Saraswathii tviyam drushtyaa veenaa pustaka dhaarinee
Hamsa vaaha samaa yuktaa Vidyaa daanakarii mama.
PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE AND PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN EXISTENCE :
The pursuit of knowledge is a universal phenomenon. People of all cultures and of all regions have the desire to acquire knowledge. My Indian Identity is displayed by my belief that some icons could help me in the learning process and in finding Knowledge and to acquire Wisdom.I was encouraged to use three Cultural icons and was introduced to the use of these icons as the first learning experience of my life. I acquire knowledge to support my human existence. However, Pure Knowledge and Perfect Wisdom is the key, it is the hope and it is deliverance and ultimately it breaks my shackles and gives me the opportunity to conquer the fear of ‘ SAMSARA ‘, a term which explains Indian attitude and understanding about human existence.While I was very young,I was encouraged to seek knowledge to find a way to free myself from the problems of Samsara and was instructed about the tools that I could use in this pursuit.I am directed to learn and acquire knowledge not only to make a living and support myself but also to know the nature of Reality. Pursuit of knowledge is a global phenomenon and it is not the privilege of any particular class of people.
LORD SHIVA :
GODDESS SARASVATI :
The second icon is Goddess Sarasvati who is described as the Goddess of Wisdom.The personality of Sarasvati could be compared to the female person identified as wisdom in chapters 1,3 and 4 ,in the Book of Proverbs( the Proverbs of King Solomon, the son of King David, the King of Israel) of Holy Bible which instructs that ” The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge.” She represents the value of acquiring pure knowledge.To optimize our learning potential,to draw upon the immense powers of a creative mind,She recommends an attitude of humility,obedience and discipline.The following verse shows that all the Gods of our Culture including Her spouse BRAHMA worship Her to avoid mental lethargy.She defines that the goal of learning is to transform our minds to make us creative individuals.
Yaa kundendu tushara haara dhavalaa, yaa subhra vastranvitaa
Yaa veenaa vara danda mandita karaa, yaa sveta padmaasanaa
Yaa Brahmachyuta Sankara prabhrutibhire daiva sadaa pujitaa
Saa maam patu Saraswathi,Bhagavati nisesha jaadyapahaa.
Lord Ganesha is the mentor of learning.This belief is so strongly ingrained into our psyche,His idol is worshiped along with the school books placed on the side to remind Him that we are seeking His assistance to learn from those books.He symbolizes the values of attentive listening,writing down words as instructed and patience.In the learning process,He works like a catalyst.He facilitates achievement by removing obstacles.He helps students to gain success with a sense of humility.All obstacles are removed and subdued if I meditate upon His face which is a picture of relaxation and total composure.The following prayer specifically guides me to overcome problems by focusing on positive energy that can be gained by reflecting upon a face that promotes tranquility.
The worship of Sarasvati is not a mere ritual.The worship would invariably include all the books and even note books that are used in the school.Books are not considered to be just a source of information but they are viewed as objects worthy of reverential treatment and as such are deemed to be physically representative of Sarasvati.Any disrespectful manner of handling books is avoided.For example,books including note books could not be tossed or dropped on to the bare floor.The floor should be cleaned and prepared and is preferably covered with a piece of cloth or a mat and the books should be carefully laid.Books are never to be used as play objects and not allowed to be used to hit another person.As a kid, I had actually believed that improper handling of books would displease Sarasvati and I believed that learning would become extremely difficult as a consequence of disrespectful attitude towards books.Self motivation and high expectation of academic achievement are very important in the learning process.The following prayer to Sarasvati demonstrates the need to prepare the mind to expect success while learning.
Sarasvati,namastubhyam,Varade,Kaama rupinee
Vidyaarambham karishyaami,Siddhir bhavatu mey sadaa.
We commence learning and we shall never desire to give up learning.
SARASVATI CONSCIOUSNESS AND ACADEMIC LIFE :
My academic accomplishments are not exceptional but the over all academic experience was great.I read several books on my own and derived much pleasure from reading.Through out my academic life,I had competed with my fellow students and had participated in essay writing competitions,elocution contests and debating events and won several prizes.When I was 11 years old,I won the first prize in an English essay writing competition held at the Danavaipeta Municipal High School,Rajahmundry,when the School conducted such a contest for the first time.At age 13, I had finished High School studies and by age 17,I had obtained an under graduate degree of Bachelor of Science(Botany,Zoology,Chemistry)from Osmania University,Hyderabad.I did well in both Part I and Part II of the B.Sc examination and had the satisfaction of getting the top position among students who took the same elective courses.I had completed my under graduate studies in Medicine at Kurnool Medical College in 1970 and on 26 th July 1970,I had reported for duty at ARMY MEDICAL CORPS CENTRE and OFFICERS TRAINING SCHOOL,Lucknow.The Commission to join the ranks of Indian Army was granted to me in 1969 when I was 21 years old.
Among the several prizes that I had won during my school years,I can rightfully speak about my success in one particular event.In 1965,when I was a freshman at Kurnool Medical College,The Department of English conducted an English essay writing competition that was open to all the College students.To encourage wider participation,the topic was announced in advance of the event.It was that of ‘ Family Planning ‘.The lecture hall,the venue of the event was filled up and the centre of attention was a final year M.B.B.S student who had already won the first prize at a National level competition for his essay on ‘ Family Planning ‘.The general consensus was that he would easily win this contest too.I arrived at the venue without any prior preparation.All other participants wrote about the importance of Family Planning,the methods and their ideas about implementing the programme.My essay was the only exception which did not delve upon those issues.As I sat down and was getting ready to write my opening statement,my mind was inspired by the creative spirit and had guided me to oppose the idea of Family Planning.After that,my thoughts came down pouring and I kept writing them down until the final minute of that contest.When the results were announced,the student community was astounded for my essay which opposed the idea of Family Planning won the first place for creative writing.
For the last 24 years I have been living in a Land where Shiva,Saraswathi and Ganesha are not relevant to most of the people in my community.However,I still cling on to my precious icons that made my human existence possible.My mind is not still.My desire for intellectual pursuit is active and alive.Knowledge is revealed to me in tiny bits of information.I learned that the human body is made up of trillions of cells.I learned that I have no ” CHOICE ” or ” AUTONOMY ” to impose my authority over my body.There is not even one single cell in my body whose functions I could directly regulate and govern according to my choice.This lack of ability to rule the cells of my body gives me a sense of fear.I exist but I am not governing my existence.The people of my Land of origin for thousands of years depended upon two letters, ” RA ” and ” MA “to complete their life’s journey.I am learning that those two letters could also help me and give me hope and a sense of direction and also keep me afloat while I cross the ocean.
THE SCIENCE OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND HUMAN EXISTENCE :
I am fully determined to continue my pursuit of pure and perfect knowledge and as before, I have my icons to guide me. My understanding of the term ‘consciousness’ has changed. Human consciousness includes aspects of mental awareness, and rational thoughts. I understand the term consciousness not only in the context of a mental function but also that of awareness at a cellular level. Consciousness is a biological characteristic and this trait is exhibited by all living cells and all biological entities. Each individual cell is conscious or aware of its existence and its internal and external environment. This awareness or consciousness describes living entities as created entities. In Indian tradition, all living entities are aware and conscious of the Creator. This consciousness gives the living entity a biological ability to exist by exploiting energy from its external environment. This energy dependence could only be instituted by an Energy Controller. Man’s existence in nature is subject to this energy connection with an extraterrestrial source of energy.
Man acquires knowledge by sensory experience, internal reflection, and by rational thought. Such acquired knowledge is useful for man’s material existence in the world. Man has no rational ability or sensory experience to directly know the Ultimate Reality. However, man has innate knowledge whose existence is either hidden or ignored. At the time of conception, man begins his life journey by establishing an anatomical connection with a host without knowing the physical identity of that host. At the time of birth, man continues his life journey as an independent entity. He gains independence from his host but he is not truly energy independent. The newborn declares its connection with a Cosmic Source of Energy and Power by its cry. That simple act of crying announces the vital connection between man and his Energy Provider and Controller. The Journey in the external world after delivery from mother’s womb marks a big transition in the nature of Human Existence. The act of breathing begins, the breath of life assumes control of human existence and this connection is the sign of Divine Providence. The Knowledge of Internal Reality that is physically manifest in the Immanent Realm, and its identity with an External, Unmanifested Reality in Transcendental Realm could be obtained by simple awareness of the connections a Man has to make for his survival and existence in this world.
Dr. R. Rudra Narasimham, B.Sc., M.B.B.S.,
Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India,
M.B.B.S., Class of April, 1970.
Lord Ganesha is the mentor of learning.This belief is so strongly ingrained into our psyche,His idol is worshiped along with the school books placed on the side to remind Him that we are seeking His assistance to learn from those books.He symbolizes the values of attentive listening,writing down words as instructed and patience.In the learning process,He works like a catalyst.He facilitates achievement by removing obstacles.He helps students to gain success with a sense of humility.All obstacles are removed and subdued if I meditate upon His face which is a picture of relaxation and total composure.The following prayer specifically guides me to overcome problems by focusing on positive energy that can be gained by reflecting upon a face that promotes tranquility.
The worship of Sarasvati is not a mere ritual.The worship would invariably include all the books and even note books that are used in the school.Books are not considered to be just a source of information but they are viewed as objects worthy of reverential treatment and as such are deemed to be physically representative of Sarasvati.Any disrespectful manner of handling books is avoided.For example,books including note books could not be tossed or dropped on to the bare floor.The floor should be cleaned and prepared and is preferably covered with a piece of cloth or a mat and the books should be carefully laid.Books are never to be used as play objects and not allowed to be used to hit another person.As a kid, I had actually believed that improper handling of books would displease Sarasvati and I believed that learning would become extremely difficult as a consequence of disrespectful attitude towards books.Self motivation and high expectation of academic achievement are very important in the learning process.The following prayer to Sarasvati demonstrates the need to prepare the mind to expect success while learning.
Sarasvati,namastubhyam,Varade,Kaama rupinee
Vidyaarambham karishyaami,Siddhir bhavatu mey sadaa.
We commence learning and we shall never desire to give up learning.
SARASVATI CONSCIOUSNESS AND ACADEMIC LIFE :
My academic accomplishments are not exceptional but the over all academic experience was great.I read several books on my own and derived much pleasure from reading.Through out my academic life,I had competed with my fellow students and had participated in essay writing competitions,elocution contests and debating events and won several prizes.When I was 11 years old,I won the first prize in an English essay writing competition held at the Danavaipeta Municipal High School,Rajahmundry,when the School conducted such a contest for the first time.At age 13, I had finished High School studies and by age 17,I had obtained an under graduate degree of Bachelor of Science(Botany,Zoology,Chemistry)from Osmania University,Hyderabad.I did well in both Part I and Part II of the B.Sc examination and had the satisfaction of getting the top position among students who took the same elective courses.I had completed my under graduate studies in Medicine at Kurnool Medical College in 1970 and on 26 th July 1970,I had reported for duty at ARMY MEDICAL CORPS CENTRE and OFFICERS TRAINING SCHOOL,Lucknow.The Commission to join the ranks of Indian Army was granted to me in 1969 when I was 21 years old.
Among the several prizes that I had won during my school years,I can rightfully speak about my success in one particular event.In 1965,when I was a freshman at Kurnool Medical College,The Department of English conducted an English essay writing competition that was open to all the College students.To encourage wider participation,the topic was announced in advance of the event.It was that of ‘ Family Planning ‘.The lecture hall,the venue of the event was filled up and the centre of attention was a final year M.B.B.S student who had already won the first prize at a National level competition for his essay on ‘ Family Planning ‘.The general consensus was that he would easily win this contest too.I arrived at the venue without any prior preparation.All other participants wrote about the importance of Family Planning,the methods and their ideas about implementing the programme.My essay was the only exception which did not delve upon those issues.As I sat down and was getting ready to write my opening statement,my mind was inspired by the creative spirit and had guided me to oppose the idea of Family Planning.After that,my thoughts came down pouring and I kept writing them down until the final minute of that contest.When the results were announced,the student community was astounded for my essay which opposed the idea of Family Planning won the first place for creative writing.
For the last 24 years I have been living in a Land where Shiva,Saraswathi and Ganesha are not relevant to most of the people in my community.However,I still cling on to my precious icons that made my human existence possible.My mind is not still.My desire for intellectual pursuit is active and alive.Knowledge is revealed to me in tiny bits of information.I learned that the human body is made up of trillions of cells.I learned that I have no ” CHOICE ” or ” AUTONOMY ” to impose my authority over my body.There is not even one single cell in my body whose functions I could directly regulate and govern according to my choice.This lack of ability to rule the cells of my body gives me a sense of fear.I exist but I am not governing my existence.The people of my Land of origin for thousands of years depended upon two letters, ” RA ” and ” MA “to complete their life’s journey.I am learning that those two letters could also help me and give me hope and a sense of direction and also keep me afloat while I cross the ocean.
THE SCIENCE OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND HUMAN EXISTENCE :
I am fully determined to continue my pursuit of pure and perfect knowledge and as before I have my icons to guide me. My understanding of the term ‘consciousness’ has changed. Human consciousness includes aspects of mental awareness, and rational thoughts. I understand the term consciousness not only in the context of a mental function but also that of awareness at a cellular level. Consciousness is a biological characteristic and this trait is exhibited by all living cells and all biological entities. Each individual cell is conscious or aware of its existence and its internal and external environment. This awareness or consciousness describes living entities as created entities. In Indian tradition, all living entities are aware and conscious of the Creator. This consciousness gives the living entity a biological ability to exist by exploiting energy from its external environment. This energy dependence could only be instituted by an Energy Controller. Man’s existence in nature is subject to this energy connection with an extraterrestrial source of energy.
Man acquires knowledge by sensory experience, internal reflection, and by rational thought. Such acquired knowledge is useful for man’s material existence in the world. Man has no rational ability or sensory experience to directly know the Ultimate Reality. However, man has innate knowledge whose existence is either hidden or ignored. At the time of conception, man begins his life journey by establishing an anatomical connection with a host without knowing the physical identity of that host. At the time of birth, man continues his life journey as an independent entity. He gains independence from his host but he is not truly energy independent. The newborn declares its connection with a Cosmic Source of Energy and Power by its cry. That simple act of crying announces the vital connection between man and his Energy Provider and Controller. The Journey in the external world after delivery from mother’s womb marks a big transition in the nature of Human Existence. The act of breathing begins, the breath of life assumes control of human existence and this connection is the sign of Divine Providence. The Knowledge of Internal Reality that is physically manifest in the Immanent Realm, and its identity with an External, Unmanifested Reality in Transcendental Realm could be obtained by simple awareness of the connections a Man has to make for his survival and existence in this world.
Dr. R. Rudra Narasimham, B.Sc., M.B.B.S.,
Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India,
M.B.B.S., Class of April, 1970.
The Rudi-Grant Connection 
Dear Maj Narasimham garu, It was nice of you to have furnished your biodata. You had a brilliant academic career. At the same time you have a deep thirst for philosophy and for trying to learn the meaning of things and existence. Of course, people differ in their approaches to the meaning of life and to the meaning of existence before and after life, if any, and who, if ever, is guiding all this. Can we ever understand this Principle, even though brilliant minds since yore have been exploring this knotty issue. And all these have to be examined in the light of modern discoveries, at least those which are irrefutable.
In Kurnool Medical College, did you come across Dr T Rama Rao, who was a TB specialist? He was related to me through my father. He belonged to Madanapalli and was a student of Stanley Medical College, Madras. He and his brother Dr Lakshmana Rao were twins. He settled down in Tirupati and is now no more.
Best Regards, Dr K Srinivasa Rao
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It gives me much pleasure to read your kind comments. The discovery that I am making is revealed in the legend associated with the Temple town of Sri Kalahasti. The meaning of life and the nature of human existence directs us to examine the nature of our connections that makes existence a biological reality. My understanding of Biological Science tells me that at the moment of human conception man begins his life journey to establish a biological, and anatomical connection with an external source whose identity is not known and while man exists in a state where there is no mental awareness and no rational thought. The journey is guided by a natural instinct or impulse which I would like to describe as Innate Knowledge/Awareness/Consciousness.
If I remember correctly, I had attended the T.B. Clinic at Kurnool Medical College while Dr. T. Rama Rao worked as T.B. Specialist. I had attended his classes and clinics but did not meet him privately. Kindly review my post about Padma Sundarji, wife of General K S Sundarji who had served as India’s Chief of Army Staff . His selection was apparently made by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Padma Sundarji was misdiagnosed and was subjected to Anti-T.B. treatment and eventually she died of Lung Cancer. She had lived under the Shadow. In retrospect I must say that Dr. T. Rama Rao had given us good understanding about diagnosis and management of Pulmonary Tuberculosis while I studied at Kurnool.
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Sir, I agree entirely with all that was said. My comment that a living being known as a human being is obliged to be educated in three fields, mutually complementary, known as Adhi Bhowtika, Adhyatmika and Adhidaivika, translated approximately as physcial science, psychological science and transcendental science. All these three fields are well covered in the literature but the tragedy of the present age is that it is entirely devoted to physical only. If this imbalance is recetifed the quality of all life on this earth would considerably soon.
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Thanks for kind remarks. I fully agree with your view that man should be exposed to education from the three areas of study that you have mentioned. Knowledge of God or Creator is not limited to human entities. In Indian tradition, all living entities are conscious and are aware of Creator. I say this also from my understanding of the legend that is associated with the beautiful temple at Sri Kalahasti, in Andhra Pradesh, India. A spider, a snake, and an elephant had joined a man in the worship of Lord Shiva. The spider, the snake, the elephant, and the tribal man in this story were not exposed to any kind of education including the three areas of studies as mentioned by you. My view is that we are all created with Innate Knowledge, Consciousness, and Awareness and we need to simply recognize the connection between our earthly existence and Cosmic Power/Force/Energy.
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All our sciences/studies center around Physical and psychological domains. The tools applied are the sensory organs, dominated by rational thinking.
And of late, the search is towards finding the ultimate origin of the universe with LHC-by splitting what they call God’s Particle.It seems to ignore the basic principle that the reality is beyond the limited powers of the sensory organs and one has to transcend beyond these powers.
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Thanks for your kind remarks. Our understanding of physical matter and energy may not provide all the answers that we seek. The dimension known as “SPACE” sets limits on human’s ability to understand the universe both at macro and micro levels. The concept of ‘Sunyata’, nothingness, or emptiness is equally important apart from the mass, size, energy content, electrical charge, and spin exhibited by a particle. The importance of space will be understood if man attempts to construct a miniature, functioning, Solar system. Man has no ability to construct the empty space that he needs to keep the system afloat eventhough he can calculate the gravitational force that is needed for a miniature solar system.
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