, no relationship will sustain if the relationship is not meaningful. In that sense, is it not relevant for India, the birth place of many scientific inventions to turn its eyes inwards and search the light of wisdom without having to go anywhere else? I believe, the seeds have to be sown now or never we can aspire to claim about our country's superiority. It is India's responsibility to keep the world in order and it has the capacity to do so because, all other countries have grown materialistically but are blind inwards. We have seen the depths and highs of inner world and the capacity of our yogic energies to the development of the world at large. Hence, there is an urgency to declare Sanskrit as the National Language for Indians and initiate the journey for Higher Learning for Higher Living.

Dr. B. Ravikanth


Reference

The text about NASA Scientist on Sanskrit is extracted from https://daily.bhaskar.com/news/JM-WHA-sanskrit-scientific-language-5500175-PHO.html

What happened to Vedapureeswarar Temple, Puducherry?

A question should be asked, why travelers from Greek, French, British and other countries travel to India? Why should they leave their comfort homes and take a risk of traveling to India? During 17th Century, when French travelers traveled to India, all is not well for them. They have succumbed to the prevailing diseases in India and many of them (unrecorded) died without going to their homelands. Yet, many of them stayed back in the Land of Bharat. As you read on you will understand the ulterior motives of some French and other Europeans to stay back. 

 

A French Traveler by name - Gaston Laurent Coeurdoux lived in South India for 47 years. He has fair command on Sanskrit, Latin, Russian, Greek and German. He found similarities in all these languages. During his stay in South India, he composed Sanskrit - French - Telugu Dictionary. His cultural studies in India has opened Gateway for the Europeans to learn about India. French is the language which any European has to master if he claims himself to be called as a Scholar. Coeurdoux was very much interested in the Indian Culture especially on Indian Painting and preparation of Canvas and pigments. We should remember the fact that earlier Voltaire (another French) talked much about Indian paintings as precious export material to Europe. 

Lets try to understand the other side of Coeurdoux in order to bring the ulterior motives of why he traveled to India. The word Coeurdoux means "soft-hearted" person which somehow doesn't suit the person in this context. These French Travelers did not come to India to study India but to convert more Indians into Christianity. They did not hide this fact but openly stated their motives. However, in order to be successful to convert Indians to Christianity, they believed that they should know the Culture of India as better as Indians do. Only then they could convince or relate themselves to the Indians to convert to their religion. Hence, in this case, Coeurdoux appeared to be a very good scholar of Indian Culture.

 

In 1705, there was a famous Pagode called Vedapurshwar temple of Puducherry. Pagode means temple during those days. Now this word is being used to depict temples in Japan. This Vedapurshwar temple is famous for Lord Shiva Deity. This temple is adjacent to St. Paul Cathedral Church. Hence, there was always a sense of hatred on Idol Worship in temple premises and the Coeurdoux asked the King Louis (the 14th King) for demolishing the temple. The King gave permission but the action of demolition was not carried because some of the French Governor's thought that the so-called act would provoke the sentiments of the locals and thus kept the matter in abeyance. 

In a diary written by Ananda Ranga Pillai (Volume 5) who is a du-bash (which means a person who can translate between two languages) has narrated the incident of French demolition of the famous Vedapurshwar temple. Joseph François Dupleix was one of the French Governor who married Jeanne Albert in the year 1741. Jeanne Albert was a Christian convert. Albert was known to the Hindus as Joanna Begum and proved of great help to her husband in his negotiations with the native princes. It was understood that Jeanne pestered her husband to demolish the famous Hindu temple of Lord Shiva which ultimately happened. The incident can be understood from the following testimony found on 7th September 1748. 

 

The testimony reads like this - "This morning tents were pitched round St. Paul Church, and two hundred soldiers and a hundred sepoys were quartered there - and priests were told that the Shiva temple would be demolished." The next day, just then, news was brought that Father Coeurdoux, the superior of St. Paul Church, had kicked the inner shrine with his foot and ordered the Christians to break the Vahanams. Then Father Coeurdoux of Karikal came with a great hammer, kicked the lingam, broke it with his hammer and ordered the Coffrees (pagans) and the Europeans to break the image of Vishnu and the other Gods. Madame went and told the priest that he might break the idols as he pleased. He answered that she had accomplished what had been impossible for 50 years..."

This account of sadism tells us that a traveler to India in the disguise of a Scholar (as he appeared to be to Indians) took to Violence and Destruction of a rich Hindu Heritage. 

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B5%E0%AF%88_%E0%AE%B5%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%80%E0%AE%B8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D_%E0%AE%86%E0%AE%B2%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D_%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8B%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%8D.jpg

With the painstaking efforts of Diwan Kandappa Mudaliar and public assistance, the temple was reconstructed in the year 1788 which is now located in Gandhi Street. Lord Shiva is known as Vedapureeswarar and Parvathi is known as Tripurasundari. 

Reference:

I take the opportunity to refer the above story of facts to Michel Danino in his lecture addressing Students of IIT Gandhinagar. 

Dr. B. Ravikanth

SANSKRIT LANGUAGE: IS IT FORGOTTEN?

Sanskrit is regarded as the ancient language in Hinduism, where it was used as a means of communication and dialogue by the Hindu Celestial Gods, and then by the Indo-Aryans. Sanskrit is also widely used in Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. The term ‘Sanskrit’ is derived from the conjoining of the prefix ‘Sam’ meaning ‘samyak’ which indicates ‘entirely’, and ‘krit’ that indicates ‘done’. Thus, the name indicates perfectly or entirely done in terms of communication, reading, hearing, and the use of vocabulary to transcend and express an emotion. An extraordinarily complex language with a vast vocabulary, it is still widely used today in the reading of sacred texts and hymns.

NASA has described Sanskrit as the best language for computers. NASA has been researching on 60,000 Sanskrit manuscripts written on palm leaves, to decipher the ancient technologies from the manuscripts. Sanskrit is taught and studied in many renowned universities across the globe. For instance,

The State University of Ohio
The University of Columbia
Harvard University
Indiana University
The University of Alabama
The University of Calgary
The University of Chicago
The University of Florida
The University of Toronto
The University of Virginia
The University of Queensland
The University of Bonn
The University of Berlin
Oxford University
Cambridge University
The University of Rome
The University of Beijing

Sanskrit has been admired by many European scholars for ages. Influenced by the literary beauty of Sanskrit, Heinrich Roth and Johann Ernst Hanxleden had started offering scholarship to the learners of Sanskrit in Europe. Sir William Jones, an eminent scholar and philologist in the 18th century, had given the following statement of admiration to the Asiatic Society in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1786:

"The Sanskrit language, whatever be its antiquity, is of a wonderful structure; more perfect than the Greek, more copious than the Latin, and more exquisitely refined than either, yet bearing to both of them a stronger affinity, both in the roots of verbs and in the forms of grammar".

Sanskrit is not totally forgotten. Lets see the facts:

1. According to 2001 census, Sanskrit is the native language of 14, 135 people in India. It is growing since then.

2. Samskrita Bharati promotes the greatness of the language not just in India but across the globe.

3.  There are 7 Sanskrit speaking villages in India such as - Mattur & Hosahalli (Karnataka), Jhiri, Bhaguwar & Mohad (Madhya Pradesh), Sasana (Orissa), Ganoda (Rajasthan).

Not only the historic monuments but Sanskrit is the heritage of India too. If Sanskrit is not preserved and revived, a greater being of ancient India will be lost in the wilderness. It is as precious as the Tejo Mahal. Indian Eagle believes in the eternity and glory of Sanskrit as pride of India.

(Extracted from https://www.indianeagle.com/travelbeats/facts-of-sanskrit-in-india/)