Some have made it big, like Lakshmi Mittal in industry, like Amitabh in films, like Jesudas in music. There are many of them in different fields, breaking new grounds and rising up to the sky in name and fame. They define excellence, their actions speak louder than words and they need no introduction.

There are also some, like me, who have no such identity, who fill up an auditorium than take the stage, who remain in shade than in limelight, who make the applause and not receive it and who do need an introduction. So, let me do with an introduction and write few words about myself and my achievements or the lack of it. I would better write what I am not, rather than what I am. Better skip it or read on, if you must, for whatever it is worth.

Born at Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala, I am thankful to this town for giving me the primary education, for the cultural and religious influence it made on me and for seeing me off when I reached 20. I was not a brilliant student despite studying at Vivekodhayam, the school that produced many geniuses and I barely managed to scrap through SSLC. Years later, I came out of Andhra University with an MA degree in Public Administration.

Calcutta gave me an address and identity. The city, which has a unique character of its own, can boast of some great saints and scientists, scholars and intellectuals. I received great inspiration from the city and its Institutions like Ramakrishna Mission, the Ved Bhavan and Bhajana Samaj, the Bharati Tamil Sangham, the National Library, the Friends Association etc.

I joined the Public Sector, Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers (then Fertilizer Corporation) and was placed in Marketing Division. Marketing is fundamental for any business activity whether it is hair styling or banking. An integral part of Management, Marketing contributes directly for the success of an organization. The best Marketing man is one who identifies a prospective customer, convinces him of the need to own a particular product, converts him into a customer and retains him as one. Over 25 years later, I realized that I was not made out to be a good Marketing Officer either.

Not all who came out of Indian Institute of Mass Communication or Asian college of Journalism turned out to be accredited journalists and not all well known writers came through any of the School of Journalism. The power of writing is something inherent that is not only taught but also developed with perseverance and practice. With no such qualities to back up, it was natural that I could not make much headway in journalism. However, I kept my writing interest alive and surprisingly some were published and naturally some were not. While the articles that got published were few, the articles that were returned were many. “The Editor thanks for your article but regrets for not being able to make use of it”. Those were the words the Editors were fond of using. I remember those words as I received many such letters. But not all ‘unusable’ articles came back. Perhaps, some of them were so ‘unusable’ that the Editor thought, they did not merit even a regret-note and just consigned them to the dust bin. But I kept on writing, on subjects like Marketing, Communication, politics and even cinema. Perhaps, I made better sense while writing on religion. I am thankful to Hindu and other journals for making use of them. The best of me was reflected in my book: “Thiruppugazh: Glory to Lord Muruga”.

We were shown the path of Thiruppugazh by our Guruji, Calcutta Sri Mani Iyer even in late 50s but in the struggle for survival and success, I had lost my way. The official and personal responsibilities were demanding and getting all my mind and time. Then, one fine morning, 31st August 1998, to be precise, RCF gave me the shawl, sweets and bouquets. It was time to breathe some free air. It was time to regain the lost ground. Then, as if by a divine blessing, I got acquainted with Thiruppugazh Anbargal, the group led by Guruji Sri A.S. Raghavan. Their message was loud and clear and melodious: “Come this way, the Thiruppugazh way, the right way towards God realization”. I followed their steps. The life that passed through many phases, sailed through many places and faced turbulent times at last seemed to have steadied, found its destination and the correct way to reach it.

But do I at least qualify to be a true devotee? Did I adhere to the principles of ‘love-towards-all and-hatred-towards-none? Did I consider service before self at all times? Did I sing aloud the praise of Muruga? Did I ever seek the advice and blessings of saints? I now recollect the following passage from Kandhar Alamgaram: (Padikkindilai Pazhani Thiru Namam…………)

"Oh! My ‘self’, you have not chanted often
the glory of the Lord of Palani,
You have not uttered His sacred names: Muruga Muruga,
You have not fallen at the feet of the learned pundits
You have not given charities to the needy.
You have not sung in ecstasy before the deity
You have not danced in tune to His glorious songs
You have not come out of your self interests
and risen up to a higher level,
When confronted by problems,
you have not faced them,
You have not made any amends to your mistakes"

Now that I have been led to the correct path, I have found the Sathsangh and guided to the right destination, I will continue to sing Thiruppugazh, Glory to Lord Muruga in the divine company of Thiruppugazh Anbargal. As they say, it is never too late.

 

V.S. Krishnan -  vsk_tiruppugazh@yahoo.com.  Phone: 0422-2426283/ 4341283