Rajahmundry – The Gateway to Traditions and History
Bharat Darshan – Rajahmundry – The Gateway to Traditions and History. Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu of Rajahmundry
Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu of Rajahmundry
Bharat Darshan – Rajahmundry – The Gateway to Traditions and History
I am a native of Rajahmundry of East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, India by way of my family connections. I lived only a small part of my life in my hometown. Within those few years, Rajahmundry very graciously connected me to the nation that we know as India. On one hand, I was introduced to the traditions of River Worship and Idol Worship, I got acquainted with the ideas of Ahimsa (non-injury), and at the same time I was also introduced to India’s history of foreign occupation, the pain imposed by the Muslim invaders, the struggle for Independence from the British Rule and equally important is the social awakening of the people. During the 19th century, India saw the rise of nationalism and simultaneously there was a wish to reform the society. The natives of Rajahmundry received inspiration from a variety of sources.
Bharat Darshan – Rajahmundry – The Gateway to Traditions and History. ANNIE BESANT – ANGEL OF INDIA.
Ms. Annie Besant who became the President of the Theosophical Society in 1907 visited Rajahmundry twice and established a place of worship known as ‘Divya Gjyan Samaj’ in a residential sub-division of Rajahmundry which is still known as ‘ALCOT GARDENS’ (named after Theosophist Henry Steel Olcott).
Bharat Darshan – Rajahmundry – The Gateway to Traditions and History
Bipin Chandra Pal (1858-1932), the leader of ‘Vande Mataram’ nationalist movement visited Rajahmundry in April 1907.
Bharat Darshan – Rajahmundry – The Gateway to Traditions and History
Alluri Sita Ramaraju (1898-1924) was inspired by the patriotic zeal of the revolutionaries in Bengal and waged a brief war against the British winning the hearts of the natives of Rajahmundry.
Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu Garu:
Bharat Darshan – Rajahmundry – The Gateway to Traditions and History
He was born into a poor Brahmin family at Rajahmundry in 1848. About one hundred years later, when I arrived in Innespeta subdivision of Rajahmundry, the first time I had known this great man was during a visit to the municipal park on the Main Road, just a short walking distance from my grandparents’ house. There is a very imposing statue and people spoke about him with pride and admiration. My eldest brother, Hari was a student at the Veeresalingam Theistic High School in Innespeta. During the academic year 1952-53, I studied in 3rd grade at ‘Shade Girls High School’ located near ‘Kambala Cheruvu’ (Lake Kambala) while my family resided in Danavaipeta subdivision of Rajahmundry. Myself and my elder brother Pratap used to walk to the school and the easiest way to reach the school was a private road which traverses the Veeresalingam Gardens. The subdivisions of Danavai peta and the Danavai Pond and Prakasam Nagar are located on the southern side of the Gardens and Gandhi Nagar is located along the northern perimeter of the Gardens. The school is at a short distance from the north-west entrance to the Gardens. Apart from the tombs of Veeresalingam and his wife Rajya Lakshmi, the Gardens had a venue to conduct marriage functions and there was a Home for Widows. On our way to the school, we used to enter the Widow’s Home and a classmate of ours by name Sai Baba would join us in the walk to the school. On our return trip, the three of us used to reach the Home and after leaving Sai Baba, myself and my brother would resume our walk to our residence in Danavaipeta. There were several occasions when we would wait at the Home while Sai Baba’s mother would be breastfeeding him. During that school year, it was my daily experience and I knew that my friend and his mother derived their support from this great benefactor known as Veeresalingam.
As my family lived on the outer fringes of Veeresalingam Gardens during the most part of my later school years at Danavaipeta Municipal High School, walking across the Gardens and playing cricket in the evening in the open areas of the Garden became a part of my daily routine. The Gardens had several flowering plants and fruit-bearing trees and to celebrate the festival of Ganesh we used to gather from the Gardens several flowers, leaves, and fruits which are required for the worship. At the same time, I also knew about ‘Hithakarani Samajamu’. Veeresalingam donated all his lifetime earnings and had established this trust in 1907. Addepalli Vivekananda Devi, a social worker, and educationist lived in Danavaipeta and I had seen her several times and I was aware that she was continuing the relentless effort started by Veeresalingam to empower women and for the uplifting of women.
Bharat Darshan – Rajahmundry – The Gateway to Traditions and History
In 1968, Ms. Addepalli Vivekananda Devi successfully established Srimati. Kandukuri Rajya Lakshmi College for Women near the Lake known as ‘Danavai Gunta’. My sister and a sister-in-law studied in this College.
Veeresalingam was influenced by the ideals of ‘BRAHMO SAMAJ‘ founded by the great social reformers of Bengal, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Keshub Chunder Sen, and Iswar Chandra Vidya Sagar who did much work for women’s emancipation. Veeresalingam was the pioneer of social reform in Andhra areas of the Madras Presidency apart from his remarkable contributions to Telugu literature and for the cause of education.
Bharat Darshan – Rajahmundry – The Gateway to Traditions and History
During the course of life, moments slip away and fortunately, they are laid into account. If there are no memories, there is no life worth speaking about.
Dr. R. Rudra Narasimham, B.Sc., M.B.B.S.,
Danavaipeta Municipal High School, Rajahmundry,
S.S.L.C. Class, March 1961
Bharat Darshan – Rajahmundry – The Gateway to Traditions and History.
The West Meets the East – Meet the White American Brahmin
Bharat Darshan – The West Meets the East-Meet the White American Brahmin.
Colonel Henry Steel Olcott (Born. August 2, 1832,Orange, N.J. U.S.A., Died. February 17, 1907, Adyar, Madras (Chennai), India.
Bharat Darshan – The West Meets the East-Meet the White American Brahmin.
“OH, East is East, and West is West,
And never the twain shall meet.
Till Earth and Sky stand presently at
God’s Great Judgment Seat.”
(Rudyard Kipling, English poet, novelist, Nobel Prize winner)
The West Meets the East – The East – West Confluence:
Bharat Darshan – The West Meets the East. Meet the White American Brahmin. Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and Colonel Henry Steel Olcott founded the Theosophical Society and established its headquarters at Adyar, Madras, Chennai .
Colonel Henry Steel Olcott, an American lawyer and philosopher founded the Theosophical Society in New York City in 1875 along with Russian-born religious mystic Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, William Judge and others. He became the first president of the Theosophical Society. In 1878 he and Blavatsky visited India. The two settled there in 1879 and in 1882 established the permanent headquarters of the Theosophical Society at Adyar, Madras. Theosophy incorporates aspects of Buddhism, Hinduism and Christian esotericism. His acceptance by and influence on the Buddhists was far reaching. Identified with Eastern philosophical thought, he also helped revive Hindu philosophy. A Pandit conferred on him the sacred thread of the Brahmin caste.
Olcott dedicated his energies to fraternal understanding and the search for truth. He referred to theosophists as “original searchers after spiritual knowledge”. In his farewell message he expressed the wish ” to impress on all men on earth that ‘there is no religion higher than Truth’ and that in the Brotherhood of Religions lies the peace and progress of humanity.”
Upon his death at Adyar, Madras, India in 1907, Olcott was succeeded as president by Ms. Annie Besant, a social reformer and Indian independence leader. She visited my home town Rajahmundry twice and established ‘Divya Gjyan Samaj'(Divine Wisdom Assembly) building at Alcot Gardens. The teachings of the Theosophical Society emphasized human service, a spiritual evolutionism and the role of suprahuman masters of Wisdom (“ADEPTS”).
The natives of my home town Rajahmundry still honour the memory of Colonel Olcott. The residential community of ‘Alcot Gardens’ derives its name from “Olcott”. (Kindly review the comment posted .)
Dr. R. Rudra Narasimham, B.Sc., M.B.B.S.,
Danavaipeta Municipal High School, Rajahmundry, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, India,
S.S.L.C., Class of March, 1961.
THE WEST MEETS THE EAST. MEET THE WHITE AMERICAN BRAHMIN. ANNIE BESANT – ANGEL OF INDIA .
Shia Muslim Ruler of Golconda. Verily, a Blessed Soul
Shia Muslim Ruler of Golconda is a Verily Blessed Soul. The Temple in Bhadrachalam gives testimony to this date.
SREE SEETHA RAMACHANDRA SWAMY SHRINE-TEMPLE OF LORD RAMA IN BHADRACHALAM
Myths, Legends, and Reality – Defining Indian Identity. A Temple to define the concept of Ultimate Reality.
This temple town of Bhadrachalam, located on the northern banks of the river Godavari in Khammam District of Telangana, India, best describes my Indian Identity as it brings together our myths, our legends and our quest for the “Ultimate Reality”.
Myths, Legends, and reality – Defining Indian Identity. A Temple to define the Ultimate Reality. The place described as Panchvati is in the vicinity of Bhadrachalam as per our local legend
This place is connected to events described in the epic poem of Ramayan which narrates Lord Rama’s journey in our Land. Rama while living in exile, camped in the forest by the name ‘Dandakaranya’ and His spouse Seetha was abducted and eventually, Rama and His brother Laxmana cross the river Godavari at this place in search of Seetha. A pious man known as Bhadra prayed at this place seeking Lord Rama’s return to this place. Much later, a simple tribal woman who lived in this area discovered the idols of ‘Vaikuntha Rama’ (for He carried the Sudarshana Chakra apart from the bow and arrow) with Seetha seated on His lap and the idol of Laxmana standing next to them.
Myths, Legends, and Reality -Defining Indian Identity. A Temple to define the concept of Ultimate Reality
Kancharla Gopanna, a Tahsildar (revenue official) of Palvancha Paragana, completed building this temple in 1674 A.D. The legend about the divine intervention and the miraculous release of Gopanna from the prison at the Golconda Fort is narrated in my entry titled, ‘The Benevolent Shia Ruler of Golconda-Verily, A Blessed Soul’.
ABOUT MYTHS AND LEGENDS:
Myths, Legends, and Reality. Defining Indian Identity. A Temple to define the concept of Ultimate Reality.
Myths are traditional stories which serve to explain our connection to God and the universe and hence they are not the same like the fictional stories. Myths exist in a historical context but may not be true historical accounts that are supported by scientific verification. Legends are stories handed down for generations among a people and popularly believed to have a historical basis but do not qualify for inclusion in a text book of history. As an Indian, I depend upon myths and legends to derive a sense of direction, a sense of guidance and a sense of hope for my human existence. They help me to know who I am and where I am going.
ABOUT REALITY AND ULTIMATE REALITY:
The influence called Time makes the distinction between Real and Unreal. A Temple to define the concept of Ultimate Reality
Indians are very concerned about the effects of Time . We practically witness in our daily lives the forceful consequences of time. Time changes the course of human life and time changes the physical world. However, the “Ultimate Reality” does not change, it is constant and it is eternal. Indians seek this Reality as it represents their natural home and that is their final destination on completion of the life’s journey. Since ‘TRUTH’ is unchanging in its character, is also described as the Reality that we cherish to experience.
Myths, Legends, and Reality. Defining Indian Identity. A Temple defines the concept of Ultimate Reality. The name Ra Ma represents Eternal Truth.
Millions of Indians express this desire for Truth and the Reality with a very simple statement. They claim that the name “RA MA” is eternal Truth. Our search for Truth and Reality becomes very easy if we just seek “RA MA”. Great powers on this earth had vainly tried to destroy our belief in RAMA. Mughal Emperor Babur destroyed the temple in Ayodhya which we consider as Rama’s birth place. The forces of Sultan Tughlak destroyed the Rama temple in my home town Rajahmundry. Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb destroyed countless number of temples and idols of Rama. Yet the myth and legend of Rama survives. At Bhadrachalam also known as Bhadra giri or Bhadradri (the hill of Bhadra), Sultan Tani Shah, a benevolent Shia Muslim ruler of Golconda, helped Kancharla Gopanna to maintain this temple. This devotee of Lord Rama is popularly known by the name Bhakta Rama Dasu.
WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO DESTROY RAMA?
Myths, Legends, and Reality. Defining Indian Identity. A Temple defines the concept of Ultimate Reality.
Many have tried to destroy the idols and images of Rama. For example, if some one would destroy the temple of Rama in Bhadrachalam, we still connect this place and the forest and the river with Rama’s life journey. If some one would destroy the forest, level the ground and change the course of the river, I would still look for the signs of His presence in the creation of the heavens and the earth. I would describe the blue sky as the color of Rama. If some one could destroy the blue sky and when I look up and see the dark sky, I would say that I am reminded of Lord Krishna who is described as black in color as dark as the sky of New Moon’s day. Our myths remind us that Rama and Krishna are one and the same. I do know people take great pride in their physical power but it may not be easy to wipe out a belief system which is more than the Idols which represent the Belief. The Indian Identity associated with Blue and Dark sky would survive as long as there is a sky above our heads and as long as the difference of night and day exists on this earth.
Myths, Legends, and Reality – Defining Indian Identity. A Temple to define the concept of Ultimate Reality.
” Lo! In the creation of the heavens and the earth and (in) the difference of night and day are tokens (of His sovereignty) for men of understanding”. Surah III, verse 190, Holy Book of Quran.
Myths, Legends, and Reality – Defining Indian Identity. A Temple to define the concept of Ultimate Reality.
Shia Muslim Ruler of Golconda. Verily, a Blessed Soul
Shia Muslim Ruler of Golconda. Verily, a Blessed Soul. SULTAN ABUL HASAN QUTB SHAH (MAY PEACE BE UPON HIM).Golconda Fort near the City of Hyderabad, the seat of Qutb Shahi Dynasty. GOLCONDA FORT- “GOLLA KONDA”(SHEPHERD’S HILL)
Quli Qutub Mulk, a Shia Muslim from Persia (present day Turkmenistan) with friends and a few relatives migrated to Delhi in the beginning of 16th century CE. He migrated south to Deccan and served Bahmani Sultan Mohammad Shah. He conquered Golconda and was appointed as the governor of the Telangana region (about the size of France) in 1512 CE. After the disintegration of the Bahmani Kingdom into the five Deccan Sultanates, Quli Qutub Mulk declared independence, assumed the title of ‘QUTUB SHAH’ and established the Qutb Shahi Dynasty of Golconda in 1518 CE. Qutub Shahis were great builders and patrons of learning. They not only patronized the Persian culture but also the regional culture of the Deccan, symbolized by the Telugu language and the Deccani idiom of Urdu. The Golconda rulers learned Telugu.
The Qutub Shahis was the ruling family of the kingdom of Golconda, DECCAN, southern India. They were Shia Muslims and belonged to a Turkmen tribe from the Turkmenistan-Armenia region. The dynasty ruled Golconda for 171 years until the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb’s armies conquered the Deccan in 1687 CE. Abdullah Qutb Shah, the sixth ruler of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty (1626-1672 CE). Abdul Hasan Tana Shah married his daughter and gained access to power.Tana Shah (Abul Hasan Qutb Shah or Tanishah) (1672-1687 CE)
Sultan Abul Hasan Qutb Shah was the seventh and the last ruler of the Kingdom of Golconda (Deccan, Southern India) under the Qutb Shahi Dynasty. He ruled from 1672 CE to 1687 CE. He is also known as Abul Hasan Tana Shah and more popularly, he is known as TANI SHAH meaning benevolent ruler. He did not discriminate against those of other ethnicities or religions. He hired Hindus as his ministers and generals.
Akkanna, Madanna were secretaries to the prime minister during Abdullah Qutb Shah rule and their position helped Gopanna get a post as Palvancha Tehsildar. Sultan Tana Shah appointed Madanna as Prime Minister and Akkanna as Revenue Minister.
Madanna served as an official during Sultan Abdullah Qutb Shah’s rule. Madanna had a nephew by name Kancharla Gopanna and he helped Gopanna to be appointed as a “Tehsildar” (a revenue official) of Palvancha county.
Pokala Dhammakka, a tribal woman living in Bhadrareddypalem, found the central icon of Rama in an anthill.
During mid 17th century CE, Pokala Dhammakka, a tribal woman living in Bhadrareddypalem, found the central icon of Rama in an anthill. She dissolved the anthill using the water from the Godavari River. With the help of the villagers, Dhammakka constructed a mandapam (a temporary platform with a roof) and offered prayers to the deities. Following Abdullah Qutb Shah’s orders, Gopanna enforced the Jizyah tax (jizyah, also spelled jizya, historically, a tax paid by non-Muslim populations to their Muslim rulers., a penalty designed to make Hindus pay for not adopting Islam). Observing the dilapidated state of the worship site, Gopanna decided to build a temple for Rama, Seeta, and Laxmana idols by raising donations. In the initial attempt, Gopanna received harsh criticism from the local Hindus for enforcing the Jizyah tax. Dejected by numerous rebuffs, Gopanna decided to use a portion of the tax collected to build the temple and face the consequences. The temple was built by Gopanna in 1662 CE with a cost of nearly six lakh Varahas ( Gold coins). Abdullah Qutb Shah summoned Gopanna, who had no proper answer for misusing kingdom’s funds.
Sultan found Gopanna was guilty of the misuse of the funds and had him imprisoned at the Golconda Fort.
A LEGEND ABOUT DIVINE INTERVENTION:
Shia Ruler of Golconda, Verily, a Blessed Soul. A Temple to define the concept of Ultimate Reality.Did Lord Rama actually visit Golconda Fort to obtain the release of Kancharla Gopanna from the prison? Sultan Tani Shah believed that it was God or Allah who had come to him and cleared the debt owed by Gopanna. He further expressed that belief in his actions. He allowed Gopanna to complete the construction of Lord Rama’s Temple in Bhadrachalam and financially supported the maintenance of that Temple. By doing so, the Shia Ruler of Golconda gave us a chance to reflect upon Lord’s Mercy, Grace, and Compassion.
Gopanna spent about 12 years in prison. According to legend, God intervened on behalf of Gopanna to obtain his release from the prison at Golconda Fort.
RamaTanka Gold Coins given to Tana Shah are still in display at Bhadrachalam Temple.
As per the legend, Lord Rama in disguise had come before the King and returned the money owed by Gopanna and the debt was repaid with gold coins. God who came to rescue Gopanna from the prison had met the Sultan but not the prisoner. Upon his release from the prison, Gopanna did express his sorrow for missing the opportunity to meet the Lord. Gopanna was released from the prison and he successfully finished the construction of the Rama temple which stands even today. Sultan Tani Shah publicly acknowledged that he had met “ALLAH ” and recognized the fact of Gopanna’s release from the prison was made possible by divine intervention. He made permanent arrangements for the upkeep of this temple. The funds that were collected as tax from Palvancha county were allocated to the temple and also he had established an annual tradition of sending pearls to shower the Deity during the annual temple festival. This tradition of offering pearls was continued by the rulers of the princely State of Hyderabad popularly known as the ‘Nizams of Hyderabad’, who ruled the Telangana region continuously until India’s independence. The Hyderabad State became a part of the Indian Union and the State of Andhra Pradesh came into existence in 1956. The Government of Andhra Pradesh and later Telangana followed the tradition established by Sultan Tani Shah in the 17th century and the tradition of offering pearls to Lord Rama still exists.
VERILY A BLESSED SOUL:
Shia Ruler of Golconda, Verily a Blessed Soul.
Did Lord Rama actually visit Golconda Fort to obtain the release of Kancharla Gopanna from the prison? Sultan Tani Shah believed that it was God or Allah who had come to him and cleared the debt owed by Gopanna. He further expressed that belief in his actions. He allowed Gopanna to complete the construction of Lord Rama’s Temple in Bhadrachalam and financially supported the maintenance of that Temple. By doing so, the Shia Ruler of Golconda gave us a chance to reflect upon Lord’s Mercy, Grace, and Compassion.
This Lord Rama’s Temple in Bhadrachalam is a testimony about Lord’s Grace, Mercy, and Compassion.
This benevolent ruler defended the Golconda Fort for eight months when the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb attacked it in 1687 A.D. In October 1687, the Fort was captured by bribery and Sultan Tani Shah was taken as a prisoner and was imprisoned in Daulatabad Fort until his death.
I would call Sultan Tani Shah is a Blessed Soul for he recognized God’s plan and purpose and supported Gopanna to build the temple and provided for the maintenance of the temple and gave us the opportunity to know about God’s Compassion, Grace, and Mercy. Secondly, Sultan Tani Shah received the biggest gift that a man could ever seek. Man always cherishes the idea of meeting his Creator, the Father in Heaven, Allah, the Lord, RAMA the divine reincarnation of Vishnu and very few actually realize that dream. Gopanna was rescued but could not meet RAMA. Sultan Tani Shah did not pray or ask for this favor from God. He is a Blessed Soul because God granted him that gift. He received a sensory experience of that Reality called God and I fully trust this experience he had shared with others. Sultan Tani Shah’s actions substantiate his claim. Most importantly, he did not seek any personal reward or personal gain while he acted in the obedience of a God he never actually believed and had never intended to worship in any manner. He acted without seeking the fruits of his actions. I bless this Shia Ruler of Golconda and pray for Lord’s Peace be upon him forever.
Whole Dude – Whole Account: The Moments Slip Away And Are Laid to Your Account. Recalling the Moments at Government Victoria College, Palghat.
Government Victoria College, Palakkad is the oldest institution of higher learning in the Malabar region of Kerala. In January 1888 it was raised to the rank of a second grade college and was affiliated to the University of Madras. The institution was taken over by the Government of Madras Presidency in 1919.The teaching of Geography as an optional subject for ‘Intermediate’ students commenced in 1945. Before the creation of linguistic provinces in 1956, Palghat was part of Madras State after India’s independence in 1947.
Whole Dude – Whole Account: Moments Slip Away And Are Laid to Your Account. Recalling the Moments at Government Victoria College, Palghat.
The Motto of the College is the Latin slogan Labuntur et imputantur. Indeed it is true that life’s moments slip away and fortunately they are laid to your account.
Whole Dude – Whole Account: Moments Slip Away And Are Laid to Your Account. Recalling the Moments at Government Victoria College, Palghat.
Because of Victoria College, I am able to recall some of those moments that slipped away from my life about 55 years ago. I am speaking of the times when Palghat was a part of Madras State and when Victoria College was affiliated to the Madras University. In 1952, I was a four-year old kid and my father was employed in the Madras State Educational Service. He had obtained his M.A degree in Indian History from Madras University and worked in the Madras Presidency College, Madras which is now known as Chennai city. My father had also a Diploma in Geography and he was transferred to Government Victoria College, Palghat to teach Geography. In his long career in the Educational Service, my father taught mostly Indian History, and at Victoria College, he taught Geography and was assigned to the Department of Geography.
Whole Dude – Whole Account: The Moments Slip Away and are Laid to Your Account. Reliving the Moments of Life at Queen Victoria College, Palghat.
We lived in a rented house in Palghat. The house is on a dead-end street and it is the last house on the street and it abuts the college compound wall.The house faces the college cricket stadium/sports grounds.There is a canteen of the college right in front of the house.The stadium has a nice pavilion for the spectators to sit and watch the games. Our landlord had two sons who were then students at the college. Apart from my parents, I lived with my two elder brothers. For the first time in my life, I was introduced to the game of Cricket in this house while we lived in Palghat. In the front courtyard of the house, we had a large tree which served as the stumps for our game. Very often, myself and my brothers would watch the Cricket matches and I have seen for the first time the official scorekeeping sheets they fill up during the game. Cricket has been popular with Indians for a long time. It was not Mylapore, Madras and it was not my native place Rajahmundry where I took my first lesson to play this game. I remember Palghat as the place where my love for the game of Cricket began.
Whole Dude – Whole Account: Moments Slip Away And Are Laid to Your Account. Recalling the Moments at Government Victoria College, Palghat.
When I opened my PALGHAT ACCOUNT, my landlord’s two sons still look young and fresh like any other college students and I still have the visual image of myself and my brothers, all kids, playing cricket in front of the house. This is life. It is full of moments that quietly slip away and if you are lucky, the account that you have created is still there and you have the chance to recapture the moment and you can actually relive in that moment and the freshness of it is carefully preserved and it tastes as good as it was on the first occasion. Thanks to Victoria College, Palghat and I still have an account with credit balance.
Whole Dude – Whole Account: Moments Slip Away And Are Laid to Your Account. Recalling the Moments at Government Victoria College, Palghat.
Essence and Existence:
What is man’s nature and how to describe man’s essence? The essence is supported by existence. The existence is in the moments that slip away on which man has no control. Man exists as he helplessly watches the moment called future is churned into past, and present is only an instant in this future-past continuum. Fortunately, man can recall and revisit the moments that have slipped away and bring past into the present moment.
Whole Dude – Whole Account: Moments Slip Away And Are Laid to Your Account. Recalling the Moments at Government Victoria College, Palghat.
Human existence faces challenges from several directions. The concept of Samsara is an additional and significant challenge experienced by the people of Land of India. Lord Rama during His life’s journey had faced several challenges and His name gives the comfort and protection that I seek while my journey is rough and tough.
The Culture of the Land Of India introduced to me several personalities and Cultural icons and I tend to develop a relationship with them and each of my relationships exists in a particular context. Shiva is my protector and the Master who guides my intellectual functions. I describe Lord Krishna as my Guru, the Guru who guides my actions and I name Prince Karna as my favorite Hero as he is the “Salt of Life.” Rama describes himself in the following words. On the occasion of Princess Seetha’s ordeal by fire at the end of the epic battle, Rama says to Brahma (The Lord of Creation) who appeared there among others:
11. manye = I think; aatmaanam = of myself; maanuSham = to be a human being; raamam = called Rama; dasharathaatmajam = the son of Dasaratha; bhagavaan = you; as a gracious Divinity; braviitu = tell; me = me; tat = that; saH aham yasya = which I as such really am; aham yashcha = and why I am like this.
“I think of myself to be a human being, by name Rama, the son of Dasaratha. You, as a gracious Divinity, tell me that which I as such really am like this.”
“I regard myself only as Rama, son of Dasaratha, an ordinary human being. Who I am in reality, where I belong, why I took birth, are matters on which you may enlighten me, and I do not know.”
In the personality of Rama, the course of human conduct and the Dharma governing it come linked together. My love for Rama could be mostly attributed to the story that is revealed in Book II, ‘Ayodhya Kanda’ of Valmiki Ramayana. We should view the events described through imagination and actually experience the emotional state of each character as the story is enacted in front of our eyes. It is claimed that, wherever Rama’s tale is told, Hanuman himself joins the gathering and reverentially stands with tear-filled eyes, listening. This has been my personal experience. Whenever I read the story about this ordinary human being, my eyes fill up with tears. I rechecked my emotions while preparing to write down this entry. When I read Ayodhya Kanda, my eyes can not resist from filling up with tears. For having experienced this emotional connection, I claim that Rama is my Beloved Hero.
My desire to speak about Rama is provided by Rama himself and I did mention about it in the very first entry of my blog posts. I give credit to the Telugu poet Bammera Potana whom I acknowledge as my ‘mentor’. Potana proclaims that he wrote his poems with the help of the creative spirit inspired directly by Rama. My Master Shiva gives the consent to entertain this idea that Rama is my resource for creative writing, my Guru Krishna approves my actions to express my sentimental attachment to Rama, Saraswati gracefully provides the ability to pen my thoughts, Hanuman certifies that my tears are genuine and Ganesha blesses my effort and lets me post this entry.
Lord Rama – My Beloved Hero. The Life Journey is viewed as a perilous and tedious swim without navigational aids and floatation devices across an unknown and uncharted ocean.
In the Indian tradition, the Life Journey is described as a perilous and tedious swim without navigational aids and floatation devices across an unknown and uncharted ocean. I stay afloat while I cross this ocean and the name ‘RAMA’ is like a life jacket, a flotation device which would guide me to get to the destination and gives me the hope to reach the shore. I live in a universe which is a reflection of “MAYA.” I find no better way to know the Ultimate Reality. I prefer to cling to the two-letter ‘MANTRA’ of RA-MA. I would just be happy if I could find the way and end up in the company of others who lived before me placing their trust in this Name.
Mother Kaikeyi spoke prophetic words when she said Rama’s dutifulness would bring him glory undying. That glory she said will continue as long as the Himaalaya stands and the waters of Ganga flow and as long as the ocean-waves beat on the solid earth.
May everyone that reads the Chapter XV of Ayodhya Kanda receive by Rama’s grace the strength to bear the sorrows that have to be faced in life.
I would have loved to share these thoughts with my mother and I shed tears reading Rama’s story while remembering her.
RA MA – The Two letters are a source of inspiration to millions of people across India. In the field of Art, Literature, and Music, the personality of Rama inspires people to creatively express their thoughts and ideas.
Whole Dude at Whole Foods names his Whole Beloved Hero
Sree Rama, Rama, Rameti, Rame, Raame, Manorame
Sahsra Nama tattulyam, Rama Nama Varanane.
Whole Beloved – Whole Adoration – Sage Poet Valmiki personified his adoration of Lord Rama
My Beloved Hero:
Whole Dude – Whole Beloved
The Culture of the Land Of India introduced to me several personalities and Cultural icons and I tend to develop a relationship with them and each of my relationships exists in a particular context. Shiva is my protector and the Master who guides my intellectual functions. I describe Lord Krishna as my Guru, the Guru who guides my actions and I name Prince Karna as my favorite Hero as he is the “Salt of Life.” Rama describes himself in the following words. On the occasion of Princess Seetha’s ordeal by fire at the end of the epic battle of Ramayana, Rama says to Brahma (The Lord of Creation) who appeared there among others:
11. manye = I think; aatmaanam = of myself; maanuSham = to be a human being; raamam = called Rama; dasharathaatmajam = the son of Dasaratha; bhagavaan = you; as a gracious Divinity; braviitu = tell; me = me; tat = that; saH aham yasya = which I as such really am; aham yashcha = and why I am like this.
“I think of myself to be a human being, by name Rama, the son of Dasaratha. You, as a gracious Divinity, tell me that which I as such really am like this.”
“I regard myself only as Rama, son of Dasaratha, an ordinary human being. Who I am in reality, where I belong, why I took birth, are matters on which you may enlighten me, and I do not know.”
In the personality of Rama, the course of human conduct and the Dharma governing it come linked together. My love for Rama could be mostly attributed to the story that is revealed in Book II, ‘Ayodhya Kanda’ of Valmiki Ramayana. We should view the events described through imagination and actually experience the emotional state of each character as the story is enacted in front of our eyes. It is claimed that, wherever Rama’s tale is told, Hanuman himself joins the gathering and reverentially stands with tear-filled eyes, listening. This has been my personal experience. Whenever I read the story about this ordinary human being, my eyes fill up with tears. I rechecked my emotions while preparing to write down this entry. When I read Ayodhya Kanda, my eyes can not resist from filling up with tears. For having experienced this emotional connection, I claim that Rama is my Beloved Hero.
My desire to speak about Rama is provided by Rama himself and I did mention about it in the very first entry of my blog posts. I give credit to the Telugu poet Bammera Potana whom I acknowledge as my ‘mentor’. Potana proclaims that he wrote his poems with the help of the creative spirit inspired directly by Rama. My Master Shiva gives the consent to entertain this idea that Rama is my resource for creative writing, my Guru Krishna approves my actions to express my sentimental attachment to Rama, Saraswati gracefully provides the ability to pen my thoughts, Hanuman certifies that my tears are genuine and Ganesha blesses my effort and lets me post this entry.
Lord Rama – My Beloved Hero. The Life Journey is viewed as a perilous and tedious swim without navigational aids and floatation devices across an unknown and uncharted ocean.
In the Indian tradition, the Life Journey is described as a perilous and tedious swim without navigational aids and floatation devices across an unknown and uncharted ocean. I stay afloat while I cross this ocean and the name RaMa is like a life jacket, a flotation device which would guide me to get to the destination and gives me the hope to reach the shore. I live in a universe which is a reflection of “Maya.” I find no better way to know the Ultimate Reality. I prefer to cling to the two-letter Mantra of Ra-Ma. I would just be happy if I could find the way and end up in the company of others who lived before me placing their trust in this Name.
Mother Kaikeyi spoke prophetic words when she said Rama’s dutifulness would bring him glory undying. That glory she said will continue as long as the Himaalaya stands and the waters of Ganga flow and as long as the ocean-waves beat on the solid earth.
May everyone that reads the Chapter XV of Ayodhya Kanda receive by Rama’s grace the strength to bear the sorrows that have to be faced in life.
Whole Beloved – Whole Adoration – Poet Valmiki immortalized his poetry through Love and Devotion. Whole Beloved – Whole Adoration – Poet Valmiki immortalized his poetry through Love and Devotion.
I love to share these thoughts with my mother and I shed tears reading Rama’s story while remembering her.
Human existence faces challenges from several directions. The concept of Samsara is an additional and significant challenge experienced by the people of Land of India. Lord Rama during His life’s journey had faced several challenges and His name gives the comfort and protection that I seek while my journey is rough and tough.
Whole Dude - Whole Concept 