Impressions: Book “Our Upanishads” By Shri R.R.Gandikota

The book “Our Upanishads” serves as a short introduction to the Upanishads for all those who are interested in the rich tradition, knowledge and wisdom of the ancient sages of India.   A venture of this nature is most essential as our younger generation is not given any formal exposure to the teachings of our great sages. They are not taught about this in the schools, busy as we are teaching them  Maths, science and social studies.

 While organized religions have occasion to study and learn from the Bible or the Quran, Hinduism does not have any one book to follow although Bhagawat Gita is held sacrosanct and a Hindu takes oath on this holy book in a court of law. Most people find it difficult to read and understand the contents of the Gita by themselves.  These days, we have many Satsangs where Gita is read, interpreted and explained in simple terms so that more people can understand it.

It is  a similar service that Shri R.R. Gandikota has done through his book. In the initial chapters he has given readers a background of how teaching happened in the ancient times in a Gurukul when “celibacy and truthfulness of the disciples were considered very important for imparting the Brahma-Jnaana”.  He has underscored the role of the Sankaracharya in bringing out of “obscurity this immortal literature through his masterly commentaries” and later that of Swami Vivekananda in the modern age “when vast masses of men and women of East and West were drawn to Upanishadic spiritual literature by his authentic voice”.

Shri R.R Gandikota in the book notes that “One of the fascinating features of the Upanishads is ‘Love for Truth’ and it’s ‘Fearless - Quest’.  It is this exciting aspect that keeps the reader glued to the literature as the writer gives us a brief glimpse of the contents of 17 Upanishads including the 10 principal Upanishads (On which Sankaracharya commented). Shri Gandikota has reiterated in couple of places in the book, that it is written for beginners and that the basic aim of writing it is to kindle an interest in the readers to explore more.

To that extent, the author has succeeded wholly. As a reader, I enjoyed very much the discussion between Nachiketa and Lord Yama and the explanation of the central message of “Katha Upanishad” as condensed by Swami Vivekananda. We end up asking for more after reading the piece. But then the author states “As this article is meant for the beginners, more information in detail is not given.”  What it does to the reader is to compel him to search for more about Vedas and Vedanta. (It was on Google that I learnt that as Upanishads come at the end of Vedas they are therefore called ‘Vedanta’ and that Upanishad and Vedanta is the same).

I would conclude my impressions of the book by once again reiterating that the book “Our Upanishads” has achieved fully all that it set out to do (1) Kindling an interest in readers for more (2) serving as a go to place for the Gen Next  for basic information about the great teachings of Indian sages who realized very early that the questions on existentialism can be answered only from within and not by studying external factors. The author has given suggestions of four important books on Upanishads by Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and others for the benefit of readers who would like to delve further and deeper into the subject.   

About the Author: 

R R Gandikota –

Ramakrishna Rao Gandikota (b.27^th Sept, 1947)is an  education Administrator and Distance Teacher. He studied and taught Botany for four decades. However, his first love has always been poetry and literature.

RRG was the youngest recipient of the State Award for Commendable Record  awarded by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, for his services as a teacher  in 1981. He did extensive research on VIDYARANYA-and earned the title-“Vidyaranya Vidya Vardhana”.

He has served as Secretary Sahitya Lahari & Jaateeya Sahitya Parishad. He is a regular contributor to the Kalyana Kalpataru-Gita Press-Gorakhpur; Triveni Journal (Estd.1927); Saarasa and several News Papers, including The Hindu; The Indian Express; The Hans India, etc. He has authored 18 books and  writes in English, Telugu, Sanskrit & Hindi.

NB:  For soft copy of the book readers may contact the author at  rrgandikota@gmail.com    

A Whale of a Wave

In a Facebook literary group, a friend Sundar Rajan  posted  this picture.  He sought poems from members based on the picture. This is what I came up with ..

I watched from the sidelines

as little boys ran after little waves 

and then ran back when they returned to the shore 

A little distance away, bigger boys ventured farther 

to challenge the bigger waves 

they  wanted to show off 

let people know  how courageous they are

no longer the little boys chasing small waves...  

Then came this magnificent, giant wave 

mesmerizing in its beauty 

even I wanted to feel it 

on my body and soul 

and simply merge with it into eternity... 

As the oblivious me walked towards it 

wife jerked me out of the trance

"What are you doing

you don't even know swimming!" 

somehow, at that moment nothing seemed to matter

except merging into that magnificent whale of a wave....

ഒറ്റയ്ക്ക് (Alone)

ഒറ്റയ്ക്ക് എന്ന് കരുതി 

തനിച്ചാണെന്ന തോന്നൽ വേണ്ട 

പുസ്തകങ്ങൾ , കവിതകൾ , കല്പനയുടെ   മാസ്മര ലോകത്തിൽ , 

ദിവസങ്ങളോളം എനിക്ക്  കഴിയുവാനാകും  

മനുഷ്യ സാനിധ്യത്തിൽ ചിലപ്പോൾ

വേദനയും, തനിമയും അറിയുന്നു ഞാൻ 

കേട്ടിട്ടില്ലേ " ആൾ കൂട്ടത്തിൽ തനിയെ ?"  

English Translation   

Just  because I am alone 

don't presume I am lonely 

books, poems , in the enchanting world of imagination 

I can spend days and days.....

It is in the company of humans at times 

that one experiences pain and loneliness 

Haven't you heard " Alone, in a crowd?"

How about a little Kindness ?

Has the social media taught you

to be rude, assertive , abusive 

to have single minded opinions

behave like a bull in a China shop?   

But hey, that's not you 

it's not the real you!

The good God made all of us

in his image transfusing

the same divine qualities 

of kindness and compassion! 

So where has your kindness gone? 

disagree with others, as much as you want 

but do it civilly, without aggression

allow the other guy to have his say

listen politely before responding 

And when you respond, disagree 

debate if you must, yet do it with kindness 

for it is your true nature! 

Our Authentic Selves

Don't say "Yes" when you

feel like saying "No" 

instead of trying to please 

anyone and everyone 

just, let go of what is not yours 

don't entangle in others' dramas! 

Saying "Yes",  fearing disapproval 

is the worst thing that can happen

it is this fear of 'dislike' buddy 

that robs us of authenticity! 

Don't laugh at jokes, you do not enjoy

the lies, pretenses, false smiles

 prevent us from being 

our true  authentic selves 

Breathe the air of freedom 

to simply be yourself

what a pain, living a whole life time  

play acting, trying to be 'someone' 

other than our authentic selves!      

Simple Happiness and the Little Sorrows

In a Facebook literary group, a friend Sundar Rajan  posted  this picture.  He sought poems from members based on the picture. This is what I came up with ..

We, rather our ancestors chose

fishing for a living 

Like anyone else

our lives too are a mixture

of pain and pleasure 

of simple happiness and little sorrows

We face risks aplenty, though

uncertain source of livelihood 

when red alerts declared 

tough times when dark clouds 

are followed by floods and cyclones! 

We are rarely remembered 

in fact mostly forgotten

even by those having 

a hearty meal of fish curry rice

or a tasty dish of fried fish or prawns.. 

Sometimes noticed, when ideas strike

to make money filming our environs

of blue sky, the blue ocean

natural beauty in all it's glory 

Movies  are then made of "little fish" 

'boatman' going fishing 

or being a "Friend of fisherman" 

then, forgotten soon after the movie is a hit! 

It is the same story at the time of floods

we take our boats on narrow roads

to save lives, supply food to stranded people 

for some time you clap, hail us as heroes

put up our  flex boards like those of film stars!  

Soon , life is back to normal 

no one cares of  boats damaged in rescue

not realizing , bothering that the damage

is to our very livelihood!

 

Soon the flex boards of film stars are back 

replacing us easily, our utility no more

who cares for the curry leaves 

after the meal is done!

In this picture though we are not grumpy

the catch after all, isn't so bad today 

it is these little pleasures that are the silver lining

in the lives of us fisher folk...

Filled with, the simple happiness

and the little sorrows.... 

    

Livelihood in the Changing Times

I had written this poem and prepared the video for the the 13th edition of the Guntur International Poetry Festival (GIPF). In view of Covid 19, the festival which usually happens at Guntur at the premises of JKC college was planned as an online event. The festival premiered on 7th July 2020. 

Livelihood,  job,  source of income
whatever you may like to call it
has suddenly become a question mark

People plan for the future
but what do you do, when crisis strikes
from nowhere, out of the blue?

It is worry time for students
in professional colleges
the small time shopkeeper, the salaried
why, even big businesses stare at an uncertain future
not to mention, plight of our migrant workmen!

Prayers and faith in the ultimate good
trust and confidence
a strong  belief that "This too shall pass" 
that new doors will open, as old ones close
is what we need most at this time!

Flexibility and preparedness
openness to possibilities
being compassionate to fellow beings
is the sure - fire way to survive
and thrive in a changing world order!  

Oblivion- The Cosmic Dance

Dance and music

music and dance-  soulmates 

achieve a crescendo 

when part of the divine order

when engaged in the divine plan... 

Then, distinctions disappear 

the dancer, the musician 

the singer, the choreographer 

all participate as one 

With no one knowing  

the beginning or the  end 

when did the dance begin?

when did the music end?

Coexistence

In a Facebook literary group, a friend Sundar Rajan  posted  this picture.  He sought poems from members based on the picture. This is what I came up with ..

This is our humble home

what you humans call "cattle shed" 

we may  be cattle

but we are sentient beings too!  

Fortunately for us, our owner

is a man with a heart

gives us timely food

and pats our back sometimes 

we live together peacefully 

coexist happily...

If it were you humans 

you would harp on distinctions 

separate yourselves as brown, 

white, black or spotted  

and try to get something more

for yourselves!  

But we, whom you call "Animals"

are content, sharing what we have 

snuggling against one another

when needed, comforting each other 

Our owner also has two dogs 

and few hens in our courtyard 

we all live happily together

in peaceful  'Coexistence' 

a word long forgotten by man! 

 

Malayalam Translation :  സഹവര്‍ത്തനം   

ഇതാണ് ഞങ്ങളുടെ  വീട്  

നിങ്ങൾ ,  മനുഷ്യരുടെ  ഭാഷയിൽ , കന്നു കാലി തൊഴുത്ത്‌  

ഞങ്ങൾ കന്നു കാലികളാകാം 

പക്ഷെ ഞങ്ങൾക്കുമുണ്ട് , തുടിപ്പും വേദനയും 

ഞങ്ങളുടെ മുതലാളി 

സ്നേഹമുള്ളവനായതിനാൽ  

സമയത്തിനു ഭക്ഷണവും 

ചിലപ്പോൾ  തലോടലും കിട്ടും 

ഒരുമയോടെ കൂട്ടുജീവിതം നയിക്കുന്നു ഞങ്ങൾ   

നിങ്ങൾ മനുഷ്യർ ആയിരുന്നെങ്കിൽ 

വ്യത്യാസങ്ങളിൽ, പിടിച്ചേനേ 

ആരു ചുവപ്പ് , ആരു  കറുപ്പ് 

ആരിൽ പുള്ളികളുണ്ടെന്നു , തരം തിരിച്ചേനേ 

ഇതിൽ തനിക്കെന്തു ലാഭമെന്ന് 

ഓർത്തോർത്തു ജീവിച്ചേനേ ....  

മൃഗങ്ങൾ എന്ന് നിങ്ങൾ വിളിക്കും ഞങ്ങൾ 

ഉള്ളതുകൊണ്ട് തൃപ്തിയായ്  ജീവിക്കുന്നു 

തൊട്ടുരുമി  കിടന്നു , ഒന്ന് , മറ്റൊന്നിനെ ആശ്വസിപ്പിച്ചു 

സന്തോഷത്തോടെ  വസിക്കുന്നു 

മുതലാളിക്കുണ്ട്  രണ്ടു  പട്ടിയും 

കുറച്ചു  കോഴികളും , ഇതെ  വളപ്പിൽ 

ഞങ്ങളേവരും വസിക്കുന്നു  ഇവിടെ 

"ഒരുമയിൽ" 'സഹവർത്തനത്തിൽ '

നിങ്ങൾ  മനുഷ്യർ എന്നേ മറന്നു പോയ വാക്കുകൾ !  

രാജീവ്  മൂത്തേടത്  

Divine Plan

We are special for the only reason

we are born and living in this universe

You, me , all living beings 

caressed by the loving, almighty being 

Granted and received by each one of us 

'that' unique special with blessings

that we may use "that" 

to spread fragrance, to the world 

in our own different ways

to the universe at large! 

Let's  waste not 

fritter away in petty pursuit 

be  derailed from attuning 

to the divine plan of our lives!