Tuesday, December 26, 2023

On Completion of the Third Anniversary of KVR Literary Circle

 Greetings and best wishes to all the group members,   

       https://chat.whatsapp.com/G8qtKa29sND9XtmtQlijXH                                                                      

Celebrating its third anniversary, the KVR Literary Circle stands as a progressive and transformative community, uniting students from SVU-Tirupati, YVU-Kadapa, CUTN-Tamilnadu, and admirers of the multifaceted KV Raghupathi Sir, renowned as a Great Teacher, Guide, Mentor, Poet, Writer, Critic, Philosopher, and Yogi. This literary haven originates in a remarkable incident that profoundly shaped the founder's vision and purpose. 

In 2018, Dr. KV Raghupathi offered invaluable advice, encouraging the establishment of the KVR Literary Circle. This visionary suggestion carried the weight of Dr. Raghupathi's insights and promised a literary endeavor transcending boundaries, uniting like-minded individuals. However, fate intervened, leading to unexpected events that temporarily postponed the realization of this literary dream.

At the end of October 2020, a significant moment unfolded as I survived a harrowing RTC bus accident during a journey. I felt something suffocating at midnight. It was five past 12 o clock in midnight. I tried to open the window for fresh air. I observed all corners of the bus and noticed everyone was asleep. At that moment, I felt I was the only conscious being there, along with the driver... I thought.  But it was proved wrong. I sensed a potential danger on the cards at that time, as the bus was moving like a snake on a dark night in the forest, and the driver was dozing off. I yelled at the driver, and I called the Supreme Godhead, as there was nothing I could do from my end. Within a fraction of a second, the bus fell at the driver's end and careened off the divider, gliding over the other side of the road, screeching, and then dropped into a forest stream nearly 20 feet below the highway.  Luckily, no vehicle was passing on the other side of the road. If any car were passing, it would be a great catastrophe. A humble neem tree, an unlikely savior, saved the poor bus from that horrible catastrophe. The tree served as a shock absorber, lessening the impact and ensuring the safety of 54 passengers by sacrificing itself. Amidst the wreckage, I succumbed under the passengers and a pile of luggage. As an NCC officer, I drew upon military training to guide fellow passengers to safety.



This traumatic experience catalyzed change, inspiring the establishment of the KVR Literary Circle. Conceived in response to life's fragility and the profound interconnectedness of humanity and nature, the circle emerged as a platform dedicated to eco-poetry. It fosters an understanding of the environment and our shared responsibility towards it.

The narrative encapsulates my personal journey from adversity to inspiration and underscores the transformative power of literature. The KVR Literary Circle, focusing on nature-centric poetry, serves as a poignant reminder that creativity can emerge from unexpected places. As the group commemorates its third year, it symbolizes resilience, unity, and the potential for positive change through literature and shared experiences. The neem tree, a silent guardian in the darkness, becomes a metaphor for the circle—a source of strength, protection, and growth.                                                                                                                                                                         

I thank all the group members for successfully completing their third year. Let's hope for the best in the coming year.

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Saturday, December 23, 2023

The Surprising Story of Big Tirumala Laddu

 The Surprising Story of Big


Thirumala Laddu:

In 2006, I worked at Govt Jr College, Kowthalam, Kurnool District, near Manthralayam. One day, the Department of Science planned a trip to Manthralayam. The science staff and students invited me to participate in the trip. I told them I had work at Kadapa; hence, I needed to go. I politely declined their invitation. However, I informed the students that anyone who concentrates their mind on the divine feet of Sri Raghavendra Swamy during the darshan of his Brindavan (Sajeeva Samadhi) at the shrine of Manthralayam will definitely receive the blessings/prasada of Kamalanath (Kamala = Lakshmi, Nath = Lord Vishnu/Lord Balaji). Students exclaimed that His prasada means Thirumala Laddu... sir!!! Shall we get that Laddu??? They remarked playfully. I smiled and assured them they would surely get the Big Laddu. The big Laddu will be distributed to the devotees who perform the Kalyanotsava Puja Seva at Tirumala of Seven Hills, the abode of Lord Venkatesha. I applied for a casual leave and left for Kadapa.



Mr. Raghavendra, a lecturer in Chemistry, led 30 science students to Manthralayam. He was a native of that town and had worked daily during the evening procession during his childhood days at the temple, playing drums. He was a well-known person there. After the darshan of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, the students came out when a six-foot-tall, majestic lady stood regally, holding a Big Laddu from Tirumala in both hands. It was strange to see Laddu at Manthralayam. The students were amazed. She interacted with the students and inquired about their teacher. Raghavendra, the lecturer in Chemistry, was busy talking with the temple priests. The students called him to come out. He rushed out and was astonished to see that tall, gentle lady with the Big Laddu in her hand. She handed over the fresh Big Kalyana Seva Laddu and told him to distribute it to the students. The students reminded me of my words through phone calls. 

I was amazed too!!! 

The concluding part of the Sri Raghavendra Swamy Sthotra goes like this:  

"Yo Bhkthya Guru Raghavedra charana dwandham smaran yah pateth,  

Stotram divyamidham sada nahi bhaved thasyaa sukham kinchna  

Kintvistartha samriddireva Kamalanatha Prasadodayath."  

Any devotee who can concentrate his/her mind on the Divine Lotus feet of Sri Raghavendra (Sri Sri Sri Raja Prahlad) will surely receive the blessings of Lord Venkateshwara.  

"Why did I say the above lines to the students..."  

"Why did that tall, gentle woman appear and hand over that Big Laddu to the students..."

It's still a mystery for me.


Twin Dawns on Mid August: 15th August.

(Birth of Sri Aurobindo and the Birth of Free India)  *On the 154th Birth Anniversary of Sri Aurobindo*  Bonne fête! Bonne fête, O Lord Divi...