Reconstruction of the Satyadhyana Vidyapeetha, A Divine Project-An opportunity not to be missed.

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12-08-08

Reconstruction of the Satyadhyana Vidyapeetha, A Divine Project-An

opportunity not to be missed.

 

The ongoing Divine Project of reconstruction of the

Satyadhyana Vidyapeetha at Mulund, like any other construction

initiative, had to undergo initial hardships. " Teething Troubles "

created conditions far more serious in nature than anticipated leading

to exhaustion of almost all resources. However, the Governing council

of the Vidyapeetha was able to overcome the hardships with the help of

well wishers of the Vidyapeetha and devotees of Lord Venkatesha. The

Council is indebted to all of them for their timely invaluable help.

The Vidyapeetha has still a long way to go. The very fact

that it has been spreading the Vedic lore and Madhwa philosophy and

its culture in the metropolis for more than four decades and that too

on an ever increasing scale is a proof of its having Divine sanction

and the same Divine grace will help the Vidyapeetha sail through the

troubled waters the future has in its store.

The project offers all of us the rare opportunity to take

part in it and serve God thereby. Needless to say, he who helps it in

any form will receive benefits from quarters often unexpected, as it

happened in the case of a friend of the writer.

The friend, a " high-caste Brahmin " in the words of Wilky

Collins, gifted with expertise in many subjects, particularly in

Accounts and genuine willingness to help others was, in his youth,

asked by a wise man; high-priest of a temple, to look after the

accounts of the temple being renovated, turned deaf ears to the

request, preferring to spend his leisure time in the company of his

friends, being little aware of having missed a golden opportunity to

tread the road to success; an opportunity rarely knocks twice on one's

door. It marked the beginning of a saga of failures.

A bright student as he was, he had secured distinction in

matriculation but failed to complete graduation, despite being

acknowledged as an exceptionally bright student by teachers and

students alike in college. Later years saw him employed in a

semi-government undertaking, while many of his friends with lesser

percentage in matriculation got employment in banks and well-paying

commercial organizations. He was a conscientious worker and helped his

colleagues in office and yet he remained a Class III employee

throughout his career.

He was a rare example of disproportionate returns; he

received much less in return for inputs. " Apayash he pachvila

pujalay—I am born to fail " , he would often lament and yet he continued

to be duty conscious and always helped others. Like every rule has

exceptions, there were two exceptions to his long tale of failures; on

the home front he received love and affection more than what, he

admitted, he gave and his colleagues appreciated his knowledge and

helping hand very generously. These two factors probably provided the

required inputs for his not being turned into a despondent. Just as

the adage goes that every beginning has an end, the era of failures

came to an end, but in an extra ordinary manner.

Some years ago, in the month of January, the friend visited the same

temple, on the request of a colleague. The small temple had grown into

a spacious complex, where some senior people, unknown to him, were

busy discussing finalization of accounts. One of them, a very lustrous

man, mentioned the friend's name and said that if he could be

persuaded to look after the accounts, he would not only complete the

job in time, but would also help the temple administration reach

higher levels.

The friend was astonished beyond words at the mention of his name. The

reference, which he came to know latter on, had come from the high

priest himself. It sounded like silver bells ringing in his ears and

its resonance reached the deeper recesses of his mind subduing all

other sounds and brought back to his memory of a similar request made

some decades ago and he realized that turning down of the request was

the cause of his failures. He knew that opportunity knocks on one's

door only once but he considered himself lucky, for it had knocked on

his door twice! This time he did not want to miss it. He approached

the high priest and prostrated before him. Introducing himself, he

said he was willing to take up the job voluntarily. The priest was

highly pleased and blessed him.

 

This most singular incident took place about a decade ago.

The friend has indeed helped the temple reach greater heights as

foreseen. His talents are being appreciated even by eminent people and

his services acknowledged. He now symbolizes humility and love, which

have added a spiritual dimension to his personality.

 

The readers, unlike the friend, have not missed the

opportunity as borne out by the fact that they are already on the

path. God has now offered all of us one more opportunity to serve Him

in the form of reshaping the Satyadhyana Vidyapeetha for achieving

greater success that will lead us to a higher plane of existence,

which, in the slightly changed words of a great scholar, who said in a

lighter vein, is scarcely populated.

Dear Reader, let us not miss this opportunity.

 

With best regards,

Ramchandra Tammanacharya. Gutti.

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