K. R. K. Murthy - LESSONS FROM BHAGAVAN’S LIFE

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LESSONS FROM BHAGAVAN’S LIFE

 

K. R. K. Murthy

 

Our Bhagavan was an adept in the art of cooking. He

used to cut vegetables, grind pulses and freely take part in

various kinds of preparations. In the utilisation of different parts

of a vegetable or fruit, his suggestions were very valuable and

worth noting. He was very economical and knew how to put

to use anything that came his way.

 

Once when there was a discussion about the foodstuffs

such as onions, drumsticks, carrots, etc., which the orthodox

people avoid, Sri Bhagavan remarked that they may do good to

the body, but not to the mind. They may purify the blood and

benefit the body, but they rouse passions and are not helpful

for the purification of the mind (manassudhi).

 

Giving up for life certain fruits, nuts or other foodstuffs

dear to one, during the pilgrimages to holy places, is one of the

practices prevalent among the religious people. One day Sri

Bhagavan noticed a devotee avoiding a mango on this ground

and commented that a better form of tyaga (renunciation) would

be to accept whatever one happens to get and not to crave for

that which is not available.

 

Once Sri Bhagavan expressed that one may avoid things

which do not agree with one’s constitution and take necessary

quantities of suitable ones that do him good. But maintenance

of body and health should not occupy much attention as it is

not our chief pursuit.

 

Sri Bhagavan never used to compromise with equality in

serving meals. He never agreed to accept anything which is not

equally shared by his fellow diners. He was satisfied only when

he was served in the end after everyone was served. He liked

that he should be given only smaller quantities of even the most

delicious or costly dishes than others. Even under exceptional

circumstances he was not willing to take the food of superior

quality unless it was distributed to all. This was one of the

principles he observed very rigorously.

 

Sri Bhagavan made people of different tongues in South

India quite at home by speaking or writing in their respective

languages. It requires a great effort to cross the narrow linguistic

barriers and shed the unjustifiable prejudices against sister

languages and appreciate good works in them. Only one who

studies one or two languages in addition to his mother tongue

and moves and lives with others has ample opportunities of

broadening his outlook and also of reaching others’ hearts. The

initial linguistic affinities do not last long and after all, people

of the same mentality flock together, whatever their mother

tongue is. Sri Bhagavan is particularly adored as he had taken a

lot of pains to master several languages and write his works in

the same for the benefit of devotees from various parts. His

glorious example will continue to influence generations of

devotees to put forth their best efforts in this direction and to

come closer by understanding one another better.