Thinking Aloud

THINKING ALOUD:

I have no particular subject or issue to write in this Blog.  As a person who had walked the distance  of life for eight decades, I intend posting all that pass through my mind time to time.
I would like to start my writing with the words of that great Greek Philosopher, Socrates  “ True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing, that makes you smartest of all“.
When you pass through The Three phases of Life, “Childhood, Youth and Married Life” you feel that you have completed your busy life of taking care of your so called responsibilities, your mind and body gets the rest that you yearn for. When the “Mind” is at peace, you start seeing the purpose of Life clearly. The purpose of Life is “Nothing”,  yes Sir, we have not done anything in the world to add or subtract from the Creator's intentions of this world.  What ever anybody claims to have done is only the re-arrangement of what was and is there.

I am moved and encouraged by the Comments from young friends who had taken the trouble of reading my maiden attempt in Blogging. Yes I think I may be one of the older generation who try to use this wonderful medium called Blog to share their ramblings . To Continue further. A friend has asked " Are you sure that a God exists ?". Honestly I do not know. But I do accept that there must have been some great activating force or power behind every thing what we see around us. Then to start with we have to go into the meaning of the word "God" first. If the word means simply by its attributes like God is " all pervasive, Omni potent, Omnipresent and omniscient", then it becomes a Concept. an abstract idea or a mental expression. It looks too simple. No, certainly I do not want to restrict that Great Power within a mental expression. To go further we may have to browse the writings of great seekers and sages who had also done honest search to find the answer for this question, from time immemorial. We may or may not get a convincing answer . But it will certainly activate our thinking. To begin with why not we find what our own treasure trove of knowledge "Vedas" say about Creation. As you may know that the word Veda in Samskrit is coined from the root "Vid - to know". Thus "Veda" means" Knowledge". Let me quote the literal translation in English of Hymn relating to "Creation" from "The Rig Veda" as under: 

The Rig Veda: Book 10:HYMN CXXIX:

Creation
 1. THEN was not non-existent nor existent: there was no realm of air, no sky beyond it . What covered in, and where? and what gave shelter? Was water there, unfathomed depth of water?

2. Death was not then, nor was there aught immortal: no signwas there, the day's and night's divider. That One Thing, breathless, breathed by its own nature: apart from it was nothing whatsoever.

3. Darkness there was: at first concealed in darkness this All was indiscriminated chaos. All that existed then was void and formless: by the great power of Warmth was born that Unit.

4. Thereafter rose Desire in the beginning, Desire, the primal seed and germ of Spirit. Sages who searched with their heart's thought discovered the existent's kinship in the non-existent.

5. Transversely was their severing line extended: what was above it then, and what below it? There were begetters, there were mighty forces, free action here and energy up yonder.

6. Who verily knows and who can here declare it, whence it was born and whence comes this creation? The Gods are later than this world's production. Who knows then whence it first came into being?

7. He, the first origin of this creation, whether he formed it all or did not form it, Whose eye controls this world in highest heaven, he verily knows it, or perhaps, he knows not. ============

 As this is a literal translation of original text in Vedic Samskrit, it may or may not convey the real thoughts of the Sages, who expounded it. But if we study this Hymn a number of times we may slowly understand the meaning better. It is my belief a seeker of truth should develop patience and real interest in the subject.

Well, to continue, I always believe that the discussion of any Subject of Serious nature should be done on equal level, like conversation among friends, to obtain positive results.. Otherwise it will turn to be a debate. Any debate will be the death of conversation. Even the Great "Bhagavat Geeta" was declared as "Samvada" (discussion at equal leval ) between Sri Krishna and Arjuna. Now to continue the discussion of the subject, let us go to another source, "Upanishads".As I have admitted, my knowledge on the subject is elementary,mostly gathered from Books and Lectures available to me. Nothing in this I can claim as original from me. In that I am like a tiny ant which tried to nibble a little here and little there on a big sweet to enjoy the taste. The subject is a vast ocean. For generations, many Great Sages and Prophets had spent their whole life to find " Who is behind all these Creation and for what purpose?" And they have left a lot of material to guide the future generations. "Upa-nishad" literally means "to sit near / down". otherwise "Upanishad" is to be learnt at the feet of learned Acharya or Guru. "Upanishads" form the part of "Vedas" and they are considered "Vedanta" or "ultimate of knowledge".They mainly deal with origin of Universe, the nature of "Brahman" and the "jeevatma", the relation between mind and matter. The exposition reaching to the highest metaphysical state. By their unique characteristics of univerality and total absence any dogmatism," Upanishads" are considered highest philosophy ever conceived by human mind. Let me give a sample how "Kena Upanishad" belonging to "Sama Veda" tries to approach the subject

Kenopanishad: 

CH: I(1) The disciple asked: By whose will directed does the mind proceeds to its object? At whose command does the prana (life force), the foremost, do its duty? By whose will men utter speech? who is the God that directs the eyes and ears?
CH: I(3-4) The eye does not go thither, nor speech, nor mind. We do not know it, we do not understand how any one can teach it. It is different from the known, It is above the unknown. Thus we have heard from the preceptors of ancient who taught it to us.

We can see the humility with which the learned Sages approach the subject. I wish all of us should spare some time to study these treasure of knowledge.

Kathopanishad:

When I started writing this Blog, I never thought about the subject to write. But I was thrilled when a Friend queried in his comments " Are you sure that a God exists?" Indeed this put the seed in my mind to develop a subject to think. Our own Great thinker and Philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895-1986) said "Doubt is a precious thing, it cleanses and purifies the mind, the very questioning, the very fact that the seed of doubt is in one, helps to clarify our investigations." I am an ardent admirer of J.Krishnamurti. (Since J.K. was against creation of following I do not use the word follower ). Like Bhagwan Ramana Mahrishi and Nisrgadatta Maharaj, he encouraged the person to question himself and find the answer. But I wish to stress that the Doubt should be real, arising out of thirst for finding an answer, not frivolous one. An open mind, like that of a child's, is the precious gift of birth as a human being. As a grand father I used to watch the mind of my beloved grand children, when they question me on various things that they observe. Then I understood how much of muck have gathered in my mind all these years due to wasteful exposure to unwanted things around me. Now can I think or listen straight and enjoy good Music without comparing within my mind. Next I intend to nibble a morsel from another great "Upanishad" which tells a beautiful story of charming young and intelligent boy named Nachiketas, who queries no less a person than Lord Yama Dharma, and drags him into a dialogue about Life and Death. 
"Arise, Awake and stop not till the Goal is reached" --
The clarion Call of Swami Vivekananda to the people of India. These words were taken by Swamiji from "Kathopanishad", to wake up the lethargic masses of our Country who were in the induced sleep of false comfort at that time.
"Razor's Edge". ---
This is the famous English Classic by W.Somerset Maugham, familiar to the readers of English Literature. Mr. Maugham was interested in Vedanta and even visited India and met Sri Ramana Mahrishi. He has also taken the name "Razer's Edge" for his Classic from "Kathopanishad". He opens the Novel with the quotaion from the Upanishad " The Sharp Edge of a Razor is difficult to pass over, thus the wise say the path to salvation is hard". Interestingly both these lines are taken from the same verse given below:-
"Arise, Awake and Learn by approaching excellent Master. The sages describe that the path to be impassable as a Razor's Edge, which when sharpened, is difficult to tread on". (II. iii. 14).
"Kathopanishad " is one of the major Upanishads considered important due its detailed exposition on Eternal Truth, beautifully given in the form of dialogue between Lord of Death Yama and young Brahmin boy "Nachiketas".
"Kathopanishad" belongs to "Krishna Yajur Veda" and begins with a simple story, which is also found in "Rig Veda" (X.135) and "Thaitriya Brahmana,(III.1.8) with some variations, also in Anusasana Parva of Mahabharatha(106). The story goes like this: Young Nachiketas after watching his father Sage Vajasravas gifting away his possessions to propitiate the Gods by performing an Yagna (fire sacrifice) asks his father "father to whom will you give me?" The boy repeated the question second and third time. The irritated father replied "to death I will give you". The young Nachiketas had great love for his father, but greater love to uphold the truth. Thus he goes to the abode of Lord Yama and waits for him three nights with out food or sleep.
Lord Yama on his return feels guilty to see the Young Brahmin guest waiting for him without food or sleep for three days. To attone this lapse, offers Three boons to the boy and requests him to ask any three wishes of his choice. Accordingly Nachiketas asks the first, to bless peace of mind to his father when the son returns home. After getting assurance from Lord Yama, the youngster asks the Second boon. "Teach me that Yagna - fire sacrifice - that will take me to heaven, where I am told there is no fear of death, nor old age, thirst, hunger or sorrow". Lord of Death was pleased by the boldness of the boy gives in detail of performing the Yagna. Then comes the most important portion of the Upanishad in the form of the Third question in the following verse.
"When a man dies there is this doubt: some say that He exists' some (other) say He does not exist. this I like to know, being taught by you. of the boons this is (my) third boon." ( I-I-20)
This is the question "what is death and who am I" occurs to every person some time or other. This is followed by purpose of Creation, Creator and the cause of creation etc. As a Scientist puts it "Man is thus his own mystery!". By this question Young Nachiketas corners Lord of Death, who was really in a dilemma whether this young boy is mature enough to receive an answer. Thus Lord Yama tempts the boy to ask other things instead.
But Young Nachiketas was firm in getting the answer and says:
"You say Lord of Death that even the Gods have their doubts on this subject and that it is not easy to comprehend: but another teacher like you is not to be found and I consider no other boon equal to this" Ii(22)
And the Young Nachiketas asks Lord Yama to stand by his words and enlighten him by imparting the highest wisdom.
Having tested and Pleased with the undeterred determination of the youngster in getting the knowledge of Self Lord of Death expounds the path in the verses in rest of the "Kathopanishad". The Sections in this Upanishad are called "vallis" - literally meaning "creepers" in Two Chapters. Thus the subject in each section is continuation of the previous one. "Upanishads" are to be learned under an eminent teacher (Guru or Acharya) at personal level. First and foremost condition is the person seeking this "Eternal knowledge of Truth" should make himself Fit to receive.
In the beginning itself, Lord of Death brings out the plight of false approach by the following verse:--
"Living in the midst of ignorance and considering themselves intelligent and enlightened, the senseless people go round and round, following crooked courses, just like the blind led by the blind". (I.ii.5)

Young Natchiketas puts the entire philosophical quest in precise words in the following verse:
"That which is other than Dharma (virtue) and Adharma (vice), other than effect and cause, other than time, past and future (also present), that you beholdest, please tell (me) that: (I ii 14)

Lord of Death proceeds to expound the great philosophical treatise in charming verses till the end of this Upanished. Here, With utmost humility I admit my inadequecy of knowledge or wisdom to select or leave any one of the verses of this great Upanishad. But to maintain brevity I selected a few verses which I thought will bring out the greatness of "Kathopanishad" and whet the curiosity of the readers of this blog to evince more interest to study Upanishads in depth with the help of Learned teachers or Acharyas.
Interestingly Lord Yama begins his reply with the reply with the symbol and sound "OM" and says:-
"The goal which all Vedas with one voice proclaim, which all tapas (austerities) speak of and desiring for which people practice Brahmacharya, it is this OM" (I ii 15)

Lord of Death gives the sound and symbol of "Om" as a symbol to communicate the incommunicable TRUTH. Many Commentators from Samkara and other Acharyas and Mahatmas and Sages throughout the ages till the exponants of Vedanta of Modern age have dealt with the subject of "Om" elaborately in their writings.
Then the Lord of Death elaborates the subject more directly:
"The intelligent self is neither born nor does it die, it did not originate from any thing nor did anything originate from it. It is birthless eternal, undecaying and ancient. It is not injured even when the body is killed" (I ii 18)
"The Self (Atman) cannot be attained by study of scriptures, nor by sharp intellect, nor by much hearing. It can be known through the Self alone that the aspirant prays to him this Self reveals its own (true) form" (I ii 23)
. Very difficult indeed to understand the meaning of the verse without proper guidance! As I told "Upanishads" cannot be read and understood by us without the guidance of an enlightened Acharya.
Young Natchiketas pursues the subject with razer sharp intellect and asks very pertinent question:
"(Then) How shall I know that supreme, unspeakable Bliss which they realize directly as "This"? Is it self-effulgent -- does it shine distinctly, or does it not?" (II ii 14)
Lord Yama answers by this famous verse which is being quoted by many Vedic scholers even this day:
"There the sun does not shine, neither do the moon and the stars; nor do these flashes of lightning shine. How can this fire? He shining all these shine; though his lustre all these are variously illuminated." (II ii 15)
"His form does not exist within the range of vision; nobody sees Him with the eye. When this Self is revealed through deliberation, it is realized by the ruler of mind, that resides in the heart. Those who knows this become immortal." (II iii 9)
How can the ruler in the heart be attained? For that purpose Lord of Death now introduces Yoga:
"When the five senses of knowledge come to rest togather with mind, and the intellect, too does not function, that state they call the highest." (II iii 10)
Concluding verses of this great "Upanishad' are very important. This is the State that which all the Realised souls talk of in every denomination of Religous philosophy.
"The Self is (first) to be realized as existing, and (then) as it really is. Of these two (aspects), the real nature of the Self that has been known as merely existing, favourably disposed (for self revalation)." (II iii 13) and
. " When all desires clinging to one's heart fall off, then a mortal becomes immortal (and he) Attains Brahman here." (II iii 14)
This great " Upanishad" concludes with the following verse which in fact sums up the purport of the story:
"Natchiketas , having first become free from virtue and vice, as also desire and ignorance, by acquiring this knowledge imparted by Death, as also the process of Yoga in its totality, attained Brahman. Anyone else, too, who becomes a knower thus (like Natchiketas) of the indwelling Self, (attains Brahman)." (II iii 18)
"Upanishads" are called "Vedanta", end of Vedas. They contain an impressive record of advanced metaphysical thinking in encrypited language which was passed on by word of mouth from generation to generation, they are called "Sruthi" ( from samskrit root "Srnu" to hear), just as the Vedas. Others Sacred Books like Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas and Law books like Manusmriti belong to the group called "Smriti"
The subject we have taken is too serious and it needs concentration and contemplation to understand the meaning . Thus let me give some interval for that now and continue later.

Portuguese in Madras:

Portuguese in Madras:

It is indeed a surprise our History books dismiss the presence of Portuguese in Madras just in a paragraph.
Madras (Madras Patinam) was under the rule of Portuguese for about 230 years from 1515 to 1749. It is believed that the name Madras or Madras Pattinam is derived from the Portuguese word "Madre de Deus" meaning "Mother of God" a Church in San Thome consecrated by the rich Portuguese family Madeiro's Family in  1575. The Portuguese colonised the settlement peacefully  by bringing groups  of "casados" (Married army men) from Portugal to live.The main settlement was the town of São Tomé de Meliapore (near today’s Mylapore in South Madras), where there was  the grave of the apostle Saint Thomas. Unlike the English and Dutch, the intention of Portuguese was not Trade or Commercial supremacy, but conversion of the locals to Catholicism, i.e. baptism. By the time Portuguese evinced interest in the Coromandel coast, the Dutch were already there, well established in Paleacate (Pulicat,) a busy port about 40km north of Madras, from where they did a lucrative export of spices and slaves to their colonies in Java and South east Asia and South America.

Portuguese built their first Church in Paleacate in 1515, and called it Nossa Senhora da Gloria (Our Lady of Glory). It is unfortunate and lack of respect for heritage value, this Church was demolished in 2007 to make way to rebuild a new one. Similarly few other Churches and buildings of  Heritage value were destroyed due to callous attitude of the Government.Today, no trace of the Portuguese presence remain in Pulicat, one reason being the early Dutch conquest in 1609. On the other hand, both Pulicat and Mylapore were among places with a significant Portuguese presence and influence which were never fully integrated in the administrative system of the Estado da Índia, i.e. the Portuguese colonial system, even though the latter inevitably became an important pole in the Padroado’s geography (Papal patronage). In 1580 the town of São Tomé had four churches, those of São Tomé, São Francisco, São João Baptista and Misericórdia. Outside the town were the churches of Madre de Deus, São Lazaro, Nossa Senhora da Luz and Nossa Senhora do Monte.The Parish was first known as 'Madre-de-Deus' , but later this place was turned to the Jesuit Fathers for the Retreat House, and Lazarus Church was made the Parish church. It is believed that this Portuguese name Madre-de-Deus in due course gave the name ‘Madras' to the city. At the beginning of 1600 São Tomé had a population of about 600 Casados. On 9 January 1606 the Diocese of São Tomé de Meliapur was erected.

To name  a few  valuable ancient buildings of Portuguese Architecture demolished  in the 20th century were " Madre de Deus church (dates back to 16th century,demolished and replaced); Our Lady of Health (16th century, little Mount - demolished, replaced); Our Lady of Resurrection (16th century,little Mount, destroyed with dynamite); Our Lady of Assumption (dating to 1640 - demolished and replaced by new one, Portuguese Church Street, Chennai); Our Lady of Visitation (original church dates to 16th century, 18th century one demolished and replaced, on the way to the little Mount); British Governor House and Portuguese Madeira ("Madra") Family House (Chennai - demolished)".

Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Luz (Our Lady of Light) or  Luz Church.

There is an interesting anecdote about  Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Luz ,Our Lady of Light,(Luz- Portuguese word for Clustering light) locally pronounced “Luz Church”.  That a small group of Franciscans Friars at sea in a ship on a stormy night on March,9,1500  , when traveling  fell victim to the wrath of the seas, and in their fear brothers prayed to Our Mother Mary. Suddenly their eyes were drawn to a bright light which led them safely to land on the shores of Mylapore, on the same spot where the ruins of ‘Bethuma’, (Arabic word for House of Thomas) the old house of St Thomas, the Apostle, was located. As they moved towards the mysterious guiding light, it led them to a clearing in the forest. Here the light disappeared suddenly. Moved and inspired by this experience, Friar Pedro, of the Observance of St Francis, built this church on the very same spot. The Church, even today, is referred to as ‘Kattu Koil’ or ‘Forest Church’ by the local people. Now, the forest has disappeared in the metropolis of Chennai. The church exhibits a stone bearing a painted inscription of doubtful trustworthiness – the letter type, paint, etc. - that states that the founder was one Pedro da Atouguia. The date surprises as this is two years before the first documented visit to Meliapor by the Portuguese. But the historical importance of the Church is apparent from the fact that the area now is officially called ‘Luz’, . Luz Church was damaged during the occupation by Qutb Shahi forces from Golkonda  between 1662 and 1673. During the occupation of Hyder Ali between 1780 and 1782, the East India Company Forces which occupied the Luz Parish Residence for some years. The Church of Our Lady of Light was built in 1516 and is now renovated and restored to its original form.

Carthilha.

 Portuguese influence in Tamil:

Portuguese influence in the life of Tamils was so strong that many words from Portuguese language has become normal use in Tamil vocabulary today. அவற்றில் சில
அலமாரி (Armário), ஜன்னல்,(Janale) மேஜை(Mesa), மேஸ்திரி (Mestiri),சாவி(Chave), வராந்தா(Varanda),குசினி (Cozinha),   
சப்பு (Chupo),  பீப்பாய் (Pipa),  அன்னாசி (Ananás).

தமிழில் அச்சேறிய முதல் நூல்
லிஸ்பன் நகரில் 1554இல் அச்சிடப்பட்ட கார்த்தில்யா (Carthilha) என்ற நூலே முதல் தமிழ் நூல் என்பர்.
இந்நூலில் தமிழ் எழுத்துகள் கையாளப்படாமல் உரோமருடைய எழுத்துகள் தமிழ் ஒலிகளைக் குறிப்பதற்குக் கையாளப் பெற்றிருந்தன. இது 36 பக்கங்களை உடையது. இந்த உரைநடை நூலில் கத்தோலிக்கக் கிறித்தவ சமயத்தின் வழிபாட்டு முறைகளும், செபங்களும் அடங்கியுள்ளன.
ஹென்ரிக் ஹென்ரிக்ஸ் (1520–1600):இவர் ஒரு போர்த்துகீசிய மத போதகர். தமிழில் நூல்களை அச்சடிக்க என தொடக்க காலத்தில் அச்சுக் கூடத்தினை நிறுவி தமிழில் நூல்களை அச்சிட்டவர். 1578 ஆம் ஆண்டிலேயே தம்பிரான் வணக்கம் என்ற நூலினை அச்சில் வெளியிட்டவர். கிரிசித்தியாணி வணக்கம் என்ற நூலினையும் கொண்டு வந்தவர்.
கி.பி.1679ஆம் ஆண்டில் அந்தோணி பிரயோன்சா அடிகளார் போர்த்துகீசிய-தமிழ் அகராதியை உருவாக்கினார். வீரமாமுனிவர் சதுரகராதியை 1732இல் வெளியிட்டார். மேலும் அவர் தமிழ்-லத்தீன் அகராதி, போர்த்துகீசியம்-தமிழ்-லத்தீன் அகராதி ஆகியவற்றையும் வெளியிட்டார்.

It was during the Portuguese period  a new trend in Building  Architecture  was introduced throughout the coastline of Tamil Nadu , the vestiges of which can be seen  even today.

To Continue.......



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FRANKINCENSE

Frankincense:(சாம்ப்ராணி)

It was my first posting in Salalah in Sultanate of Oman. Salalah is the most beautiful place in Arabian peninsula. Salalah is the capital of Vilayat of Dhofar (Province) in far south of the Sultanate bordering Yemen and the Arabian sea. On my first outing in the town,I was taken to the local market area in Haffa by my colleagues, what was called Haffa Souq. It was March, 1982, formative years of rapid development of the Sultanate, still vestiges of old culture were visible in the Country.


Market looked like our own roadside markets in Tamil Nadu on a weekly shandy day , with the items of sales spread out on the roadsides. Here I found most of the "shops" were managed mostly by "Zanzibari" women, who are of African origin,  very much different from rest of the Omanis. The market was filled up with all sort of materials essential for day to day use in the household. For the first time I saw the resins of Frankincense ( சாம்ப்ராணி) sold in bulk. The sales women burnt the granules and spread the wonderful aroma around. I was curious to know more about this wonderful material that was commonly used in our Pooja . I give below a brief account of what I learnt about Frankincense.

Frankincense : சாம்ப்ராணி
The high quality frankincense tree, the boswellia sacra, grows only in the Dhofar region (and in parts of northern Somalia). The best of it comes from trees on the inland side of the Dhofar mountains, but some frankincense also grows on the plains to the south of Salalah. Visually, the tree is not so attractive, but strong, a low twisted bush-like tree which has no central trunk. And it has numerous prickly branches extended every side.

Later, I came to know Dhofar region (in Oman and Yemen) had the natural privilege of growing this wonderful tree in a relatively restricted habitat which is just out of range of the monsoon rains but where cool winds depress air temperatures in hot summer months .

The resin is extracted today the same way it was done 4,000 years ago. In the spring, tiny slits are made in the tree bark, and the resin that oozes out is collected in bowls.Ducts inside the bark produce a milky white, sticky liquid that flows out when the tree is injured. The liquid solidifies into a resin when exposed to the sun.


The Arabic word for Frankincense (Sambrani) is Luban, the Greek and Latin words for frankincense libanos and libanus are derivations of this. The traditional angular incense burner is called "Mabaakhur". Nowadays Electrically operated incense burners are available.

Frankincense is being used for religious purposes for centuries by Greeks, Romans, Egyptians. Mention of this aromatic resin is found in the Holy Bible.
Frankincense is one of the three gifts brought by the three wise-men who followed the bright star in the east to Bethlehem where Jesus was born.
"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts;Gold,and frankincense, and myrrh" (Matthew 2:11).

It is our tradition to spread the aromatic smoke of Frankincense in our Pooja in Temples as also in homes. I believe this practice must have got introduced from North or during the Maratha rule.

But I do not know the reason for calling halfwits as Mada Sambrani ( மட சாம்ப்ராணி) ! 

Oud / Agar
Oud is different.
Oud, Oodh or Oudh in Arabic is extracted from tropical tree known as Agar Tree (Aquilaria). In Sanskrit also it is known as "Agar". In Tamil "Agir" "அகிற்". "When the wood of this tree gets infected with a certain mould variety (Phialophora parasitica), it reacts by producing a precious, dark and fragrant resin, which is the perfume ingredient oud (also called agarwood)". The word "Agar-bathi" or "Oodubathi" is derived from Agar only. Oudh-oil is highly valued perfume, most expensive perfume in the world . The oil is known as "dehn al oud" and the resin is " Oud Mubakhar" in Arabic.

Oh Yes ! You are correct. Oudh or Agar is considered an effective aphrodisiac. It finds in many places in romantic literature in Sanskrit. Poet Kalidasa wrote" “Beautiful ladies, preparing themselves for the feast of pleasures, cleanse themselves with the yellow powder of sandal, clear and pure, freshen them with pleasant aromas, and suspended their dark hair in the smoke of burning Aloes(AGAR)wood…” (Abhijñāna Sākuntalam)

VISIT OF EMDEN TO MADRAS.

Visit of SMS Emden:

It happened in Madras exactly ninety eight years ago to this date on September,22,1914. The city was bombed from sea by a German war ship named
SMS Emden.


SMS Emden (Seiner Majestät Schiff -His Majesty's Ship) was a most successful German commerce raider during World War I at sea. The ship was named after a small town in northern Germany on the banks of river Weser which flowed into the North Sea.The ship formed the part of German East Asia squadron based at the port of Tsingtao on the Kiachow bay located near the tip of China's Shantung peninsula. This 3500-ton fast,light cruiser Emden was commanded by "daring,skillful and chivalrous Captain Karl Friedrich Von Müller; forty-one- year old ,tall, blond Prussian" .



With the outbreak of World War I (1914-18) Emden sailed off from its parent squadron and steamed into Bay of Bengal, an area teemed with British shipping .For three months from August 14 to November 9, Emden ravaged allied shipping along the east coast of India and Indian Ocean, virtually paralysing British trade along the Bengal coast .This single ship forced Admiralty to retain ships at ports and made troop-carrying vessels sail in convoys protected by escorts. Within a span of four days in September 10-14, 1914, Muller sank 8 British steamers on the approaches to Calcutta. With determination British Admiralty in London pooled the resources of empire to form hunter-killer groups to comb ocean to hunt down Emden, their elusive foe.

Fame of Emden rests on its Captain's ability to evade Royal Navy for so long. The ship used to appear at unexpected places at will like that of a ghost ship.This was possible because its captain masked ship's movements by resorting to a simple trick, by installing a dummy funnel which gave it an appearance of 4-funnel British cruiser instead of 3-funnels it had.



SMS Emden searched the southeast waters off the coast of Burma, Capt. Müller found no prizes there, he changed course to the west. The captain had been planning a raid on some British shore installation, and now decided to put his plan into effect. He wrote in his log: "I intended going from the Rangoon estuary to Madras and, in the dark, shelling the oil-tank installations….I had this shelling in view simply as a demonstration to arouse interest among the Indian population, to disturb English commerce, [and] to diminish English prestige."

After coaling from Markomannia, Capt. Müller steamed his ship Emden southwest, towards Madras, all the while listening to radio traffic between British warships searching for their elusive enemy. By the evening of September 22, 1914, the German cruiser was off Madras, with the city's lights in view to the west.Then came the command "Searchlights." and. these in a few seconds found their target, which happened to be the law court Buildings of Madras, with Light-house beacon mounted on the roof. But the bomb fell on the wall of the Chennai High Court and its fragments are in the collection of the Government Museum, Chennai and of the Fort Museum. You can find a stone plaque describing the incident at the place where the bomb fell in the High Court Buildings. Another, fell opposite to the Fort St. George in the sand and it did not explode. The ship's search light fell on the huge petroleum tanks of the British owned Burmah Oil Company by the northern side of the port. The engines were stopped and the first shots fired out of five guns. Another broadside was fired. but fell short of the target: a second shot hit one of the petroleum tanks, causing it to burst into flames and explode. For ten minutes Emden steamed parallel to the coast, unleashing some 130 shells at the white-painted oil tanks. One of the six tanks exploded in a ball of flame; four others were pierced and damaged but did not catch fire. As a result of the raid, more than three hundred fifty thousand gallons of fuel (Kerosine) were destroyed, four people were killed, and "British prestige was dealt a considerable blow." It took one and half days to put off the fire.The bombardment lasted from 9.03 to 9.45 PM. During this time the British shore batteries fired only three shots, which went right over Emden. After the third shot nothing was heard from the port. During the bombardment a bomb accidentally hit a merchant steamer, which caught fire, killing one of the crew. It was 9.47 when Emden left Madras, on preset course set with all lights out and travelled on its way to the French town of Pondicherry.

Mean while in Madras, Lord Pentland, then governor of Madras, was camping in Ooty. He came down from the hills on Sept.25 three days after the bombing. He met officials at Central station at 7.10 a.m., proceeded to the harbour to inspect the damages, visited General Hospital to meet the wounded, and by 10.15 a.m., was in the government house and proceeded to Ooty to continue his stay there.The citizens of Madras responded to the event in the expected way by spreading roumers and panic. Which in turn instigated people to vacate the city. Almost 20,000 people left the city in panic.

Emden undoubtedly was the most successful German commerce raider during Great War at sea.She captured 24 steam ships during her short career September-November 1914 which includes sixteen British ships, which were sunk, at an estimated loss of £2,200,000. She also played havoc on the British trade of the Bay of Bengal, closing Colombo, Calcutta, Madras and Rangoon at various times. Her war time cruise was followed with great interest in Britain and Germany. And Captain Von Müller’s conduct of the raid was greatly admired. He was awarded the Pour le Mérite (or Blue Max) and finally promoted to Kapitän zur See.

I would like to end this post with a few words about the Ship's commander Capt.Von Müller Capt.Karl Friedrich Max von Müller, captain of the SMS Emden born in 1873 was the son of a Colonel in the Prussian Army. He was a professional soldier who had attended military academy in Schleswig-Holstein. Though entered the army first he was transferred to the Imperial Navy later, where he made his mark as a great Captain in World war I. Captain Müller was always gentlemanly to the captains and passengers of the ships he captured, and he made certain that every captured British sailor was treated well and kept safe.Most of Emden's survivors spent the remainder of the war as prisoners on Malta.After his capture Von Müller was imprisoned in Malta and England, where he attempted an escape but was recaptured. While his executive officer, wrote his experiences on Emden and prospered after the war as an author and lecturer, Capt. Von Müller, in contrast, declined to speak on his experiences and lived quietly at his home in Blankenburg until his death in 1923. Asked once why he did not write a memoir, Capt. Von Müller replied, "I should not be able to escape the feeling that I was coining money from the blood of my comrades."

I am not sure whether the present generation will understand or appreciate the historical importance of this post. But I am sure this post will evoke older generation to reminisce those glorious days when chivalry had different meaning . Finally by its exploits Emden became a household word in Tamil and Malayalam usage meaning "Shrewd, Evasive or Street-smart".

VASISHTA GUHA

Vasishta Guha:

About 22 KMS north of Rishikesh, on the road to Badri near Shivapuri there is a cave known as Vasishta Gufa (Guha) on the banks of Holy Ganga. It is the most favorite place for devotees who are interested in the art of meditation. The cave is a natural formation of 60 feet deep which opens up with a space big enough for eight people to sit and meditate. There is an alter with a small Siva Lingam illuminated by oil lamps. It is quite cool and dark. Down outside within a walkable distance the majestic Ganga is flowing with full of water, towards Rishikesh.

Beautiful place. A cave set on the side of a sheer cliff on the banks of the Ganga, and it has a spectacular view of the river and the surrounding peaks of the Shivalik Himalayas. it has been the home to ascetics for centuries, most recently the renowned Swami Purushottamananda was staying there.There is an Ashram with few rooms, run for the devotees who wish to spend a few days there.

Nearby just about a five-minute walk down-river from Vasishta Guha there is another cave smaller than Vasishta Gufa.
It is believed that Jesus had visited this place and meditated . Mention about this is found in the writings of Swami Rama Thirtha and Papa (Swami) Ramdas of Khananghad.

I have visited this place a couple of times during my pilgrimage in Himalayas.
It is a wonderful place to visit.

Miracles do happen

Salalah. Many would not have heard this name unless they have visited Sultanate of Oman. This seaside town is the most beautiful place in Dhofar region, the southern most Vilayat in Oman. I landed in Salalah on March,2,1982 on my first posting as Senior Accountant to a leading Importer of Food items in the Sultanate. The quarters given to me was well furnished and neat. After the initial enthusiasm of visiting a new Country, my mind started roaming backwards. I started getting the thoughts of leaving my family alone at home and wondered whether I had made a mistake in throwing away a respectable position in India for an uncertain future. Soon a sort of depression started to set in me.

When we are lonely and sad mind goes after in search of that X factor what we call God the supreme power to find an answer.

While arranging my things in the bed room, I observed a shack of old Tamil Magazines on my reading Table. This was left by the previous occupant, a Srilankan Tamil while vacating the place. I browsed the magazines to keep my mind away from home and pass time. To my surprise I found a copy of Idayam Pesugirathu (இதயம் பேசுகிறது) issue among the books, wherein the story describing the life and miracles of Guru Sri Raghavendra was published. I was dumb struck beyond rational reasoning by the coincidence. I am an ardent devotee of Gururaya and used to visit his Brindavanam at Manthralayam regularly. Though we are smarthas, our family members were devotees of Sri Raghavendra for three generations.This is too much of a coincidence to happen ! How could my Guru found the place where I was to stay in that unheard of small town in the corner of a Gulf Country and wait for me to come? For me at that point of time it was a miracle indeed. Within no time my mind regained peace and there was no turning point for me. I had successfull innings for eight more years in Oman with regular promotions in my job.

Throughout my stay in Oman-Muscat He took care of my health and prosperity.

For me every day of existence is a miracle and a new day.

Regards,
Brahmanyan,

Melodies floating from memories

When I look back and ask which was that one singer who had influenced my love for hindustani music, I could say without hesitation it was the one and only Kundan Lal Saigal. He was and is my favorite male singer till date. I was just a boy of ten when I heard K.L.Saigal for the first time from a gramophone record in my relative's house. At that age I was wondering why my aunt (a lady doctor) was wiping tears while hearing the song “Soja Raajkumari Soja” coming from the gramophone.. Later I understood it was the magic of Saigal's songs, that brought tears to all listeners who heard his songs That was the power of his music.

Kundan Lal Saigal was born on April, 11, 1904 at Nawa Shahar in Jammu as the fourth child to Kesar Kaur and Amarchand Sehgal, a Tehsildar. they were Punjabis from Jullandhar. Even from his childhood Saigal evinced more interest in music at the cost of his studies. K.L.Saigal did not have a formal training in classical music under any teacher, Pundit or Ustad, but he was gifted with extraordinary talent of musical perception that made him to absorb the notes that he heard and responded to all technical musical needs as a singer. He was a natural singer and his voice was born with him. When he was young his mother Kesar Kaur, deeply religious lady, used to take him to various religious functions where Bhajans, Keertan and Shabads were sung in traditional styles. Similarly Kundan Lal often accompanied his father to the interior parts of the State where he was exposed to the folk music of Punjab and Kashmir straight from the shepherds and wandering minstrels. Later he worked for Remington Typewriters as a salesman, for a few years, which allowed him to tour to several places in India. These gave him the opportunity to absorb and learn music in a natural way. The following incident may show the impact of his observations.

While he was working as timekeeper in The Punjab Railways offices in Delhi K.L.Saigal had to pass through Delhi's Fathepuri Bazaar on his way home . There he used to stop for a few minutes to listen to a blind faquir who was singing the same Bhajan every day . The song was so enchanting that later when he bacame a great singer Saigal sang this Bhajan “Radhe rani re daro na” in his movie “Puran bagath” in 1933 and all his four Bhajans in that film created a sensation throughout India.

Veteran Music director and actor Pankaj Mullick who had worked with K.L.Saigal described that “Saigal's voice was a tenor with a true pitch and a three-octave span.” Saigal could use his tenor voice with telling effect in a number of songs even though his forte was soft, soothing tunes rendered in his inimitable baritone .

When K. L Saigal worked as a salesman before he chose music as a vocation, his singing was limited to his friend's circle. During one such occasion of his singing, a sales representative of Hindustan Record Company happened to be present in the congregation. He recognized Saigal's potential and persuaded him to sign a contract for recordings with the company. All his non-film songs were invariably issued during his lifetime, under the Hindustan label, though in later years his records of film songs appeared under H.M.V. Iabel. (Hindustan was a sister concern to H.M.V.). His first recorded song “Jhulna-Jhulaye-rii” set in Raag Gandhari was released by Hindustan Recording Company.Then onwards, there was no looking back for him, the fame of Saigal as a singer spread to every corner of the Country. But it was B.N.Sircar the founder of New Theatres, Calcutta, who discovered the potential of Saigal in the field of Cinema and gave him the contract for acting in his Films. Saigal was lucky to work under great Music Directors of that time . His style of film music was shaped by famous Music Directors like R.C.Boral, Timir Baran and Punkaj Malik. His was a leisurely music rendered with ease, struck to the discipline of Raagas. Clarity in his diction was his asset. He never stooped to musical acrobatics. In those days orchestration was simple with few musical instruments, they never intervened with the voice of the singer.

Though K L Saigal started acting in 1931, and the real break through came with the Film “Devdas” in 1935, in which he acted as Devdas, which established Saigal as the first Super Star of Indian cinema. His song “Baalam aaye baso more man meii“ was a trend setter in cinema music. This tune was so charming it was used in many Indian languages. In Tamil Smt. D.K.Pattammal has rendered a song “Poonkuyil koovum pooncholayil oru naal”(பூங்குயில் கூவும் பூஞ்சோலையில் ஒரு நாள்) set to this tune. Many people may not know that K.L.Saigal had rendered two Tamil Songs in the Tamil version of Devdas released by New Theaters. .They are “Koodiye paduvai komalak kiliye” (கூடியே பாடுவோம் கோமளக் கிளியே) and “Madana undanmel maha moham” ( மதனா உந்தன்மேல் மஹா மொஹம்) .Then on the magic of Saigal left its imprint in every film that he acted by a number of immortal songs. “Duniya rang rangeli baba” in Dharthimatha (1935), Ek bangala bane nyara in Prasident (1937), Then the film Street singer (1938) came with his unforgetable “Babul Mora Naihar Choto Hi Jaay“followed by “Aas Karon Kya Aas Niraas Bhayi” in the film Dhushman.(1939). Kundan Lal Saigal rendered his immortal classic “So jaa Rajkumaari So jaa“ in the film Zindagi (1940). Saigal ended his New Theatre era by shifting to Bombay in 1941

Saigal joined Ranjit Movietone, Bombay owned by Chandulal Shah on regular contract in December 1941. Here also his songs“ Madhukar shyam hamari chorr” in pictures Bakhta Surdas (1942) and “Diya Jalao Jagmag Jagmag” in Tansen (1943) were big hits.He did a film My Sister (1944) for New Theaters, Calcutta. His song “Do Nainaa matware tihaare hampar zulm kare“ in the film was a big hit.

In the mean while Saigal fell sick and his last film “Shahjahan“ (1946) was a memorable one. In spite of his failing health, Saigal gave wonderful music under the direction of Music director Naushad Ali in that picture. His last song “Jab dil hi toot geya, hum jee ke kya karenge” said to have been rendered rendered by him sitting on his bed.

Saigal was a good person, dependable friend and had a heart of gold who gave all that he had to the needy. But unfortunately he fell to the clutches of alcohol, which together with his diabetes killed him ultimately. Kundan Lal Saigal died in his home town Jullandar on January, 18, 1947 at the prime age of 43.

K.L.Saigal was married to Asha rani and had two daughters and a son. Not much is known about them.

Saigal has recorded 185 songs in his career spanning about 13 years. The period from 1933 to 1946, is known in the Hindi film world as the Saigal era of music. The list of his songs include 142 Film songs and 43 private recordings. Saigal has rendered songs in Urdu/Hindustani, Bengali, Farsi, Tamil and Punjabi.Many singers who entered the world of film music later , could not resist emulating his style, of singing.. That includes Talat Mahmood (“Sab din ek samaan nahin thha“) Mukesh (`Dil jalta hai to jalne de“.) Kishor Kumar (“Jagmag jagmag karta “). C.H. Atma (“Preetam aan milo”) and Surrendra (” Aawaaz de kahan hai“)..

Well, what is special about Saigal's music? His simplicity and relaxed mode of rendering his songs were his magic. Behind it lies his utmost devotion and hardwork. Lata Mangeshkar an ardent admirer of Saigal has brought out two albums “Shradhdhanjali“ by singing the songs of Saigal as a mark of her tribute to him.

to continue. . . .