ಗೀತೆ ಎಂಬ ಹಾಲು; ಭಾಗವತವೆಂಬ ಹಣ್ಣು

ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಂದು ವಿಷಯವನ್ನೂ ಸಂದರ್ಭಗಳ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸರಿಯಾಗಿ ತಿಳಿಯುವ ಸಲುವಾಗಿ ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದ ಗ್ರಂಥಗಳನ್ನೂ, ವಿಶಿಷ್ಟ ವಾಂಗ್ಮಯವನ್ನೂ ಕೂಲಂಕುಷವಾಗಿ ಅಭ್ಯಸಿಸಿ, ಅವುಗಳ ಹಿಂದು-ಮುಂದಿನ ವಿವರಗಳ ಬೆಳಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಖರವಾಗಿ ಅರ್ಥ ಮಾಡಿಕೋಳ್ಳಬೇಕೆಂಬ ಪ್ರಮೇಯವನ್ನು ಮುಕುಂದರಾಯರ "ಏಕಾದಶಿಯ ದಿನ ಹಾಲು-ಹಣ್ಣು ಸೇವಿಸಿ" ಎಂಬ ಸಂಚಿಕೆಯ ಅನುಭವದಿಂದ ತಿಳಿದೆವು. ಈ ಸಂಚಿಕೆಯನ್ನು ಓದಲು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ. 

ಮುಕುಂದರಾಯರ ಎಡವಟ್ಟಿನ ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿಯನ್ನು ಕಂಡ ಹಿರಿಯರೊಬ್ಬರು "ನಾಳೆ ಪುರಾಣಕ್ಕೆ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಬೇಗ ಬನ್ನಿ. ಹಾಲು ಎಂದರೆ ಭಗವದ್ಗೀತೆ. ಹಣ್ಣು ಎಂದರೆ ಶ್ರೀಮದ್ ಭಾಗವತ.  ಅದು ಹೇಗೆ ಎಂದು ನಿಮಗೆ ವಿವರಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ" ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದ್ದರು. ಅದರ ವಿವರಗಳನ್ನು ಈಗ ನೋಡೋಣ. 

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ಮುಕುಂದರಾಯರು ದೇವಾಲಯವನ್ನು ಬೇಗ ತಲುಪಿ ಹಿರಿಯರ ಬರವಿಗೆ ಕಾತುರದಿಂದ ಕಾಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ಹೇಳಿದ ಮಾತಿಗೆ ಸರಿಯಾಗಿ ಆ ವೃದ್ಧರು ಬಂದರು. ಇನ್ನೂ ಪುರಾಣ ಕೇಳುವ ಜನಗಳ ಆಗಮನ ಆಗಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಇಬ್ಬರೂ ಪರಸ್ಪರ ಮಾತಾಡಲು ಅನುಕೂಲವಾಗಿರುವ ಒಂದು ಜಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಳಿತರು. ಮಾತುಕತೆ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭವಾಯಿತು. 

"ಏನು, ನಿರೀಕ್ಷಿದಂತೆ ಬೇಗ ಬಂದಿದ್ದೀರಿ"

"ನಿನ್ನೆ ಮನೆಗೆ ಹೋದಮೇಲೆ ರಾತ್ರಿಯೆಲ್ಲ  ನೀವು ಹೇಳಿದ "ಗೀತೆಯೇ ಹಾಲು. ಭಾಗವತವೇ ಹಣ್ಣು" ಎಂಬುದನ್ನೇ ಯೋಚಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದೆ. ಅದು ಹೇಗೆ ಈ ರೀತಿ ಪ್ರಚುರವಾಯಿತು ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿಯುವ ಕುತೂಹಲ. ನೀವು ವಿವರಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದುದು  ಒಳ್ಳೆಯದಾಯಿತು. ಅದನ್ನು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಬಿಡಿಸಿ ಹೇಳಿದರೆ ನನಗೆ ಬಹಳ ಅನುಕೂಲವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ"

"ಭಗವದ್ಗೀತೆಯನ್ನು ಕ್ರಮವಾಗಿ ಅಭ್ಯಾಸ ಮಾಡುವವರನ್ನು, ಪಾರಾಯಣ ಮಾಡುವವರನ್ನು ನೀವು ನೋಡಿದ್ದೀರಲ್ಲ"

"ಅನೇಕರನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದ್ದೇನೆ"

"ಅವರು ಹೇಗೆ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ?"

"ಅಂದರೆ ಅರ್ಥವಾಗಲಿಲ್ಲ"

"ನೇರವಾಗಿ ಮೊದಲನೇ ಅಧ್ಯಾಯದಿಂದ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿಸುತ್ತಾರೋ, ಅಥವಾ ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಮೊದಲು ಏನಾದರೂ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೋ?"

"ಮೊದಲು  ಬೇರೆ ಕೆಲವು ಶ್ಲೋಕಗಳನ್ನು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾರೆ"

"ಅವುಗಳಿಗೆ "ಧ್ಯಾನ ಶ್ಲೋಕಗಳು" ಎನ್ನುತ್ತಾರೆ"

"ಹಾಗಂದರೆ ಏನು?"

"ಕೃತಿಯನ್ನು ಪ್ರಾರಂಭ ಮಾಡುವ ಮೊದಲು ಅದರ ಹುಟ್ಟಿಗೆ ಕಾರಣರಾದವರನ್ನು ನೆನೆಯುವ ಶ್ಲೋಕಗಳನ್ನು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾರೆ"

"ಹೀಗೆ ಮಾಡುವುದು ಏಕೆ?"

"ಲೌಕಿಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾವುದಾದರೂ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಓದುವ ಮುಂಚೆ ಅದರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಏನಾದರೂ ತಿಳಿದುಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನ ಪಡುತ್ತೀರೋ? ಅದನ್ನು ಬರೆದವರು ಯಾರು, ಅದರ ಕಥಾವಸ್ತು, ಏನು? ರಚನೆ ಎಲ್ಲಿ ಮತ್ತು ಏಕೆ ಆಯಿತು, ಈ ರೀತಿ"

"ನಾವು ಶಾಲೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಓದುವಾಗ ಕವಿ-ಕಾವ್ಯ ವಿಚಾರ ಎಂದು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆ ಓದುತ್ತಿದ್ದೆವು"

"ಯಾವುದಾದರೂ ಅಮೂಲ್ಯವಾದ ಗ್ರಂಥ ಓದುವ ಮೊದಲು ಅದರ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆ ಇದೇ ರೀತಿ ತಿಳಿಯುವುದು, ತಿಳಿದಮೇಲೆ ಮತ್ತೆ ಓದುವಾಗ ಅದನ್ನು ನೆನೆಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದು ನಡೆದುಬಂದಿರುವ ಪದ್ಧತಿ"

"ಭಗವದ್ಗೀತೆ ಓದುವಾಗ ಅಥವಾ ಪಾರಾಯಣ ಮಾಡುವಾಗ ಯಾವ ಶ್ಲೋಕಗಳನ್ನು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾರೆ?"

"ಅವರವರ ಮನೆತನದ ರೀತಿಯಂತೆ ಅಥವಾ ಗುರುಗಳು ಹೇಳಿಕೊಟ್ಟ ಪದ್ಧತಿಯ ಪ್ರಕಾರ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾರೆ"

"ಇದರಲ್ಲಿ ಏನು ವಿವರಗಳು ಇರುತ್ತವೆ?"

"ಗ್ರಂಥಕರ್ತೃವಾದ ಭಗವಾನ್ ವೇದವ್ಯಾಸರು ಮತ್ತು ಗೀತೆಯನ್ನು ಉಪದೇಶಿಸಿದ ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಣ, ಇವರುಗಳ ನೆನಪು ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡು ಅವರಿಗೆ ಕೃತಜ್ಞತೆಗಳನ್ನು ಹೇಳುವ ಶ್ಲೋಕಗಳು. ಇದರ ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಭಗವದ್ಗೀತೆಯ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠತೆಯನ್ನು ಹೇಳುವ ಶ್ಲೋಕಗವಿರುತ್ತದೆ"

"ಭಗವದ್ಗೀತೆಯ ಉತ್ತಮತೆಯನ್ನು ಹೇಳುವ ಶ್ಲೋಕವೇನು?'

"ಅದು ಹೀಗಿದೆ. ಕೇಳಿ"

ಸರ್ವೋಪನಿಷದೋ ಗಾವಃ ದೋಗ್ಧಾ ಗೋಪಾಲನಂದನಃ 

ಪಾರ್ಥೋ ವತ್ಸ: ಸುಧೀರ್ಭೋಕ್ತಾ ದುಗ್ಧಮ್ ಗೀತಾಮೃತಮ್ ಮಹತ್

"ಎಲ್ಲ ಉಪನಿಷತ್ತುಗಳೇ ಹಸುಗಳು. ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಣನು ಈ ಹಸುಗಳ ಹಾಲನ್ನು ಕರೆದು ಕೊಡುವ ಗೋಪಾಲಕನು. ಪಾರ್ಥನೆಂಬ ಹೆಸರಿನ ಅರ್ಜುನನೇ ಕರುವು. ಭಕ್ತಮಹಾಜನರೇ ಆ ಅಮೃತಸಮವಾದ ಹಾಲನ್ನು ಸೇವಿಸುವವರು"

"ಎಲ್ಲ ಉಪನಿಷತ್ತುಗಳೇ ಹಸುಗಳು ಅಂದಮೇಲೆ ಬೇರೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದ ವೇದಾದಿ ವಾಂಗ್ಮಯದ ಪಾತ್ರವೇನು?"

"ಉಪನಿಷತ್ತುಗಳೇ ಹಸುಗಳು ಎಂದರೆ ಬರೀ ಉಪನಿಷತ್ತುಗಳೆಂದು ಅರ್ಥವಲ್ಲ. ಉಪನಿಷತ್ತುಗಳು ವಿಶಾಲ ವಾಂಗ್ಮಯದ ಸಿಹಿ ಕೆನೆ ಎಂದು ನಂಬಿಕೆ. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಭಗವದ್ಗೀತೆ ಈ ಎಲ್ಲ ವಾಂಗ್ಮಯದ ಸಾರಭೂತ ಕೃತಿಯೂ ಹೌದು"

"ಅರ್ಜುನನು ಕರು ಎನ್ನುವುದೇಕೆ?"

"ನೀವು ಹಸುವಿನ ಹಾಲು ಕರೆಯುವುದು ನೋಡಿದ್ದೀರಾ?"

"ನೋಡಿದ್ದೇನೆ"

"ಹಾಲು ಕರೆಯುವ ಮೊದಲು ಕರುವನ್ನು ಹಸುವಿನ ಬಳಿ ಬಿಡುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಕರು ಹತ್ತಿರ ಬಂದಾಗ ಹಸು ಸುಲಭವಾಗಿ ಕೆಚ್ಚಲಿನಿಂದ ಹಾಲನ್ನು ಹರಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಕರು ಹಾಲು ಕುಡಿದನಂತರ ಮಿಕ್ಕ ಹಾಲನ್ನು ಕರೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾರೆ. (ದುರಾಸೆ ಮನುಷ್ಯರು ಕರು ಪೂರ್ತಿ ಕುಡಿಯುವವರೆಗೂ ಬಿಡುವುದಿಲ್ಲ). ಭಗವದ್ಗೀತೆ ಎಂಬ ಹಾಲನ್ನು ಮೊದಲು ಕುಡಿದವನು ಪಾರ್ಥ. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಅವನು ಕರು. ಎಲ್ಲ ಸಜ್ಜನರಿಗೆ ಅವನ ನಿಮಿತ್ತದಿಂದ, ಮತ್ತು ಅವನ ನಂತರ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿತು. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಅವನೇ ವತ್ಸ"

"ಅರ್ಥವಾಯಿತು"

"ಏನು ಅರ್ಥವಾಯಿತು?"

"ನೀವು ಹೇಳಿದ ಎಲ್ಲ ಅಂಶಗಳು ಮತ್ತು  ಎಲ್ಲಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿ ಪುರಾಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಳಿದ "ಏಕಾದಶಿಯ ದಿನ ಹಾಲು ಸೇವಿಸಿರಿ ಎಂದರೆ ಭಗವದ್ಗೀತೆಯೆಂಬ ಹಾಲನ್ನು ಕುಡಿಯಿರಿ. ಅದರ ಪಾರಾಯಣ ಮಾಡುವ ಮೂಲಕ", ಎಂದು"

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"ಶ್ರೀಮದ್ ಭಾಗವತ ಹಣ್ಣು ಎಂದು ಹೇಗಾಯಿತು?"

"ಶ್ರೀಮದ್ ಭಾಗವತದ ಮೊದಲ ಸ್ಕಂದ, ಮೊದಲ ಅಧ್ಯಾಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಬರುವ ಶ್ಲೋಕ ಹೀಗಿದೆ. ಕೇಳಿ"

ನಿಗಮಕಲ್ಪತರೋರ್ಗಲಿತಂ  ಫಲಂ 

ಶುಕಮುಖಾತ್ ಅಮೃತದ್ರವ ಸಂಯುತಂ 

ಪಿಬತ ಭಾಗವತರಸಮಾಲಯಂ

ಮುಹುರಹೋ ರಸಿಕ ಭುವಿಭಾವುಕ : 

"ದೊಡ್ಡದನ್ನು ತಿಳಿಯಬೇಕೆಂಬ ಮತ್ತು ತಿಳಿದ ಈ ಜಗತ್ತಿನ ಎಲ್ಲ ಮಹಾಜನಗಳೇ! ಶುಕಮಹಾಮುನಿಗಳಿಂದ ಹೇಳಲ್ಪಟ್ಟ ವೈದಿಕ ವಾಂಗ್ಮಯವೆಂಬ ಕಲ್ಪವೃಕ್ಷದ ಅಮೃತದಂತಹ ರಸಭರಿತವಾದ ಶ್ರೀಮದ್ ಭಾಗವತವೆಂಬ ಹಣ್ಣನ್ನು ತಿನ್ನಿರಿ.  ಶ್ರೀಮದ್ ಭಾಗವತವೆಂಬ ಹಣ್ಣಿನ ದಿವ್ಯ ರಸವನ್ನು ಕುಡಿಯಿರಿ. (ಈ ಅವಕಾಶವನ್ನು ತಪ್ಪಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಡಿ)" 

"ಭಗವದ್ಗೀತೆ ಹಾಲು ಎಂದಂತೆ ಶ್ರೀಮದ್ ಭಾಗವತ ಹಣ್ಣು ಎಂದು ಅರ್ಥವಾಯಿತು. ಈ ಹಣ್ಣಿನ ರಸದ ವಿಶೇಷವೇನು?"

"ಬೇರೆ ಹಣ್ಣುಗಳ ರಸಕ್ಕೆ ಕಾಲ ಮಿತಿ ಇದೆ. ಭಾಗವತವೆಂಬ ಹಣ್ಣಿನ ರಸಕ್ಕೆ ಕಾಲ ಮಿತಿ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಅಷ್ಟು ಮಾತ್ರವಲ್ಲ. ಇದು ಬರಿಯ ಸಿಹಿಯಾದ ಹಣ್ಣಿನ ರಸವಲ್ಲ. ಅಮೃತದಂತಹ ರಸ. ಅಮೃತ ಸೇವಿಸಿದರೆ ಸಾವಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದಂತೆ. ದೇವತೆಗಳು ಅಮೃತ ಸವಿದು ಸಾವಿಲ್ಲದವರಾಗುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಆದರೆ ಮಹಾಪ್ರಳಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಅವರ ಕಾಲವೂ ಮುಗಿಯುತ್ತದೆ. ಶ್ರೀಮದ್ ಭಾಗವತದ ಹಣ್ಣಿನ ರಸ ಅಮೃತಕ್ಕಿಂತಲೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚು. ಇದರ ರಸದಿಂದ ಜೀವನ-ಮರಣ ಅನ್ನುವ ಚಕ್ರದಿಂದ ಬಿಡುಗಡೆಯಾಗಿ ಮೋಕ್ಷವೆಂಬ ಅತಿ ದೊಡ್ಡ, ಎಂದಿಗೂ ಹೋಗದ, ಹಾನಿಯಾಗದ ಪದವಿ  ಸಿಗುತ್ತದೆ"

"ಈಗ ಅರ್ಥವಾಯಿತು"

"ಏನು ಅರ್ಥವಾಯಿತು?"

"ಶ್ರೀಮದ್ ಭಾಗವತವನ್ನು ಹಣ್ಣು ಎಂದುದು ಏಕೆ ಎಂದು. "ಏಕಾದಶಿಯಂದು ಹಾಲು-ಹಣ್ಣು ಸೇವಿಸಿ"  ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದುದರ ಅರ್ಥ"

"ನಾನು ನಿಮಗೆ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪವೇ ವಿವರ ಕೊಟ್ಟಿದ್ದೇನೆ. ದೊಡ್ಡವರನ್ನು ಕೇಳಿದರೆ ಇನ್ನೂ ಅನೇಕ ಅರ್ಥಗಳನ್ನು ತಿಳಿಸಿಕೊಡುತ್ತಾರೆ" 

"ಆಗಲಿ. ಹೀಗೆಯೇ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನ ಪಡುತ್ತೇನೆ"

ಅಷ್ಟರಲ್ಲಿ ಪುರಾಣೀಕರು ಬಂದು ಪುರಾಣ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭವಾಯಿತು. 

*****

ಮುಕುಂದರಾಯರು ಮುಂದಿನ ಏಕಾದಶಿಯಿಂದ ಈ ಹಾಲು-ಹಣ್ಣುಗಳನ್ನು ಸೇವಿಸಲು ಪ್ರಾರಂಭ ಮಾಡಿದರು. 

Your Name Is On The Tree

The village school teacher had come to the bank to withdraw some money from his personal account. I had recently taken charge of that branch. After his work was done, he came to the Manager's room (a room was made into a manager's cabin in the village building housing the bank branch) to discuss about a "Gramsabha" (village meeting) to be held for identifying some beneficiaries for the loan schemes sponsored by the government. Among the few educated people in the nearby villages (this was some thirty years ago), he was respected by the villagers and helpful in conducting such meetings in an orderly manner. Gramsabha can be a tricky affair due to various political affiliations and local politics. Persons commanding the respect of all villagers can be very handy in managing such meetings. This teacher was one of such personalities.

A farmer was waiting outside the room to meet me. He had apparently walked some distance in the hot sun in the summer month. As the talk with the teacher would take sometime, I called him to the room to attend to him. He reluctantly came in as the teacher was sitting in front of me. He was carrying four tender coconuts in his hands and placed them near the door. He stood before us and did not sit on the chair despite being asked to do so. I told him that I would not talk to him unless he was seated. He sat on the chair only after the teacher also urged him to sit. He wanted to grow some Tomato in his land and wanted a crop loan. I told him that I would visit his village the next morning and see his land and attend to his request. He thanked me and the teacher and left the room. As he was leaving, I reminded him to take the tender coconuts he had kept near the door which he had forgotten while going out.

The teacher started laughing and told me that I was punishing the poor fellow. i did not understand what was the import of his statement. "He has carried the tender coconuts in the hot son this far to give it to you. You are asking him to take it back all the way in the hot sun again. Do not trouble him by asking him to take them back. Please accept them. This is the way villagers show respect to people like you", he said. I took out a ten rupee note from my purse, handed it to him and asked him to have tea in the roadside tea shop. He looked at the teacher and after he nodded his head, took the note hesitantly and went away, leaving the coconuts at the door.

*****

There are regular visits of many officials to villages for various reasons. Villagers who grow fruits and vegetables in their lands believe in sharing some of it with visiting officials. Seasonality decides the availability of such fruits and vegetables. As the officials attend to their work, someone in the village takes the lead and collects such items. The bag is kept in the visitor's vehicle by the time the work is done and the visitor is ready to leave the village. This is a courtesy extended by the villagers and is accepted as well. It is neither demanded nor refused when offered. That is the way life goes on in the villages. At least, that was how it was in those days. 

*****

The bus was overcrowded when it pulled to a stop at the roadside shelter of the village, on the hot Saturday afternoon. I somehow got inside the bus and was wondering how the journey would be for the next hundred kilo meters. The bus conductor always has a seat near the back entrance of the bus. Conductors are unable to sit there when the bus is full and they keep moving inside the bus selling tickets and collecting money. But he always has the right of sitting there and can ask anyone sitting there to get up and vacate the seat. The conductor had got down at the stop and he asked the person sitting in his seat to vacate the same and asked me to sit there. This was a big relief and I accepted it without a question. 

A villager entered the bus behind me carrying a big bag and asked me to make place below the seat to keep the bag. I told him to keep it elsewhere as sitting on the seat with the bag below the seat was inconvenient on the long journey. The conductor intervened politely and told me to make way for the bag. As the seat itself was given to me by his courtesy, I complied without murmur now. The journey continued on the hot day, but sitting near the window reduced the discomfort to some extent. But the bag below the seat had left very little space for the feet to move. The bus finally reached the city bus stand. I was the last to get down. As I got down from from the bus, the conductor asked me to wait and said he would get an autorikshaw for me. I told him not to worry. He insisted on hailing an auto, got one and asked a villager to put the bag that was kept below my feet in the bus in my auto. I looked at him in surprise.

"Sir, this bag is given by Manjunath to be sent with you. He has kept some fruits for you in the bag. I have been told to handle this. Please take this as otherwise Manjunath will scold me", he said. I thanked him and proceeded home with the bag in the auto.

The bag contained an assorted variety of mango fruits. They were indeed very tasty. Manjunath had probably chosen the best of fruits available in his garden. The "Malgova" variety fruits were especially tasty and the best we ever had.

*****

Manjunath was a young progressive farmer who also worked as a Lecturer in the nearby town college. He came to the bank in the next few days for some work. "What did you do Manjunath?", I asked. "Sir, I had to arrange with the bus conductor this way or else you would have refused to take the bag", he said. I thanked him for the sweet fruits. "I will be in this village at the most for one more year. But your Malgova mangos have captivated my taste buds. Please give me some fruits from your garden every year, wherever I am. I will pay for it for sure", I said.

"Sir, this is a special tree in my grove. I do not sell the fruits of this tree. It is reserved for my family and friends like you. From now on, Your name is on the tree. The fruits belong to you. They will always be yours. That will be my pleasure", he said.

*****

I have never been able to go that village again and see that tree. But sweeter than the mangos were the words of that farmer. Those words bring sweetness whenever they are remembered. There is no seasonality for that. It was one of the pleasures derived while serving in rural areas.

A Leaf, a Flower, a Fruit and a drop of Water

Many verses from Bhagavadgita are often quoted. In this often quoted verse from Chapter 9, the Lord says:

Patram Pushpam Phalam Toyam, yo me Bhaktya prayachhati,
tad aham bhakty-upahrtam asnämi prayatätmanah.

The meaning of this verse is thought to be very simple; as simple as the verse itself is. The Lord says: "Whoever offers me a Leaf, a Flower, a Fruit and a drop of Water, with great devotion, I accept it with all the dignity it deserves". Then things are very simple. Find a leaf that is available everywhere, at least now.Till the destruction of trees and vegetation reaches the next level.  And similarly a flower or fruit. A drop of water as well though it is becoming increasingly difficult to find drops of pure and unadulterated water. And after finding them offer it to the Lord.  Lord has given us an excellent option. He has suggested any of these; not all of them! Well, let us offer all the four of them as they are available easily and quite inexpensive too. Like the student who answered all the ten questions in the question paper and asked the examiner to value any five of them, as he was required to answer only five of them. The Lord should have no complaints too; he can choose any one of them and accept it. And in return give us the deserved recognition. When we donate (!) a tube light or a fan to the temple, we get our names painted on them so that the Lord does not get confused as to which devotee made the offering. Then what about the offerings that Lord himself mentions so prominently in his own words in Bhagavadgita?

Did he also mention about Karma without aspiring for its fruits? Should these offerings be done without expecting any returns? Is it not opposed to principles of natural justice? Work without remuneration? There was a very logical and systematic argument in an article opposing "Nishkama Karma". There was a lengthy justification for banning Bhagavadgita because it was anti-worker and pro-capitalist. To be compensated for the work done is a fundamental right of any worker. To preach to work without remuneration is total exploitation. There should not just be remuneration, but there should be adequate and reasonable returns or compensation. With bonus thrown in as a deferred wage. A very erudite interpretation which ought to be accepted in totality.

But the problem actually lies elsewhere. When you are dealing with the Lord, it is not work for remuneration. When a mother attends to the child, it is not work for her; it is an act of pure love! She does it even if the child does not want it. She considers it as a goal of her life.  When she does it, she does not expect any thing in return. For her, the act itself is the ultimate reward. As Moslow's "Need Hierarchy Theory" says. Work itself is the ultimate reward. Nothing more is required. So also when the Lord and devotee are concerned. A Lord who does not  need or want anything. A devotee who desires to offer everything he has.

Those who want remuneration for the work done need not worry at all. It is nature's rule that the wages of sin or saintly act are automatically disbursed and in just proportions. The fruit of work done will never go waste; it will chase you and fall in your lap even if you do not want it! The Lord only said; "Do Karma without aspiring for its fruits". He never said that there are no fruits for any Karma. He will give the resultant fruit even if the Karmi does not want it. There is no escape from the fruits of Karma, whether good or bad.

But what leaf, flower, fruit or drop of water did the lord mean when he said "Patram Pushapam Phalam toyam...."? Is it only an ordinary leaf or fruit or flower or water drop? Or was there any deeper meaning to it? It appears so as many scholars opine. As the Lord himself says in the same Bhagavadgita, there is reference to some leaves of a tree therein.  "Oordhwa moolam Adhah shaakha, Ashwatham praturavyavam, Chandamsi yasya Parnaani, Yastam veda sa vedavit". The Lord refers to a big Ashwatha tree with roots upwards and branches spread out at the bottom. The verses of the Vedas are its leaves.  These are the leaves the Lord is referring to. Someone capable of learning and reciting these verses ought to do it and those are the leaves the Lord accepts. Not any ordinary leaf from an ordinary tree.

What are the flowers the Lord mentions here? "Ahimsa pratham pushpam, Pushpam indriya nigraha, Sarvabhoota daya pushpam, Kshama pushpam visheshataha, Gnana pushpam Tapah pushpam Dhyana pushpam thataivacha, Satyam ashtavidham pushpam Vishnoh preetikaram bhavet". The Lord is referring to eight flowers: Non-violence, control of senses, compassion to all living beings, tolerance or patience, knowledge, austerity, contemplative meditation and truth. These are the eight flowers that the Lord refers to and not any other flower from a bush or tree.

What is the fruit that is to be offered to the Lord? He has advised to do one's deeds without desiring the fruits of those deeds. But the fruits do chase the doer; the deeds never lapse without yielding fruits. This fruit, "The Karma Phala" is the fruit the Lord mentions to be offered with all love and devotion.

That brings us to the "Drop of Water". A righteous soul travels the length of his or her life (his or her refers to the body probably, for soul is neither he nor she) doing this "Nishkama Karma". And as the end approaches, the fearless soul is ready to welcome the death of the mortal body with open hands. The tears of love towards the Lord and the final drop of water from the eye, not in sorrow but in joyful  acknowledgement of the love showered by the Lord all along one's life is the water drop the Lord mentions.

These are the leaves, flowers, fruit and drop of water the Lord probably means. But what about those who are unable to meet all these in their lives when the demands of daily life and the struggles to just live through are hard enough?  One can fondly ask, as John Milton says, "Doth God expect day labor light denied?" Everyone may not be capable of these deeds. The Lord believes is equity; equal treatment of equals. A person capable of donating 1000 Rupees for a good cause should not give 100 Rupees. That would be miserly behaviour. A person capable of  donating 100 Rupees should not donate 1000 rupees by borrowing the difference. That would be self-destruction. Each one to his capacity.  Nothing more or nothing less. The operative word in the verse is "...Yo me Bhaktya.....".  What is difficult is to find the required level of Bhakti to accompany the offerings. The Lord is interested in the envelope, not the contents! Again, as John Milton says, "They also serve who only stand and wait".

A mother treats her children equally. She gives 4 Rotis to a 18-year old son. 3 Rotis to a 12-year old. Only one Roti to a five year old. Did she discriminate among them? Each one as per his need. That is the essence of equality. So also in the case of flower, leaf or fruit. Nishkama Karma is of equal value even if offered in different quantities or dimensions by different people. He knows. He measures. He dispenses. That is the ultimate faith! 

This is a GOLDen Girl

Most of the news items nowadays relate to Film Stars, Politicians or Sports persons.  Achievements of anyone with a humble background is lost in the maze of the Paparazzi and media blitz.

There is a very old story which everyone has heard.   Some credit it to Akbar and Birbal.  Some to Krishnadevaraya and Tenali Rama.  Some others to another King and his Minister.   It does not really matter.  There is no harm in recollecting the story before I actually dwell on today's subject.

A King and his Minister were touring in the villages of their state, in disguise to find out the state of affairs and how their subjects were perceiving the administration.   They stumbled upon a very old man carrying water in a pot from a distant well to saplings in freshly planted pits.   King and the Minister watched him for some time from a distance.  The old man  was weak and tired but continued to bring water from the well and water the saplings.   The King felt like teasing the old man.  He moved his horse closer to the old man and the Minister followed him.  Sitting on his horse, the King spoke to the old man.

"You have planted these saplings just now.   You are bringing water from the far away well to water them.  You are already very old.  Do you really believe that you will live to eat fruits from these trees?"

The old man looked up and smiled.  "I am old but not a fool.  I know very well that I will never be alive till these saplings grow and yield fruits.   Look at the big trees laden with fruits there.  My ancestors planted them and I enjoyed the fruits from those trees.  I have planted these saplings.  Someone in future, may be grandson or great grandson will enjoy those fruits.   My work is for posterity and not for me".

The king was pleased by the wise words of the old man.  He looked at the Minister.  The Minister always carried small bags of gold coins.  He understood the King's mind and extended a bag of gold coins.   The King handed over the bag of coins to the old man.   The old man took the bag, saw the contents and looked up at the King with a mischievous smile.

"I am a very lucky old man.  These saplings have yielded fruits as soon as I have planted them!  And that too not ordinary fruits, but golden fruits!!", he said.

The King was mightily pleased and again looked at the Minister.  One more gold coin bag was passed on to the old man through the King.

"Oh my Lord, look at my good fortune.   All these saplings will yield fruits only once a year.  But these saplings have yielded golden fruits twice already!", the old man said.

The King looked at the Minister again, even more pleased with the old man.  The minister handed over a third bag of coins which the King passed on to the old man.  Before the old man could speak again, the Minister said:  "This man is not just old; he is also very wise.  He is witty and will exhaust all our coin bags if we stay here for some more time.  He has been amply rewarded.  It is better we are on our way".

The King smiled, patted the old man on his back and moved ahead with the Minister behind him.

This was just one of the hundreds of stories I have heard and told over the years.   But its real import was brought home by a news item today.  Zeeba Bhuktiyar is the daughter of Basheer Ahamed, an agricultural labourer and marginal farmer from the small village of Gullanpet near Charmadi Ghat in Chickmagalur District, Karnataka.  She studied at a High School in the small town of Aldur and secured 88% marks in SSLC (10th Standard).  She went to Alva's college in Moodubidare for her Pre-University course and secured 70% marks.  Motivated by the hard work of her father in the agricultural fields, she took up Horticulture as her subject for further study.   She went to the Moodubidare Agricultural College for the Degree course.   The rest, as they say, is history.

Horticulture University, Bagalkot was established by a Special Ordinance of Government of Karnataka in November 2008.  The first batch of degree holders received the degrees on 26th December 2011 in the first ever Convocation of the University.  Zeeba had secured 89.60% in her degree examinations and passed with distinction.  28 Gold Medals were awarded at the convocation.  Zeeba got 15 Gold Medals and only the remaining 13 were left for the other students.  Her photograph with 15 Gold Medals around her neck is one of the finest photographs I have ever seen. 

The wise old man's saplings yielded repeated gold coin bags.   Zeeba has reaped a big bunch of Gold Medals as a reward for her and her family's hard work.