How Can I ?

A Painting by Dr. G.R.K.

                          1.        How can I gauge thy age, Immortal Soul !   
        

                                      Bound down to earthly years, we boast

                                      Of our deeds, lagging far behind our goal

                                      Moving around in circles with pride we gloat.

                         2.          How can I know the depths of thy heart?

                                      In shallows caught our way we lost

                                      We pride ourselves in showy styles, too smart

                                      We never realized we had a heart. 

      

                         3.          How can I view the noble heights of thy mind ?

                                      In worldly matters too deep struck down

                                      No spiritual way out we easily find

                                      In trivial pleasures we ourselves drown.

                        4.          Thy Random Musings do reveal thy charm

                                     Sheer verbal gems in poetic form

                                     They make our parched hearts cool and calm

                                     Your tender feelings serve like soothing balm.

                       5.           Our weak vision can’t distinguish This and That

                                      We catch hold of short gains with greedy speed

                                      Our worldly possessions fill us with éclat

                                      Our words and thoughts don’t match with deeds.

                        6.           Like fresh Spring Leaves your thoughts define

                                      True facts of life with vision fine

                                      Effortless flows thy style divine

                                      Like a perennial spring from vales of Rhine.

                       7.            Pearls of wisdom you freely shower

                                      Enthusing our hearts like blooming morn

                                      Your words so soothing shine with power

                                   “ You touched nothing that you did not adorn.”

                       8.           Too deep and difficult thoughts to follow

                                     Simplified and sweetened wisdom in Capsule form

                                     With apt examples   you wrote for us to know  

  

                                     A beacon guiding us to sail smooth and calm.

                      9.           The holy triad writ by Sankara the Great

                                     With noblest thoughts beyond our human grip

                                     In simplest terms and metaphors you state  

  

                                     Along with “Gita” the core of Vedas from God’s own lips.

                   10.            You did infuse new hopes and self-restraint

                                     In thy weekly contributions concise

                                     Your “Fricalls” and “Somvar Sandesh” sent 

                                     Real gems in verbal form to make us cool and wise.

              11.                  You caught the essence of sacred hymns of dawn

                                     And Vedic prayers offered to God’s Holy Feet

                                     Those sounds charged with purifying spell

                                     Transform mankind with noble sensations sweet.

 

              12.                  You gave a lively sketch of celebrities great

                                     About their lives and noble deeds in lucid strain

                                     Inspiring portraits for us to know their state

                                     Great masters of sciences, art and music divine.

             13.                  Yourself an adept in those arts and sciences a lot

                                     With persistent efforts you honed your skills

                                      Blending duty with devotion you ever thought

                                      Not craving for tawdry show and transient frills.

              14.                  Studying life with a keen spiritual insight

                                      In convincing terms you portrayed human strife

                                    “Have faith; do duty and trust in His will and might”

                                      A precious chance, to evolve this God-given life.

             15.                   Your life, an eternal store of noble thoughts

                                     Your words vibrant with feelings of tranquility

                                     A   glimpse of spiritual feel we really caught

                                     Bless us with feelings of peace and equanimity.

           Note : My cousin Dr. G.R.K. authored twenty books in English on various topics of philosophy, general knowledge and social themes. A broad humane outlook coupled with sympathy and affection pervades in his writings. At the same time a rational and logical approach makes his presentation quite impressive and convincing. His style simple and clear with apt comparisons and quotes enriches the themes he dealt with in his prose as well as his poetic works. he is quite active and interacts on various topics through his blogs and face book also. As a multifaceted personality he showed his keen interest and involvement in painting, music and engineering also. His amiable personality gleams through his compositions and views. The greatness  and significance of Indian culture and philosophy found a clear and cogent expression in his books and articles. The three approaches to reach God through the Advaitik view of Brahman, the devotional path of self-surrender and the selfless and detached path of action without hankering after results are very clearly and effectively expressed in his wrtings.

 I have used the titles of some of his books in my poem to highlight his valuable contribution to readers of his books.             


           (Dedicated to my most respectable and beloved brother Dr.G.R.K.)

         25th April, 2018                                                    Somaseshu Gutala

           Ref : 1) Random Musings --- A collection of poems by Dr. G.R.K.      

                   2)   This and That    ---- A book on various interesting persons and                                        things. ( the title perhaps borrowed from Robert
                                        Lynd's book with title "The Book of This and That."
                          Distinguish this and that= the material world and cosmic self

                   3)   Spring Leaves    --- a collection of sayings and aphorisms 
        
                   4)   Pearls of Wisdom --- A book on social and ethical  themes

                   5)   Prasthana Traya Saramu -- A book on Sankara's comments on Gita,
                         Upanishads and Brahma Sutras. ( A translation of Sri Yellamraju
                         Srinivasa Rao's book and "Poornamadha" ( a translation of Yellamraju                            Srinivasa Rao's book on Shanti Vakya of Bhrihadaranyaka Upanishad).

                   6)   Bhagavadgita Hridayam ( a translation of discourses from  
                         Sri Yellamraju Srinivasa Rao's book in Telugu on Gita).

                   7)  "Living the right way" -- a practical guide to modern life explaining

                        philosophy of "Gita" based on Edwin Arnold's Gita translation "The                                  Song celestial".

                   8)  Vedic Prayers ---  "Sandhya Vandanam" "Mantra Pushpam" "Gayatri                                Mantra" three booklets on Indian tradition and traditional worship.
      
                   9) "Miscellaneous ", "Portraits" and "So many Celebrities" -- three                                        books on various personalities and eminent people. 

                  10)  "Somvar Sandesh" and "Fri-calls"-- a collection of short passages on 
                          various daily issues and problems with moral messages.  

                   11 )  Eclat ------------------   grand success   

                   12)   Vales of Rhine --- A beautiful valley with many streams, hills,
                                                        forests,romantic castles and churches.   


                                    ****************************************************                                           ( "Do the right thing at the right time in the right spirit, and then
                       leave the rest to God.")---- Dr. G.R.K. (Spring leaves)
                             

                    
                  28th April, 2018                                   Somaseshu Gutala
                      
                                             

              

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On Visiting Dakshinamukha Nandi Teertha at Malleswaram , Bangalore

Outer View of Nandi Teertha Temple

Nandi idol with engraved figures of Shiva and Parvati with family

Flowing water from Nandi's mouth

 

To know the rich cultural heritage of Bangalore you have to visit the older quarters of this historic city. In Malleswaram located in northwestern part of the city you will find a cluster of temples in the middle of the busy market selling many varieties of vegetables, flowers, banana leaves, fruits and whatnot. A complete change from the dusty, crowded multi-storied buildings of I.T. hub.  Small houses with tiny windows in the narrow lanes will make you remember the olden times. It is the locality where many Tamil Brahmin families settled. So we feel a clear resemblance to that of a small colony in a town.

 We saw a small entrance with the idol of a big Nandi on the top of the western entrance. As we entered we saw a small pond in the center within an enclosure. Nobody is allowed to wash their limbs there. We saw many black turtles and white fish in the crystal-clear water. A corridor with many pillars is seen at an elevated level around the pond. A stream of water flows from the mouth of a stone idol of south-facing Nandi perched on a higher level. Just below a Shiva Linga is seen over which water falls from a brass vessel hung over the idol. The stream of water from Nandi’s mouth flowing through a pipe and falling into the vessel over the Shiva Linga collects into the water tank (called Kalyani in Kannada).

The water from Kalyani is evacuated into the open well outside the temple. This water is considered very pure with herbal properties and is taken as holy teerrtham by devotees.   Nobody knows the origin of this water flow. It might be a natural spring behind from where water is flowing through Nandi’s mouth. On the left side of Shiva Linga the shrine of Ganesh is seen and a Navagraha platform is found on the right side. Just behind Nandi’s idol the figures of Lord Shiva with Parvati, Ganesha and Subrahmanya are engraved on gold-coated brass panels. In many temples Nandi is seen at a lower level facing Shiva Linga. But here Nandi is seen above the Shiva Linga.

Devotees standing in front of Shiva's shrine

Black turtle on the steps

fish seen under water

Navagraha Shrine

Ganesh's shrine

Garden in front of the temple premises

This temple is considered to be a part of the nearby Kadu Malleswara temple. According to archeological Survey of India, this Nandi Teertha  temple was built in 17^th century in Maratha style without any decorative designs. The Maratha king, Venkoji, stepbrother of Shivaji built this temple. The temple is below ground level and has no gopuram or tower. For many years it was buried under mud. In 1990’s when construction work was started, it was discovered by chance.  No changes or additions were made to this temple except the western entrance with a huge idol of Nandi on the top of the arch. A beautiful garden with many shady trees adds charm to this historic temple.   The temple timings are from 7.30 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Many special poojas are held during Maha Shiva Rathri and during Kartik month.

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18th April, 2018                                                                Somaseshu Gutala

                                

On My Visit to Dodda Ganapthi Temple, Bull Temple Road, Bangalore

Entrance Arch

Main Tower

 
                 

Big Ganesha Idol in the sanctum

Dodda Ganapathi coated with butter and decked with ornaments

 People will not miss visiting this temple which is quite near to Dodda Basavanna Temple. It is just behind the Bull Temple and is 5kms from the city station. Other tourist attractions like Lal Bagh gardens and Gavi Gangadhareswara temple are quite nearby. The special significance of this temple is the huge monolithic idol of Ganapathi measuring about 18 feet in height and 16 feet in width. Very rarely do we find such a gigantic stone idol in sitting position with four hands holding a noose (pasha) and goad (Ankush) in upper hands and a broken tusk and a modak in lower pair of hands. The idol decked in golden ornaments looks quite majestic and evokes devotion in minds of onlookers.  On the entrance arch one can see the idol of Ganesh in sitting position. On the tower of inner sanctum one can see the various gods and goddesses of Shiva Parivara flanked by guards.

Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bangalore, happened to see a huge granite rock in the shape of Ganesha . He called sculptors and asked them to carve a monolithic idol of Ganapathi . In 1537 he constructed a temple in Dravidian style for this huge idol of Ganapathi who was called “Satya Ganapathi” and “Shakti Ganapathi”. During Ganesh Chathurdhi a week-long celebrations are held in this temple and the idol of Ganapathi is decorated in many ways. The famous decoration of Ganapathi with coating of one hundred kilos of butter all over the idol with shining jewels (benne alankara) looks very beautiful and impressive.  In Kartika Month and during Kadakai Parishe (Groundnut Fair) many devotees come here to perform poojas.

 The temple timings are from 6.30 to 12.30p.m. and from 5.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Every day many poojas are done at this temple. The Big Bull Temple and the adjoining Bugle Rock garden are other nearby worth seeing tourist attractions. The sculptural beauty and grandeur of Dodda Ganapathi and Dodda Basavanna surely stand as the outstanding examples of rock sculpture in the whole world. Don’t miss visiting these two temples if you visit Bangalore.

                           +++++++++++++++++++++++++++

     11th march, 2018                                      Somaseshu Gutala

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On My Visit to Basavangudi (The famous Bull Temple), Bangalore

Basavangudi Temple tower

Way to Basavangudi

Bull Statue in the sanctum

Bugle Rock Park Entrance

  

This famous Bull Temple perched on the top of the Bugle Hill is one of the star attractions of Bangalore. It is centrally located in the heart of the city within the premises of Bugle Rock Garden at Basavangudi Road near Gandhi Bazaar, in the southern part of the city. The spacious surroundings with two horn shaped structures invite you to enter the temple. Though the temple is small the huge monolithic granite-made bull statue measuring about 15feet high and 21 feet long catches your attention with floral decorations and sculptural grandeur. No one knows about the sculptor who crafted this megalithic statue. But the temple was built in Dravidian style during the reign of Kempe Gowda (1513-1569), the founder of Bangalore city in 1537. The present temple tower was built in the early part of the 20^th century.

 Every year on the last Monday and Tuesday of Kartik masa (November month), a groundnut fair (Kadalekai Parishe) is held here as a token of gratitude to the mighty bull which is said to have saved the crops from the havoc done by cattle at that time. Every villager brings the first produce of their harvest to offer and worship the sacred bull. It was said that when the statue started growing every year, a devotee was told in a dream to place a trident on the head of the bull to stop its growing in size. One can see the silver trident placed across the horns of the bull. Just behind the bull statue the idols of the Sun God and Moon God are seen riding their chariots. With engraved ornaments and bells and large white painted borders around its eyes and with wreaths of garlands the statue looks very beautiful and grand.

Statue of a guard with a bugle

Steps to reach the watch tower

Statue of Sri D.V.G., the famous Kannada Poet and thinker

Mural portraits of famous personalities

 The Bugle Rock Park is adjacent to the Bull Temple. The Local ruler, Kempe Gowda II (erected four towers in four corners of the city to demarcate the extension of the city. One of the towers in south is located in this park on the top of a huge rock. In olden times a guard used to blow bugle or trumpet from this tower to alert the public about the safety of the city and to guard against intruders. As a tribute to Kempe Gowda II, the administration of Bangalore (BBMP) used a picture of  this watch tower as its logo. Recently a pillar at Hudson Circle near BBMP Office has a replica of the Watch Tower. In this park developed by the Horticultural department of the Government of Karnataka, there are many old rocks, streams and dense greenery with many monuments of great public figures like Kempe Gowda, D.V.Gundappa and Mokshagundam Visweswarayya, who dedicated their lives for the welfare and development of Karnataka state. Just like in Lal bagh gardens, here also one can see three million-old rocks in various shapes and structures.

 The famous Dodda Ganapthi temple is just 500 meters away  from the Bull Temple. So one can have the satisfaction of seeing two famous monolithic idols which are really the prestigious symbols of Bangalore. The Bull temple timings are 6.00mto 12.oo p.m. and from 5.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. and the entry is free.

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7th April, 2018                                                Somaseshu Gutala