Please Wait For Your Turn....

 

The mighty milky ocean was churned for a long time. Devas and Asuras joined together in this task, despite their irreconcilable differences, with the only hope of getting the "Amruta" the Nectar, consuming which would make them immortal. There were many problems and difficulties on the way, but ultimately Lord Dhanwantari emerged with the pot of Nectar. One of the Asuras stole the pot and ran away with the intention of denying the Devas of their share. Lord Mahavishnu appeared as Mohini. Just by looking at her, the one who ran away with the pot dutifully handed it over to her and everyone requested her to equitably distribute Nectar to all.

Mohini made all the Devas and Asuras sit in separate lines and distributed the Nectar. Mesmerised by her beauty, the Asuras did not even complain when distribution started on the other line. Ultimately they were denied any share of Nectar. The present day practice of our political leaders distributing the benefits of government schemes to their party-men only, has its origin here and we should not unnecessarily blame them. Asuras fought with Devas but lost the war since the Devas had now become immortal due to the effect of the Amruta consumed by them. Many Asuras were killed and they had to ultimately run away to the lower worlds. 

The Asuras did not have the Nectar, but their Guru Shukracharya had the power of "Mrutasanjeevani" with him. He restored all his disciples to the original forms. Devas came to know of this. Now they wanted to divest Shukracharya the power of this Mrutasanjeevani. Kacha, son of Devaguru Bruhaspati was deputed to the hermit of Shukracharya for this secret mission. Kacha served Shukracharya for a long time but Shukracharya did not part with the secret as he was aware of the dangers of kacha's mission. Asuras came to know of the efforts of Kacha. When Kacha went to the forest on some errands, they cut him to pieces and fed the parts of his body to wild foxes so that he will not be alive and succeed in his mission. 

Devyani, daughter of Shukracharya was fond of Kacha. She cried with her father when kacha did not return from the forest in the evening. In order to pacify her, Shukracharya used the Mrutasanjeevani process to bring back Kacha to life. The parts of Kacha's body tore open the stomach of the foxes, assembled together and came back as kacha. Such was the power Mrutasanjeevani had!

The Asuras were unhappy that Kacha has come back to life. They wanted to create a situation where Kacha would never come back to life. This time they cut Kacha into pieces, burned the pieces, mixed the resultant ashes in wine and served the same to Shukracharya himself. When Devyani again cried with her father, he said nothing can be done. But Devyani was not one to give up and she insisted that her father can somehow find a method to resolve the issue. Unable to deny his daughter, Shukracharya used the powers of Mrutasanjeevani to bring back kacha to life inside his stomach. Once he became alive, Shukracharya taught him the knowledge of Mrutasanjeevani while in his stomach. Kacha burst out of Shukracharya's stomach but Shukracharya was now dead. Kacha used the knowledge of Mrutasanjeevani to restore Shukracharya to life. Once his mission was completed, Kacha went back to the upper worlds.

*****

Banking practices were much different forty or fifty years ago. There were no computers and all records were maintained manually. Physical control of records and securities at the branch was very important. Branch Manager was the most important person and held many such records and assets in his custody. When a Branch Manager was transferred and a new person posted in his place, there was a need to physically hand over certain records and assets, including the pledged securities held in the branch safes and pledged godowns of loan customers. In order to facilitate this process, there was a procedure of handing over charge of the branch by the existing Manager and taking over of charge by the new person. Depending on the size of branch and business levels, a period of one or two weeks were allowed for this process. The incoming Manager was provided temporary accommodation in a hotel, he would report at the designated branch and start the process and proceed systematically taking custody of the records and assets. On the final day, a charge taking over report was prepared and signed by both the persons and the process would be complete. The earlier Manager would proceed to his next branch to set the same process in motion there.

During this one or two weeks period, known as Charge Taking Period, the earlier Branch Manager would continue to sit in the Manager's chair in the cabin. The incoming Manager would sit in one of the chairs opposite to him (usually meant for customers). All actions of a BM were done by the outgoing Manager till the day charge taking was complete. The process was usually smooth and the new Manager occupied the Manager's chair only after the previous incumbent handed over charge and left. The principle followed was that there is only one BM in any branch on any given day.

With the advent of computerisation and change in the method of managing things, this process is no longer followed. Time spent on charging making over and taking over and the expenditure thereon is now considered a waste. In today's banking, things manage themselves and nobody really has any control over the affairs of a branch! The illusion that things are under control make everyone happy and the world goes on...

*****

The vaccination against Covid pandemic had just started in the first week of April. Front line workers like Doctors, Nurses and other medical staff were vaccinated in the previous two months. When the vaccination opened up for the general public, persons with age of over 60 years were allowed first to get vaccinated. All these were senior citizen and the anxiety and initial teething problems in managing such a huge effort was telling on them. The large crowds at the hospitals, the process of producing and checking documents, the struggle of the dealing staff in handling the process, slowness of the computer systems in bearing the burden, handling vaccination while attending to other regular patients, all contributed to the delays. A person seeking vaccination had to stand in many Queue; starting with registration at hospital, verification of documents, checking of temperature, BP and Pulse rates, final registration and checks, vaccination proper, observation hall and so on. It was a testing time for all concerned with the added problems of masking and social distancing. 

As it happens in such situations, a new vaccination candidate landed at one such spots. There were many queues around the place and there was total confusion. The elderly gentleman (all were elderly there; the difference was only elderly, very elderly and very very elderly) stood in a queue but after sometime wanted to find out whether he was really in the right queue. He moved out of the queue and went up to the person handling the computer on the other side to make his inquiry. Others who were impatiently waiting for their turn pounced on this gentleman, in not a gentle way. "Please wait for your turn Mister! Don't jump the queue. We are waiting here since a long time", one of them shouted. Some others supported him. One or two supported the gentleman attempting to make the enquiry. Tempers ran high till a smiling hospital supervisor intervened and restored sanity.

Jumping the queue is not tolerated. One has to wait for his turn, even if otherwise eligible tor attention or the place. The rights of those ahead of you are to be respected.

*****

Guru Shukracharya was not happy with the turn of events and the defeat of his disciples. He took the Asura King Mahabali under his wings and made him perform a series of Yagnas (holy rituals) that would bestow on him the eligibility to become the Lord of all the worlds and occupy the seat of Indra, the Captain of the Devas. King Bali was the grandson of Prahlada and son of Virochana. He dutifully followed all the instructions of Guru Shukracharya. Guru Shukracharya gave him additional powers using his own special efforts. 

Armed with his new found eligibility and special powers, King Bali went to the upper worlds to challenge Indra and takeover the seat of the Lord of the upper worlds. Indra looked to Guru Brihaspati helplessly. Guru Bruhaspati told him that the times are in favour of King Bali right now and he is invincible. There is no use in fighting him now and it is advisable to handover the throne and live in exile for sometime. Lord Mahavishnu will intervene later on and resolve the issues involved, Indra was advised. Indra dutifully followed the advise of his guru. Bali took over the reins now.

*****

I was working as an Officer in one of the branches of the bank in the late 70s. There was a Branch Manager, an Assistant Manager and other staff members. Somehow there was a misunderstanding between the Branch Manager and Assistant Manager. They were not talking to each other and roundabout communication was being used. A cold war was going on and I was the mute observer. The Assistant Manager was transferred to another branch after sometime, a new Assistant Manager joined and things were normal.

Days passed and after a year or so the former Assistant manager was promoted and now posted to our branch as Branch Manager. He was to come to his old branch and take charge from his former Manager. He was not in a mood to sit before the other person for a week and go on with charge taking. He arrived on a Monday morning much before the existing manager arrived and occupied the Branch Manager's cabin and seat. Existing manager arrived a few minutes later and found his cabin already occupied by the new BM. He did not want to sit opposite to a man who was much junior to him but now in the same rank. He came and occupied a chair opposite to me. The new BM told me that he is waiving the charge taking, assuming charge on "as it is where it is basis" and the old BM can be relieved anytime he wants. Anyway, he was well familiar of the affairs of the branch having worked there only a few moths earlier.

The charge taking was curtailed to one day and the awkward time thus passed when the former BM left the branch.

****

After King Bali occupied Indra's throne and the Devas were forced into exile, it was the turn of Aditi Devi to be unhappy. Her mighty children were now refugees elsewhere and were denied their rightful positions because of the usurper. She pleaded with her husband Sage Kashyapa to initiate some action and restore the status of her sons. Sage kashyapa advised her to embark on "Payovrata", to please Lord Mahavishnu. During the first half of the month of Phalguna, last month of the Lunar year, prayers were to be offered continuously and shunning all food items. Only a small quantity of milk offered to the Lord was to be consumed as prasada, to sustain oneself. Aditi did this dutifully and Lord Mahavishnu appeared before her.

When Aditi made her intentions known, the Lord informed her that he would certainly take steps to meet her request. He advised her that he would himself take birth as her son. Since Bali was in the ascendant now, it would not be possible to displace him with power. So, the Lord assured her that he will meet her request even by taking the form of a yaachaka (one who is asking for something - beggar would be a crude word for it) before King Bali. Thus was born Vamana, also known as Upendra (younger brother of Indra and hence Upendra). 

After his Upanayana (sacred thread ceremony), Vamana proceeded to the place where King Bali had embarked on another holy ritual (Yagna). All the persons gathered at the site of the ritual were astounded by the presence of the young Vamana. King Bali received Vamana with full respects and asked him what can he offer to the young Vatu. Vamana merely asked for three measures of land for carrying out his daily rituals; the three measures by his own small feet. King Bali was warned by Guru Shukracharya not to be fooled by little Vamana; this was no ordinary Yaachaka. King Bali said he would abide by his promise come what may. He advised the boy that he should ask proper things and not insult the King by asking for three feet of land. He would give him immense wealth as anyone who got something from King Bali would not be required to ask anyone for anything for the rest of his life. On the other hand, he would himself be able to donate to others!

Vaman stuck to his request and said he did not want anything more than three feet of land. Bali reluctantly gave away the land following the prescribed procedure. The moment the transfer of land was done, Vamana (dwarf) started growing and attained the form of Trivikrama, the Giant. All the upper worlds were measured in one step and all the lower worlds in the second step. Now King Bali did not have anything else to give! When asked for the third step of land, King Bali offered the top of his head. Vamana put his foot on King Bali's head and pushed him to the Sutala Loka, one of the lower worlds. Lord Indra was back at the helm of affairs at his usual position. Normalcy was restored.

Prahlada came running and thanked the Lord for the kindness bestowed on his grandson. Where is the kindness, someone may ask. Lord Mahavishnu took one form form of Narasimha for the sake of Prahlada. But for the grandson Bali, he assumed two forms; Vamana and Trivikrama. King Bali's wife Vindhyavali requested the Lord to forgive her husband. What was the offense? King Bali said he would give something. That was the big mistake. How can he give something to Lord Mahavishnu, who is the owner of everything? Ishavasyam Idam Sarvam. Everything belongs to the Lord and others are only trustees of the concerned assets for the time being. The mere thought that i can give something to the Lord who owns everything is itself a serious lapse. You cannot donate something to its owner!

Vamana smiled and assured Vindhyavali that not only King Bali was excused, he is also conferred orders to be Lord Indra in the next Manvantara. Lord Mahavishnu will himself stand as a guard at the royal gate of King Bali's palace in the Sutala Loka, in recognition of the noble qualities of Bali.

*****

There are many interpretations that Lord Mahavishnu did injustice to King Bali. In the SrimadBhagavata, King Pareekshit asks the same question. Why innocent Bali was punished? The answer lies in the two lessons the episode of Bali and Vamana teach us. Mere eligibility does not entitle someone to usurp the seat of another and one should not jump the queue. One should wait for his turn patiently. A competent authority should issue an order for occupying any position. Secondly, everything belongs to the Lord. We are only trustees of a tiny part of his treasure that is entrusted to us from time to time. The arrogance that "I give something" is not acceptable.

How can it be said that King Bali jumped the Queue? What is the measure of time? 

The answer is here:

When measured by the length of our one year, the Yuga Cycle is as follows:

Kruta Yuga:       17,28,000  years

Treta Yuga;        12,96,000 years

Dwapara Yuga:    8,64,000 years

Kali Yuga:             4,32,000 years

(We are in 28th Kali Yuga, First Quarter - Prathama Paada))

One Maha Yuga: 43,20,000 years (one cycle of the above). 

A cycle of 71 Mahayugas (30,67,20,000 years in our measurement) is the span of one Manvantara. So far, in the present cycle, six Manvantara have lapsed; Swayambhuva, Swarochisha, Uttama, Taapasa, Raivata and Chakshusha. 

Present Indra has his reign in the seventh, Vaivasvata Manvantara. 

King Bali will get his chance in the next Manvantara, the eighth - Saavarni Manvantara.

It is also humbling to note that 14 Manvantara is one day for Chaturmukha Brahma. This is one Kalpa. Present Kalpa is Swetavaraha Kalpa. Another 14 Manvantara is one night for him. 28 Manvantara is one full day for him. His span is 100 years measured by such days! Present Chaturmukha Brahma is in his 51st Year. (Dwiteeya Parardha)

*****

When someone like King Bali has to wait his turn and should not jump the Queue, what about about us, who are insignificant in this vast measurement of time? 

We should learn to be patient and wait for our turns!

When "Six Eyes" Failed Together

 

The young Probationary Officer (PO) had just started working in the bank, after successful completion of his long training program. He was finally out of a rigorous training schedule and felt relieved that he is no longer dependent on others for his life's needs. He was now secure in his job and the monthly pay packet will take care of his financial requirements. Time had finally come to enjoy the pleasures of life, he thought. The first salary received was only for part of a month as he joined the branch on first posting in the middle of the month. The second salary was better as it was for a full month. A regular monthly credit in his account now onwards will be a routine thing. There will be increments awarded every year. There would be some salary increase once in five or six years as well. If he is able to secure a promotion, the emoluments will go up further. The very thought of these coming events was indeed thrilling.

The Branch Manager called him to his cabin in the morning and told him to check the records of a transaction put through in a customer's account a week ago. The customer had complained that he had requested for a transfer of 2,000 Rupees to an account in another bank, but his account was debited with 200,000 Rupees. He wanted immediate return of the difference wrongly debited to his account. When the application for transfer was called for verification, it was found that it was indeed a request for transfer of 2,000 Rupees. Customers have the practice of writing the amounts in cheques and applications in different manners. Some write the amount of Two Thousand Rupees as 2,000/-. Some others just write 2,000. This customer had written it as 2000.00. The last two zeros were actually meant to be paise. But the dot placed between the rupee amount and the paise was very pale and almost invisible. This was more so when viewed during the rush hours at the bank. The transaction was put through at 200,000 Rupees and hence the dispute. The amount written in the application in words clearly said it was Two Thousand Rupees only. The dot placed between the rupee and paise in figures was there when viewed carefully. The customer was right and he had to be compensated. 

Banks use a system called Maker-Checker concept in all transactions. In fact, this is extended to all other aspects of bank's working. Any action is initiated by an authorised person and completed by verification and approval by another authorised person. The one initiating the transaction is the "Maker". The one verifying and approving finally is the "Checker". The transaction is complete and recorded in the bank's computer systems only when it is approved and authorised by the Checker. It has no value in the intermediate period; after the maker's input but before authorisation by the checker. The checker can return the transaction to the maker if he is not satisfied with the action or if there is some inaccuracy. The final authority and responsibility for the transaction rests with the checker. 

In any organisation, most of the work is carried out by persons at different levels based on the basic confidence reposed in their subordinates. Each person knows whether the subordinate is diligent and can be depended upon. This is more so in respect of routine matters and small transactions at banks. A 200,000 rupee transaction is a small transaction in most of the big branches whereas it is a big transaction in a rural branch. A bunch of transactions are scrutinised and authorised by a functionary in quick time during rush hours. Probably this was one such case. Experienced bankers have seen many such events in their career. Excess payments in cash also happen sometimes. Good customers promptly return the excess money. Some do not return or become untraceable thereafter for various reasons. Tough situations indeed, but most of the time bankers manage to wriggle out of them by prompt action and some good luck to supplement.

The next logical action in the instant case now was to contact the bank branch at the receiving end and seek refund of the excess amount remitted. It turned out to be that the receiver's account had never seen such a large sum of money in its life time. The customer had withdrawn the entire amount on the very day of receipt of remittance. The bank reported that the customer was now not traceable and there were no hopes of recovering the excess amount paid. The remitting bank took the help of its own branch in the receiving station and all efforts were futile. An amount of Rs. 1,98,000 was lost by the bank.

The process of disciplinary proceedings was set in motion as per the rules and practices of the bank. Disciplinary Authority found that the young officer was negligent in his work and was responsible for the loss. The amount was ordered to be recovered from him with an interest rate equal to the cost of funds for the bank. The order stated that the amount may be recovered in 60 instalments, with interest. 

The young officer was now in deep trouble. He forgot the dates of annual increments. His chances of quick promotion had also evaporated as he was found negligent in the initial days of his work and caused loss to the bank. He was now not even thinking of wage revision. Forget increase in emoluments, he was drawing less than all his batchmates by some 4,000 rupees every month. A small error had resulted in a big setback to his career itself.

*****

A set of remittances aggregating to US Dollars 900 million was made by Citi Bank, New York to a group of lenders to Revlon, the well-known cosmetic company in august 2020, about four months ago. The receiving lenders were very happy to find the funds in their accounts. It was later found that there was an error in making the payments. The amount of 900 million USD paid (about Rs. 6,750 crores) should have actually been only 7.8 million USD (Rs. 58 crores, as per the prevailing exchange rates)! The excess payment was to the tune of 116 times. One can imagine the turmoil in the bank when this issue exploded. 

It is said that Citi Bank uses a system known as "Six Eyes" for such transactions, where the transactions are handled by three persons instead of the usual two in most transactions. The error escaped all the six eyes and resulted in a massive excess payment of USD 892.2 million or Rs. 6,692 crores. The payment process was outsourced by Citi Bank to an Indian IT major company. The first two levels were handled by employees of the outsourcing company and the third level was by a Citi Bank official. The error escaped all the three levels and thus resulted in the situation.

When the details were investigated, it was found that the remittance amounts were for the total of principal and interest due instead of only interest due for which payment was to be made. There was an error in ticking the boxes in the system while making payments. In simple language, instead of ticking box for payment of interest only, box for payment of principle and interest was ticked. Though the recipient banks were actually eligible for the amounts they received, the principle amounts were not current dues. From the details available, some of the recipients returned the excess funds while some others did not do so. The refused amount was to the tune of 500 million USD or Rs. 3,750 crores.

Citi Bank filed a case in the District Court at Manhattan for return of the 500 million USD from the recipients who refused to return the money. The judgement has now been received and the court has held that the recipients of the funds are entitled to keep the funds as they are their exact dues. Many complex issues of law are involved in the case and arguments can be made either way. But the judgement has been given against the remitting bank. Citi Bank is naturally not satisfied with the judgement and planning to appeal against the judgement in the superior court. Fingers are crossed.

*****

The last has not yet been heard in the Citi Bank remittance case. There are many dimensions to the issue and some of them are:

• Though excess remittance have been made, the amounts involved are actually due to the recipients.
• It is a case of early payments of loan as interpreted by the recipients refusing to return surplus funds.
• Complex issues of lending and recovery of the original acquisition of another company, Elizabeth Arden, by Revlon are involved. There is also an issue of collaterals in the form of Intellectual Property rights.
• There are many other contractual rights and duties of the various parties involved and there can be many solutions to the case, though they may not be acceptable to all concerned parties.
• It is premature to discuss various other aspects of the case as the last word has not yet been recorded on it.

What are the lessons for young bankers in our surroundings from these cases? They could be:

• As one of the the advertisements says, "Jaldi Karo, Jaldbazi Nahin". Do not delay customer service issues but no short cuts to be employed.
• Basic confidence in subordinates is required, but one cannot escape the fundamental responsibility of his level.
• Additional diligence is required when the lower level official (the maker) is either new to the job or passing through stress in his personal or official life.
• One should be more careful during peak work days and days following long holidays.
• There are many happenings around us in the work environment that disturb our attention. But concentrate on the tasks on hand.
• Use extra caution during rush hours and when there is undue pressure to clear a transaction or issue.
• Develop the habit of reaching work place a little early as late going puts extra pressure in work situations.
• Pressure to dispose of transactions or issues may be genuine or otherwise. One should learn to distinguish between the two.
• Extra care to be taken while handling abnormal and large value transactions. Experience teaches how to handle such situations.
• Have a trustworthy Mentor to approach when the needs arise.
• Update skills and knowledge regularly. An outdated knowledge level and deficiency in skills makes a banker a lame duck.
• Changes made in the computer software and systems are to be taken note of without fail.
• Laziness and lethargy never pays. Hard work and diligence do protect us, especially in difficult times
• One cannot be afraid of every situation. We cannot runaway from the battle field. 

It is not necessary that one should agree with all the above points.  

There may be many other learning points as well. Young bankers can add their own points. 

He Did Not Have Teeth

 

The King was a very worried man. He had just returned from a cabinet meeting after reviewing the status of finance in his Treasury. The statements submitted by the finance minister showed that the expenditure was increasing by leaps and bounds but the income was dwindling. Despite a half day discussion, they could not find even one item of expenditure that could be deleted or deferred. On the other hand, there were requests for additional funds by almost all the departments. Each department head put forth very convincing arguments as to how cuts in grants would impact the administration and people's welfare. Even after all brain storming and minute analysis, not one additional source of income could be found. Above all, the inflows into the Treasury were getting lower and lower each year. The King was recapitulating in his own mind, the discussion on the income side of the financial statements.

"Why are the inflows from taxes lower this year?"
"There was drought in some areas of the state this year, Sir"
"There was drought in some other areas of the state last year as well"
"Taxes were reduced on some items this year Sir"
"Last year taxes were reduced on some other items. These were assessed before reduction"
"Some additional expenses were incurred on war on the eastern border Sir"
"I am asking about income. Not expenditure. Can someone explain why inflows have dwindled?"

There was no satisfactory answer. The problem could lie elsewhere. The bureaucrats and ministers were not able to grapple with the situation. The King sent for the Royal Consultant. The Consultant was a wise man and had solved many problems earlier, though his fee was quite heavy. King thought of one more item of expenditure; consultant's fee. But that could not be avoided.

The Consultant came, heard the King and smiled. He said he could answer the question in words, but he would like to demonstrate the answer to the problem in the royal court on the next day. The King agreed.

The royal court was in session on the next morning. The King was seated in his place as were the other courtiers. The consultant was sitting near the King. The King asked for the demonstration. The consultant got up and signalled a servant who was stationed at the other end of the royal court. The servant had brought a big ball of butter. He handed over the ball of butter to the person nearest to him and asked the same to be passed on to the next person and so on until it reached the King. Finally the ball of butter reached the King. The King received it and looked at the consultant. The consultant now spoke thus:

"Your Majesty, you have seen the ball of the butter when my servant produced it at the other end of the court. It was of the size of a football. Please see the ball of butter in your hand. It has now reached the size of a cricket ball. Please observe what all the courtiers are doing. They are licking their palms and fingers. As the butter passed each hand, a part of it got stuck in each hand. Same thing is happening to your revenues. Revenue collected from the tax payers is the size of football. But there is some pilferage at each level when it is handled. By the time it reaches the Royal Treasury it is much less than the collections. This shows that corruption has increased tremendously. Your inflows into the treasury can increase only if the pilferage is checked".

It was indeed a very good demonstration and the reason for dwindling revenues was explained perfectly. But the King was not in a position to enjoy the demonstration. He asked the consultant after the day's session as to how this problem could be solved. The consultant suggested that some employees who are highly corrupt should be identified and dealt with firmly to teach a lesson to others. One such tax collector was identified and the King put him in the royal horse stables without giving him any work. The idea was to isolate him from fertile revenue portfolio and remove the very possibility of corruption. But the employee was kept under observation as advised by the consultant.

On the first day of the new assignment, the employee made a full round of the stables and familiarised himself about the working systems there. On the second day he went to the stables with a weighing scale and a ledger. He went to each horse, weighed the horse dung and noted their weight in the ledger. All the stable employees were amused by his strange behaviour, but he continued with his work without any hesitation. After three days, the supervisor of the stable came to him and enquired why he was dirtying his hands by weighing the horse dung. "The King has come to know that there is misuse of the fodder and horse feed in the stables. He has asked me to check the same. I am weighing the output in the form of horse dung. Through that I will calculate the quantity of feed you are giving to each horse. When the aggregate is compared with the amount of feed purchased for the stables, the amount of pilferage will be known". The supervisor told the tax collector to protect him and other employees and in consideration the tax collector would get his cut without doing anything at all. The tax collector now earned much more than his earlier assignment. The modus operandi reached the King.

The King removed the tax collector from the stables assignment. He was told to go to the river banks everyday, just sit till evening without any work and go home at sunset. No work was allotted to him. The tax collector went to the riverside on the first day and observed the scenery. On the second day he went with a ledger, sat below the tree and started making some entries in the ledger. After a few days the boats supervisor came to him and asked what he was doing. "The King has asked me to find out how many boats are there, how many trips are done each day and how much money is collected from the passengers when they cross the river. He has a doubt that you are cheating the treasury by under declaring the earnings and paying lower taxes. You will be caught now and punished". The supervisor was startled, had a deal with the tax collector and the employee started earning his cut thereafter. This episode also reached the King.

The King again called the consultant and narrated his predicament. The consultant's face lit up. He told the King not to worry. "My dear King, now you have the perfect candidate for heading your "Anti-corruption Task Force". Designate him as the head of the team as he knows how corruption is possible in every assignment. He will bring things under control. But do not pay him any salary. He can be paid a percentage of the corruption money identified. Then he will work sincerely". The King agreed with the bright idea. So was it done.

The King died shortly thereafter and the Consultant left the job. We do not know what happened after that. 

*****

Even in todays world, in many societies including ours, the position is not different on the expenditure side as well. A former Prime Minister of our country famously conceded that only 15 paise (15 per cent) of each rupee spent by the government on welfare activities reaches the poor. This statement found an echo in one of the landmark judgements of the Supreme Court of the country. Funds meant for developmental spending as well as welfare activities are swallowed all the way by sharks in the administration and their political patrons. Corruption has been institutionalised and its systems are much stronger than the administration systems and their supervisory machinery. 

One of the Chief Ministers in a state ran a very corrupt regime. Everyone including the incumbent agreed with this assessment and nonchalantly blamed the system for the same. To everyone's surprise he and his party got reelected after the first tenure. How was this possible? An analyst summed up the situation very well. The good thing about the reelected regime was that people were able to get their job done quickly once the required extra was given. It was different from the systems where one pays but does not get the job done as well. Further, everyone knew whom to approach, how much to give and how to give. There was also no discrimination. The unauthorised charges were also the same for all. The system was so equitable (!) that everybody was at ease and peace with the happenings. Why disturb the equilibrium and sow the seeds of uncertainties? Better to re-elect the regime and be comfortable! 

Some of the news headlines we came across in the last few months are like this:

• Two Crore false MANREGA cards were identified. These fake card holders were very active and worked regularly for claiming the wages due to them. 
• Some of the beneficiaries of this scheme were citizen of a neighbouring country.
• Six Lac fake midday meals claims were routinely made.
• 20,000 fake NGOs collected donations for their social work!
• 80,000 fake teachers were paid salaries regularly. One lady teacher was getting salaries from three schools in three different districts without visiting any of those schools.
• Five Crore fake ration card holders drew subsidised rations every month.
• 43,000 dead people were drawing pensions even after reaching the other world.
• 4,00,000 shell companies existed on record and aided wholesale money laundering.
• Many schools paid scholarships to students much more than their recorded strength. Even the school headmasters and the students that were paid did not know that they were receiving scholarships.

These are only specimen of wholesale pilferage of public funds on the expenditure side. The amounts siphoned off and laundered are running to several thousand crores in many cases. The records maintained in all these cases are more perfect than other genuine projects and they are regularly audited and examined as well. The stories of money diverted from bank loans is even more painful. A three digit loan scam is considered as a disgrace and laughed at as a incompetent job. These scams are shaking the very foundations of the financial sector. Many well-known names that were even decorated with awards suddenly surface in such scams.

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During my childhood days I had heard a Sanskrit verse about corrupt revenue officials who would eat and swallow anything from iron and stones to garbage. There was also a case of a stolen well from the agricultural lands of a farmer. All the documents were perfect and the money was spent for digging a very beautiful well in the farmer's land. Money spent was accurately accounted. The only problem was that the farmer did not have a well in his lands. He was forced to give a complaint that his well was stolen by somebody.

It is a beautiful verse and even after sixty years it still lingers in the memory. It runs like this:

ग्रामाधिकारी गर्भस्तः मात्रु मांसम् न खादति |

पापभीत्या न मन्तव्यम् दन्ताभवत्व हेतुना ||

Gramaadhikari Garbhastaha Maatru Maamsam na Khadati

Paapabheetya Na Mantavyaha Dantaabhavatva Hetuna!

The word "Grama" means village in Sanskrit and many other Indian Languages. Adhikari means an official or officer. Gramadhikari represents a government official at the village level. He is born to eat things (meaning he has a cut on anything he comes across). He is born with a mission to swallow things around him. The only thing he did not eat in his life is the meat in the mothers womb, when he was there. That he did not eat it was not because of any fear of committing a sin, for eating mother's womb would be the worst kind of sin one can imagine. The real reason for not eating it was because he did not have teeth then. Had he got teeth in the womb, he would have eaten her womb itself!

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It is often said that only two have "Vishwaroopa" or are "Omnipresent". The Supreme Lord and Corruption. The first we can understand and feel with dedicated efforts and higher learning. The second is felt without any difficulty, even if we do not want the same.

Jada Bharata to Ronald Nixon

There are three personalities with the name of "Bharata" that adore our epics. They are from different periods in time and belong to different clans. All of them are well-known for their valour and rich contributions our land. 

The first Bharata is a part of Adikavi Valmeeki's immortal work "Ramayana". He belongs to the Surya Vamsha (Sun Dynasty) and better known for the 14 year period as ruler of kingdom of Ayodhya. As brother of SriRama, he took care of the affairs of the state as a representative of his elder brother when he was banished to the forests for that period. Though he could have occupied the throne of Ayodhya himself, he chose to be a shadow of his great brother and attained an exalted position due to his qualities of brotherly love and sacrifice, among others. 

The second Bharata finds mention in the epic "Adi Purana" of Poet Jinasena, that describes the life and times of Rishabadeva, the first Tirthankkara in Jainism. The story of the two sons of Rishabadeva, Bharata and Bahubali is well known. This Bharata was also a great warrior and King, though his younger brother Bahubali is more praised and later became known as Gomateshwara. A Kannada Epic "Bharatesha Vaibhava" by Poet Ratnakara Varni in Kannada language describes the life of this Bharata Chakravarthy. (Please click here to read about this.)

The third Bharata finds mention in the epic "Mahabharata" of Veda Vyasa, in the Adi Parva. This Bharata was born in the Chandra Vamsha (Lunar Dynasty). He was the son of King Dushyantha and Shakuntala. Mahakavi Kalidasa has used the story of Dushyantha and Shakuntala as the base for his epic "Abhignana Shakuntalam". This Bharata is the king after whom our land got its name "Bharata". The land known as Aryavarta was called Bharatvarsha after this great Emperor. Those who have seen the tele- serial Mahabharata by B R Chopra will recall that the serial starts with this Emperor Bharata in episode 1.

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Bharata was said to be in mother Shakuntala's womb for 36 months and born as a very strong child. Due to his capacity of subduing even the strongest of wild animals he was named as "Sarvadamana", meaning one who can conquer everyone. After succeeding his father as the King, he won over large areas of land and expanded his Kingdom that reached out to the present parts of Russia, China, Iran and Eastern parts of Asia as well. He was a model and just ruler. It is also said that he was the emperor who sowed the seeds of democracy and chose an outsider as his successor though he had nine sons. He believed that none of his nine sons had the qualities to succeed him as the Emperor. 

After handing over the reins of the kingdom to his successor, Bharata proceed to the forests to live the life of a Vanaprastha, away from the lures of the worldly pleasures. He lived on the banks of the river Chakra and spent all his time in penance. While sitting on the banks of the river, one day he saw a pregnant Doe (female deer) drinking water in the river. There was a big roar of a lion nearby and the Doe became scared, stopped drinking water and jumped to the other bank of the river. The doe delivered the baby deer in mid flight and the baby deer was dropped in the flowing waters and being washed away. The mother Doe reached the other bank, hit a rock and died instantly. All this happened in a flash. Bharata jumped into the river and rescued the baby deer from drowning. As the mother had died, Bharata started taking care of the baby deer. His life changed and the deer became everything for him now! The king who renounced his Kingdom became a prisoner in the love of the baby deer. Shortly thereafter his end came and he died thinking of the baby deer and about its welfare after his death.

As he died thinking of the Deer, Bharata was born in the next life as a Deer. Because of his earlier penances, though born as a deer, he had the memories of the earlier birth and he continued his saadhana in that life also. As a deer he would always be moving and staying around the hermits of the rishis, listening to their discourse and hearing their discussions about the Lord. As a result he was born as a scholar's son in the next life.

Bharata in this life ignored all earthly pleasures and lived like a deaf and dumb boy even though he was perfectly alright. He would not talk to anybody and appeared inert to this world. He was now known as Jada (Inert) Bharata or Jada Bharata. People around made fun of him and called him stupid, but that did not matter to him. One of the Kings needed a human for being sacrificed in a ritual before godess Kaali. Jada Bharata was picked up by his servants and led to the sacrificial altar. Even when the sword was to be lowered on his neck in the ritual, he did not flinch. The mother godess appeared and killed all the others and released him. He continued to live in inner penance but appeared as stupid to outsiders.

King Rahoogana was now ruling the land. On a particular when he was travelling in his land, his servants found one person short to carry his palanquin (palki or pallakki). When they were looking for a person to fill the gap, they found Jada Bharata nearby. They found him fit for the job and drafted him to carry the palanquin. Jada Bharata quietly joined the pall bearers. While carrying the palanquin, he would jump whenever he found an insect on the way to avoid stepping on it. This resulted in violent shaking of the palki and caused severe discomfort to the King sitting in the palki. Rahoogana shouted at him but Jada Bharata did not change his ways. When the palanquin shook with very violent jerk, the King lost his patience and shouted that he would award death penalty to Jada Bharata. Jada Bharata now spoke for the first time and asked the King whether the punishment would be for the body or the soul. The King was taken aback and realised that this was no ordinary person. 

He requested Jada Bharata to accept him as his disciple and took him to the palace. He later learnt that Jada Bharata was his ancestor in earlier life. In due course Jada Bharata attained salvation. His story is remembered with respect and admiration even today.

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Ronald Henry Nixon (1888-1965) was born in England and educated at Taunton. He became a British fighter pilot during World War I. Elevated as a Flying Officer in Royal Flying Corps in 1917, he had a miraculous escape when surrounded by many enemy planes. He had several close encounters with death during those days. He left air force at the end of the war and went to Kings College, Cambridge to study English Literature. During his studies there he developed interest in spiritual life, Hinduism and Buddhism. He got an offer to teach English literature in Lucknow University in India. He accepted the offer, came to India and taught in Lucknow University for some time. While so working he became close to the first Vice Chancellor of the university Shri Gyanendra Nath Chakravarti. He became a disciple of Gyanendra Nath's wife Monika Devi and pursued his spiritual journey.

When the family of Gyanendra Nath moved to Varanasi, Ronald Nixon also moved and joined Benaras Hindu University and taught English literature there. Monika Devi later renounced the world and became a sanyasi under the name Sri Yashoda Mai. The bright English Professor Ronald Nixon also chose to quit his job in BHU and became a sanyasi. People around him made fun of him but it did not matter to him. He learnt Urdu, Hindi, Sanskrit and studied various texts relating to spiritualism. He took sanyas later under the name of Sri Krishna Prem. Sri yashoda Mai and Sri Krishna Prem together founded the Mirtola Ashram in present Uttaranchal. Sri Krishna Prem travelled to South India to have interaction with Sri Ramana Maharshi and Sri Aurobindo. Sri Krishna Prem was widely accepted by Indian disciples, and the then President of India Ir S Radhakrishnan held him in high esteem for his spiritual knowledge. 

Sri Krishna Prem lived his last years in the Mirtola Ashram, on the Almora - Pithoragarh Road. Entry of foreigners was banned to Badrinath in those days, after the Indo-china war. Nehru Government gave special permission to Sri Krishna Prem to visit Badrinath and prey there. He has authored many books on the spiritual pursuits. It is said that that Sri Krishna Prem, known as Gopal Das to his disciples, used to offer fruits to the Krishna idols he worshipped, close the doors of the pooja room, come out and offer prayers. When the doors were reopened, the plate in which the fruits were kept would be empty. Sri Krishna Prem was known to say "My Krishna Really Eats!". This was not an occasional occurrence, but repeated many times.

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Bannanje Govindacharya (1936-2020) who passed away recently and known for his discourses rich in content and delivery, has made references to Sri Krishna Prem in his discourses. One such reference led to further learning about Sri Krishna Prem and this blog post.

Many enlightened souls would be around us and look like stupid and inert human beings. We may not be able to recognise them, but it does not matter to them. They concentrate on their spiritual pursuits and are oblivious to their surroundings.

Power of Encouragement

In my blog post titled "Ovation for over 15 minutes" (Click here to read it) I had made a mention of the tonic of encouragement an artiste or a performer gets when the audience or group watching the performance applauds their effort.

There is a story about the famous 19th-century poet and artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti, popularly known as Dante. Dante came from a very talented family and his siblings were also writers and made their own mark in literature. Many budding artistes and poets visited him to seek his opinion on their paintings and poems. Dante was a kind man and quick to encourage any genuine talent that he spotted.
  
Once Dante was approached by an elderly man. The old man had some sketches and drawings that he wanted Dante to look at and tell him if they were any good, or if they at least showed potential talent. Dante looked them over carefully. After the first few, he knew that they were worthless, showing not the least sign of artistic talent. Being a kind man, Dante told the elderly man as gently as possible that the pictures were without much value and showed little talent. He was sorry, but he could not lie to the man. The visitor was disappointed, but seemed to expect Dante's judgment and left.

The old man was back after a few days with some more paintings. He apologized for taking up Dante's time and requested him to just look at a few more drawings, those done by a young art student. Dante looked over the second batch of sketches and immediately became enthusiastic over the talent they revealed. "These," Dante said, "oh, these are good. This young student has great talent. He should be given every help and encouragement in his career as an artist. He has a great future if he will work hard and stick to it."

The elderly man was deeply moved. "Who is this fine young artist, Your son?" Dante asked.  "No," said the old man sadly. "It is me - 40 years ago. If only I had heard your praise then!  For you see, I got discouraged and gave up - too soon."  Dante realized the power of encouraging young talent or more than that the negative effect of discouraging young talents.  Dante is credited with founding the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood movement that inspired a generation of writers and painters.  It is a paradox that Dante himself was attacked by the critics on his poems and paintings.  Such criticism led him to a depression and he became an alcoholic.  It is said that he buried many of his unpublished poems along with his wife's body in her grave, when she died.  It is also said that he got the grave dug up later on to retrieve the poems.

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Why talented youngsters get discouraged and give up?  Why they do not get the tonic of appreciation?  This question often comes up.  The first problem lies in the ability of the elders to identify or spot the talent.  In order to catch them young, the elderly require two qualities; capacity to spot the talent and the broad mindedness to appreciate it.  There is a need for the elderly to realize that the world belongs to the young. The second problem lies in miserly behavior when it comes to conveying the genuine recognition of the hidden capacities. Misplaced appreciation could result in more damage. Appreciation should not be confused with flattery.  Encouragement should be in proportion to the hidden talent and not excessive.  It should also be fair to other competitors, if there are any.  An extra consolation prize in a competition does not cost much to the organisers or judges, but goes a long way in encouraging one more talented youngster.

What does our ancient wisdom say about talent spotting and appreciation?  Our forefathers have identified three levels of appreciation of good qualities - Guna Grahana (identification of good qualities in others), Guna Prakashana (telling others about someone's good qualities) and Guna Sankeerthana (repeated and emphatic appreciation of the good qualities of a person in all possible methods).  An excellent example of Guna Sankeerthana, the highest form of appreciation, is James Boswell, biographer of Dr Samuel Johnson.  His "Life of Samuel Johnson" is considered as the most famous single work of biographical art in the whole of literature.  In fact, Boswell's "Life of Samuel Johnson" became as famous as Dr Johnson's "A dictionary of English Language"!  James Boswell was himself a man of many talents, but he chose to be a shadow of Dr Johnson and spent many years as a constant companion of the great man while writing his biography. His was Guna Sankeertana of the ultimate level.

Coconut saplings receive little quantities of water when they are planted.  As they grow up and stand tall, they remember this kind act of some one and hold on their head many fruits full of sweet water and ready to offer to others.  Encouragement given to a young talent may continue the tradition and the world may be a better place to live in future. A bowl of water to a young sapling is more valuable than a tankful of water to a fully grown tree. A just and due appreciation to a youngster is far more valuable than flattery of an already well established personality. 

I am no Thief, Mom!

 

Last week I had made a post titled "GrandFather and GrandSon" (click here to read it). Some friends have mailed me asking for similar stories. Saint Purandaradasa has left many such stories for us, in the form of beautiful songs. These songs were sung daily in almost every household some decades ago. Pressures of modern life and  change of life style have rendered such songs redundant. "Jack and Jill" and "Humpty Dumpty" have replaced those songs.

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ನೀಲವರ್ಣನೆ ಕೃಷ್ಣ,  ನಾರಿಯರು ನಿನ್ನ ಬಲು ಚೋರ ಎಂಬುವರೊ ಕೃಷ್ಣ
ಗಯ್ಯಾಳಿ ಶಟವಿಯರ ನುಡಿ ಕೇಳಿ ಎನ್ನ ಮೇಲೆ ಕೋಪವನ್ನು ಮಾಳ್ದೆಯಮ್ಮಾ, ಗೋಪ್ಯಮ್ಮ

ಬಡವರರಾಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕೊಡ ಹಾಲು ಮೊಸರು ನೀ ಕುಡಿದುಬಂದ್ಯಂತಲ್ಲೋ ಕೃಷ್ಣ?
ನಾ ಹುಡುಗ ಕೊಡ ಹಾಲು ಕುಡಿವ ಬಗೆ ಹ್ಯಾಂಗಮ್ಮ, ಇದ ನಿಜ ಮಾಡಿ ತೋರಿಸಮ್ಮ, ಗೋಪ್ಯಮ್ಮ
....................

Neelavarnane Krishna, naariyaru ninna balu chooranembuvaro krishna
Gayyali shataviyara nudi keeli enna meele koopavanu maaldeyamma gopyamma!

Badavaraa maneyalli koda haalu mosaru nee kudidu bandyantallo Krishna?
Naa huduga koda haalu kudiva bage hyaangamma, ida nija maadi torisamma, Gopyamma

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Yashoda is in a very angry mood. She is fed up with umpteen complaints on Krishna from almost every one in the area. Some of the complaints are unbelievable and her heart does not permit her to accept them. But she cannot ignore them also. This boy is also very mischievous and she herself knows his exploits at home. Complaints are made by the women when Krishna is not around. When  Krishna is with her and she questions him, he manages to digress and her motherly love makes her adore her son and forget the complaints. All the complaints are repeated the next day. She has decided to put an end to all these complaints. Little Krishna is strictly admonished and tied to the wooden pillar. He has been denied his share of  butter in the morning. Krishna is weeping  and begging his mother to release him.  She strongly rebukes him again. He is firmly told that he will be released only after the complaints are sorted out in the afternoon. Krishna promises her that he will stay at home and be available when all the complainants arrive. Yashoda does no relent. She knows very well that once released, she cannot find him easily. He may even run away to the banks of river Yamuna and start dancing on the head of some dangerous snake. She stays firm much against her motherly urge to release him. Krishna has stopped begging to be released. He appears hurt by the turn of events and two drops of tears, looking like pearls, are still on the edge of the beautiful eyes.

One by one the complainants are arriving in the palatial house of Nanda Gopa. Nanda Gopa is not at home. The court is in session. Yashoda is the presiding Judge. She is also the prosecutor. Many women from nearby streets are complainants. Accused Krishna is standing tied to the pillar. Balarama and other boys are just outside the main hall which is now converted into a court room. They are peeping through the window, anxious to know what is going to happen next. Yashoda  knows the list of complaints by heart and does not need any records to refer to. She has heard the complaint so many times.

"Krishna, this woman complains that you have gone to their house and stealthily drank a full pot of milk. They are very poor people. They make a living  by selling the milk. What should they do if a pot of milk is finished by you? Am I not giving you sufficient milk at home?"

"I am no thief, Mom. Do not believe this woman. You know I am such a small boy. My whole body can be put inside that big pot. Is it possible for my stomach to hold a pot of milk? See, how small is my stomach is! Let her bring a boy like me and make him drink a pot of milk.  Then we can accept her charge."

The charge is unsubstantiated and dropped. Yashoda takes up the next complaint. "Krishna, this other woman has a complaint that you took their sarees and ran away. What do you say for this?".  "Mom, I am only six years old and alone. They are sixteen years old, grown up and outnumber me. See my feet. How small they are. How can I run faster than them?". Charge is to be dropped again.

All other complaints are tried one by one. Krishna has a convincing reply to each charge. All charges are dropped and Krishna is released. He runs to meet his brother and friends waiting outside.

All the women come out of the palatial house. The first complainant comes to Krishna and begs him: "Krishna, please come to our house tomorrow. You can drink as much milk as you want. After your last visit our cow is giving three times the usual quantity of milk. Please forgive me and come tomorrow". Krishna smiles. Other complainants follow one by one. Each one requests him to visit their respective houses. Krishna is all smiles. Yashoda  comes in search of Krishna with a big ball of butter.

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Saint Purandaradasa must have observed children very closely. He probably saw a Krishna in every child around him. His was not a case of dry devotion to the Lord. It was devotion filled with humanly love and divine feelings.

Saraswati's Son and Parvathy's Daughter

Long long ago, Godess Saraswati, who is the presiding deity of all knowledge, desired to have a son. She went to Himalayas and undertook a long penance with this as the goal. After a long time Lord Brahma appeared and gave her a boon to have a son. She delivered a son as a result of the boon. The boy got up as soon as he was born and prostrated before her. He sang in praise of her in rhythmic and perfect meters; his utterance was the earliest poetry. Saraswati was extremely happy and told him that he embodied everything poetry represents. She also told him that there was only prose before him and he is the first person to bring poetry to this world. She blessed him wholeheartedly and named him as "Kavya Purusha" (काव्य पुरुष). As she wanted to have the pleasure of tending to her child for sometime, she advised him to go back to the state of a child for the time being, which he dutifully did. 

Saraswati lifted the child and proceeded towards the sacred river Ganga to take a holy dip in the river. She placed the child below a tree and went to the river. The child started crying after sometime. Maharshi Shukracharya who heard the noise came to the child and took him to his hut. Maharshi Shukracharya was mesmerized by the child's beauty and composed a poem in praise of Mother Saraswati. Saraswati returned from the river but could not find the child. Maharshi Valmeeki who was close by informed her about the child being taken by Maharshi Shukracharya and took her to the Rishi's hut. When Maharshi Valmeeki saw the child, he also composed a poem that led to his writing Ramayana. Later on Maharshi Vyasa also saw the child and composed Mahabharata. Thus Shukracharya, Valmeeki and Vyasa become earliest poets in history of development of rhythmic poetry.

As Kavya Purusha was growing up and Mother Saraswati was enjoying the growth process, a dispute arose between Rishis and Devatas on the interpretation of an important issue in the scriptures. Lord Brahma advised Mother Saraswati to proceed to heaven and mediate in satisfactorily resolving the dispute. Saraswati proceeded to heaven. Kavya Purusha also followed her. Saraswati told him that he cannot go with her without permission from Lord Brahma and he has to stay behind till her return. Kavya Purusha stayed back and grew into a handsome man. He became friends with Kumara Swamy, son of Lord Shiva and Godess Parvati. In due course of time, Kavya Purusha felt lonely, became restless and started wandering aimlessly.

Kumara Swamy could not tolerate the suffering of his dear friend. He went to his mother Parvati and requested her to help his friend Kavya Purusha. Parvati thought for a while and decided that the best way to bring Kavya Purusha on track was to tie him in the knots of love of a girl. She produced a beautiful girl and named her as Saahitya Vidyaa (साहित्य विद्या). She told the girl that her fiancee was going away from her and she should follow him and get married to him.  Saahitya Vidyaa started following Kavya Purusha and followed him wherever he went.   

Kavya Purusha wandered into different parts of the country. Saahitya Vidyaa followed him wherever he went. She tried different varieties of dresses and methods of beautification. Womenfolk of the respective areas also followed the same methods of dresses and beautifications. She tried different methods of music, dance and other allied methods to please Kavya Purusha. Kavya Purusha slowly took interest in her and started his own methods of dressing and appearances. The menfolk of the respective areas also followed him and therefore we have different methods of dresses and appearances in various parts of the country!

While moving around in the various parts of our large country thus, Kavya Purusha and Saahitya Vidyaa reached a city in Vidarbha called Vatsagulma, on the outskirts of Dandakaranya. The place got the name Vatsagulma as a Rishi by name Vatsa lived there. Saahitya Vidyaa and Kavya Purusha finally got married in this Vatsagulma city. (This Vatsagulma is presently known as Washim and is the headquarters of the Washim district in Maharashtra.) 

The newly wed pair went to Saraswati and Parvati and sought their blessings. Both the mothers were very happy and blessed the pair and gave them many boons. They created a special heaven for them and named it as Kaviloka (कविलोक). The mothers advised Kavya Purusha and Saahitya Vidyaa to reside in the minds of all poets and bless them by inspiring them from time to time. The couple are following the advice of their mothers and are thus a source of inspiration to all poets even today.

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Mention of Kavya Purusha is found in many places in puranas and also in Mahabharata. However, the story of Kavya Purusha and Saahitya Vidyaa in the above form is given to us by poet Raajashekhara in his "Kaavyameemamsa", considered as an epic in the field of Poetics.  The story is indeed interesting and inspiring!