A Memorable Bhishma-ekadasi (Part II)

Upon return to Narasapuram, I took a fresh water bath in a choultry on the wayside. During the final ablution, I remembered Bhishma. As per custom, a few days earlier I used to offer tarpanam to Bhishma with jilledu (Calotropis gigantean) leaves and flowers. It used to be easy in the village because I could collect the leaves from our backyard. Now, in US it is impossible to collect these leaves unless I seek help from a tropical garden store. Perhaps, I can substitute the milkweed leaves, which are ubiquitous in the Northeast. In this festival, we remember all our ancestors from Bhishma onwards and even the people before Bhishma. We seek blessings from our ancestors (pitrudevas పితృ దేవతలు). Why? Because, they gave us all what we have today – through their sacrifices, the remarkable human DNA, culture, language, science, art, and technology. In one of her edifying books, Sister Nivedita talks glowingly about the Indian tradition. Egypt lost most of its earlier ethos in the course of unforgiving history. India is the exception; it has valiantly tried to hold on to its ancient tradition and practices. Every foreign culture tried to submerge India’s original culture (it happened on other continents too) but the great country accepted only very few of the foreign influences. It assimilated only that which could stand the test of time, only that which could be a healthy integral part of its ‘eternal dharma’. All else must be ruthlessly washed away in the course of time, as the ocean does with its periodic tireless tidal waves. 

Bhishma was a remarkable hero in Mahabharata. He was never defeated in any war. Even in the confrontation with his teacher, Parasurama, (the ebullient hot tempered Rama with axe) the war was only a draw. Bhishma spent his entire life in the service of his father, in the protection of his brothers and the kingdom. When Krishna came running towards him with whirling discus on the battlefield, he invited Him with all his heart. Which would be better? A long futile fight till the end or a joyful death witnessing His effulgent form and meditating on the Para-Brahman? The thousand (in Sanskrit, sahasra does not mean a mere one thousand only. Sahasra implies innumerable or countless) names encompassing the long prayer of Vishnu (known to many as Vishnu sahasra-nama) owes its existence to Bhishma. Even on his deathbed, he could visualize Krishna with sweat drops on His forehead. Bhishma even today teaches an important lesson. And that is, above all the humdrum of everyday life, there is ‘some sacredness’ in the ancient land, a sacredness on the earth – to that everything else must subordinate, if life means any living at all. 

So, in that lofty spirit, one celebrates the Indian festivals, particularly Bhishma-ekadasi, away from the glitter, extravagant shopping, and inane indulgence. Much of the current media and people in power – they are totally oblivious to the reality on pavement. How hard it is for many to afford medicine, urgent surgery, or one nutritious meal with a sweet dish? But, even without material wealth, everyone can participate in the celebratory spirit of life. In the solitary temple of ones inner mind, one can observe a simple fast, sing a lilting melody, or immerse in meditation on any day, festival or no festival. But fasting on the Ekadasi day has its merits.

On this day, Bhishma left his mortal body for the final spiritual voyage. He remained motionless on the arrows-bed for the auspicious arrival of “Uttarayana” (January 14 - July 16).  Soon, we (both in India and here) will witness brighter sun and longer days. Very soon, the birds will start their chorus urging the trees to bloom. Spring is not that far now. Bhishma-ekadasi falls on the eleventh (waxing) moon in Magha. 

A Memorable Bhishma-ekadasi

A Memorable Bhishma-ekadasi

This February 23rd has been an auspicious day for all Vaishnava devotees. It celebrates Bhishma-ekadasi. Many Hindu traditionalists will observe the occasion with a simple ablution near a well, river, canal, or sea and a trip to nearby Vishnu temple. 

Like the present day virus dislocation in routine life (it is more accentuated here in the USA), there was a similar discordant period when I was in school. Due to endless agitations and bandh disruptions, our university was shut down to limit the property damage and personal injuries; all the messes, shops, and markets were closed too. The entire transportation came to a standstill. It was truly a dismal bleak season – tough and hard times for everyone, for employees, students, and farmers. Despite all the gloom, there were a few isolated memorable incidents.

Somehow I reached my native town, after availing every possible mode of transportation. The erratic trip included a rickshaw, RTC bus, crowded taxi, and a three-mile tiring walk home. All the way home, it was a stop-and-go with very little access to food or water. It was a forced unscheduled vacation at home. There was not much to do except bike riding, trips to local temple, and odd errands. Very little shopping was possible, as all the shops had either closed or run out of goods. People had very little cash due to the frequent bank closings.

Yet those were very interesting days, as I recall now. I got to read several rare philosophical books, all borrowed from the Ramakrishna Mission. I could have studied the class books but it was difficult to concentrate on scientific matters during “a student strike hiatus”. (I can understand what the students are going through right now, with zoom and remote studies) One day I was chatting with friends in a Khaddar shop on the front porch. My friends suggested a trip to Antarvedi, a small hamlet near Bay of Bengal. It is at the confluence of the river and sea, at the mouth of Godavari River, along one of its branches. Being young we were more interested in the large gathering at the Narasimha temple (Antarvedi Thirtham/Fair). Seeing big crowds, dipping in the sea, and mixing with people and shopping at the fair– those were the things we all expected and anticipated eagerly. I readily agreed to join the crowd. It turned out to be a very pleasant learning experience as I’ve come to realize much later.

Life is, as someone has observed “a movement in relationship”.  Every moment need to be cherished and one has to feel the crisis in each second. Only that is life. It is for that celebration (of inner spirit), all our festivals were born. But the Hindu festivals are unique; they are a part of a greater story – story of the ancient man, (his) story of our ancestors, who lived along the Ganges.

We all started from our coastal town, Kshirapuri, around seven in the evening. It was a simple exhilarating bicycle trip. I did not own a bike, so I got a double (a ride) with an energetic friend. Getting a ride on those old bikes meant sitting on the metal carriage behind. It was not bad, but the hard metal frame started pinching me after two miles. We rode along the bank of big irrigation canal enjoying moonlight. (What a pity? Now, in 2020 hardly a small boat (forget the motor launch) can move in that canal without being pushed. Water has dramatically disappeared from the rivers and canals due to mismanagement and population growth. Not every thing in the last three decades has been progress in India.) I took five rupees from my father for the entire trip. It took care of lodging for the night, temple visit, return bus fare, a few idlis, and bananas for Lord Vishnu. The inside of a ripe banana is always pure and ready for consumption immediately. Thus, bananas and coconuts are the favorite fruits at Indian temples. There was no need for any map, GPS, or directions. We all knew intuitively how to reach Antarvedi. The true test and power of religion is this: There may be some hiccups on the way, but the individual will always reach the sought, with joy. All we had to follow for our trip is the water on our right side. The wide canal would directly take us to the mouth of Godavari. We reached Narasapuram (the name itself proclaims that it is a town of Lord Narasimha) around 9 p.m., and we still had to ride on the Godavari bank for another forty minutes before we could catch a launch (motor boat). 

On the way we regaled ourselves with the prevalent movie stories and political problems. My friends’ topics revolved around their own difficulties with agriculture, crops, and running a small shop. I could only appreciate bits and parts of their conversation as I had moved to bigger cities in pursuit of higher education. Their unalloyed simplicity and overflowing friendly behavior impressed me always; it really overwhelmed me. Even today, I get the same warm reception in small villages and towns of Andhra. Riding through the muddy bank, under the canopy of coconut trees on either side, we reached the end of the road. Now we were in front of frothy jumping Godavari meeting its long sought companion, the eastern sea. Finally with a bit of jostling, weight lifting, we, with four bikes and one motorcycle were nestled into a small boat. From the boat into a motor launch, it all happened on the water. I never witnessed a river so joyful; it was the most beautiful scene in that glistening moonlit night. (This is what they wanted to convey in the movie, Mayabazar with the song, “lahiri lahiri” లాహిరి లాహిరి.)

Soon we reached the little village and we all took shelter at a small house. Whether it was just a cow shed or front porch, I cannot recall. But we wanted a little rest, brief sleep to recover from the journey’s fatigue. At the crack of dawn, we all got up to take a dip in the sea. Our bikes were of little use on the sandy road, so we all walked with the big festival crowd. What a glorious sunrise in the Bay of Bengal! Earth was still recovering from the enthralled sleep with moon and only the sun’s gentle kiss on the right cheek could coax her shake off lethargy. Entire trip could be encapsulated into that one colorful sunrise scene. The whole beach rim was full of big and small crowds, children teasing the waves with little palms, and elders bathing with clothes. Who can really control the whims and currents of ocean or even Godavari? In the distance I caught a glimpse of a bottle, a cloth, and savaram (wig). When we reached the Narasimha temple with wet salty dripping clothes, the lines were very long. There was no way we could enter the inner sanctum and be out of the crowd that evening. So, we had to leave our offerings on the temple parapet. From a distance we prayed to Lakshmi-Narasimha. Yes, it is always Lakshmi-Narasimha or Sri Narasimha. Always, we remember the couple together (Vishnu and Lakshmi). As Prahlada declared, “Vishnu is everywhere, there need be no doubt”. So, our offerings genuinely reached Vishnu. In Bhagavatam, it is said that Narasimha was in great rage after killing Prahlada’s father, Hiranya Kasipu, like a super boiling water, beyond 100° C. The Lord cooled only upon Prahlada’s entreating and only then Lakshmi approached Him (See the old B/W movie, Chenchu Lakshmi, చెంచు లక్ష్మి) Copyright 2021 by the author (to be Contd.)

Heliocentricity, Aryabhata, and Indian Astronomy

Heliocentricity, Aryabhata, and some glimpses of the Indian Astronomy☨

Introduction

Many years ago, a physicist friend posed an interesting question: Had the Indian astronomers or scientists ever pondered on the question of earth’s rotation, earth centric celestial system versus sun centric celestial system? What were their theories and findings? Or did they erroneously postulate that the earth is stationary and the planets and sun just rotate as they appear? I did not have any ready-made answers then, but averred that perhaps some the earlier Indian astronomers probably had addressed the issue at some point in Indian history. After all, one cannot naively presume that Galileo or Kepler were the only scientists to stumble on the right answers to such questions. Somehow, I could not easily accept a priori that intelligence or creativity is the prerogative of some select civilizations. Also, the traditional Indian calendars (both solar and lunar) accurately predict lunar and solar eclipses. In fact, the Hindu calendar is considered even today as perhaps the best rational system. Both Delhi and Jaipur possess astronomical observatories of a bygone era, albeit in a dilapidated condition. Thus, I heuristically intuited that perhaps one of the Indian astronomers had seriously looked into the issue of our solar system, the planets, and their periodic movements. However, I was not then certain which Indian astronomer had tackled this issue and my guess was purely based a bit on the fondness to the ancient Indian civilization and a bit on the “spirit of positivism” (to borrow a phrase from Jean Piaget1).

Elementary and advanced texts in physics and astronomy credit the hypothesis of heliocentric planetary system to Copernicus (1473 – 1543) and Galileo (1564 – 1642). Recently discovered historical evidence2a, 2b refutes this and suggests that the sun centered planetary system ideas originated in the Indian and Arabic regions much earlier, often hundreds of years earlier. Some of the well-known historians of science (ex: Arthur Koestler3, Isaac Asimov4, Jacob Bronowski5) erroneously attributed most of the important scientific discoveries and inventions to regions around Greece, ignoring all the scientific culture that originated in Indian, Chinese, Arabic, and Mayan civilizations with one stroke, which preceded the modern western civilization by hundreds, if not thousands of years. What a terrible moral lapse, historical injustice, and intellectual chicanery!  

Effects of (Relative) Motion

To appreciate the difficulties involved with the motion of astronomical bodies, first we have to understand the concept of “frame of reference”. The issue of “frame of reference” is best understood in the context of relativity. In layman’s language, this simply means that what we observe (or what is observed by an instrument) depends on where we are located. One need not invoke the esoteric concepts of relativity (i.e., Einstein’s). The essential ideas about (moving) frames of reference can be gleamed from the common day-to-day experiences. For example, most children notice that while traveling in a train or car the close-by trees on the roadside appear moving away. To a child, the moon and the sun certainly appear moving from east to west. Our visual clues, bodily balance, and senses are conditioned or accustomed to earth’s gravity and earth’s diurnal and annual rotations. Unless we are up in the space and that too on a properly designed laboratory pedestal (in physics lingo, it is called a “frame”), we would not able to see clearly the daily and yearly rotations of our planet earth. The modern space exploration and space vehicles were not available to the early astronomers; they had to contend with the limitation of being tied to the moving frame of earth. Still, they had to decipher the solar system, stars, and the lunar and solar eclipses with precision and postulate a model for all the wonders of our planetary system. Verily, it must have been a stupendous task! 

Periodicity

Only the day and night events have the periodicity of 12/24 hour cycles. All other events with longer-term periodic effects cannot be accounted by the simple notion that the sun rotates around the earth. How do we account for the fact that the seasons of spring, summer, and winter occur with regularity that approximates to twelve months rather than 24 hours? Also, many ancient observers or astronomers very likely observed that the stars and some of the nearby planets apparently move in certain pre-determined paths and their positions with respect to earth follows set patterns that retrace periodically. Again, all these observations are difficult to be explained away with a simple hypothesis that everything goes around our “home planet earth”. One can reasonably suppose that these questions surely haunted the early astronomers and physicists in India and other ancient cultures.

Some Clues and Observations

How can we detect that the earth is rotating? Are there some easy experiments or observations that can intimate the motion of earth? For example, it is observed that the cyclones in the North and South have different directions of rotation (clockwise or counter clockwise). This is due to the Coriolis effect, which arises due to the spinning of earth along the North-South vertical axis. The photographs of cyclones with their clear rotation are possible only with modern satellites, balloons, or highflying airplanes. Spinning of the earth can also be observed inside a building by setting up a Foucault’s (1819 – 1868) pendulum. The Coriolis effect is also observed in the flowing river waters; it is observed that one of the banks is eroded more than the other in rivers located in the Northern hemisphere. The effect can be noticed with the motion of a projectile or the drop of a stone in deep mines6. It is not certain whether such effects were ever observed by the early Indian scientists or astronomers in mines (ex: Kolar gold mines, depth approx. 10,000 ft.). We can visually see the earth’s spinning and rotation by watching the night sky7-9. Suppose we leave a camera on a tripod stand focused or aligned along the pole star and leave the shutter open for 10 -30 minutes. What we find on the film is a set of arcs (known as star trails) all arranged as parts of concentric circles; these arcs represent the stars and their (apparent) circular motion as observed by the earth bound viewer. 

(to be Contd.) Copyright 2003, 2005, 2021 by the author 

"Narayana tE namO" Lyrics in Telugu and Sanskrit

నారాయణ తే నమో నమో             రాగం : పాడి 

భవ నారద సన్నుత నమో నమో

మురహర నగధర (భవహర)  ముకుంద మాధవ

గరుడ గమన పంకజనాభ

పరమ పురుష భవ భంజన తే

(పరమ పురుష భవ బంధ విమోచన) 

నరమృగ శరీర నమో నమో ( :)

జలధి శయన రవి చంద్ర విలోచన

జలరుహ భవనుత చరణయుగా 

జబలి బంధన గోపవధూ వల్లభ

నలినోదర తే నమో నమో

ఆదిదేవ సకలాగమ పూజిత

యాదవకుల మోహన రూప

వేదోద్ధర తిరు (శ్రీ)  వేంకటనాయక

నాదప్రియ తే నమో నమో

naaraayaNa tE namO namO           ragam: Paadi

bhava naarada sannuta namO namO

murahara nagadhara mukunda maadhava

garuDa gamana pankajanaabha

parama purusha bhava bhanjana tE

naramRga Sariira namO namO

jaladhi Sayana ravi chandra vilOchana

jalaruha bhavanuta charaNayuga

jabali bandhana gOpavadhuu vallabha

nalinOdara tE namO namO

aadidEva sakalaagama puujita

yaadavakula mOhana ruupa

vEdOddhara tiru vEnkaTanaayaka

naadapriya tE namO namO

नारायण ते नमो नमो 

भव नारद सन्नुत नमो नमो 

मुरहर नगधर मुकुन्द माधव 

गारुड गमन पन्कजनाभ 

परम पुरुष भव भञ्जन ते 

नरमृग शरीर नमो नमो 

जलधि शयन रवि चन्द्र विलोचन 

जलरुह भवनुत चरणयुगा 

जबलिभन्दन गोपिवधू वल्लभ

नलिनोदर ते नमो नमो 

आदिदेव सकलागम पूजित 

यादवकुल मोहन रूप 

वेदोद्धर तिरु वेन्कट नायक 

नाद प्रियते नमो नमो 

(I learnt this song from Dr. Balamuralikrishna's CD. I give the Sanskrit script for the benefit of many north Indian music fans. Annamayya (the composer) is no stranger to those who visit or know about Tirupati and Lord Venkateswara. The Sanskrit songs of Annamayya, Tyagaraja, Dikshitar, or other composers can serve as a gateway to Carnatic music. Besides the usual twists of raga, rhythm (talam), and tempo, Carnatic music is rich with literature, profound meaning, and soothing to the heart. Some songs run into hundreds of lines; their language and words (i.e., Telugu) may sound incomprehensible to many non-Telugu (at times even to many modern Telugu folks) people. But a beginning can be attempted with songs like this one. Of course, on the devotional plane these great compositions belong to a different class altogether! I thank Smt. S.S. Devi for correcting me about one phrase.) Copyright 2021 by the author 

Commentary on "Okapari kokapari" Song

The reason for yet another post on this divinely romantic (by romantic I mean the original Sanskrit word, “sringara-rasa”) lyric is this: Once at the S V temple, I got a chance to sing two or three songs; for some reason I chose this song and did my best to convey Annamayya’s original picture. Immediately after lunch, the resident musicians picked up this “okapari” kirtana for entertaining Lord Venkateswara. After all, such exhilarating (even if happenstance) incidents do not occur everyday – coming across nadaswaram and mridangam virtuosos (Messrs. V. N. and R. G., visiting artists from Madurai, the temple town) playing “Okapari” in Sri Venkateswara Temple – just a few feet away from this writer.

     In the first stanza, the scene starts with the Lord. (Annamayya’s lyrics work like modern video cameras. They depict a scene as it progresses in time.) There He was, His whole body got a dusting of camphor. But who did it? Who sprinkled camphor powder on Him? Who else would it be? It must be Padmavati Devi. Was it a part of “divine sport”? They just came out of their wedding, after taking leave of Brahma, Parvati, Siva, and others. On the seven hills of Tirupati, everyday, every hour, rather every moment is an occasion for the celestial wedding: Wedding of Lord Venkatesa and Alamelumanga. The constraint of time does not apply to Him, does not apply to Siva either. Thus, when the poet Annamayya delved deep inside, he had an insight – The Lord’s body was covered with camphor. But there is a slight problem, I mean about the ambient lighting situation, as the Lord’s body is always a bit bluish-grey. The tiny camphor crystallites are scattered all over. Still, like the nighttime glistening stars, the crystallites too shine in all the four directions (east, west, south, and north). We should rather say in all directions, not just four, up down, in all possible angles. Of course, camphor crystallites (flakes) do not glisten (shine) by themselves; like the fresh snowflakes they glitter when exposed to sunlight or moonlight or electric lamps. For our convenience (rather for the benefit of Annamayya), Alamelumanga plays a neat trick. She can be in Her birthplace, i.e., lotus; or, She can be at the side of Lord Venkatesa, or She can hide in His chest. She is free to be anywhere (and everywhere) but Her ideal resting place is always this: His chest (heart, being the true abode of compassion). So, She with Her moon-like face suddenly (momentarily) appears in His chest. What a marvelous sight? Entire body of the Lord is bathed in soft cool moonlight. 

     I am captivated by the two phrases in the first stanza: camphor and “downpour”. In the traditional Hindu marriages, bride and bridegroom are decorated with garlands. At least for the first three days (after marriage), the newly married couple is seen wearing garlands (at least, in bygone years). They are a privileged pair – representing Vishnu and Lakshmi. Flowers naturally fade; particularly they wilt rapidly in hot climate and lose their sweet scent. So, besides flower garlands, the newly wed couple wear garlands with camphor disks (circular camphor tablets) and colored tinsel. As a kid, I had the fun of enjoying marriage ceremonies participating as a co-bridegroom. Thus when I was sitting close to the bride and groom, I could feel the intense fragrances, colors, softness of petals, and the rustle of silks.

     What a glorious spectacle? What did Annamayya see in his vision? It was a downpour of cool soft moonlight. My own sensual experiences with downpours are many: Once we were coming home after school in the evening, and then, without slightest warning, we were totally inundated with a monsoon outburst. Where could you rush to seek a shelter? With books on our heads, we ran to our homes. Then there are those cool gusty winds with rainbow colored waters near Niagara and other waterfalls. At home, the one I remember most is during weekly oil message laden ritha (Sapindus) shampoo baths. Towards the end, mother would lift a brass pitcher and pour refreshing warm water. What a pleasant relief to burning eyes? What a joy? A downpour like any sensual experience needs to be felt, it cannot be described in words. The downpour - of the Mother – of that intense cool moonlight is a spectacular sight. We may get a feel for it when we look at the moon during autumn months. Oh, those clear skies with full moon. They look so bright, yet so gentle to the eye. Certainly, a part (speck) of Alamelumanga is vividly present in such full moon nights. Here, they say it “glade”. While driving you come across big beams of sunlight shooting through the small openings in clouds. We see that while walking through thick wooded forests. One can witness such beautiful inspiring light rays during nights with the soft moonlight.

     How can we see the Lord in night? Even in the day, it is difficult to discern His features due to the dark blue (grey) complexion. If we were to gain any understanding (rather insight) of the Lord, then it must come from the grace of Alamelumanga. It happens only due to Her grace. So, even with camphor dust, we cannot visualize His feet or His benevolent hand. We, the devotees are totally lost. Then, as if to ease our helplessness, our discomfort, our frustration, She suddenly showers the Lord with gentle moonlight. Now, at last, we can see His outline. There He is, even in those intimate moments with Padmavati, and invariably they are of very short duration, He came down wearily to Alamelumanga, after standing the whole day and most of night, listening to endless pleadings of His children – still He has to please one faithful devotee, Annamayya. He is very true to His own words; the Lord will accede to devotee’s every request. Thus, we now witness the Lord with Alamelumanga in a unique combination. When we see or pray, we mean both of them. As a divine couple, they are always inseparable.

    The second stanza is even more enchanting. If one wants to learn poetics, literature, one has to dig deep into these thousands of lines – more like spontaneous outpourings of a soul in a “deep trance”. Of course, being dark hued, the Lord needs all those glittering decorations and jewels (no, I am just jesting, the Lord does not need any jewel. He just wears them for our sake, for our satisfaction!). That long cone-like crown, golden covers for hands and feet, golden stone-studded waistband, and multi-colored rings on fingers and of course, the whirring wheel, and conch. Yet with all these glitzy accessories, the Lord is still barely visible in nighttime. Because there is not much illumination except the dull glow from a few oil lamps. [Even today, in the inner sanctum sanctorum, only lamps with oil or ghee are used.] But Alamelumanga earnestly wants to help Her children. How can they see the Lord? So, She now appears as a ray of lightning. Can it help now? (Can our mortal eyes now take a picture? A snapshot?) She is none other than Lakshmi as such She needs no decorations. All the wealth resides in Her and all the attraction (i.e., gazes of Her earnest devotees) is focused towards Her. Without Her and Her compassionate side-wise long glances, Indra loses His kingdom, throne, and everything. This imagery was invoked earlier also (cf. Sankara in Kanakadhara). So, now with Her slender form on His side, the scene takes a different turn: They appear as a cloud with a streak of lightning. That is enough, that scene is full of life-giving energy. Surely it will sustain all life. And all effort on this earth is to preserve life, create life, and produce joy for Her children. As Annamayya had his insight, we too can have a glimpse into the divine couple with steady meditation and musical devotion. Because it is so difficult to focus the mind, so unmanageable is this wandering goat of mind – that is why we try to approach the Lord and Alamelumanga through a song, a shriek, a simple gesture, a leaf, a flower, or thimble-full of water. 

Copyright 2010, 2021 by the author

Meditations on Life - IV

Meditations on Life - IV (Grace)

“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” - Soren Kierkegaard

My high school days and the buffer one year course (pre-university) in the college were mostly smooth sailing and uneventful. I was too busy with the studies to be distracted by any extraneous disturbances like cricket or movies. Our loving father looked after all my health, fees, and textbooks; a handsome scholarship helped me through the entire higher education (graduate studies). When I shifted to the coastal city for my bachelor degree I ran into two serious health issues. We were in a hostel with other engineering, polytechnic, and trade (welding, etc.) students. For some reason, father wanted me to be utterly self-sufficient during the formative years. He had his reasons and I came to appreciate his wisdom much later. The hostel food was not great, but enough to keep the students slim, trim, alert, and hungry. I do not know what caused the disturbances in my health. Was it severe malnutrition or some serious deficiency of vitamin D? Within a few months into the first year, I developed serious skin rashes and it later morphed into a severe case of psoriasis. Then, I had no idea about the skin problem – obviously it is an erratic (excited) case of rapid top layer growth and subsequent shedding of scales (dead skin). Though my native place was only about seventy miles away, I could not take a break from my college studies and visit the family. There were the laboratory classes (practicals) and the mandatory NCC (National Cadet Corps) drills. Any interruption of group (science) classes would only create further problems. 

I still remember vividly all the troubles I went through with this physical scourge.  You name it - I did not leave any stone unturned for a suitable cure. I used to stand in the morning sun, soaking up all the rays into the oily melanin. Must have made umpteen trips to the local teaching hospital, to its dermatology department. Sometimes the house surgeon (Intern) prescribed zinc oxide cream and Avil (an antihistamine) tablets. My sister’s physician gave me shots of oil penicillin – it only led to a subcutaneous infection. The local Ayurvedic doctor suggested a blood purifier jam but I could not afford the cost (~Rs.10). Our roommate (commerce student) gave the reference of a Homeopathic doctor. I got the first one week’s dose of pills for free. Again he wanted only ten Rupees for the treatment. Immediately after swallowing a few doses, my skin started healing and the natural tone and glow returned. All the rashes disappeared miraculously. It was a great relief because I could go out without shame, embarrassment, and enjoy social company without timidity. The skin problems put enormous strain on the laundry chores. For additional sanitization I had to utilize hot water and bleach for the clothes washing. Back then there were no washing machines, no geysers, and as ordinary students we used to hand wash most of the time. Dry cleaning was not affordable and anyway it would not have made economic sense – that would be like dry cleaning a one-dollar silk tie now!

Since I could not come up with the finances (what? the measly $ 1.50 back then), I did not keep up with the Homeopathist’s follow up appointment. [To this day, I do not understand how Homeopathy works. This from a person who knows intimately the meaning of Avogadro’s number!] And sure enough, the rashes and all the associated pain returned with vengeance. Obviously it is a serious autoimmune disease and needs proper care, management, and cure. But nothing seemed to work and there was no elderly supervision. My sister tried to help but she was busy with her own family and two little children. Though I had a good grounding in bhakti (due to mother), without a guru I was unmoored, like a boat without rudder. I remember visiting the local temple several times praying silently – though coupled a bit with skepticism and rationality. Then suddenly one day another hostel mate made a suggestion: “Why don’t you come to our village this Sunday? Our Ayurvedic doctor dispenses free medicine to the first hundred-fifty patients.” Immediately I borrowed a bicycle and went to Sarpavaram in search of the doctor, my savior. When I went there, already there were about sixty people ahead of me. I was anxious, thinking about my chances. Finally the doctor asked only one question: “What is troubling you?” As he glanced at my face, neck, and hands, he understood the ailment. Quickly he made little packets with brown medicinal powder and handed me the doses for a ten-day course, instructing me thus: “Take it twice a day with warm (boiled) water.” That was all the diagnosis, treatment, and cure. Absolutely free medicine dispensation with no consultation fee. 

With spirits high I peddled swiftly to our hostel through the highway covered with tamarind and cashew trees. Now in a hostel that caters to seventy, eighty students and their two meals a day, who has the time for a glass of warm water for one individual? (Of course, it was different at the Institute. There, our kind mess server would bring to the room a glass of hot milk and toast for the sick inmates.) I had to beg the cook and boil a glass of water on the wooden stove – as a side periphery experiment. But I wanted to obey the doctor’s strict guidelines and follow them to the letter. And then the miracle did happen; within a week the psoriasis disappeared totally. There was no trace left on my body and it never relapsed. To this day my gratitude to my roommates, the village doctor (and even the kind Homeopath) knows no bounds. Whenever I look at abundant water in Varanasi, Godavari, or at the great Niagara Falls, whenever I imbibe the beauty of coastal Andhra with its bountiful crops and coconut plantations – often my mind wonders thus: “All this enormous wealthy nature, the crops, technological advances, and abundant water filled rivers – all this must be due to the goodness of many gentle people, it must be due to their generous sacrifices.”

In the second year (sophomore) in college, I again ran into another predicament; it too sapped my energies and joyful spirits. To this day I cannot determine the origin or the real cause. Was it just due to the high humidity or poorly ventilated hostel dorms? I developed a serious itch with rash, suddenly out of nowhere. Very rarely I used to see movies in theaters, at the most two or three in the entire year. But somebody gave it to me, the itch or the mite. Again lots of trips to the OPD and applying smelly (aromatic) lotions. Luckily my roommates were very understanding; nobody would trouble me, as I was very reserved and focused on my studies. I used to shudder the weekly NCC drills. The sailor white uniform only exasperated my delicate situation; every small skin imperfection was a big billboard advertising my rash or blister. The exposed bare lower legs and open arms during Navy exercises only accentuated my troubles. Certainly a resident physician at the college could have helped me, but there was no clinic. Out of nowhere suddenly the cure came to me when I went home on a long weekend. Before I could broach the subject with father, he noticed my disfigured hands. Within twenty-four hours, father approached an elderly gentleman with the issue. The gentleman (Mr. P. S.) had a Khadi store in the front and on the side he free lanced in herbal medicine. 

So, again the following morning I went to Jinnuru for my medicine, taking a leisurely ride along the canal road. I had go through the dense farms and coconut orchards to reach my benefactor’s (doctor’s) residence. He handed me a 4 oz. small bottle with cream-colored powder, with the instruction: “Apply the powder with castor oil and stand in sunlight. Entire body should be covered except eyes.” Thus I got relief from the pesty mite problem – thanks to a generous neighborhood doctor. Now I also fondly remember my father’s resourcefulness. Tyagaraja says in one of his compositions thus: “Rama, you are my great father. కన్న తల్లియు, ఘన తండ్రియు” Good affectionate fathers are rare, but there are such great fathers in this world. Again, in this instance also I received the medicine free of charge. There is much to learn in science, medicine, and life. Copyright 2021 by the author

Translation of Siva Song by Krishna Sastri

English Translation of Siva Song by Krishna Sastri

Can’t you (just) say “Siva”, “Siva”, and “Siva”?

(Can’t you utter “Siva”, “Siva”, and “Siva”?)

Is Siva's name a bitter pill to swallow?

Can’t you let your head

Rest on Siva’s feet?

Where is the unbearable

Anguish – of 

Crossing the ocean of birth (life)?

Isn’t He a compassionate servant?

Can’t you let His feet’s dust

Fall on you?

Won’t our drought end

By just saying “Hara”, “Hara”, “Hara”?

Elephant, spider, snake

And the hunter -

Didn’t He listen to their

Distress calls?

Did He not descend from Kailas?

And bestow salvation?

Can’t your mind 

Ever dwell on the 

Destroyer of Manmatha?

Is the veil of “attachment”

Blocking the mind?

Is it preventing you 

From seeing Him?

(Dedicated to the memory of my loving parents)

Copyright 2021 by the author

(Once my friend and I went around Pithapuram, Samarlakota, and nearby Siva temples on a Maha-Sivaratri day. Sri Devulapalli Krishna Sastry, the lyricist of this exquisite devotional song was from Pithapuram.)

Audio link: Gopalaratnam siva siva

Telugu lyrics link: siva siva anarada 

Lyrics of "Siva Siva" by Krishna Sastri

శివ శివ అనరాదా 

శివ నామము చేదా 

శివ పాదము మీదా - నీ 

శిరసు నుంచ రాదా 

భవసాగర మీదా - దు

ర్భర వేదన ఏదా

 

కరుణాళుడు కాడా - ప్రభు

చరణ ధూళి పడరాదా 

హర హర హర అంటే మన

కరువు తీరి పోదా

కరి, పురుగు, పాము, బోయ

మొర లిడగా వినలేదా?

కైలాసము దిగివచ్చి

కైవల్యము ఇడలేదా?

మదనాంతకు మీదా - నీ 

మన సెన్నడు పోదా 

మమకారపు తెర స్వామిని

మనసారా కన నీదా  

Siva Siva anaraadaa 

Siva naamamu chaedaa 

Siva paadamu meedaa - nee 

Sirasu nuMcha raadaa 

bhavasaagara meedaa - du

rbhara vaedana aedaa

 

karuNaaLuDu kaaDaa - prabhu

charaNa dhooLi paDaraadaa 

hara hara hara aMTae mana

karuvu teeri pOdaa

kari, purugu, paamu, bOya

mora liDagaa vinalaedaa?

kailaasamu digivachchi

kaivalyamu iDalaedaa?

madanaaMtaku meedaa - nee 

mana sennaDu pOdaa 

mamakaarapu tera svaamini

manasaaraa kana needaa    

(Right after listening to this sensitive song, I became overwhelmed with emotion and a sense of gratitude. Just grateful for knowing Telugu language, its poets, and excellent musicians. Sri Devulapalli Krishna Sastri (the lyricist) is known to many as the romantic poet of modern Telugu literature; he is often compared to Shelly. Like Dasarathi, his lyrical poems bring out the "inner intense feeling" clearly. His songs on Krishna and Siva are superb, to say the least. This song starts with a refrain similar to the well-known Tyagaraja kirtana, "Siva Siva yanarada". Smt. Gopalaratnam's rendering is faultless, it is out of this world. If it were in my hands, I would bestow Bharata Ratna award just for this one song. This song encapsulates her talent, musical skills, and gently fuses the feeling with true bhakti feeling. Nothing more to say, to add.) Copyright 2021