T h e C e n t u m

Punyathithi Celebrations of
H H Sreemad Varadendra
Theertha Swamiji will be
th th
held from 25 to 29 June
2014 at Walkeshwar Sree
Kashi Math during the
Chaturmasya Vrita of H H
Sreemad Samyamindra
Theertha Swamiji.
The function will kick
start at Kotwal Temple,
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Kochi on 28 December
2013 with a 'Guru-Rath'
procession along with
Sobhayatra which will
SHATMAN PUNYATHITHI MAHOTSAV OF SREEMAD VARADENDRA
THEERTHA SWAMIJI AT WALKESHWAR KASHI MATH
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Celebrations kickstart at Kochi on 28 Dec'13
culminate at Cochin Thirumala Devaswom followed by the Guru
Gunagan by Sreemad Samyamindra Theertha Swamiji.
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Sreemad Varadendra Theertha Swamiji, the 18 Mathadipathy of
Shree Kashimath Samsthan attained Mukti at Walkeswar Kashi Math,
Banaganga, Mumbai on Wednesday June 24, 1914 A.D. His Holiness's
Vrindavan is adjacent to the Vrindavan of Sreemad Madhavendra
Theertha Swamiji Who attained Jeevan Mukthi at the same place.
Born in 1866 as Giri Mallaya at Andikadavu, a small village in
Ernakulam district, Swamiji was given Deeksha by Guru, H H Sreemad
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Bhuvanendra Theertha Swamiji on 6 June 1876 at Sree Ananteswara
Temple, Manjeswar.
Swamiji was known for His extremely handsome looks and
pleasing personality.
'HRishTam puShTam sundaraangaM poorNa chandra nibhaananam'
Swamiji was an expert of Shastras and learnt the philosophy of
Poorna Prajna (Madhwacharya). He was equally well versed in
When five GSB youths
formed Anugraha Charitable Trust
at Kochi way back in 1997, they had
scores of dreams and long vision to
create waves in rendering service
to society. Establishment of
Dr Narmada Dayanand Kamath
Senior Citizens' Home, in 2003 was
a landmark and celebration of its
decadal anniversary fulfills their vision and aspiration to a larger extent.
Late Dayanand V Kamath belonging to a small village of Kadakarapally in
Kerala and his wife Dr Narmada were a noble philanthropist couple who were
always in the forefront to contribute their might to many temples and social
projects. When he lost his beloved wife, Dr Narmada in 2002, Dayanandmam
decided to contribute their savings for the welfare of the poor and
downtrodden and entrusted his co-brother Late S Prabhakara Prabhu the
task of finding a suitable agency.
Prabhakarmam, a visionary, was very much at ease with spiritual and
social life, invited Anugraha Charitable Trust to take the responsibility of
bringing the dreams of the couple to reality.
NARMADA HOME COMPLETES A DECADE OF SERVICE
BIG BOON TO GSB ELDERS
Late Dr Narmada & Dayanand V Kamath
A view of the Home
Narmada
will be watching
this event from
above, with the
stars and she will
be very happy
t o d a y s a i d
Dayanandamam
with tears in his
eyes, when the
p r o j e c t wa s
dedicated to the
society by his
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elder brother Sadanand V Kamath on 12 September 2003. The function
was held with pomp and gaiety and was blessed by H H Sreemad
Sudheendra Theertha Swamiji with His message containing best wishes and
prayers to Lord Narayana. As if Dayanandamam lived only to see his dream
come true and completing all the formalities for utilizing his assets for the
benefit of Konkani speaking community as a whole, he left his mortal
remains within ten days of the inauguration.
contd.. to page 4
contd.. to page 5
500 STUDENTS GET RS 25 LAKH AS SCHOLARSHIPS
Konkani students belonging to GSBs, Kudumbis, Vaishas and Saraswaths studying in Plus 1 and 2 got another bonanza from Dr Narmada &
Dayanand Kamath Endowment Fund by way of scholarship of Rs 5000/- each totaling Rs 25 lakh in the current year. The Fund has been providing
scholarships for the last three years which is very well appreciated by all communities.
Our objective is to provide maximum help for education among Konkani speaking community said Savitha Prabhakar and
S R Kamath, Administrators of the Fund. The scheme was implemented by Anugraha Education Board and the amount transferred to the students'
bank accounts.
Vol.11 Issue 3 Ernakulam December 2013 (for private circulation )
2
{io ] m_vP]ptcimb \ax
SUDHAKAR SANITARY
Editorial
What is the need of our society today? What are its
requirements? What are its achievements? How does an individual fit
in to fulfill the needs and requirements of the society, contributing to
removing social ill and darkness? When does an individual's
achievement become society's? Questions that plague us, but which
have difficult and sometimes complex answers, but nevertheless
needing much thought. This sloka from the Bhagwatgeeta elaborates
on the 'right action' to be practised by every individual.
The verses are better understood when split into four:
a) Karmanye vadhikaraste: you have a right to work only
b) Maa phaleshu kadachana: (you have) no right for the fruits
thereof.
c) Maa karma phla-heturbhuh: let not the fruits be your motive.
d) Maa te sangostv akarmani: do not be attached to inaction
The exquisiteness of the sloka is in its universal applicability to
every situation, to every individual -male/female, child, adult and the
aged in a society. The key word here is Adhikara or 'entitlement' or '
right', which Bhagavan says is limited only to karma.
The stress is on nishkama karma, but without being
caught up in the whirlpool of inaction, sloth,
laziness. It's an unsaid, implicit promise to be made
by one and all, to contribute their individual best for
a sushikshit, susamskrit samaaj with samanata &,
sammpannata.
+|| -||||+|t-| || +-|| +|-|-| |
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Dr Sarita Bhat
President's Desk
R. Bhaskar Shenoi
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Anugraha celebrated the 10 anniversary of Dr Narmada
Dayanand Kamath Senior Citizens' Home, the only one of its kind
among GSB community. This was the first project undertaken by the
Trust under the patronage of Dr Narmada-Dayanand Endowment
Fund (NDKF). It was in 2002, that late Dayanand V Kamath decided to
utilize the remaining assets earned by him and his late wife for the
welfare of the society. He chose S Prabhakar Prabhu, a renowned
chartered accountant and a social activist to execute his plans.
Among all the GSB institutions considered as a nodal agency, the
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mantle fell on Anugraha and rest was history. On 12 September
2003, Dayanand V Kamath was present in person along with many
dignitaries including S Prabhakar Prabhu, Prof. R K Rao and T M V
Shenoi who are no more with us today. Dayanandmam insisted on
performing Satyanarayana Vrata every month in this Home and we
st
completed 121 Pooja in September 2013. Looking back all these
years, we are greatly pleased that this Home has provided care and
shelter to scores of people and hope that it will continue to be of great
service for the needy. The project located in the heart of the city is
providing an affordable habitat for Senior Citizens without
compromising their privacy and independence.
The inauguration of this project also brought many challenges
to our members. A family consisting of two mentally challenged
sisters and their mother was taken under the care of our Trust and
accommodated in a separate house provided by Sree Sudheendra
Medical Mission. Immediately another family consisting of a father
and three young children below 13 years of age was also adopted by
our Trust. One of the girls was married in 2011 and we are very glad to
note that her sister also got married this month. Although they were
unfortunate to miss their natural mother's care and love, they were
cared by more than 25 mothers in their life who are
the inmates of our Homes. Our Trust has taken many
families in our fold and rehabilitated the whole
families. The strong backing given by NDKF,
guidance provided by people like S Prabhakar
Prabhu, inspiration taken from late A Krishna Bhat
and above all the sincere efforts by our members
and well wishers have helped us to face all these
challenges.
"Education should pave way to holistic development of a
student and Anugraha Education Board is conducting its activities to
achieve this objective through the novel project of "LAKSHYA" said
Govind Bhat S, HOD, Dept. of Management Services, Adishankara
College of Engineering and Management Studies, Kalady. He was
delivering the key note address on behalf of Anugraha Charitable
Trust at the Anniversary function of Kudumbi Seva Sangham (KSS) at
Sahakarana Auditorium in Ayyampilly. He also stressed on the need to
protect and develop Konkani language and culture and at the same
time for using modern technology for human skill development. The
large support extended by Dr Narmada & Dayanand Kamath
Endowment Fund for Konkani speaking students is aimed for the
development of the whole society, he said.
K V Bhaskaran, State President of KSS, inaugurated and Nirmala
Madhu, President, KSS Br.No.152 presided over the function.
EDUCATION SHOULD BE USED
FOR HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT
Aswini S Pai, 20 yrs, D/o Srinivasa Pai, Ajantha Road,
Kochi -2, a faculty of LAKSHYA project, imparting
tuition for pre-degree students under Anugraha
Education Board, left this world on 23rd Sept 2013.
She was a second year student of St. Teresa's College,
Ernakulam and met with an accident just a few
kilometers away from her home while returning from
Tirupati. Faculty and students of Lakshya held a prayer
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meeting on 24 September at Prabhakar Jyothi for the
eternal peace of the departed soul.
OBITUARY
3
Dr. G. Nagendra Prabhu & his P. G.
students at the Centre for Research on
Aquatic Resources, P. G. Department of
Zoology & Research Centre, S. D. College,
Alleppey, have won the first prize in the
SPARK compet i t i on organi zed by
Mathrubhumi and Mar Baselios College of
Engineering & Technology, Trivandrum.
The project entitled "Ecofriendly
Technologies for the Utilization of Aquatic Weeds of Kerala" won the
prize from over 300 entries and a 3 stage evaluation process. Dr.
Prabhu has been working on finding solution to the menace of the
problematic aquatic weeds of Kerala for the last 15 years and has
studied and worked in USA, Germany & Malaysia. He is a member of
the Anugraha Educational Board.
Dr. PRABHU'S TEAM WINS SPARK AWARD
FESTIVITIES HELD AT ANUGRAHA PROJECTS
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Janmashtami and Vinayaka Chaturthi were celebrated at Narmada, Karnakodam on 28 August'13 & 9 September'13 respectively with pomp
and gaiety. A large number of people attended the functions.
Dance troupe which performed during Navaratri Celebrations
Janmashthami Celebrations at Narmada
A view of the gathering
Janardhan Athri rendering the Bhajan
ANUGRAHA'S DAUGHTER UMA WEDS VIDHYANAND
It seems the whole society was blessing the new couple on
th
4 December 2013 when Vidhyanand Kamath of Karnakodam tied the
wedding knot to Umadevi G Prabhu at Narmada, her own home for last
decade. The function took place with all customs and traditions
followed by the Samaj.
Uma along with her other two siblings were taken under the care
of Anugraha, thanks to the benevolence of Dr Narmada Dayanand
Kamath Endowment Fund since 2004 when destiny played cruel by
snatching their mother from them.
Her elder sister Hema also got married two years back and is
leading a happy life. It is all the more important to laud the decision of
their husbands and appreciate their families who have wholeheartedly
blessed the couples.
Anugraha is very much pleased with the support received from the
community and hope to chart out more such success stories in future.
Deevo Dakkavap with rendering of Shobhane
for the welfare of the married couple.
One of the most sought after teachers of
Engl i sh l anguage, doyen of pedagogy,
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Prof. Madhukar Rao, 89 died on 18 December
2013.
A renowned Shakespeare scholar, Prof. Rao
joined the Maharaja's College in 1946 and had also
worked i n Thal assery Brennen Col l ege,
Trivandrum University College and Palakkad
Victoria College.
Though retired in 1980 as professor of English from the
Maharaja's College, he had continued as a teacher privately for MA
students till about year ago.
An avid lover of books and sports, he died of cardiac arrest while
watching cricket at home around 8 pm. His body was donated to the
Society for Organ Donation and Transplantation to be used by the
medical fraternity at Amrita Institute of Medical Science.
Obituary
4
The project located just opposite to Sree Sudheendra Medical Mission
hospital at the busy junction,
Kacheripady, Ernakulam, is
providing best service to the
elders. It has 15 independent
rooms with all amenities. A
common mess is provided and the
residents are served ethnic
Konkani cuisines.
I was always looking for a
Home like this in our community
and was happy to be its first inmate says K V Kamath from Kanhangad, who is
staying with his wife Usha Kamath. Kamathmam designs many websites and
runs www.soirika.gsb.in a dedicated matrimonial site for Konkanis.
Susheela Rao 89 years is the eldest of all residents and is happy with the
proximity to the hospital. Hospital staff are ready at beckon and call from this
Home and we are relieved immediately from our anxiety once they take us to
the doctors, she said.
When one retires from service and the
children are settled at far away places, one needs
a peaceful living atmosphere with human
support. We live here as a large family and are
not missing our culture, food and language. says
Ajithkumar, retired AGM of Syndicate Bank who
is staying with his wife Vasanthi.
The sisters, Usha and Sunila Basrur were
| NARMADA HOME COMPLETES A DECADE OF SERVICE contd... from page 1
PRASENAKUMAR MALLAYA FELICITATED
K o n k a n i
si nger, l yri st,
music director
and humorist,
Prasenakumar
Mal l aya was
fel i ci tated on
11th October
2013 during the
Navratri celebrations at Dayanand Apartments, a 38 flat free housing
complex run by Anugraha Charitable Trust.
He was an epitome of making others happy and has contributed
immensely to Konkani by penning and rendering many Bhajans and
songs which are still hummed by the present generation. "Konkani
community has grown in many fields, but we are lacking an organization
for the development of Art & Culture in our society and people like
Mallaya should take a lead to guide our younger generation said
R Bhaskar Shenoi, President of the Trust.
In his reply speech, Mallaya said although he has received many
accolades, the love shown by the residents of the apartments is close to
his heart. He also sang his famous Bhajan, Gosripuresa Laxmiramana"
and a Hasya Geet, "Bailekke Dhuvalo, Jai Thikka Aavallo, Aavallo
Sodhunu Bhamunnu Dhavlo, Bamunnakku Sodhunnu Sodhunnu Mello
Ollo Ekku Savallo" both penned in Konkani and first sung by himself.
S Devananda Kamath, Committee Member, Cochin Thirumala
Devaswom, Naveen R Pai, Deepa Viswanath, Chairman and Secretary
respectively of Dayanand Apartments Resident's Committee and
hundreds of Konkani lovers were present during the felicitation.
Bed room with attached bath room A view of the Annapoorni
left alone In Bangalore, when their mother and elder sister expired and their
well wishers chose Narmada Home for their rehabilitation.
There are many schemes for the elders to stay in the Home, they can
choose for a life long stay or for a specified temporary period. Relatives and
friends of the inmates and well wishers of the Trust also visit and stay here as
guests.
Our community is a part of the whole world and the changing
situations have a bearing on every one of us. Collapse of joint family system,
migration of younger generation to other places, increase in life span, high
living standards, non availability of human support are some of the problems
faced by the Senior Citizens. Anugraha Charitable Trust identified these
problems at a very early stage and came up with this project. We are happy
that in the last one decade, this institution has served our elders. The donor
has insisted on conducting Satyanarayana Pooja every month, which also
helps the public to visit and interact with the residents of the Home. Periodic
talks and discourses are also held in the Home said R Gopinatha Naick,
Secretary of the Trust.
Sadanand V Kamath dedicating the project
BHAJAN MILAN
P.G.Kamath Foundation, in association with Devaki Krishna Bhat
Endowment Fund, Ernakulam, conducted a one-day Konkani Bhajan
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Milan on 6 October 2013. It was supported
by the Directorate of Art & Culture, Govt. of
Goa, who deputed a team of singers affiliated
to Sri Dada Maharaj Bhajani Mandali, Bandora
from Goa. Srivari Bhajan Mandali from
Tripunithura, Niranjani Bhajan Mandali from
Alappuzha, Gopalakrishna Kammath & party
from Cherthala, Mahila Mandali, Ernakulam,
Bhangral em Goem team from Goa,
Sri Raml eel a Bhaj an Mandal i f rom
Tripunithura, Samskruthi Bhajan Mandali
from Cochin, Haridas Bhajan Mandali and Sant Vani from Ernakulam
participated in the unique event where Bhajans in Konkani only were
sung. Accompanied by traditional instruments
like Harmonium, Tabla and Jhalara, the teams
contri buted tradi ti onal and modern
devotional songs in Konkani enriching the
nine-hour long event. At the concluding
session senior singers like Prof. V. Sivanantha
Bhat, V. Vishwanatha Prabhu, V. Somalatha
Achar, Sarojini R. Shenoy and Meera J.Rao
were honoured for their long service in
Konkani Bhajan singing.
Goa Bhajanamandali performing in Konkani Bhajan Milan
5
Ayurvedic medicine, Engineering, Photography, Printing and Music.
Swamiji used to treat His devotees ailing with asthma and rheumatism,
play Veena and once even repaired a telegraph machine which got
appreciation from a British officer.
Swamiji was proficient in astrology and mathematics. He knew
the Vedas and was well versed in sixteen Indian & foreign languages
viz. Sanskrit, Konkani, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi,
Hindi, Gujarathi, Urdu, English, Latin, French, Portuguese, German &
Japanese and the library included a collection of books of all
languages.
Swamiji exhibited skill in composing Shlokas in Nagabandha
(read alternately from left to right to left and so on, like the body of a
snake), Chakrabandha (read along the circumference of a circle) and
Malabandha (read from the petals of flowers on which letters were
written in a particular manner).
Swamiji was very much devoted to Sri Ranganatha at Sri Rangam,
in South India and praised the Lord with Shloka which read Saviour of
devotees, You are the Lord Vittal in Pandari. Goddess Ganga flowed
from Your feet and She is flowing as Goddess Kaveri in Srirangam.
| SHATMAN PUNYATHITHI MAHOTSAV contd.. from page 1
KONKANI MANYATA DIVAS
K o n k a n i S a h i t y a
Akademi Kerala organized an
event at Thuravoor T.D. T.T.
School to mark Konkani
Manyata Divas on 21 August
2013. Children and teachers
of the school, joined by
several parents and local
Konkani speaking people,
took out a procession prior to
commencement of the
meeting. Prof.Poornanand Chari from Goa attended as the Chief
Guest. The program was inaugurated by the noted Konkani poet
R.S.Bhaskar, President of All India Konkani Sahitya Sammelan. It was
chaired by Payyanur Ramesh Pai, Chairman of the Akademi.
J.Radhakrishna Naik, Vice Chairman of the Akademi, welcomed the
gathering, while K.Anantha Bhat, Adv.N.Vasantha Kumar, Kumari
Padmam, S.Nandakumar, and K.K.Subramanian spoke during the
occasion. P.N.Sivananda Shenoy, Secretary of the Akademi, proposed
a vote of thanks. Children from the school presented various Konkani
songs as solo and group entertainment items.
BOOK RELEASE KONKANA BRAHMANARUDE CHARITRAM
Konkana Brahmanarude Charitram, a research work by the late
Sahityakusalan M.Seshagiri Prabhu, was released by Vittaldas Leeladhar, Retd.
Deputy Governor of RBI, at a function organized at Hotel Gokulam Forte at
th
Thalassery on 24 Nov: 2013. The function was inaugurated by noted artist K. K.
Marar, under the Presidentship of Dr. M. Santhichandra Kamath. First copy of the
book was received by Aravind M Prabhu, grandson of the author, and Dr. V.
Nithyanantha Bhat and Payyanur Ramesh Pai offered felicitations.
Maheshchandra Baliga welcomed the gathering, while Prasanth V Pai proposed
vote of thanks. The book is published by Sukrtindra Oriental Research Institute,
and sponsored by Gowda Saraswath Education Trust, Thalassery.
Vittaldas Leeladhar releasing the book.
K o n k a n i
students from Goa
a n d K e r a l a
t h o r o u g h l y
e n j o y e d t h e
e v e n i n g o n
t h
16 November
2013 at Prabhakar
Jyothi in Kochi,
when they met to share and communicate in their mother tongue,
Konkani. Final year degree students from Mallikarjun College,
Canacona were led by their tutor and well known folk artist
Poornanand Chari, to study the specifics of the Konkani language in
KONKANI STUDENTS' MEET AT KOCHI
Kerala.
They interacted with the Kerala students on subjects relating to
art, culture, sports, education, etc in Konkani which helped the visiting
students to understand the use of language in Kochi. A panel consisting of
eminent Konkani poet from Kochi, K Ananth Bhat, academicians Prof.
K V Mallan and Dr. Suresh Mallya moderated the discussions. All
participants took active interest in the discussion by singing Konkani
songs, cracking Konkani riddles and commenting on the subjects.
The programme initiated by LAKSHYA, a community project in
education, started with a prayer by Reshma Bhat and the gathering was
welcomed by M Lexman Kilikar. Krishna Kumar of Janma Bhumi daily was
also present.
6
Doyen of modern Konkani poetry, an active Konkani activist,
Member Secretary of Konkani Sahitya Academy Kerala and an admirer and
supporter of the activities of our Trust, P N Sivananda Shenoy, 62,
belonging to the temple town, Kumaranallore in Kerala has left a great
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void in Konkani circle by shedding his mortal remains on 9 November
2013.
A person who had opinions of his own on almost all subjects, often
criticized by many for his free thinking observations, continued to work
for Konkani even in failing health till his unexpected end. His sincerity
and commitment to his mother tongue and the strain he underwent in
travelling many places even when he is bound by his employment in
Cochin Port Trust is really appreciable.
Born in 1951 at Kumaranallore, Kerala which had only two GSB
families at that time, Sivananda Shenoy was a Malayalam writer and
poet in his early days.
His first novelette as a progressive writer was Anyam in
Malayalam which was first published in Veekshanam daily during
emergency. Although police took action for its political content, he was
spared because the publisher was a Congress mouthpiece.
His two books in Konkani poetry, "KIRKIR" and "Changpannachi
Saant" are very famous.
He was a member of Advisory Board for Konkani at Kendra Sahitya
Akademi, New Delhi (2008-2012), Former Vice-President of All India
KIRKIR Goes Silent
Konkani Parishad and Patron & Former Chairman of Kerala Konkani
Academy.
He was honoured with Padandarinath Bhuvanendra Puraskar for
best Konkani prose of the year 1985 for San San Phool and
Kavitha Trust Mathias Family Award 2011 for the best Konkani poet.
His writings appeared in Panchakadayi, Konkan Janatha, Konkan
Times, Jaag, Ritu, Kulagar, Konkani Bhasha Mandal Annuals, Divli, Divti,
Saraswatha Vani, Vaishnava Rathna and many more.
He was a regular on the dais in all Konkani poet meets and equally
made his presence felt in the audience for all Konkani programmes.
Sivananda Shenoy was a keen observer of history and also had a
research mind. He actively participated in the National seminar on
Contribution of Konkanis to Hortus Indicus Malabaricus at Panjim,
Goa in the early 2013.
Sivananda Shenoy presenting his views in the seminar at Panjim
MAZDOOR'S SEVAK STOPS WORK
A volunteer who devoted his whole life adopting celibacy for
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the welfare of Mazdoors (workers) stopped his work on 28
November 2013. P Trivikrama Rao (P T Rao), 73, son of late
Padmanabha Rao and Sunanda Rao belonging a small town, in
Aluva, Kerala, chose his mission to work among the
employees and was the former National Vice President and
Treasurer of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) the largest
organization of employees in the world.
Inducted into the social service as full time Pracharak of
Rastriya Swam Sevak Sangh, P T Rao had to spend 11 months
in jail during the emergency. He was the General Secretary of
Kerala State BMS for more than 20 years and acted as its
Treasurer . He also acted as the National Vice President of
NOBW, the bank employees' organization affiliated to BMS.
Although he joined UCO Bank in 1957, he sacrificed his
personal life for the welfare of the society. A man on constant
move, he visited every nook and corner of Kerala to organize
the employees.
P T Rao was also active in the Gowda Saraswath Samaj, Aluva.
The whole community should be proud that their son has
done a silent social work by bringing the employees under an
organized umbrella and educating and protecting their rights.
RASHTRIYA HINDI PURASKAR FOR Dr. SARMA'S BOOK ON KONKANI
Dr. Ha r e e n d r a
Sarma's book in Hindi on
"Hi ndi Aur Konkani
Sanj nayem: Ai ti hasi k
Av o m Tu l a n a t ma k
Adhyayan" was selected
for the Rashtriya Hindi
S a h i t y a S a mme l a n
Puraskar. M.Vijayakumar, former speaker of Kerala presented the
award on 5th October, at Press Club Hall, Trivandrum The book was
released by H.H. Sreemad Samyamindra Theertha Swamiji during the
inauguration of Prabhakar Jyothi at Kochi, the fourth social project
of Anugraha Charitable Trust on 22nd May, 2011. Since then the
book is recognized by many universities as reference book and Dr.
Sarma is getting accolades. He got the Kerala Hindi Sahitya Academy
Award for the book in 2011. The Depatment of Official Language,
Govt. of India has recognised this book under the Standard Hindi
Book List, 2012, meant for purchase of Hindi Books in Govt. Offices,
P.S.Us and Nationalised Banks.
7
VIEW POINT
ACHARYA DRONA
- Saratchandra Shenoi
Dronacharya is well known as a peerless Teacher of Astra-Sastras. In
modern India, the Government has even instituted one of its most
prestigious awards in his name. Many prestigious institutions bear his
name all over India. The Mahabharata describes him as an exceptional Guru
of Astra-Sastras, an invincible warrior, and a great army chief. Nevertheless,
some of his actions have received much criticism also. This is especially so in
modern times.
The one primary greatness of Mahabharata is that it was truly
impartial in its narration at the early and initial stage. However, its size has
more than doubled since, due to additions, explanations, clarifying
narrations, fables, descriptions, etc. Where only the bare facts of an
incident were mentioned initially, it was later on expanded into a story or a
fable. Sometimes, out of the blue, Rishi Durvasa or even the great sage
Narada is dragged in to spice it up!
However, considered in an impartial light, the life and actions of
Dronacharya, have some very valuable and diverse lessons to teach us.
Jnanpith recipient Ravindra Kelekar (1925-2010) has highlighted one
particular incident in his Konkani epic, 'Mahabharat, Ek Anusarjan', in
which the true nobility of Dronacharya is amply evidenced.
The background of the incident is that once, when Dronacharya
approached King Drupada, his friend of childhood days, for some direly
needed financial help, he was insulted and sent away. Hence, years later,
the Gurudakshina that he asked of his Kuru disciples was to defeat King
Drupada, and to bring him bound in chains. This was accomplished by the
Pandavas, and King Drupada was at the mercy of Dronacharya. However, he
generously returned half of the kingdom, and asked for the King's
friendship in return. King Drupada did agree to this, yet was keenly desirous
of revenge. Hence, he performed an elaborate yajna to get a son who
would slay Dronacharya. The King's wish was granted and a divine prophecy
was heard to that effect when Dhrishtadyumna, his son, was born.
The noble reaction of Dronacharya to that prophecy was
unprecedented. Even to this day, his action remains unparalleled in the
annals of human history. As soon as the boy was of suitable age,
Dronacharya approached King Drupada and requested that the young
Dhrishtadyumna be entrusted to him for mastering Astra-Sastras! And,
what is more, King Drupada readily consented also! It was the true belief of
Dronacharya that one's destiny could not be altered. His philosophy was
that the one destined to slay him should not be any lesser a warrior than
himself! Hence, he taught Dhrishtadyumna very well indeed, so that in
time, he was made the chief of the Pandava army.
Compare this noble and exemplary deed of Dronacharya to the
dastardly actions of a royal-born Kamsa, upon hearing that the eighth son of
his sister would be his slayer.
It is quite factual that Dronacharya declined to teach both Karna and
Ekalavya. For this, some accuse him of being prejudiced and casteist. This is
not true. Dronacharya did not have a Gurukul of his own. In fact, he did not
have anything at all when he came to Hastinapura. He had come in the hope
of being appointed as Ayodhana Guru to the young princes of the Kuru
dynasty. The Gurukul that was established near the city was at the behest of
Bhishmacharya, and it was for the princes of the dynasty, numbering above
one hundred. It would have been clearly improper for Dronacharya to
admit anyone else there at his sole discretion.
It is to be noted that both Karna and Ekalavya had approached
Dronacharya only after the establishment of this royal Gurukul, and not
before. It is not as if there were no other Ayodhana Gurus in the area before
the arrival of Dronacharya. It is not as if either Karna or Ekalavya had any
prior regard for him before his appointment as the Ayodhana Guru of the
Kuru dynasty. If it were so, they would have sought him out even before he
came to Hastinapura. Hence, it would not be amiss to infer that the true
intent of both Karna and Ekalavya was to get training alongside the Kuru
princes. To this end, they were actually trying to bypass Bhishmacharya,
whose permission they should have sought in the first place. Hence,
Dronacharya was entirely justified in declining to admit either of the two
under his fold in this Gurukul. No personal prejudice was at all involved in
his decision here.
There is a further episode involving Ekalavya, which needs
clarification. The facts of that incident are as follows. Ekalavya self-learns
archery, practicing in front of an idol of Dronacharya. Once he shoots
seven arrows into the mouth of a barking dog. The Pandavas chancing
upon this dog, search the forest for the archer, and come upon Ekalavya,
who introduces himself and states he is a disciple of Dronacharya. Hence,
the Pandavas return to their Gurukul, and report the matter to
Dronacharya. Upon hearing this, Dronacharya goes to the forest,
confronts Ekalavya, and demands his right thumb as Gurudakshina.
Ekalavya complies.
While all these facts can be considered factual and correct, their
interpretation and the reasons assigned are entirely and incredibly
wrong. In a simple and rational approach, let us today visualize ourselves
chancing upon a hapless dog with seven arrows stuck in its bleeding
mouth. What would be our reaction? Would we be marveling at the skill
of the archer, or would we be cursing his utter cruelty? Shooting seven
arrows into the mouth of a living dog is not an evidence of skill in archery. It
is the stark evidence of cold-blooded and sadistic cruelty. It is an inhuman
action associable only with hideous Rakshasas or the like. The son of a
Nishada King is especially expected to be familiar with wild animals even.
Hence, even if it were a lion, there is no justification for such mindless
cruelty.
Thus, it makes simple sense that the Pandavas had sought the
archer not to marvel at his archery skill, but to actually punish him for his
cruel deed. However, when they learned that he was a Nishada prince and
a disciple of their own Guru, they were unable to do anything by
themselves, and reported the event as such to Dronacharya. Upon
hearing this, Dronacharya went to the forest, confronted Ekalavya, and
demanded his right thumb as Gurudakshina. By this, he was actually
meeting out a matching punishment (not Dakshina, but Dandhana!) for
Ekalavya's cruel deed. Ekalavya realized the severity of his mindless action
and accepted his punishment. On the part of Dronacharya, this was a
rightful action of justice. We should recognize this evident truth, before
judging his action. Even so, some might feel that Dronacharya did not
actually deserve any Gurudakshina from Ekalavya because he did not
teach him anything. However, we can observe that he did give a most
valuable lesson to Ekalavya. The master personally gave him the golden
lesson 'not to misuse his weapon or his skill'! If ever someone was in real
need of that lesson, it was Ekalavya only.
Sobha Gets New "Freedom"
I am very happy that I can
move around myself said Sobha S
Prabhu after receiving a wheel
chair from Cochin College
Residents' Association (CCRA). She
i s an i nmate of Dayanand
Apartments, a 38 flat free housing
compl ex run by Anugraha
Charitable Trust in Kochi. T K Babu,
Councilor, Corporation of Kochi
handed over the gift.
L-R : Naveen R Pai, Chairman and Deepa Viswanatha Pai,
Secretary of Dayanand Apartments Residents' Association,
Joseph Katikaran of CCRA, T.K.Babu, Umesh Shenoy and
Gireesh are also seen.
8
Published by : Dr. Sarita Bhat, Editor, for Anugraha Charitable Trust. Admn. Off: 41/1512, Opp. Sree Sudheendra Medical Mission, Chittoor Road, Ernakulam,
Cochin - 682 018. ( : (0484) 2351133 E-mail : anugrahaonline@gmail.com, Regd. Office : XL/5763, Krishna Bhat House, T. D. East Sannidhi Road, Kochi - 682 035
Website: www.anugraha.gsb.in
(Papers will be presented on Sri Vedavyasa,
History of Kuladevta System,
Sri Madhvacharya and Dwaita Vedanta,
Origin & History of Sree
Kashi Math, Dharma Gurus, Customs &
Traditions, Rituals of
Shree Kashi Math Samsthan and Role of the
Samsthan in the spiritual and social
development of the society.)
NATIONAL SEMINAR ON
SREE KASHI MATH &
GURUPARAMPARA
Organized by:
Sukrtindra Oriental Research Institute
Kuttapaddy, Thammanam, Kochi 682 032.
Phone : 0484-2349563 email: sukrtindra@gmail.com
Delegates can register in advance by paying
Rs 500/- by cheque/DD in favour of
SUKRTINDRA ORIENTAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE.
Date :
Venue :
th th
4 & 5 January 2014
Sree Sukrtindra Hall
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