Undeclared "Emergency"?

FOURTEEN major banks were nationalised in India on 19th July, 1969. Management control of the banks was moved to the state from the private ownerships. Punjab National Bank (PNB) was one of these major banks. Bank started its operations in the year 1895 on "Baishakhi Day" (12th April, 1895) at Lahore of undivided Punjab province (presently in Pakistan), by Punjab Kesari Lala Lajpat Roy and his associates, It was the first Indian bank started entirely with Indian capital and management. The bank was a product of "Nationalist Movement" and hence the name "National" in its name. It was a north based bank till nationalisation, but grew all over the country after nationalisation due to branch expansion in different parts of the country thereafter. Today it is one of the biggest banks in the country in terms of branches, deposits and assets.

The growth of Trade Union Movement in India runs parallel to the growth of banking industry in India. This bank also had and even now has its employees union. Each state has a state union which are affiliated to the All India Federation under the name "All India PNB Employees Federation" (AIPNBEF). The Federation holds its conventions periodically and delegates and observes from all over the country participate in such conferences, review its performance over the past period, set its goals for the next period and elect its leaders for the coming tenure. The conventions are held in different parts of the country and are hosted by one of the state units, as decided by the national leadership. As hundreds of delegates and observers participate in the three day conference, lot of resources and manpower was naturally required for hosting these conferences successfully. 

One such conference was due to be held in 1975. In the state of Karnataka, PNB had a token presence of 12 branches with 4 of them in Bangalore and the other 8 in some major district headquarters. Total membership of the Karnataka unit of the union was 120. In the Central Committee meeting of the Federation held in Delhi in January, 1975, our leader proposed to host the conference. The central leadership appreciated the enthusiasm of the Karnataka unit, but felt hosting 700 delegates and observers would be too big a task for a unit with only 120 members. The offer of another northern state unit was accepted.

In the month of March, 1975 we received a telephonic message, followed by a letter, that due to internal problems of the unit that was supposed to host the conference in June, the task was now assigned to us! The dates were also finalised by them and advised to us. June 26-28, 1975 were the dates for the conference. We had just 3 months for the preparation and execution. We went ahead with the task and for the record, it was one of the best conference held by the Federation till then. Having been a principal office-bearer of the host unit managing the finances for the conference, i have seen these developments closely and with minute details. 

The inaugural session for the conference was fixed on the afternoon of Thursday, 26th June, 1975. Bangalore's Town Hall was booked as the venue. The delegates session on the next two days were for members only, but inaugural session was a open session with participation from leading personalities of the city, trade union leaders from central trade unions, leaders of other bank unions, and general public. We were busy on the whole night of 25th June tying buntings and flags, and pasting posters at the venue of the conference and nearby areas. When the sun rose in the morning, he was to bring a big day for us!!

On the morning of 26th we were in for a rude shock. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had declared "National Emergency" on the previous day. Newspapers carried big black headlines, with blank spaces for editorials as press censorship was imposed. Many of the dignitaries who were to participate in the inaugural session were either arrested or were invited to the special meeting convened by the government at Delhi on that day. The inaugural session of the conference was conducted as scheduled with the participation of other available dignitaries, 700 delegates and observers and other participants. A variety entertainment program that ended with a dance-drama "Mohini-Bhasmasura" by "Prabhat Kalavidaru" was widely appreciated.  The inaugural session was a great success as was the delegates session on the next two days.

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They were the days of limited communication tools. Present internet based media, television or social media were not heard of. The only communication was of letters, newspapers and telephone. Telephone was also available to a limited section of people. Most of the bank unions were affiliated to the communist parties and hence the top leadership attended the meeting on "Joint Consultative Machinery" called by th government. Initially they backed emergency, but towards end of 1976, things changed. The excesses of emergency era and disillusionment with the state control on civil liberties made them to move away from the government. General elections were held in 1977 and the incumbent government was defeated. A new political party by name "Janata Party" was formed by a merger of various political parties and came to power.

The new party could not come out of internal contradictions and the government fell nuch before its mandate for 5 years. Rest is history now.

*****

The words "Constitution" "Democracy" and "Emergency" are in great use during these few months. 25th June that came and went last week marked the 50th Anniversary of Emergency promulgated on the day mentioned above. After the recent elections to the Lok Sabha, many people are moving around with a copy of the Constitution in their hands. The shout of "Democracy is in danger!" is reverberating since many years and the shouting has become shriller nowadays. "Protect constitution" is the demand of everybody and common man does not even know who is protecting it from whom! One fourth-time Lok Sabha member has even said that imposition of emergency in 1975 was at the most undemocratic, but not unconstitutional. Many of the emergency victims who went on to become political leaders of significance later on now declare that it is too old and need not be even mentioned, much less remembering its 50th anniversary! At the same time another group is carying on nationwide protests against emergency and its memory. Some others are crying hoarse that there is an "Undeclared Emergency" in the country.

In this background, it is worthwhile to make a test check of the provisions of emergency and its features to understand whether this cry of undeclared emergency is true or not. 

Article 353 of the Constitution mentions that National Emergency can be imposed in three circumstances:

• War is declared by some forces on the country.
• There is external aggression.
• There is internal disturbance. (This was replaced by "armed rebellion" by the 44th amendment to the constitution in 1978)

What are the effects of declaring emergency? The basic impacts as per Article 352 are:

• Central government can give executive directions to the states.
• Legislative powers of the states are suspended.
• Parliament can enact on subjects under state list as well.
• Central government can pass ordinances on state subjects.
• Life of Lok Sabha or State Assemblies can be extended.
• Distrubition of revenue can be altered.
• Six fundamental rights given under Article 19 get suspended.

What are the possible negative repercussions for the civilised society? They are basically:

• Abuse of authority.
• Undermining democracy.
• Violation of civil rights.
• Threat to federalism.
• Long term damage to the democratic ethos of the country.
• Potential for authoritarianism.

If we analyse the present situation based on the above indicators, we see the following:

• Attempts for extension of life of Lok Sabha or state legislature has not taken place. Elections are being held regularly at all levels, except for J&K after abrogation of Article 370. Here also elections have taken place for Lok Sabha and state elections are being notified shortly.,
• All state governments are functioning normally. There have been change of power in many states after elections many times in the recent past.
• There are no instances of restrictions of legislative powers of the states.
• Distribution of revenue is taking place as per the recommendations of the Finance Commission.
• Civil rights are not curtailed. People are free to approach courts. There are examples of even the highest court opening in the middle of the night to hear petitions. High priced lawyers are able to file petitions before courts within hours of arrest of some people. Anticipatory bail is freely sought and given in many cases.  Appeals are being filed regularly, heard and disposed by courts.
• There is no press censorship and the media is free to publish and telecast even fake news!
• There are some instances of courts admonishing the prosecuting authorities as well. 
• When some political leaders are arrested, due to enforcement of laws enacted earlier but kept dormant at implementation stage, their supporters are able to hold demonstrations, block roads and disrupt common man's life, which could not have been heard in an emergency.
• There were nearly 90 instances of dismissing state governments by the centre since the constitution came into force, but there are no such instances in the last decade. 

When the cry of "Undeclared Emergency" is viewed in the backdrop of the above facts, the hollowness of such claims are evident.

It is true that some political leaders are feeling the heat of implementation of certain laws and are in jail or facing prosecution.  There are no instances when they have not been produced before courts, denied legal assistance or tortured.

A revisit to the prison diaries and chronicled accounts of hundreds arrested and tortured in jails like the ones of Snehalata Reddy, Lawrence Fernandes and others would reveal what a real emergency was indeed like.

*****

FIFTY years is a long time in the history of a country and its citizen. Two or three generations have passed since the emergency of 1975. It is indeed natural that everyone has forgotten what emergency really was. It is no surprise that even those who actually suffered during emergency are now shouting that there is an undeclared emergency! Much of it is because the country had forgotten the rule of one party majority and strong leadership, and rule by coalition arrangements became the norm. Maybe, we are enjoying an overdose of freedom! 

The Question Of "Question Papers"

The raging controversy about NEET-UG and similar examinations paper leaks and situations arising therefrom is indeed deeply distressing. We had VYAPAM scam earlier. Then there were also repeated issues with similar examinations in Rajasthan. There were complaints about leakage of question papers in other parts of the country too, in various recruitment examinations, from time to time.

Apart from leakage of question papers, there are frequent complaints of malpractices backed by covert and overt support from examination conducting authorities as well. In such cases, there was no question of question papers being leaked but complaints of assistance (?) given to students for letting them know the answers during the time of writing examination were there. Allowing mass copying and certain examination centres being much sought after by candidates from far away places for well known reasons have always been there. There have been many reports of doctors practicing for many years and some of them even earning "President Awards", but later found to be having fake degree certificates. Though the degree certificates were fake, awards were indeed genuine! These developments shake the confidence of the student community as well as the entire society.

Earning fantastic amounts through coaching centres with assured degree or job skills is a big industry in itself. There are coaching institutions that give coaching for unlimited period (meaning coaching till you get a job) for one time lump sum payment are well known in some centres. Governments come and go, but this system of organised cheating has continued for generations. Wholesale and organised malpractices are heard from time to time in recruitment to various jobs at different levels. The well-entrenched rackets fixing results of interviews for jobs supplements all these systems.

*****

What was the system of examinations we went through in our student days? It is indeed interesting to recollect how the systems have changed over the years and with each change how its abuse has reached new heights (one should actually say new lows).

When we were school going children in the early decades after independence was obtained by the country from foreign rule, the system of examinations was much different. In the primary school, covering the first four years of education, the examination was by oral question and answer system. There were no written examinations. In fact, we never used paper, pencil or pen in those first four years. Slate and chalk were only used. The teacher would ask some questions and obtain oral answers. Results would be told on the last day of the school before summer vacation. Things were very simple indeed.

In the middle school, covering the next three years (earlier it was four years, but then reduced to three years) there would be oral examination for 50% marks and written examination for 50% marks in most of the subjects. For the first time the student used paper and pencil or ink pen. Again results would be declared on the last working day before summer vacation. During the last year in this school a more strict examination would be held, usually at the taluk level, and the results would be made available after a month or so to provide time for valuation of written answer papers. 

In high school, during the 8th and 9th years, school level examination was conducted. Question papers were set at school level and valuation was done mostly by the respective teachers. There were no issues of leakage of question papers and so on. The question papers were written on cyclostyling paper by the teacher and copies made in the machine usually kept in the Head Master's room. Things were smooth here too.

The 10th year (third at high school) examination was a big one for the students. This was a qualifying examination for applying to many government and private jobs. This was one of the main reasons for importance given to this examination. It was a state level examination known as SSC (Secondary School Certificate) or SSLC, and Examination Superintendent and Deputy Superintendents were appointed separately. Examinations were usually conducted in bigger schools, mostly at the taluk level, and students from other village schools had to go there on examination days. Question papers printed at the state headquarters would arrive by Registered Parcel about a week before the start of the examinations. It was delivered to the joint custody of the two superintendents, After receiving the bundles of question papers, they were kept in the vault of the local bank and taken delivery on the previous day of examination. The bundles were opened half an hour before the examination. Instances of leakage of question papers were non existent.

***** 

There used to be two examinations every year for the SSC/SSLC. A general examination, mostly at the end of March or early April, and a supplementary examination, in end of September. All the students studying in the school would write the March examination. Those who failed in the March examination could take the supplementary examination in September. What would happen if the student again failed? He could agin take the March examination and so on. Such students were jokingly called the MSM (March-September-March) company! 

What was the method of preparation for this examination? Some studied the entire syllabus, but those keen on securing a pass as well as those who wanted to score high marks and obtain a rank or distinction had a different method. The book shops would print and sell question papers of the earlier years. These student bought them or collected from earlier students and preserve those question papers. They would have a pile of 20 question papers covering the ten years. They would again and agin solve these question papers day after day. This was more so in respect of Mathematics paper. In a way, this would cover the entire syllabus as well!

Some of the teachers ran evening classes at home for weak students or MSM students. A few teachers did it pro bono (without fee), but mostly it was for a small fee. Then there were tutorial classes in the bigger towns which ran like regular schools. A student could take coaching in any subject he felt weak or failed. 

*****

Then there were University examinations for the degree and post-graduate students, if the students decided to study further after SSLC. The question papers were received from the university headquarters and held in the joint custody of two officials. The instances of question paper leaks were generally not heard of. 

For practical examinations in science subjects, there would be two examiners; one from the college where the students studied or examination was conducted and another from an external college from the same University. Systems were followed and there wee no complaints of leakage of questions or experiments suggested for the practical examinations. The students picked a rolled paper from a box suggesting the experiment he or she would be required to do. 

*****

When we were somewhere in the high school, the type of examination was slightly changed and they introduced a "New Type Question Paper". We were specially trained to answer these question papers. This is nothing but what is presently known as MCQ (multi-choice) question paper. This type of examination was made fun of initially because the answer was available in the question paper itself!

There is a well-known joke about MCQ. It involves the famous "KBC" hosted by the superstar Shri Amitabh Bachan. One contestant could not answer even one question and exhausted all the lifelines as well. Taking pity on him, Shri Bachan asked him to answer one simple question and he would get the full prize money. Time allowed was three minutes. The question was asked. "What is your name?", was the question. The contestant did not answer even after the hooter went out after the three minutes. When the host asked him why he did not answer, the contestant said "You have not given the four options. How can I answer?'". 

MCQ have reduced out evaluation system to such an absurd level.

*****

A high level enquiry is going on in the question paper leaks in the high profile examinations. One report received today says that the "Digital Clock" used to secure the question papers did not work and it had to be cut open!

One can only wonder what would be the outcomes of such probes, investigations and other follow up action. One of the states has come out with an ordinance with life imprisonment and fine up to Rupees One Crore for those guilty of leaking the papers. The prices interested students pay for getting the leaked papers is surely to go up steeply. Don't they?

Three Houses And Two Snakes

There were three houses on an important road in a busy city. Each house was occupied by a family of six to eight persons. They all had friendly relations and enjoyed living in the locality. Things were going smooth and they were indeed happy days.

It rained heavily one night and the area was flooded. Water did not enter the houses as they were fortunately slightly above the road level. Raining stopped in the morning and everyone was able to get on with their regular routine.

The heavy rain and flooding made lives of many animals in the area miserable. The plight of the humans received a lot of coverage in the media, but nobody thought of these animals. Most of the animals lost their regular living place and hideouts. A snake so displaced entered house number 1. It made its place in the small hole in the front yard of the house. It became accustomed to the new surroundings and decided to stay there for the future. It was moving around freely in the compound area as and when it wanted, found out sources of required food also. It told itself that the new place was better than the previous place. It slowly started venturing inside the house as well and really felt at home. It would go inside at night and sometimes sleep next to someone in sound sleep. It moved around freely without hesitation. It was indeed very happy now!

All the members of the family living in the house continued to go about their lives in the same way as before, for they did not know there was a snake as an additional member of the family in their house. Ignorance was bliss indeed.

*****

The lady of house number 2 was talking to a friend who was passing her house on some urgent work. Though invited to come inside the house, the friend could not come in because she was in great hurry. Both understood the time constraint and hence discussed important issues across the gate. They discussed for only some fifteen minutes when the friend again realised she was getting late on the urgent work. She bid goodbye and left.

Just as the lady of the house was entering the house thinking about the issues discussed with her friend, she heard her calling again. She returned to her position inside the gate as the friend had already taken her position outside the gate. 

"In the midst of all our discussion I forgot to tell you something very important. When I was passing in front of your house yesterday I saw something moving in the bushes in your compound. It was on the jasmine bush. It looked like a snake, but I am not at all sure. I really don't know. I don't want to tell a lie but I felt it advisable to let you know about it. Snakes are dangerous, you know", she said and again remembered her urgent work. She left hurriedly on her errand.

Lady of the house went inside the house and duly informed all other members of the family. Everyone was now worried. The rope used for drawing water from the well, pipe used for watering the plants, skipping rope used by the children for exercise, and anything else slightly curved that they saw began to look like a snake. The hissing of the cooker on the stove, air gushing through the water pipe before water actually came in them, and snoring of the grandmother reminded the hissing of the snake. They had not actually seen the hissing of the snake, but they had certainly heard about snakes doing hissing noise in great detail. 

The peaceful living of the family was now shattered. They were scared beyond explanation. "What to do now?" was the question haunting them now.

*****

A cousin of the snake in house no. 1 was also in trouble due to the rain. It also lost its original place to live. While flowing in the rain water on the street, the water current pushed it towards house no. 3. The snake was very wise, grabbed the opportunity and somehow managed to enter the house. It found a place to hide in the bottom of the small tree in the compound. It also succeeded to find food and place to move around. It decided to settle in this house for the future.

While it was on the evening stroll in the compound one day, one of the residents saw it while he was entering the house through the gate. He told other members of the house. They all had a emergency meeting and discussed about the possible plans to get rid of the snake. Each member of the family gave their own suggestion to deal with the snake. Some of the suggestions were:

• To closely study the snake and find out whether it is poisonous or not. If it is non-poisonous, they need not worry much about it.
• To nominate one of the family members to attend a "Catching Snakes and dealing with them" training program, to be in readiness to deal with the consequences of any untoward happening.
• To make a "First Aid Box" and keep all items required to deal with snake bites so that it comes in literally handy in case of such eventuality.
• To designate one of the family members as "Snake Coordinator" and update him with any further suggestions that may occur to family members later on. The coordinator should also issue "Weekly Bulletin" covering all emergent issues.
• To find out the mobile number of Chikka Nagaraja, famous snake catcher of Bangalore and note the number on the wall of the house prominently, so that he can be called for emergency help. 
• The family member also informed that the well-known Snake Nagaraja, who had 15 years experience in catching snakes had died on Saturday, 29th April, 2017 in Jigani while catching a big Cobra. Though he had caught thousands of snakes in his career and had a world record, he finally died by snake bite. The family member also quoted the well known sentence: "He who lives by the sword dies by the sword". He who lived by catching snakes unfortunately died while catching a snake, (Now Chikka Nagaraja had taken the place of the original Nagaraja and was about to beat the snake catching record of the original Nagaraja). 
• He also suggested all members of the family to Google about "Snake catcher Nagaraja" for knowing further details.

It was unanimously resolved that the issue will be seriously dealt snake-on (similar to head-on) and no stone will be left unturned (even in case the snake is hiding behind a stone) to deal with the issue. A very pro-active family indeed!

*****

As the financial markets evolved very rapidly in the 1990s, and the importance of "Risk Management" dawned on the regulators and bankers all over the world, lot of changes took place in the financial system. Basel Committee resolutions and followup actions resulted in the implementation of "Prudential Norms" and enhanced monitoring tools for maintaining health of the financial system. Bankers all over the world started hearing about wonderful terms like "Income Recognition", "Asset Classification", "Off-site Surveillance"  and "Too Big To Fail (TBTF)" and so on.

Bankers started hearing and discussing about "Market Risk", "Credit Risk", "Interest Rate Risk", and so many other risks. During the late 1990s, interbank call money market interest rates surged, especially around reporting Fridays, to absurd levels. These are short term borrowings, often for one day known as "Overnight Money" between banks to tide over short term liquidity issues. At one point the rates crossed 200 per cent in over heated markets. The principle of "Dam Dupat" (a Hindu law concept that at any point in time interest payable cannot exceed the principle amount - दाम डुपट्ट) became a laughing stock. The impact of Asset-Liability Mismatch Risk came into sharper focus,

Computerisation was in the initial stages and non-existent at branch level. Hence workforce at branch level had to be trained to manually calculate cash flows in deposits and advances by distribution of assets and liabilities in "Time Buckets". There were many training programs, including on-location programs, to reach out to the branch level workers. Those in the training system did overtime work in conducting such programs.

*****

As one of my highly respected Professor colleague and mentor used to repeatedly say, most of the aircraft accidents take place during take-off or landing, and similarly teaching or training session fall flat at the stage of introduction of the subject or while summarising the session learning points. As a trainer in these risk management program sessions I had thought of and used the above story of "Three Houses and Two Snakes" to introduce the concept of risk.

In the above story, the three houses represent the three type of institutions. Snake represents a risk and response of the residents represents risk management responses.

• House Number 1 represents institutions which do not know that there is a risk element in the system. Life goes on fine until the risk strikes and the institution gets into deep trouble.
• House Number 2 represents institutions which worry about non-existent risks and see a risk everywhere, without actually doing anything about them. They fail to grow because of such attitude.
• House Number 3 represents institutions that have actual risks, but are also aware of its existence. They take action, falter in the beginning, but ultimately evolve sound Risk Management Framework.

This story, with the humour part in place, would help drawing the attention of all participants to further eloberate on the basic issues of identifying the risks, measuring the risks and managing the risks. It was even more so, because it would be the first actual training session after the long inaugural session and speeches of the dignitaries.

*****

Reserve Bank of India Governor's speech last week about mindless pursuit of bottom line by banks and risks of a heavy unsecured loans exposure reminded of the early days of risk management evolution in banks. Please CLICK HERE for further details on it.

I had used this story in training sessions in the bank's in-house training programs in 1997. Of course, Nagaraja's name was not in reference as he died in 2017. Some twenty years later, I was sitting in a training session as a observer for evaluation of faculty in a great institution that trained future bankers. It was a thrill to see that the faculty used the story to introduce the concept of risk and risk management.

Have We Come A Full Circle?

It was a Friday morning some fifty two years ago, in the early seventies. I was still a teenager and had just landed a bank job and was in the first week of learning new things. Everything was naturally new. I had just realised that banking was much more than receiving and paying out cash. It took only two days to understand that much of banking transactions happen without cash playing any role in them. As it happens with everyone in a new job, I had a mentor who volunteered to teach me various aspects of working in a bank branch. He liked me for two reasons; first because I was new and hence would not resist any work assigned to me, and secondly due to my good handwriting. As everything was done manually and thee was no imagination of computers, someone with a good handwriting was in great demand. One of the tests made before offering a job in the industry was writing neatly, especially in figures (numbers), irrespective of the writer's figure.

As I entered the branch in the morning, some half an hour before the business hours being new to the job, my mentor called me to his table. I was to sit on the counter chair. Seniority in the branch was very visible. Juniors were assigned counter seats whereas the seniors had the privilege of independent tables and chairs behind the counter.

"Did you have a good breakfast today?" he asked.

"Yes Sir. As usual"

"What did you eat?"

"Not much Sir. Only Two Idlies and one Vada, one Chow Chow Bath (a mix of Kesari Bath and Khara Bath or Uppittu) and one Masala Dosa. Of cource, filter coffee."

" Today is Friday. Hence I asked"

"What is special today, Sir?"

"Each working day we open the books in the morning and close at the end of the day after all transactions. on Friday, we not only conclude the day's transactions, but also prepare a balance sheet and send it to Head Office and Regional Office. It is known as "Weekly Statement of Affairs". In short it is popularly called as "Weekly". We have to prepare it, take copies and send by post today itself. It naturally gets a bit late today. Today you are going to do it. Hence a good breakfast and lunch is required!"

I was also excited and prepared the weekly statement under his guidance. Fortunately it was smooth and tallied in first attempt. Copies were taken and the Assistant Manager took it to the Manager's cabin for his final signature. After a few minutes I was called inside. I was asked to sit. We did not sit before the Manager unless he asked ius to do so. Manager said that he was happy it was done neatly and quickly, though it was my first attempt. Discussion went on between him Assistant manager now.

"I am happy that we have come to profit this month".

"Who worries about profit Sir? They look to Deposits and Priority Sector Advances only. They were looking at Profit before Nationalisation".

"No, no. Profit is also equally important even now, though not as much as three years ago.. They don't look at us kindly in monthly meetings, if we are from a loss making branch".

It was early years of "Bank Nationalisation". Resource mobilisation and Priority Sector Lending were key parameters. 

We had dinner together happily. Later my mentor took me to Railway Station. We waited for the mail train to Bangalore. There used to be a RMS (Railway Mail Service) bogie in these trains. There was also provision to post letters in a opening of the bogie after affixing additional stamp of five paise. We mailed the two envelopes and went home (room). Sending weekly statement had such sanctity in those days. On alternate Fridays, known as "Reporting Friday"' banks consolidated these statements received from all branches and prepared one for the bank as a whole, and sent it to Reserve Bank of India. 

*****

By early 1990s, I was myself a Branch Manager for several years. New Prudential Norms were introduced and the concept of NPA took birth. Profitability became a key issue. Banks even thought of shrinking balance sheets to achieve higher profitability. Branch Managers from loss making branches had vey uncomfortable times in meetings. 

There were workshops, seminars and training programs for "Turnaround of Loss making Branches". "Branch Rationalisation" was the buzz word and loss making branches were either closed or merged with others. Even some banks got merged with bigger banks when there was no hope of turnaround for them was felt impossible. "Loss" became a dirty word even if it was in Red Ink. Black was beautiful as it signified Profit.

Some banks that had the potential to turnaround but needed some care for an interval of time were prevented from making fresh advances as the basic reason for losses was bad loans portfolio. Banking has three activities; deposit mobilisation and the deployment of such funds as loans and investments. Since these banks were denied the avenue of lending and their operations were narrowed to the two activities of deposit mobilisation and investments, mostly in government securities, this was also called as "Narrow Banking".

Profit was all important then. Among all the lines "Bottom Line" became very important again. 

*****

Yesterday (20th June, 2024) Reserve Bank of India Governor was speaking at an event organised by the "College of Supervisors", on keeping the financial system resilient and crisis-immune. He urged banks "to avoid the mindless pursuit of bottom line". He also advised that "some profit driven business models may contain some hidden vulnerabilities, emphasising that profitability should not come at the expense of managing these risks".

"Risk Management comes before Bottom Line".

Have we come a full circle? For another time?

*****

To be fair to the Governor's guidance, he never said that profitability is not important. He only said that mindless pursuit of bottom line should not be made disregarding the risk aspects of unsecured lending, especially in the background of phenomenal growth in credit card dues to banks.

Profits are always the expected end products in any competitive business. We had a lot of fun when being a part of such meetings at different levels in the bank. A General Manager  heading Credit (Loans) Department would urge to lend by taking risks as business would not grow unless we take risks and lend. A month later when he became General Manager of NPA portfolio, he would  urge not to lend just to increase business as they create NPAs.

*****

Retirement and old age have their own advantages. We can look at all these developments from a distance and have a hearty laugh.

ಏಳು ಸಹೋದರರು ಮತ್ತು ಒಂದು ಹಸು

ಇದು ಅನೇಕ ಶತಮಾನಗಳ ಹಿಂದಿನ ಸಂದರ್ಭ. ಚಿಕ್ಕ ವಯಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಗುರುಕುಲಗಳಿಗೆ ಸೇರಿ ಹನ್ನೆರಡು ಅಥವಾ ಹದಿನಾಲ್ಕು ವರ್ಷಗಳು ಸತತ ಅಭ್ಯಾಸ ಮಾಡಿ, ಗುರುಕೃಪೆಗೆ ಪಾತ್ರರಾಗಿ ವಿದ್ಯೆ ಸಂಪಾದನೆ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ದಿನಗಳು. ಗುರುಕುಲಗಳಿಗೆ ಸಮಾಜದ ಒತ್ತಾಸೆ ಇರುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಕುಲಪತಿಗಳಿಗೆ ವಿಶೇಷವಾದ ಗೌರವ ಸಲ್ಲುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಹತ್ತಿರದ ಗ್ರಾಮಗಳ ರೈತಾಪಿ ಜನ ತಮ್ಮ ಬೆಳೆಯ ಒಂದು ಭಾಗವನ್ನು ಗುರುಕುಲಗಳಿಗೆ ಒಪ್ಪಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ರಾಜ, ಮಹಾರಾಜರು ಕುಲಪತಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಉಚಿತ ಸ್ಥಾನ-ಮಾನ ಕೊಟ್ಟು ಆಡಳಿತದಲ್ಲಿ ಅವರ ಸಲಹೆ-ಸಮಾಧಾನ ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ಗುರುಕುಲದ ಹತ್ತಿರಿದ್ದ ಕಾಡಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಸಿಗುವ ಗೆಡ್ಡೆ-ಗೆಣಸು, ಹಣ್ಣು-ಹಂಪಲು, ಸೌದೆ,  ದರ್ಭೆ-ಸಮಿಧೆ, ಮತ್ತು ಇತರೆ ಪದಾರ್ಥಗಳು ದಿನ ನಿತ್ಯದ ಕಾಯಕಕ್ಕೆ ಒದಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದವು. ಗುರುಕುಲಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾಕಿರುವ ಹಸು-ಕರುಗಳಿಂದ ಬೇಕಾದ ಹಾಲು-ಮೊಸರು-ತುಪ್ಪ ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ಹತ್ತಿರಿದ್ದ ತೊರೆಯಿಂದಲೋ ಅಥವಾ ಜಲಾಶಯದಿಂದಲೋ ಸಮೃದ್ಧವಾದ ಸ್ವಚ್ಛ ನೀರು ಸಿಗುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಒಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಗುರುಕುಲದ ವಾಸಿಗಳಿಗೆ ವಿದ್ಯೆ ಕಲಿಸುವುದು-ಕಲಿಯುವುದು ಮುಖ್ಯ ಕೆಲಸ. ಮಿಕ್ಕಿದ್ದೆಲ್ಲ ಚಟುವಟಿಕೆಗಳು ದೈನಂದಿನ ಜೀವನಕ್ಕೆ ಪೋಷಕಗಳು ಮಾತ್ರ. ಸಂಪಾದನೆ ಮಾಡಿ ಗಂಟು ಮಾಡಬೇಕೆನ್ನುವ ಗೋಜೇ ಇಲ್ಲ. 

ಗುರುಕುಲದ ಎಲ್ಲ ಕೆಲಸಗಳನ್ನೂ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ವಿದ್ಯಾಭ್ಯಾಸ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿರುವ ಶಿಷ್ಯರೇ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು. ಆವರಣವನ್ನು ಸ್ವಚ್ಛ ಮಾಡುವುದು, ಪತ್ರೆ-ಪಡಗ ತೊಳೆಯುವುದು, ನೀರು ತಂದು ತುಂಬುವುದು, ಅಡಿಗೆ ಮಾಡುವುದು, ಕಾಡಿನಿಂದ ಪದಾರ್ಥಗಳನ್ನು ತರುವುದು, ಮತ್ತೆಲ್ಲ ಸುತ್ತು ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡುವುದೂ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಸೇರಿದ್ದು. ದಿನಂಪ್ರತಿ ಸರದಿಯ ಮೇಲೆ ದನ-ಕರುಗಳನ್ನು ಕಾಡಿಗೆ ಕರೆದೊಯ್ದು ಮೇವುಣಿಸಿ ಸಂಜೆ ಕರೆದು ತರುವುದೂ ಮಾಡಬೇಕಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಶಿಷ್ಯರೂ ಪ್ರೀತಿ-ಉತ್ಸಾಹಗಳಿಂದ ಈ ಎಲ್ಲ ಕೆಲಸಗಳನ್ನೂ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ಎಲ್ಲೂ ಜಗಳ-ಕದನ ಇರುತ್ತಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಪರಸ್ಪರ ಹೊಂದಾಣಿಕೆಯಿಂದ ದಿನಗಳು ಸರಿಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದುವು. ಎಲ್ಲರ ಗುರಿ ಒಂದೇ - ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಜನೆ. 

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ಗುರುಕುಲಕ್ಕೆ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ದೂರದ ಊರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು ಕುಟುಂಬ. ತನ್ನ ಬಾಲ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಗುರುಕುಲವೊಂದರಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ವತಃ ಕಲಿತಿದ್ದ ಗಂಡ. ಆ ವಾತಾವರಣಕ್ಕೆ ಹೊಂದಿಕೊಂಡ ಕುಟುಂಬದಿಂದ ಬಂದ  ಹೆಂಡತಿ. ಕ್ರಮೇಣ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಮಕ್ಕಳೂ ಆದರು. ಆ ಮಕ್ಕಳು ಪ್ರಾಪ್ತ ವಯಸ್ಸಿಗೆ ಬಂದ ನಂತರ ದಂಪತಿಗಳು ಈ ಗುರುಕುಲಕ್ಕೆ ವಿದ್ಯಾಭ್ಯಾಸಕ್ಕೆ ಕಳಿಸಿದರು. ಕೆಲವು ವರುಷಗಳ ನಂತರ ಒಬ್ಬರಾದ ಮೇಲೆ ಒಬ್ಬರಂತೆ ಏಳು ಮಂದಿ ಸಹೋದರರೂ ಗುರುಕುಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಸೇರಿದರು. ಮೊದಲನೆಯವನು ಇನ್ನೆರಡು ವರ್ಷಗಳ ನಂತರ ವಿದ್ಯಾಭ್ಯಾಸ ಮುಗಿಸಬೇಕು. ಕಡೆಯವನು ಈಗ ಸೇರಿದ್ದಾನೆ. ಮತ್ತೈವರು ಕ್ರಮವಾಗಿ ಇವರಿಬ್ಬರ ಮಧ್ಯದ ತರಗತಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಗುರುಕುಲಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದರೂ ಅವರ ಜೊತೆ ಮುಂದುವರೆದಿದೆ. 

ಕಾಲಕ್ರಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು ದಿನ ಗುರುಕುಲದ ಹಸು-ಕರುಗಳನ್ನು ಕಾಡಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಮೇಯಿಸುವ ಕೆಲಸ ಈ ಅಣ್ಣ-ತಮ್ಮಂದಿರ ಸರದಿಗೆ ಬಿತ್ತು. ಒಂದು ದಿನ ಪೂರ್ತಿ ಸಹೋದರರಿಗೆ ಒಟ್ಟಾಗಿ ಕಾಲ ಕಳೆಯುವ ಸುಸಮಯ. ಸಂತೋಷದಿಂದ ದನಗಳನ್ನು ಅಟ್ಟಿಕೊಂಡು ಕಾಡಿಗೆ ಹೊರಟರು. ಕಾಡಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಹಸುಗಳನ್ನು ಮೇಯಲು ಬಿಟ್ಟು ಆಡುತ್ತ, ಮಾತನಾಡುತ್ತಾ ಕಾಲ ಕಳೆದರು. ಮತ್ತೆ ಸಮಯದ ನೆನಪಾದಾಗ ಮಧ್ಯಾಹ್ನ ದಾಟಿತ್ತು. ಹಸುಗಳೆಲ್ಲಾ ಎತ್ತಲೋ ಹೋಗಿದ್ದವು. ಒಂದು ಹಸು ಮಾತ್ರ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ದೂರದಲ್ಲಿ ಮೇಯುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಬೇರೆ ಹಸುಗಳನ್ನು ಹುಡುಕುವಾಗ ದಾರಿ ತಪ್ಪಿದರು. ಹಸಿವಿನ ಬಾಧೆ ಬೇರೆ. ಚಿಕ್ಕವರಿಗೆ ತಾಳಲಾರದ ಹಸಿವೆ. ಸುತ್ತ ಮುತ್ತ ಏನೂ ತಿನ್ನುವ ಪದಾರ್ಥ ಕಾಣಸಿಗುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ. ಏನು ಮಾಡುವುದು?

ಎದುರಿಗೆ ಮೇಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ಹಸು ಕಂಡಿತು. "ಬೇರೆ ದಾರಿಯಿಲ್ಲ. ಈ ಹಸುವನ್ನು ಕೊಂದು ಅದರ ಮಾಂಸವನ್ನು ತಿನ್ನೋಣ. ಇದು ಆಪತ್ಕಾಲ. ಇದರಲ್ಲಿ ತಪ್ಪಿಲ್ಲ. ತಪ್ಪಿದ್ದರೂ ಏನಾದರೂ ಪ್ರಾಯಶ್ಚಿತ್ತ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳೋಣ. ಈಗ ಹಸಿವಿನಿಂದ ಬದುಕಿ ಉಳಿಯುವುದು ಮುಖ್ಯ" ಎಂದ ಒಬ್ಬ. ಇನ್ನಿಬ್ಬರು ಅದೇ ಸರಿ ಎಂದರು. ಇಬ್ಬರು ವಿರೋಧಿಸಿದರು. ಮತ್ತೊಬ್ಬ "ಗುರುಗಳಿಗೆ ಏನು ಉತ್ತರ ಕೊಡುವುದು? ಅವರಿಗೆ ಹಸು ಕಡಿಮೆಯಾಗಿರುವುದು ಗೊತ್ತೇ ಆಗುತ್ತದೆ" ಎಂದ. "ಹೌದು. ಈಗಲೇ ಬೇರೆ ಹಸುಗಳು ಎಲ್ಲೋ ಹೋಗಿವೆ. ಏನು ಮಾಡುವುದು?" ಎಂದು ಮತ್ತೊಬ್ಬ ಹೇಳಿದ. "ಯೋಚಿಸಲು ಸಮಯವಿಲ್ಲ. ಹುಲಿ ಬಂದಿದುರಿಂದ ಹಸುಗಳು ಚಲ್ಲಾಪಿಲ್ಲಿ ಆದವು. ಒಂದು ಹಸುವನ್ನು ಹುಲಿ ತಿಂದಿತು. ನಾವು ಹೇಗೋ ಜೀವ ಉಳಿಸಿಕೊಂಡು ಬಂದೆವು ಎಂದು ಹೇಳೋಣ" ಅಂದ ದೊಡ್ಡವ. ಸರಿ ಎಂದು ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಹೂಗುಟ್ಟಿದರು. 

ಹಸುವನ್ನು ಕೊಂದಾಯಿತು. ಕಿರಿಯವನಿಗೆ ಅಂದಿನ ಪದ್ಧತಿಯಂತೆ "ಪಿಂಡಪ್ರದಾನ" ಮಾಡಬೇಕು ಎನಿಸಿತು. ಆ ಹಸುವಿನ ಮಾಂಸದಲ್ಲೇ ಪಿಂಡಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿ ಪಿತೃಗಳಿಗೆ ಅರ್ಪಿಸಿದ. ಮಿಕ್ಕ ಮಾಂಸವನ್ನು ಏಳು ಜನ ಸಹೋದರರೂ ಸೇವಿಸಿದರು. ಹಸಿವಿನ ಬಾಧೆ ಕಳೆಯಿತು. ಹುಡುಕುತ್ತ, ಹುಡುಕುತ್ತಾ ಸಂಜೆಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಗುರುಕುಲ ತಲುಪಿದರು. 

ಇವರು ಗುರುಕುಲ ತಲುಪುವ ವೇಳೆಗೆ ಬೇರೆ ಹಸುಗಳು ತಮ್ಮ ಅಭ್ಯಾಸ ಬಲದಿಂದ ಗುರುಕುಲ ಸೇರಿದ್ದವು. ಒಂದು ಹಸು ಮಾತ್ರ ಬಂದಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಕುಲಪತಿಗಳು ಈ ಸಹೋದರರು ಬಾರದಿದ್ದುದರಿಂದ ವ್ಯಾಕುಲರಾಗಿದ್ದರು. ಇವರನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಬಹಳ ಸಂತೋಷವಾಯಿತು. ಒಂದು ಹಸು ಮಾತ್ರ ಕಡಿಮೆಯಾಯಿತಲ್ಲಾ ಎಂದು ವಿಚಾರಿಸಿದರು. ತಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ ಒಪ್ಪಂದವಾಗಿದ್ದಂತೆ "ಹುಲಿಯು ನುಗ್ಗಿ ಒಂದು ಹಸುವನ್ನು ತಿಂದು ಹಾಕಿತು. ಬಾಕಿ ಹಸುಗಳು ಚಲ್ಲಾಪಿಲ್ಲಿ ಆದವು. ನಾವು ಹೇಗೋ ಬದುಕಿ ಬಂದೆವು" ಎಂದು ಹಿರಿಯ ಸುಳ್ಳು ಹೇಳಿದ. ಬಾಕಿಯವರು ಹೌದೆಂದು ತಲೆ ಆಡಿಸಿದರು. "ಹೋಗಲಿ ಬಿಡಿ. ಒಂದು ಗಂಡಾಂತರ ಕಳೆಯಿತು. ಸದ್ಯ, ನೀವು ಕ್ಷೇಮವಾಗಿ ಬಂದಿರಲ್ಲ" ಎಂದು ಗುರುಗಳು ಸಮಾಧಾನ ಪಟ್ಟುಕೊಂಡರು. 

ಈ ಏಳು ಜನ ಸಹೋದರರಿಗೆ ಹಸುವನ್ನು ಕೊಂದಿದುರಿಂದ  ಗೋಹತ್ಯೆಯೂ, ಗುರುಗಳಿಗೆ ಸುಳ್ಳು ಹೇಳಿದುದರಿಂದ ಗುರು ಹತ್ಯೆಯೂ ಸುತ್ತಿಕೊಂಡಿತು. 

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"ಗೋಹತ್ಯೆಯೇನೋ ಸರಿ. ಆದರೆ ಗುರುಹತ್ಯೆ ಎಲ್ಲಿಯದು?" ಎಂದು ಸಂದೇಹ ಬರಬಹುದು. ನಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ ಹತ್ಯೆ ಅಂದರೆ ಪ್ರಾಣ ತೆಗೆಯುವುದು ಎಂದು ಒಂದೇ ಅರ್ಥ ಮಾಡುವುದು ರೂಢಿಯಾಗಿದೆ. ವಾಸ್ತವವಾಗಿ ಪ್ರಾಚೀನ ನ್ಯಾಯ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರದ ಪ್ರಕಾರ ಹತ್ಯೆಯ ಹಲವು ಮಜಲುಗಳಿವೆ. "ಹತ್ತು ಜನರ ಮುಂದೆ ನನ್ನ ಮಾನ ಹರಾಜು ಹಾಕಿ ಕೊಂದುಹಾಕಿಬಿಟ್ಟ" ಎಂದು ಹೇಳುವುದನ್ನು ನಾವು ಕೇಳಿದ್ದೇವೆ. ನನ್ನ ಕೊಂದುಹಾಕಿಬಿಟ್ಟ ಎಂದು ಬದುಕಿರುವ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿ ಹೇಗೆ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾನೆ? ವಿನಾಕಾರಣ ಮತ್ತೊಬ್ಬರ ತೇಜೋವಧೆ ಮಾಡುವುದೂ ಹತ್ಯೆಗೆ ಸಮವೇ. ಗುರುಗಳಿಗೆ ಸುಳ್ಳು ಹೇಳುವುದೂ, ಗುರುನಿಂದೆ ಮಾಡುವುದೂ ಹತ್ಯೆಗೆ ಸಮಾನವೇ. ಗೋವುಗಳಿಗೆ ಹಿಂಸಿಸುವುದೂ, ಹೊಡೆದು-ಬಡಿದು ಮಾಡುವುದೂ ಒಂದು ರೀತಿಯ ಗೋಹತ್ಯೆಯೇ! ಹಸುವನ್ನು ಕೊಂದಿದ್ದರಿಂದ ಗೋಹತ್ಯಾ ದೋಷ ಬಂತು. ಬೇಕೆಂದೇ ಗುರುಗಳಿಗೆ ಸುಳ್ಳು ಹೇಳಿದ್ದರಿಂದ ಗುರುಹತ್ಯಾ ದೋಷವೂ ಬಂತು. 

ಸಾಂದರ್ಭಿಕವಾಗಿ ಹೇಳುವುದಾದರೆ, ಪ್ರಾಚೀನ ನ್ಯಾಯ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರದ ಪ್ರಕಾರ ಗಡೀಪಾರು ಶಿಕ್ಷೆ ಮರಣದಂಡನೆಗೆ ಸಮ ಎಂದು ಉಂಟು. ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿ ಯೋಗ್ಯನಿದ್ದು ಏನೋ ಕಾರಣಾಂತರದಿಂದ ಮರಣದಂಡನೆಗೆ ಭಾಗಿಯಾಗುವ ತಪ್ಪು ಮಾಡಿದಾಗ ಅವನ ಜೀವ ತೆಗೆಯುವ ಬದಲು ಅವನನ್ನು ಗಡೀಪಾರು ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ಈ ಸಮಾಜದ ಪಾಲಿಗೆ ಅವನು ಅಂದಿನಿಂದ ಸತ್ತಂತೆ. ಯೋಗ್ಯನಾದದ್ದರಿಂದ ಬೇರೆಲ್ಲಾದರೂ ಬದುಕಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲಿ ಎಂದು ಮರಣದಂಡನೆಗೆ ಸಮನಾದ ಗಡೀಪಾರಿನ ಶಿಕ್ಷೆ. ಹೀಗಿವೆ ನ್ಯಾಯ ಪಾಲನೆಯ ಸೂಕ್ಷ್ಮತೆಗೆ ಉದಾಹರಣೆಗಳು. 

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ಅನೇಕ ವರುಷಗಳಾದ ಮೇಲೆ ಸಹೋದರರಿಗೆ ಆಯಸ್ಸು ತೀರಿ ಮರಣ ಪ್ರಾಪ್ತವಾಯಿತು. ಹಸುವನ್ನು ಕೊಂದ ಪಾಪಕ್ಕೆ ಏಳು ಜನರೂ ದಶಾರ್ಣ ಎನ್ನುವ ಕಾಡಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಬೇಡರಾಗಿ ಹುಟ್ಟಿದರು. ದಶಾರ್ಣ ಅಂದರೆ ಹತ್ತು ಕಾಡುಗಳ ಸಮೂಹ. ಸಪ್ತಗಿರಿ, ಅಂದರೆ ಏಳು ಬೆಟ್ಟಗಳು ಎಂದಂತೆ. ಪ್ರಾಣಿಯನ್ನು ಕೊಂದದ್ದರಿಂದ ಪ್ರಾಣಿಗಳನ್ನು ಕೊಂದೇ ಜೀವಿಸುವ ವ್ಯಾಧರಾಗಿ ಜನ್ಮ. ಆ ಜನ್ಮ ಕಳೆದ ನಂತರ ಏಳು ಜನವೂ ಮತ್ತೆ ಕಾಲಂಜಿರ ಎನ್ನುವ ಬೆಟ್ಟದ ಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಏಳು ಜಿಂಕೆಗಳಾಗಿ ಹುಟ್ಟಿದರು. ಹಿಂದಿನ ಜನ್ಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಾಣಿಗಳನ್ನು ಕೊಂದು ಬದುಕಿದ್ದು. ಈಗ ಬೇಡರ ಕೈಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕೊಲ್ಲಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಜಿಂಕೆಗಳಾಗಿ ಹುಟ್ಟಿದ್ದು! ಆ ಜನ್ಮವೂ ಕಳೆದ ಮೇಲೆ ಶರದ್ವೀಪದಲ್ಲಿ ಏಳು ಚಕ್ರವಾಕ ಪಕ್ಷಿಗಳಾಗಿ ಹುಟ್ಟಿದರು.  ಅದಕ್ಕೂ ಮುಂದಿನ ಜನ್ಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾನಸ ಸರೋವರದಲ್ಲಿ ಏಳು ಹಂಸ ಪಕ್ಷಿಗಳಾಗಿ ಜನಿಸಿದರು. 

ಈ ರೀತಿ ಅನೇಕ ಜನ್ಮಗಳನ್ನು ಪಡೆದು ಹುಟ್ಟಿದರೂ ಹಿಂದೆ ಪಿಂಡಪ್ರದಾನ ಮಾಡಿದ ಪುಣ್ಯ ವಿಶೇಷದಿಂದ ಅವರೆಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಪೂರ್ವ ಜನ್ಮದ ಸ್ಮರಣೆ ಇದ್ದಿತು. ಇದರ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಏಳು ಮಂದಿಯೂ ಒಟ್ಟಾಗಿ ಒಂದೇ ಕಡೆ ಹುಟ್ಟುವ ಭಾಗ್ಯವೂ ಸಿಕ್ಕುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. 

ಮಾನಸ ಸರೋವರದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಂಸ ಪಕ್ಷಿಗಳಾಗಿದ್ದ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಹರಿಸಲು ಬಂದ ಮಹಾರಾಜನೊಬ್ಬನ ರಾಜಭೋಗವನ್ನು ಕಂಡರು. ಒಬ್ಬನಿಗೆ ಮನಸ್ಸು ಚಂಚಲವಾಗಿ "ಹುಟ್ಟಿದರೆ ಈ ರೀತಿ ರಾಜನಾಗಿ ಹುಟ್ಟಿ ರಾಜಭೋಗಗಳನ್ನು ಅನುಭವಿಸಬೇಕು!" ಎಂದನು. ಅದನ್ನು ಕೇಳಿ ಇನ್ನಿಬ್ಬರು "ನೀನು ಈ ರೀತಿ ಮಹಾರಾಜನಾಗಿ ಹುಟ್ಟಿದರೆ ನಾವು ನಿನ್ನ ಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳು!" ಎಂದರು. 

ಹಂಸಗಳ ಜನ್ಮ ಮುಗಿದ ನಂತರ ಮುಂದಿನ ಜನ್ಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಹಾರಾಜನಾಗುವ ಆಸೆ ತೋರಿಸಿದವನು ಬ್ರಹ್ಮದತ್ತ ಎಂಬ ಹೆಸರಿನ ರಾಜನಾಗಿ ಹುಟ್ಟಿದನು. ಅವನ ಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳಾಗುವ ಆಸೆ ತೋರಿಸಿದ ಇಬ್ಬರು ತಮ್ಮಂದಿರು ಅವನ ಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳಾಗಿ ಹುಟ್ಟಿದರು. ಐಹಿಕ ಸುಖ-ಭೋಗಗಳ ಆಸೆ ತೋರಿಸಿದ ಕಾರಣ ಈ ಮೂವರಿಗೆ ಹಿಂದಿನ ಜನ್ಮಗಳ ಸ್ಮರಣೆ ಹೋಯಿತು. ರಾಜಭೋಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಮುಳುಗಿದರು. ಮಿಕ್ಕ ನಾಲ್ವರು ಸಹೋದರರು ಕುರುಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ವಂಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಹುಟ್ಟಿ ವೇದಾಧ್ಯಯನಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿ ಸಾಧನೆಯ ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮುನ್ನಡೆದರು. 

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ಬ್ರಹ್ಮದತ್ತ ಮಹಾರಾಜನು ಸುಖ-ಭೋಗಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಆಸಕ್ತನಾದರೂ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ರಾಜನಾಗಿದ್ದನು. ಸಾಧುವೊಬ್ಬರ ಕರುಣೆಯ ಫಲವಾಗಿ ಅವನಿಗೆ ಪ್ರಾಣಿಗಳ ಸಂಭಾಷಣೆಯನ್ನು ತಿಳಿಯುವ ವಿದ್ಯೆ ಕರಗತವಾಯಿತು. ಒಂದು ದಿನ ತನ್ನ ರಾಣಿಯ ಜೊತೆ ಏಕಾಂತದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾಗ ಇರುವೆಗಳು ಮಾತಾಡಿದ್ದು ಕೇಳಿ ನಗು ಬಂತು. ನಕ್ಕುಬಿಟ್ಟನು. "ಏತಕ್ಕೆ ನಗುತ್ತಿರುವೆ? ನನ್ನನ್ನು ಪರಿಹಾಸ್ಯ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿರುವೆಯಾ?" ಎಂದು ರಾಣಿ ಕೇಳಿದಳು. ಅಲ್ಲವೆಂದು ಎಷ್ಟು ಪರಿಯಾಗಿ ಹೇಳಿದರೂ ಅವಳು ಒಪ್ಪಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಈ ವಿಷಯವನ್ನು ಮತ್ತೊಬ್ಬರಿಗೆ ಹೇಳಿದರೆ ತನ್ನ ತಲೆ ಸಾವಿರ ಹೋಳಾಗುವುದೆಂದು ಶಾಪವೂ ಇದೆ ಎಂದು ಸತ್ಯವನ್ನು ಹೇಳಿದರೂ ಅವಳು ನಂಬಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಸಂಸಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ವಿರಸ ಮೂಡಿತು. ಜಿಗುಪ್ಸೆಗೊಳಗಾಗಿ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮದತ್ತನು ಕಾಡಿಗೆ ತಪಸ್ಸಿಗಾಗಿ ಹೋದನು. ಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳಿಬ್ಬರೂ ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಆಡಳಿತ ನೋಡಲು ಹಿಂದೆ ಉಳಿದರು. 

ಸಾಧನೆಯ ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮುನ್ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ನಾಲ್ವರು ಸಹೋದರರಿಗೆ ಜೀವನ ಸಾಕು ಎನ್ನಿಸಿತು. ಕಾಡಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಪೂರ್ಣ ವಿರಕ್ತ ಜೀವನ ನಡೆಸಿ ಮುಕ್ತಿ ಪಡೆಯಬೇಕೆಂದು ನಿರ್ಧರಿಸಿದರು. ಆದರೆ ವೃದ್ಧರಾದ ತಾಯಿ ತಂದೆಯರ ಜೀವನಕ್ಕೆ ದಾರಿ ಮಾಡಬೇಕಿತ್ತು. ಆ ಕಾರಣ ಒಂದು ಶ್ಲೋಕವನ್ನು ಬರೆದು ಸಂಗಡಿಗರಿಗೆ ಕೊಟ್ಟು ಅದನ್ನು ಬ್ರಹ್ಮದತ್ತ ಮಹಾರಾಜನಿಗೆ ತಲುಪಿಸಿದರೆ ತಂದೆ ತಾಯಿಯರ ಮುಂದಿನ ಜೀವನಕ್ಕೆ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾನೆಂದು ಹೇಳಿ ಅರಣ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಹೊರಟು ಹೋದರು.  

ಇತ್ತ ತಪಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮದತ್ತನಿಗೆ ರಾಜನಾಗಿ ತನ್ನ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯ ಬಿಟ್ಟಿದ್ದೇನೆಂದು ಅನಿಸಿತು. ರಾಜಧಾನಿಗೆ ಹಿಂತಿರುಗಿದನು. ನಾಲ್ವರು ಸಹೋದರರು ರಾಜನಿಗೆ ಕಳುಹಿಸಿದ್ದ ಪತ್ರವು ಅವನಿಗೆ ಕಾಯುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಅದನ್ನು ಓದಿದಾಗ ಅದರಲ್ಲಿ ಹೀಗೆ ಬರೆದಿತ್ತು: 

ಸಪ್ತವ್ಯಾಧಾ ದಶಾರ್ಣೇಷು ಮೃಗಾ:  ಕಾಲಾಂಜಿರೇ ಗಿರೌ 

ಚಕ್ರವಾಕಾ: ಶರದ್ವೀಪೇ ಹಂಸಾ: ಸರಸಿ ಮಾನಸೇ 

ತೇಭಿಜಾತಾಃ ಕುರುಕ್ಷೇತ್ರೇ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣಾ: ವೇದಪಾರಗಾ:

ಪ್ರಸ್ಥಿತಾ ದೀರ್ಘಮಧ್ವಾನಂ ಯೂಯಂ ಕಿಮವಸೀದತ

ಓದಿದ ತಕ್ಷಣ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮದತ್ತ ಮಹಾರಾಜನಿಗೆ ಪೂರ್ವ ಜನ್ಮಗಳ ಸ್ಮರಣೆ ಬಂತು. ದಶಾರ್ಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಬೇಡರಾಗಿದ್ದುದು, ಕಾಲಾಂಜಿರದಲ್ಲಿ ಜಿಂಕೆಗಳಾಗಿದ್ದದು, ಶರದ್ವೀಪದಲ್ಲಿ ಚಕ್ರವಾಕಗಳಾಗಿದ್ದದು, ಮಾನಸ ಸರೋವರದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಂಸಗಳಾಗಿದ್ದುದು ಮತ್ತು ಇವೆಲ್ಲದರ ಹಿಂದೆ ಗುರುಕುಲದಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದ ಘಟನೆಗಳೆಲ್ಲಾ ಸ್ಮರಣೆಗೆ ಬಂದವು. ಈ ಪತ್ರ ಬರೆದು ಕಳಿಸಿದವರು ತನ್ನ ನಾಲ್ವರು ಸಹೋದರರು ಎಂದು ಗೊತ್ತಾಯಿತು. ಆ ಪತ್ರವನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದ ಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳಿಬ್ಬರಿಗೂ ಇದೇ ರೀತಿ ಹಿಂದಿನ ಘಟನೆಗಳೆಲ್ಲ ನೆನಪಿಗೆ ಬಂತು. ಪತ್ರ ನೋಡಿದ ರಾಣಿಯೂ ಸಹ "ನೀವು ಕೊಂದ ಹಸುವು ನಾನೇ ಆಗಿದ್ದೆ. ಈಗ ನನಗೂ ಮುಕ್ತಿ ಸಿಗುವ ಕಾಲ ಬಂತು" ಎಂದಳು. 

ನಾಲ್ವರು ಸಹೋದರರ ತಂದೆ ತಾಯಿಯರಿಗೆ ಮುಂದಿನ ಜೀವನದ ಮಾರ್ಗ ನಿರ್ದೇಶಿಸಿ, ಉತ್ತರಾಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳಿಗೆ ರಾಜ್ಯವನ್ನು ಒಪ್ಪಿಸಿ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮದತ್ತನೂ, ಮತ್ತು ಇಬ್ಬರು ಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳೂ ಕಾಡಿನಲ್ಲಿ ತಮ್ಮ ಸಹೋದರರನ್ನು ಸೇರಿಕೊಂಡರು. 

ಪೂರ್ಣ ವಿರಕ್ತ ಜೀವನ ನಡೆಸಿ ಏಳು ಮಂದಿ ಅಣ್ಣ-ತಮ್ಮಂದಿರೂ ಅದೇ ಜನ್ಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಹುಟ್ಟು-ಸಾವುಗಳ ಚಕ್ರದಿಂದ ಮುಕ್ತಿ ಪಡೆದರು. 

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ಬ್ರಹ್ಮದತ್ತ ಮತ್ತು ಅವನ ಸಹೋದರರ ಕಥೆ "ಹರಿವಂಶ"ದಲ್ಲಿ ಬರುತ್ತದೆ. ಇದನ್ನು ಮೊದಲ ಬಾರಿ ಕೇಳಿದುದು ಸುಮಾರು ಮೂವತ್ತು ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಗೂ ಹಿಂದೆ ಮೊದಲ ಬಾರಿ ನಮ್ಮ ತಾಯಿಯವರ ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧ ಮಾಡಿದ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ. ಪಿಂಡಪ್ರದಾನ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಪುರೋಹಿತರು ಈ ಶ್ಲೋಕವನ್ನು ಹೇಳಿದರು. ಇದರ ವಿವರವೇನು ಎಂದು ಕೇಳಿದಾಗ ಇದು ಪಿಂಡಪ್ರದಾನದ ಪ್ರಾಮುಖ್ಯತೆಯನ್ನು ವಿವರಿಸುವ ಮಂತ್ರ ಎಂದಷ್ಟೇ ಹೇಳಿದರು. ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧದ ದಿನ ಸಂಜೆ ಯಾವುದಾದರೂ ಜ್ಞಾನ ಕಾರ್ಯ ಮಾಡಬೇಕೆಂಬುದು ಒಂದು ಪರಂಪರೆ. ಆ ರೀತಿ ಸಂಜೆ ಜ್ಞಾನ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದ ಆಚಾರ್ಯರನ್ನು ಕೇಳಿದಾಗ ಅವರು ಸೂಕ್ಷ್ಮವಾಗಿ ಈ ವಿಷಯ ಹೇಳಿದರು. ಮುಂದೆ ಹರಿವಂಶದ ಅಧ್ಯಯನ ಮಾಡುವಾಗ ಈ ವೃತ್ತಾಂತದ ಪೂರ್ಣ ವಿವರಗಳು ಸಿಕ್ಕಿದುವು. ಬ್ರಹ್ಮದತ್ತ ಮತ್ತು ಅವನ ಸಹೋದರರಿಗೆ ಉತ್ತಮ ಗತಿ ಸಿಗುವುದಕ್ಕೆ ಮೂಲ ಅವರು ಮಾಡಬಾರದ ಗೋಹತ್ಯೆ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದಾಗಲೂ ಪಿಂಡಪ್ರದಾನ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದು ಮತ್ತು ಅದರಿಂದ ಪ್ರೀತರಾದ ಪಿತೃಗಳು ಅವರಿಗೆ ಸಾಧನೆಯ ಹಾದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮುನ್ನಡೆಯುವಂತೆ ದಾರಿ ತೋರಿದುದು. ಆದ ಕಾರಣ ಪಿಂಡಪ್ರದಾನದ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠತೆಯನ್ನು ನೆನಪಿಸುವ ಸಲುವಾಗಿ ಅತಿಥಿಗಳ ಭೋಜನ ಇನ್ನೇನು ಮುಗಿಯುವ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಪಿಂಡಪ್ರದಾನ ಮಾಡುವಾಗ ಈ ಶ್ಲೋಕವನ್ನು ಹೇಳುವ ಪದ್ದತಿ. 

ಈಗಿನ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ಶ್ಲೋಕವನ್ನು ಹೇಳುವ ಪರಿಪಾಠವೇ ನಿಂತು ಹೋದಂತೆ ಕಾಣುತ್ತದೆ. ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧ ಮಾಡುವವರಿಗೂ ಮತ್ತು ಮಾಡಿಸುವವರಿಗೂ ಬೇಗ ಎಲ್ಲ ಕೆಲಸ ಮುಗಿಸುವ ಆತುರ. ಅಕಸ್ಮಾತ್ ಹೇಳಿದರೂ ಅನೇಕ ಮಂತ್ರಗಳಂತೆ ಇದೂ ಒಂದು! ಪೂರ್ತಿ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆ ತಿಳಿದು ಮಾಡಿಸುವವರು ಹೇಳಬೇಕು. ಮಾಡುವವರು ಕೇಳಬೇಕು. ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧ ಮಾಡುವುದೇ ನಿಂತು ಹೋಗುವ ದಿನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಇದೆಲ್ಲ ಕೇಳುವವರು ಯಾರು?

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ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧಾದಿಗಳು ಮಾಡಬೇಕೇ? ಅವು ಅವಶ್ಯಕವೇ? ಎಲ್ಲಿಯೋ ಇದ್ದಾರೆಂದು ನಂಬುವ ಪಿತೃಗಳಿಗೆ ಅದು ಹೇಗೆ ತಲುಪುತ್ತದೆ? ಇದೊಂದು ಕಂದಾಚಾರವಲ್ಲವೇ? ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧ ಮಾಡದಿದ್ದವರೂ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿಯೇ ಇದ್ದಾರಲ್ಲ? ಇವೆಲ್ಲ ನ್ಯಾಯವಾದ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆಗಳು. ಇವುಗಳಿಗೆ ಸಾಧ್ಯವಾದಷ್ಟು ಉತ್ತರಗಳನ್ನೂ ಹುಡುಕಬೇಕು. ಈ ವಿಷಯಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಆಸಕ್ತಿ ಇದ್ದಾರೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ಈ ಕೆಲಸ. 

ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಳುವ ಉಪಚಾರದ ಶ್ಲೋಕದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಹಿಂದಿನ ಸಂಚಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕಂಡೆವು. ಪಿಂಡಪ್ರದಾನದ ಮಹತ್ವ ತಿಳಿಸುವ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮದತ್ತ ಮತ್ತು ಅವನ ಸಹೋದರರ ಕಥೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ನೋಡಿದೆವು. ಮೇಲೆ ತಿಳಿಸಿದಂತೆ ಹುಟ್ಟಿದ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಸಾಧ್ಯವಾದ ಉತ್ತರವನ್ನು ಮುಂದಿನ ಸಂಚಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನೋಡೋಣ.