T h e C e n t u m Punyathithi Celebrations of H H Sreemad Varadendra Theertha Swamiji will be

th thheld 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,

thKochi 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

thCelebrations kickstart at Kochi on 28 Dec'13culminate at Cochin Thirumala Devaswom followed by the Guru Gunagan by Sreemad Samyamindra Theertha Swamiji.

thSreemad 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

thBhuvanendra 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 SERVICEBIG 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 w a s dedicated to the society by his

thelder 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 SCHOLARSHIPSKonkani 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 )

22

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SUDHAKAR SANITARY

EditorialWhat 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.

Eò¨ÉÇhªÉä ´ÉÉÊvÉEòÉ®úºiÉä ¨ÉÉ ¡ò±Éä¹ÉÖ EònùÉSÉxÉ *¨ÉÉ Eò¨ÉÇ¡ò±É½äþiÉÖ®Âú¦ÉÖ& ¨ÉÉ iÉä ºÉÆMÉÉäºiÉ´ÉEò¨ÉÉÇÊhÉ*

Dr Sarita Bhat

President's Desk

R. Bhaskar Shenoi

thAnugraha 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

thmantle 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

stcompleted 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

thmeeting on 24 September at Prabhakar Jyothi for the eternal peace of the departed soul.

OBITUARY

33

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 ion organized 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 PROJECTSth thJanmashtami 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 th4 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 ish language, doyen of pedagogy,

thProf. 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 in Thalassery Brennen College, 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

44The 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 SERVICEcontd... from page 1

PRASENAKUMAR MALLAYA FELICITATEDK o n k a n i

singer, lyrist, music director and humorist, Prasenakumar M a l l a y a w a s felicitated 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 roomA 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 MILANP.G.Kamath Foundation, in association with Devaki Krishna Bhat

Endowment Fund, Ernakulam, conducted a one-day Konkani Bhajan thMilan 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, Bhangralem Goem team from Goa, Sr i Ramleela Bhajan 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 contr ibuted tradit ional 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”

55Ayurvedic 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 MAHOTSAVcontd.. from page 1 KONKANI MANYATA DIVASK 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 CHARITRAMKonkana 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

thThalassery 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 h16 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.

66Doyen 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

thvoid 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” andKavitha 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

ththe 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 KONKANID r. H a r e e n d r a

Sarma's book in Hindi on

"H ind i Aur Konkan i

Sanjnayem: Aitihasik

A v o m T u l a n a t m a k

Adhyayan" was selected

for the Rashtriya Hindi

S a h i t y a S a m m e 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.

77VIEW POINT ACHARYA DRONA

- Saratchandra ShenoiDronacharya 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 is an inmate of Dayanand Apartments, a 38 flat free housing complex 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.

88

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 ONSREE KASHI MATH & GURUPARAMPARA

Organized by:

Sukrtindra Oriental Research InstituteKuttapaddy, 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 th4 & 5 January 2014 Sree Sukrtindra Hall

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H.H. Sreemadh Sudheendra Theertha Swamiji's "Dwadasa Kalpana" or Twelve Commandments. "Kavyavishkar" in

Konkani by Saratchandra Shenoi, Palluruthy.

H.H. Sreemadh Sudheendra Theertha Swamiji's "Dwadasa Kalpana" or Twelve Commandments. "Kavyavishkar" in

Konkani by Saratchandra Shenoi, Palluruthy.