ನಾನು ಮತ್ತು ನನ್ನ ಗೆಳತಿ - College collection

ಒಗಟು

ನಾನು ಮತ್ತು ನನ್ನ ಗೆಳತಿ ದಿನಾಲೂ ಒಂದೇ ಗಾಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ದೌಡುತ್ತೇವೆ

ಅವಳು ಮುಂದೆ,  ನಾನು ಹಿಂದೆ !

ಸೊಂಟ ಹಿಡಿಯುವುದಿಲ್ಲಾ, ಕನ್ನಡಿ ತಿರುಗಿಸುವುದಿಲ್ಲ

ದಿನಾಲು ಪಾರ್ಕುಗಳ ಗಸ್ತು ತಿರುಗುತ್ತೇವೆ

ಎಂದೂ ಒಳಗೆ ಹೋಗಿಲ್ಲ, ಕಿಸಿ ಕಿಸಿ ನಕ್ಕಿಲ್ಲ

ಬಿಡಿಸಬಲ್ಲಿರಾ ಒಗಟ

I stayed in Jayanagar and my college was in KR circle
We used to go in BTS bus via Lalbagh and Cubbon part

Now it is easy to understand ?

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ತ್ಯಾಗ

ನಿನಗಾಗಿ ಅದು ಬಿಟ್ಟೆ ಇದು ಬಿಟ್ಟೆ

ಎಂದೆಲ್ಲಾ ಚೂಡು ಬಿಟ್ಟೆ

ಅವಳು ಕೇಳಿದಳು, ಬಿಡಿವಯಾ ನನಗಾಗಿ ಒಂದನು

ನನ್ನನ್ನೇ  ಬಿಡು ಎಂದಳು

ಕೊನೆಗೆ ಅವಳನ್ನೇ ಬಿಟ್ಟೆ  

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ಬಲ್ಬ್

ನಿನ್ನ ಪ್ರಖರತೆ ತಡೆಯಲು 

ಕಪ್ಪು ಗಾಜಿನ ದಪ್ಪ ಕನ್ನಡಕ ಹಾಕಿಕೊಂಡೆ

ಆದರೂ  ಕಣ್ಣು ಕುಕ್ಕುತ್ತಿದೆ

ಅದೆಸ್ಟು ವಾಟೆಜ್ ನ ಬಲ್ಬ್ ಇದೆಯೇ ನಿನ್ನ ಕಣ್ಣಲ್ಲಿ !

ಸತ್ತ ಇಲಿ ಮತ್ತು ನೊಣ

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ನಿನ್ನೆ  ಐ  ಸಿ ಯು,  ಇಂದು  ಶವಾಗಾರ
ಸತ್ತೆ ನಾನು, ಸತ್ತು ಬಿದಿದ್ದೆ  ಇಂದು
ಏನೆಲ್ಲ ಕನಸು,  ಹೊಯ್ದಾಡುತಿದೆ ಮನಸು,
ಅತಿ ಬುದ್ದಿವಂತ ಮಗ, ಮುದ್ದಿನ ಮಗಳು
ಯಾರೂ ಇಲ್ಲ, ನಾ ಸತ್ತಾಗ ನನ್ನವರು (?) ಯಾರೂ ಇಲ್ಲ
ಕೈ ಹಿಡಿದು ನಡೆಸಿದೆ ಮಗನ, ಕೈ ಸೋತಾಗ ಬರಲಾರ
ಸಾಗರದಾಚೆಯ ನಾಡೇ ಅವನ ಕಾರ್ಯಾಗಾರ
ಉರುಗೊಲಾಗ ಬೇಕಾಗಿದ್ದ ಮಗಳು,  ಹೊಡೆದಾಗ ಲಕ್ವ
ಇರಲಾರಳು ಎಂಧಿಗೂ ನನ್ನ ಪಕ್ಕ 
ಹುಲಿಯಂದು ಕೊಂಡವಳು ....
                ನಾನಿಂದು ಸತ್ತ ಇಲಿ 
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ವಯಸ್ಸಾಯ್ತು ಎಂಭತ್ತು
ಅವಳು ಸತ್ತು  ಬಂತು ನನಗೆ ಕುತ್ತು
ಎಂದೂ ಇರಲಿಲ್ಲ ಹತ್ತಿರ ಮಗ ಮಗಳು
ಇನ್ನು ಮುಂದೆಂದೂ ಇರಲ್ಲ ಅವಳು
ದೇವರೇ ಕೈ ಕೊಟ್ಟಾಗ ಯಾರು ಹೊಣೆ
ಬದುಕಿಯೂ ಬದುಕಲಾರದ ನಾನೊಂದು
ಸಿಂಬಳದೊಳು ಬಿದ್ದಿರುವ ನೊಣ
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One of my friend challenged me
"BKS why not write a kannada poem on "Satta ili mattu nona"

 Let me explain the contest.  A visit to ICU, crematorium and finally sangama @ srirangapatna provoked me to write this.  , I had to visit a close relative ( through wife) .  She was in ICU of Sagar Hospitals – It looked like a star hotel This old lady was suffering from multiple issues started because of diabetes, followed by 2 strokes,  Whatever be the treatment her time had come; next day she died. Unfortunately her Son, nick named  grep ( unix ?) ,was on a short term assignment to US.  He was my classmate & we worked in CMC together, He could not come at all  and Son in law in Kenya.  Her 80 year old husband had to do last rituals

My so-called poem writes about all these

Vritti Dharma - Professionalism

This is a not-so-popular story from the epic Mahabharatha

   There was a great sage called Kapila, he was  meditating for many years in search of eternal truth.  By doing so,  he had acquired very great power.  One day while he was sitting below a tree,  a bird drops.  He becomes angry and stares at the bird.  Bird gets burnt completely.  He releases his power and starts feeling arrogant.  During those days, for sages like Kapila it was normal practice to  beg for food

. 

    The same day,  he goes to a nearby village and starts begging.  The lady in the house comes out says to wait since she is busy.  She goes back to her daily chores and serving her husband.  Sage keeps waiting, normally these sages are supposed to wait for a duration equal to time taken for milking a cow, but he continues to wait for a long time.  After finishing all her work the lady returns apologizing.   Sage becomes angry and starts staring at her.  Lady says, I am not a bird to be burnt.  Sage is surprised that  how this lady knows what happened in Jungle.  He releases his mistakes and starts asking the lady about what she knows about Dharma.  She says, she is not very learned and she only knows Pathivratha Dharma, where she has to serve her family with at most care and devotion.  She also suggests him to go to  a nearby town, Mithila, where there is a Butcher who can teach Dharma and also can show the path to eternal truth.  

   Now this sage is completely amused and immediately starts to Mithila.  Receiving him in his small shop, the Butcher, asks whether he was sent by that Pathivrata lady, and he says he needs time to respond to his queries, as he has to finish his work.  Sage waits.  After finishing his professional duty , Butcher turns to the Sage.  He says, he is also not a great learned man and only  practices which he calls as Vritthi dharma.  He says he kills animals for selling to make his living.  He earns only what is needed to run his family.  He also says he treats all his customers same whether someone praises him or not. The  sage shows interest to see the Almighty.  This Butcher takes him to his home and shows his parents and says, they are his God.   Kapila realizes the truth.  He had quit his parents and family in search of Eternal Truth. 

He releases  Vritti Dharma - Professionalism is what each defines and there is nothing universal.  Any who excels his own defined profession is near to God

Source: Preaching during annual SMSS meet, Thiruchendur

Use and Throw Culture

    There is quite bit of awareness about preserving environment. There is also message of using alternate to plastic bags. I want to add few more to this. I call this as 'use and throw' culture - in most of public functions - the water is served in plastic tumbler, sweet served in plastic containers. Many more items, as much as possible small plastic cups are used.. I have seen this even in Hotels also. It has become easy, avoids cleaning and reusing old-styled steel/metallic containers. Similarly, I have forgotten when last I purchased/used a refill to a pen. It is always new pen. Shaving blades /razors are 'use & throw' Grocery items are packed in colorful plastic -( now it is package more important than product it self !); There are small sachets of shampoo, pan parag kind of items, many more - which is very handy - but once opened, the cover has to be thrown. Many beverages/drinks are in tetra pack containers. Tissue papers/paper towels are part of life now.

   All in all we are generating lot of 'waste'; Roads/picnic spots it is full of used material. Alright, some of us who are so-called civilized don't throw them out But it has to disposed some where may be collection and finally taken out dumped in some place. Normally these are in outskirts of metros. In any case, whether somebody throws in the road and arranges to take out of the city - it is waste that has to be cleared off. I am aware there is recycling / attempt to use them better. But main problem is, there is more and more production & consumption. Sachet of shampoo, or Coffee, Ghee - all low cost items are new.

   There are few things we can do as well . Avoiding plastic bags or even re-using them is always easy. We can avoid small packets and purchase bigger quantity. Similarly, Tissue papers / towels can be avoided by using hand keys. Shaving Blades there are certainly alternates – razor + cartridges which can be reused. Plastic tumbler, container consumption can be certainly avoided. Labor is cheap in India. It also generates work for ladies who can be hired easily. I was thinking about all these while attending a function yesterday. Host was a wealthy family ; there were many small gifts given to children ; all packed in very attractive decorative packing; similarly even bagina items like bangles,coconuts had very attractive packing. Appreciate their taste. But what this is doing is generating waste. Simply avoidable.. 

ಹಂಡೆ - The Pot Boiler

I was explaining this to my son - so thought of reminding you all of these. It is Hande the "POT boiler" (I would apply for copyrights for coining this word) For most of us, my generation, it is nothing new - but we can inform this to children. So this piece is not for you- but for your children !

All the houses had Hande, a pot made out of bronze or brass. it used to be housed in a cube-like cement structure in the corner of bathrooms, with a front opening for loading of firewood and a long pipe called chimney to flush out the smoke generated. There used to be firewood depots. Depending on consumption, mostly once in a month, we used to go and get fire wood in a cycle or there used be a metallic push cart; There used to be lot of types of firewood like Sarve soude, according to quality we used to pay.. Measurement was one 'Mana' - one Mana is equivalent of 10 Kgs. after this, we also used to procure cow dung cakes - berani ( another word for copyright ); this had to be purchased from Cowsheds which were all around the place. Then there used to be Kerosene sold in a bullock carts having two drums filled with fuel - there used to be tap and one used to measure litre or for a 'can' full; These sime enne gaadi used to come in the street. So every day evening - Firewood used to be dumped along with Berani; morning put little kerosine and burn it. there used to be oodu koluve - a flute like cylinder to puff oxygen to the fire burning. In the rainy season, when wood was not so dried up - smoke used to be all over bath room; sometimes all over the house. We also used coconut shells - which burns very fast. But onceit burnt - it used to serve for a family and always left over leading to a common proverb - ootakke mundhe; neerige hindhe. 

Next step was boiler - a cylinder with electric rod. needed to have water above electric rod so that it would not get ruined - most of the next generation know about this so nothing more to mention.

RuNa ( Debt )

Scene -1

Place : Our Rented House near Swagath Theater, Jayanagar 4th Block

Date and time : June 22nd 1988; around 9:30 AM

Dad is getting ready to go to office.  He removes hishalf-exposing  Panche and changes over to a Pant. Ready to move.  Slowly Ramachandra Rao approaches him.  RR is a paper vendor, aged around 45, his main earning is from selling periodicals through young boys he had hired.  We all know why he has come.  He wants some favor from my Dad’s office.   I can overhear what they are talking.  As usual dad is in denial mode and RR is almost begging.   Even though it is not late, he pretends to rush  and leaves home.  RR looks on helplessly.   Mom offers him a cuppa half-heartedly which he denies.  He too climbs on  to his cycle and peddles away.     My Dad works for PWD, as a first division Clerk.  I know from his friends and colleagues, he is very influencial.. their ‘Sahebru’ the chief Engineer does whatever my dad says.  This was known to all. I know . Either my wish for a hero cycle or my mom’s advice to do favors and get ‘something’  are unable to change his stand.  Instead he boasts of how his Chief Engineer simply signs wherever he shows.  Mom and I grumble that he doesn’t know how to live in this practical world.  Obviously I am attached to my mom, who wanted desperately to live in our own shelter and my father’s meager income  allows us only to be in a small rented house.  With two growing  children, his salary is just sufficient to meet two ends.  As in the last stage of teenage, I too am confused about supporting my  idealistic Dad or my  caring mom who wants be like anyone else

Scene-2

Place: My own house in Padmanabhanagar, Banashankari

Date and Time: June 22nd 2013 ; around 7:30 AM

I am unfolding my chair to sit in the Balcony ; to  sip a cup of coffee with my morning newspaper is heaven for me; I glance through the pages, the  usual news – so many died, so many murdered.  One eye-catching headline  - train  derails near Ranipet,  killing 5 .    Roopa is putting Rangoli in front of the house.   Adarsh is reading aloud his Sanskrit slokas ; Aditi slowly opening the  toothpaste tube -  Roopa is shouting to me ‘ri… some one has come to visit you “ Surprised that even  after 17 years of marriage she cannot identify ‘someone’,  I come down – a frail figure –an   old man – hard to identify, yes --I remember him as our Paper vendor – RR. – he has obviously grown  old ;  may be 75 years  -I invite him inside and offer a chair.  He looks all around house from his chair – I sense his admiration;  He asks for my Dad – without any expression or feeling – I say both my  parents have been dead for long.  Ask him how did he find my house – he mumbles ; cannot understand  him fully – nod my head as if I am listening carefully.  It hardsly matters to me.  One thing I clearly recognize is his  cotton shoulder bag.  It is as old as him .  My wife half-heartedly offers a cuppa, which he refuses.  He can sense my restlessness; he says that he is not looking for any favor now.  His son is very well settled, and my dad did him a  favour – he praises him – he didn’t  take any ‘Gift’ – He says that he owes– RuNa to me– so please accept this – he gives his torn bag to me and slowly walks out.  Without looking what it is inside the bag, I climb upstairs  to continue my reading.. This train derailment is working in the background of my mind.  I start reading details – it is nothing very interesting -  5 people killed and turn to page 3 for details ; I turn the page; page 3 has photos – my eyebrows  move up – I shout – Roopa ,come  at once!  She comes slowly – I show her this page – Does this man shown in the photo look like the person who visited us a few mins  back! -  she confirms – now both of us are shocked – they have given the names – Yes, it is Ramachandra Rao… I check out when this accident happened, – it was yesterday evening.,  Now I run down – what is that ‘gift’ in the bag he left behind? I open the Zip and look into it – All bones, skulls!  I wonder what sort of a gift this is!.  My wife says – it is what  a dead person can  gift!!  Anyway he cleared off his RuNa

Fiction : Pallavi my Saviour

   

This was my first night trek.  I was told, night treks are always on a  full-moon day.   This trek was to a place called Brahmagiri near Nandi hills.  I have been trekking for the last 2 years.  Even though I am not very regular, I enjoy these treks.  Our trekking leader was Mudassar Khan.  Mudassar is the founder of this group.  With his long hair and goaty beard, he’s a handsome man in his thirties.  He plans his trekking very meticulously  and everything works with clock precision..  This trekking group is a non-profitable organisation, and anyone who has good experience can be ‘leaders’.  Each leader has a style.    I generally go to every trek arranged by Mudassar.  I have also been to trekking organized by other leaders.  Pallavi and Patrick are the other two.  With Pallavi, I have been to the toughest trek,  a place called Kumara Parvata.  Pallavi is a wonderful lady.  She’s  very talkative, a very talented singer,  makes trekking a very humorous experience.  When I first saw her , I doubted whether she could finish the trek – with her frail body. She has amazing stamina and treks regularly.  She got married recently, Alas !  I couldnot attend her marriage.  Patrick has a different style.  he’s a very fast paced trekker.  Not knowing Kannada, which is essential when we visit small places, he struggles.  To keep to his style, he runs and pushes everyone to be fast.  Luckily for me, I went to a place called Nijagal, which was easy.  A group has normally 10 to 20 persons, all are connected through google group.  So much for introduction. Normally I am the oldest man in any trek.  Usually slow, but I am determined and complete.  I trek to check my stamina and mental condition.  I  started enjoying this so much that  I too am co-organizer now, and lead their initiative for blood donation.

       Back to this particular trek now, This trek was only for one night.  We took the 5:30 train from Bangalore to Chikballapur. After we got down at Nandigram, it was jeep journey for around 5 kms to reach base camp.   There was  a small hotel where many bought  food.  I carried it, thanks to my wife.  It was already pretty dark.  As usual, after customary introduction session, Mudassar briefed about this trekking.  He said it is classified as ‘Easy’ , It contains  a small dense forest, grassland and then rocky terrain.  He told since it is night, everyone was  to stay together.     First person has to use a torch and be careful about any abnormalities.  He also suggested to avoid using torch  as much as possible and enjoy natural moon light.   It was around 9 in the night, his estimation was that we would reach the peak by 1 in night. There was a temple and we could use it as a shelter.   There can be snakes and other wild animals, nothing very terrifying but one need to be careful.  As I mentioned, this was my first night trek and was little worried.   Except Mudassar, I couldn’t see anyone familiar and that is how this treks usually are.  All are new and carry no baggage.    We started to ascend, moving out of the village.  We could see Brahmagiri’s top, I thought max distance could be 4 KM.  Sky was looking very beautiful, so many stars and a full moon.  You can never see such a beautiful sky in the city.  Moon light was almost like day light.  Initial terrain was rocky and we could see every one  moving up briskly.  Within 1 Km of the stretch it became clear who is fast and who has energy.  I was slow and slightly falling behind the group.  All the time trying to catch-up with the group.  This is normal in any trek.   Normally there are first timers who would accompany me.  This time it looked like  most of them are experienced and all of them are very fast.   After one KM on a fairly plain boulder, it was our first break,  we all ate.  Contrary to normal Saturday night eating I was eating only 2 chapathis.  I know it is difficult to climb, with heavy stomach.  Anyway I had to carry my extra 20 kms weight J..  After 15-20 mins of break, we started again.  Mudassar warned us, now we are entering a thick forest with big trees.  Inside this it would be dark and there are chances of being lost along the way and he wanted everyone to stay together.  We started, I am always amazed by his knowledge.  He seems to know so many treks like back of his hand.   Within 200 meters it was dense forest, but luckily there was a clear trail. Everyone had torches. Most of us switched it on and started moving.  I always felt why all others go so fast, my consolation was that I am oldest of the group and that is possibly excuse to be slow, another half-a-km.. I am falling behind.  I keep shouting ‘go slow’ they stop and again start.  Inside this forest, visibility is almost zero and we had to depend on our battery.    We trekked for another 1 km but clearly I was drifting  away.  I could see the torch lights but nothing else.  Since it was clear trail, I was confident to follow the trail.  I also knew sometimes there were multiple ways and by practice, others who move forward would mark an arrow with available sticks , to show the direction.  Now it is becoming much darker, I thought it was hazy too. Hardly could see some torch lights.  I followed the trail and tried to move as fast as possible but still unable to catch them. One  trail was forking, I use my torch to check, there is no marking.  Confused as to which trail is correct,  I took a trail I thought was going up.  Walked another 100 meters, couldn’t spot anyone.  I was not sure whether I followed the correct trail or not.  My torch was getting dimmer, probably cells are slowly discharged, I checked the time it is 11:55 p.m.   I continued walking, hoping I will be able to catch up, the new worry being whether I have taken wrong trail.    Another 5 mins my battery is totally dead.  Luckily the forest is becoming thinner and leading to a grassland.. Visibility improved and now I can see stars and moon .  It is also clear, I have lost out of the group and couldn't see anyone.  Knowing Mudassar, it must be a break time, they would have checked and found that  I am totally lost.   Suddenly, I heard a rustling sound behind me.  I turned back, Arre!  it is Pallavi with a smile on her face !  I am surprised because she was not there in the group, during introduction session .  She is quite a familiar person to me. When I ask her where she was during introduction.. she mumbles, I couldn’t understand.  Anyway I am happy I found at least one person for my company.  I knew she treks slowly like me.  She just gestured to follow her and she would show me the way. I started asking her about her newly married life and profession,  she is unusually silent this time.  I am also not in a mood to talk since I am tired and eagerly wanting to  join the group.  Pallavi is an experienced trekker and I am sure she will find a way.  She moved forward and I followed.  After another KM, now I was faster than her and over took her.  At last, I could see the group, in my excitement I ran to join the group.  Mudassar is standing and he is also relieved to see me.  I explained I lost my way and somehow I could join them with the help of Pallavi, he says ‘Pallavi, are you sure?,. again he says –‘Are you sure, you were helped by Pallavi? Did you not hear the news? She died in an accident ?!!' .  My blood turned to ice, stunned, I turned back to show him that it was indeed Pallavi.  No… there is no one there  ! who was it that helped me then?!!

ಗುರವೇ ನಮ :

ನಾನೊಬ್ಬ ಅಸಾಮ.  ಅತೀ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ಮನುಷ್ಯ.  ಆಷ್ಟೇನು ಓದದ, ತಿಳುವಳಿಕೆ ಇರದ, ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ಮನುಷ್ಯ. ಸಿಕ್ಕ ವೇದಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹಾಡುವ,ಮಾತುನಾಡುವ ಅವಕಾಶ ಬಿಡುವುದಿಲ್ಲ.    ನನಗನಿಸಿದ್ದನ್ನು Facebookನಲ್ಲಿ, ಸಿಕ್ಕ ಸಿಕ್ಕ ಕಡೆ ಬರೆಯುವುದು ಹವ್ಯಾಸ.  ಇದೆಲ್ಲಾ ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯ ಎಂದು ಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ದುಸ್ಸಾಹಸ ಮಾಡಲಾರೆ.  ಇಂತಹದೇ ಸಂದರ್ಬ teachers day ಬಗ್ಗೆ  impromptu ಮಾತಾಡಬೇಕಾಯ್ತು.  ಮಾತಾಡಿದ್ದು  ಒಂದು ನಿಮಿಷ ಆದರೂ ಅನಿಸಿದ್ದು ನೂರಾರು.  ಅದನ್ನೇ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಬರೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇನೆ.

Teachers day ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನಮಗಲ್ಲರಿಗೆ ತಿಳಿದಿದೆ. ಡಾ. ಸರ್ವಪಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಧಾಕೃಷ್ಣನ್ ಅವರ ಹುಟ್ಟುಹಬ್ಬ.  ಗುರುಗಳಿಗೆ ವಂದನೆ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸುವುದು ಸಂಪ್ರದಾಯ.  ಮಕ್ಕಳೆಲ್ಲಾ ಸೇರಿ ಇಷ್ಟವೋ, ಕಷ್ಟವೋ ಒಂದಿಷ್ಟು ದುಡ್ಡು ಸೇರಿಸಿ chocolate ಅಥವಾ ಹೂವು ತಂದು ಕೊಡುವುದು.  ಕೆಲವೊಂದು ಕಡೆ, ಟೀಚರ್ಸೇ ಏನು, ಹೇಗೆ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು ಎಂದು ಸೂಚಿಸಿ, ಗೌರವ ತೆಗೆದು ಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾರೆ !

ಗುರುವೇ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮ, ಗುರುವೇ ವಿಷ್ಣು, ಗುರುವೇ ಮಹದೇಶ್ವರ ( ಯಾಕೆ ಮೂರು ದೇವರು ಎಂದಿರಾ ?  ಮತ್ತೆ ನಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ ಎಷ್ಟು ಜಾತಿ, ಉಪಜಾತಿ, ಪಂಗಡಗಳಿವೆ.. ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಅನ್ವಯಿಸುವುದು ಬೇಡವೇ ! ) ಎಂದು ಅನಾದಿಯಿಂದ ಹೇಳಿದ್ದು ನಮ್ಮ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ.  ಹಿಂದೆ, ಗುರುಕುಲ ಪದ್ದತಿ ಇತ್ತಂತೆ.  ವಿಧ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳನ್ನು ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಕಳುಹಿಸುತ್ಥಿದ್ದರು.  ಸುಮಾರು 12 -15 ವರ್ಷಗಳ ಸತತ ಅಭ್ಯಾಸ.  ಮೊದಲೆರಡು ವರ್ಷ ಕೇವಲ ಕೆಲಸ.  ದನಕ್ಕೆ ಮೇವು ಕೊಡುವುದು, ಕಸ ಗುಡಿಸುವುದು, ಒಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಗುರುಗಳ, ಗುರುಕುಲದ ಸೇವೆ ಮಾಡುವುದು.  ನಿಸ್ವಾರ್ಥ ಸೇವೆಯೇ ಮೊದಲ ಪಾಠ. ಆನಂತರ, ಗುರುಗಳದೇ syllabus, ಅವರದೇ ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆ !.   ಈ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಯನ್ನೇ Macaulay ಬುಡಮೇಲು ಮಾಡಿದ್ದು...  ಇದಿಷ್ಟೂ ಕೇಳಿದ್ದು,..ಓದಿದ್ದು.

ಇನ್ನು ನನ್ನೊಬ್ಬ ಗುರುಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಬರೆಯೋಣ ಅಂತ.  ಇವರು ನಮ್ಮ ಪ್ರೌಢಶಾಲೆಯ Geometry ಮೇಷ್ಟ್ರು.  ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಬೊಕ್ಕತಲೆ, ಯಾವಾಗಲೂ ಬಿಳಿ ಬಣ್ಣದ ಅರ್ಧ ತೋಳಿನ ಷರ್ಟ್. ಇವರ ಜ್ನಾನ ಅಪಾರ.  ಅವರು ಕೊಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಲೆಕ್ಕಗಳು ಒಂದು ರೀತಿ ತಲೆ ಒಳಗೆ ಕೈ ಹಾಕಿ ಪರಪರ ಅಂತ ಕೆರೆದುಬಿಡುತಿದ್ದವು. ಈಗಲು ನೆನಪಿದೆ, ಒಂದು ಸರ್ಕಸ್ ಟೆಂಟೀನ volume ಲೆಕ್ಕ  ಕೊಟ್ಟಿದ್ದು.  ಈ ಟೆಂಟು ಒಂದು ಸಿಲಿಂಡರ್ ಮೇಲಿಟ್ಟಿರುವ ಕೋನ್ ತರಹ ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿಯಬೇಕಿತ್ತು. ಇದು ಕೇವಲ ಗಣಿತ ಅಷ್ಟೇ ಅಲ್ಲ.  ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಕಪ್ಪು ಹಲಗೆಯಲ್ಲಿ thought for the day ಬರೆದಿದ್ದೆ..  . 'ಸರಸವೇ ಜನನ, ವಿರಸವೇ ಮರಣ, ಸಮರಸವೇ ಜೀವನ' ಅಂತ.  ಬಂದವರೇ ಕೇಳಿದ್ದು ಯಾರಿಗಾದರೂ ಈ ಪದ್ಯ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿ ಬರುತ್ತದೆಯ ಎಂದು.  ಯಾರಿಗೂ ಗೊತ್ತಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ.  ಅವರೇ ತಮ್ಮ ಗುಂಡಗಿನ ಕೈಅಕ್ಷರದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ಪದ್ಯ ಬರೆದರು.  ಇನೂಮ್ಮೆ ಪ್ರರ್ಥನಾ ಸಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ,  ಪ್ರಾಂಶುಪಾಲರು, ಉತ್ತರಾಯಣ ಪುಣ್ಯಕಾಲದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಯಾವುದಾದರೂ ಶಿಕ್ಷಕರು ಹೇಳಿ ಎಂದಾಗ, ಮತ್ತೆ ಇವರದೇ ನಿರರ್ಗಳ ಭಾಷಣ. ಇದೇ ರೀತಿ ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಕೈಲಾಸಂ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಒಂದು ನಾಟಕ ಮಾಡಿ ತೋರಿಸಿದ್ದರು !  ಯಾವುದೇ ಪೂರ್ವಸಿದ್ದತೆ ಇಲ್ಲದೆ ಯಾವುದೇ ವಿಷಯದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮಾತನಾಡಬಲ್ಲ ಚತುರತೆ ಇವರದ್ದು.  ಅವರ ಪ್ರಾಸ ಬದ್ದ ಮಾತುಗಳು ಇಂದಿಗೂ ಅಚ್ಚಳಿಯದೆ ನೆನಪಿನಲ್ಲಿದೆ. 'ಇಂದು (ಮತಿ) ನೀನು ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ ಉತ್ತರಿಸುವುದು ಎಂದು?!'  " ಕೀರ್ತಿ ನೀನು ಲೆಕ್ಕ ಮಾಡುವುದು ಯಾವಾಗ ಪೂರ್ತಿ?!" " ಶಂಕರ ಏನು ಇದು ನಿನ್ನ ಹಾಂಡ್ ರೈಟಿಂಗ್ ಭಯಂಕರ"...ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ನಮ್ಮ ಸಹಪಾಠಿಗಳು ಹೇಳಿದ್ದ ಪ್ರತ್ಯುತ್ತರ 'ಪಿ, ಎಸ್,ಸಿ ನೀವು ಬರದಿದ್ದರೆ ವಾಸಿ' ಅಂತ.  ಅವರ ಹೆಸರು ಪಿ ಎಸ್ ಚಿದಂಬರ ಮೂರ್ತಿ ಎಂದು..  ಅವರ ಮಗ ನನ್ನ ಸ್ನೇಹಿತ.  ಕೊನೆಯ ಬಾರಿ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿದಾಗ " ಪಿ ಎಸ್ ಸಿ ಕಾಲ ವಶವರದು" ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದ್ದ.  ಕಾಲಾಯ ತಸ್ಮೈ ನಮ:. ..

ಎಲ್ಲ ಗುರುಗಳಿಗೆ ನನ್ನದೊಂದು ದೊಡ್ಡ ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ. ನಿಮ್ಮ ಜ್ನಾನಕ್ಕೆ ಶರಣು. ಗುರವೇ ನಮಃ