Prof. S K Ramachandra Rao - Adherence to the Tattva and Jīva-saṃskāra

Adherence to the Tattva – Fundamental Philosophy

The alepayoga[1] that the Bhagavad-gītā talks about was not just a topic that Rao preached. He had put it in to practice in his own life. Let us keep aside the aspect of running behind awards and recognitions. He never sought even the things that should have been lawfully and morally his. When I recall all this in my mind, I sometimes feel dejected about the extent to which our society becomes insensitive. One of the governmental organizations that he worked for had even forgotten to pay him! Rao also did not ask for any payment. At a much later point in time, the Manager of the institution realized this lapse and paid Ramachandra Rao all the dues of his salary.

Among the several works that Ramachandra Rao has penned, there are many where his analytical skills and original analysis are seen. Śaṅkara and Adhyāsa-bhāṣya and ŚaṅkaraA Psychological Study stand as good examples for those. There are many works of his that are renditions of traditional literature in a manner that today’s society can understand and relate to. However, even in such works, the kind of talent and skill he has displayed are unparalleled. Moreover, there was no one else who could take up tasks of that magnitude and execute them with such great efficiency. In fact, the research work on Vedic literature and the several encyclopaedic works that he brought out through the Kalpataru Research Academy are sufficient to make his name immortal.

~

One example for Ramachandra Rao’s ethical stance is the manner in which he gave up the post of a Professor at the All India Institute of Mental Health[2]. It was a highly reputed job; something that many could only aspire for. However, there were two reasons for Rao to develop aversion towards the job. He was not given the kind of promotion that he was supposed to get in the natural course – it was because of some issues internal to the institute. While this was only a minor reason, the other important cause for his resignation was that social sciences, Āyurveda, yoga-śāstra, and other allied indigenous streams of knowledge associated with psychology were not encouraged. The institution did not allow the blending of these streams. Ramachandra Rao was not in the favour of delimiting teaching. He disliked the very attitude and the narrow treatment of subjects.

This sort of irritation is not rare. Those who join an institution merely for the sake of a job might accustom themselves to such circumstances. However, Ramachandra Rao lived for values. He never wished to compromise on human values and ethical position merely for the sake of earning a livelihood. It was unimaginable for a person like him to continue in that job.

When we, his close associates, heard that Ramachandra Rao had decided to resign from his job, grew a bit anxious. When he informed DVG about this, it saddened him a lot.

After this, Rao worked as a professor at several reputed institutions – Indian Institute of Science, R V Teachers’ College, Collison College, Bangalore University, etc. During his period at all these institutions, he was known as a great teacher and trained several groups of students in a remarkable manner. Yet there was little opportunity for such institutions to put his multi-dimensional talent to the right purpose.  Therefore, even during the days that he was employed by different institutions, he continued to deliver lectures, write articles, and edit works. He had gotten used to doing this kind of work. It was his activities related to teaching and writing that ultimately brought him great contentment. Even after he freed himself from the post of professor of psychology at the Bangalore University, he worked as the Head of the Vivekananda Chair [3] of the Mysore University and served as a Visiting Professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies.

Enriching Literature

The series of books that Ramachandra Rao published through the Kalpataru Research Academy (established by Daivajña Somayaji, an expert in jyautiṣa) are not only the pinnacles of his work but are also great contributions to the scholarly world. Āgama-kośa, Pratimā-kośa, Ṛgveda-darśana – these series of works have explored the āgamas, vedic literature, and architecture in all their details. The works are deep and profound. Even thinking of the magnitude of the task makes us spellbound. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that only a person with expertise in different streams of knowledge can take up such a herculean task.

It is the fortune of the scholarly world that a person like Ramachandra Rao, though from the traditional background of śāstras, took up so many writing tasks.

It appears like Ramachandra Rao took to writing in the Kannada language only after he was about thirty years old. In the years prior to 1956, he had authored only a few articles, and all in English. It is not surprising that he had a good hand at writing English. It was in about 1954–55 that Rao felt that it was necessary to write in Kannada too. He mastered the technique in writing Kannada in a short time. It was Rao’s practice to involve himself to the best of his abilities and put in immense effort to achieve whatever he felt was his duty.

~

Jīva-saṃskāra: Culturing of Life

Ramachandra Rao’s mind traversed a huge world of books. An important aspect that needs to be mentioned here is that he always valued ātma-saṃskāra – culturing one’s self. He had this nature from a tender age. Rao, in his mind and heart, considered Jagadguru Candraśekhara Bhāratī Svāmī as his guru and this too wasn’t just by chance. It only reflects the great saṃskāras he had. It was because he had these features in his personality, he had a profound vision for life, internal calm and total control of his mind and senses.

~

Ramachandra Rao, although born in a family that adhered to dvaita philosophy and practises, was unbiased in his interaction with the world. This was a quality he inherited from his father, Krishna Rao. Even when Ramachandra Rao deviated a bit from traditional practices, though such circumstances were rare, his father did not object. At best, he would say, “You think about it and do as you think is best.” Rao often recollected these words of his father.

Rao’s association with matured gurus such as Yajnavithala Acharya and Palghat Narayana Shastry had cultured his mind. His gurus were not only thorough in their learning of the specific subject but were also filled with impeccable qualities.

Rao always wore a pleasant demeanour and all his interactions with the world were pleasing. It is not that Rao cultivated this nature with great effort or restraint. This was, in fact, a natural result of his internal culturing, maturity and profundity of personality.

In a couple of instances, the rigid stances that Ramachandra Rao took, came out as a result of his deep study and research. Though valid from a philosophical perspective, they had disturbed the sentiments of many. In such instances, he did not get into combative arguments and instead, openly expressed his sadness. When he discovered that someone was pained for no evident cause from his side, he still behaved in a generous manner.

However, there were only one or two instances of this nature. The only purpose with which I recollect these is to indicate Ramachandra Rao’s magnanimity.

In a few rare instances, Ramachandra Rao happened to speak in a manner where it could appear as though he had compromised his generous self. He did so when he found that something was good enough from the perspective of scholarship or thoroughness and there was undue criticism hurled at the subject. This, in fact, was not in line with his true nature. Yet, he later felt bad and repented for his behaviour. For him, serenity was a value he nurtured.

As mentioned before, these are extremely rare and exceptional circumstances. At most times, he followed the principle ‘para-guṇa-pramāṇūn-parvatīkṛtya’ - recognizing and appreciating a quality in the other person, which might be as small as an atom -  and this is in everyone’s experience too.

Yet another quality that stands as evidence for the fact Rao belongs to the ranks of stalwarts of the ārṣa-saṃskṛti [4] is the devotion that he had for his teachers and seniors such DVG and Rallapalli Ananthakrishna Sarma. He had this feeling throughout his life. It was not just on public platforms; even in private conversations, whenever there was a mention of any of their names, Rao’s face would get filled with an expression of submission and gratefulness. When we recall his humility even today, our eyes get wet. It is the noble values for life that he practised made him a person of such a great stature.

To be continued...

The current article is an English adaptation of the Kannada original which has appeared in the Dīptaśṛṅgagalu, authored by Nadoja Dr. S R Ramaswamy. Thanks to Sri Hari Ravikumar for his edits. Full form of the article is a part of 'A Tapestry of Pen Portraits' published by Prekshaa Pratishtana in December 2020.


[1] Working without a feeling of attachment

[2] Now called NIMHANS

[3] The chair was a newly established one

[4] Sublime tradition of the Indian seers.

 

Author(s)

About:

Nadoja Dr. S R Ramaswamy is a renowned journalist, writer, art critic, environmentalist, and social activist. He has authored over fifty books and thousands of articles. He was a close associate of stalwarts like D. V. Gundappa, Rallapalli Anantakrishna Sharma, V Sitaramaiah, and others. He is currently the honorary Editor-in-Chief of Utthana and served as the Honorary Secretary of the Gokhale Institute of Public Affairs for many years.

Translator(s)

About:

Arjun is a writer, translator, engineer, and enjoys composing poems. He is well-versed in Sanskrit, Kannada, English, Greek, and German languages. His research interests lie in comparative aesthetics of classical Greek and Sanskrit literature. He has deep interest in the theatre arts and music. Arjun has (co-) translated the works of AR Krishna Shastri, DV Gundappa, Dr. SL Bhyrappa, Dr. SR Ramaswamy and Shatavadhani Dr. R Ganesh

Prekshaa Publications

Indian Perspective of Truth and Beauty in Homer’s Epics is a unique work on the comparative study of the Greek Epics Iliad and Odyssey with the Indian Epics – Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata. Homer, who laid the foundations for the classical tradition of the West, occupies a stature similar to that occupied by the seer-poets Vālmīki and Vyāsa, who are synonymous with the Indian culture. The author...

Karnataka’s celebrated polymath, D V Gundappa brings together in the sixth volume of reminiscences character sketches of prominent public figures, liberals, and social workers. These remarkable personages hailing from different corners of South India are from a period that spans from the late nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century. Written in Kannada in the 1970s, these memoirs go...

An Introduction to Hinduism based on Primary Sources

Authors: Śatāvadhānī Dr. R Ganesh, Hari Ravikumar

What is the philosophical basis for Sanātana-dharma, the ancient Indian way of life? What makes it the most inclusive and natural of all religio-philosophical systems in the world?

The Essential Sanātana-dharma serves as a handbook for anyone who wishes to grasp the...

Karnataka’s celebrated polymath, D V Gundappa brings together in the fifth volume, episodes from the lives of traditional savants responsible for upholding the Vedic culture. These memorable characters lived a life of opulence amidst poverty— theirs  was the wealth of the soul, far beyond money and gold. These vidvāns hailed from different corners of the erstwhile Mysore Kingdom and lived in...

Padma Bhushan Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam represents the quintessence of Sage Bharata’s art and Bhārata, the country that gave birth to the peerless seer of the Nāṭya-veda. Padma’s erudition in various streams of Indic knowledge, mastery over many classical arts, deep understanding of the nuances of Indian culture, creative genius, and sublime vision bolstered by the vedāntic and nationalistic...

Bhārata has been a land of plenty in many ways. We have had a timeless tradition of the twofold principle of Brāhma (spirit of wisdom) and Kṣāttra (spirit of valour) nourishing and protecting this sacred land. The Hindu civilisation, rooted in Sanātana-dharma, has constantly been enriched by brāhma and safeguarded by kṣāttra.
The renowned Sanskrit poet and scholar, Śatāvadhānī Dr. R...

ಛಂದೋವಿವೇಕವು ವರ್ಣವೃತ್ತ, ಮಾತ್ರಾಜಾತಿ ಮತ್ತು ಕರ್ಷಣಜಾತಿ ಎಂದು ವಿಭಕ್ತವಾದ ಎಲ್ಲ ಬಗೆಯ ಛಂದಸ್ಸುಗಳನ್ನೂ ವಿವೇಚಿಸುವ ಪ್ರಬಂಧಗಳ ಸಂಕಲನ. ಲೇಖಕರ ದೀರ್ಘಕಾಲಿಕ ಆಲೋಚನೆಯ ಸಾರವನ್ನು ಒಳಗೊಂಡ ಈ ಹೊತ್ತಗೆ ಪ್ರಧಾನವಾಗಿ ಛಂದಸ್ಸಿನ ಸೌಂದರ್ಯವನ್ನು ಲಕ್ಷಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ತೌಲನಿಕ ವಿಶ್ಲೇಷಣೆ ಮತ್ತು ಅಂತಃಶಾಸ್ತ್ರೀಯ ಅಧ್ಯಯನಗಳ ತೆಕ್ಕೆಗೆ ಬರುವ ಬರೆಹಗಳೂ ಇಲ್ಲಿವೆ. ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಕಾರನಿಗಲ್ಲದೆ ಸಿದ್ಧಹಸ್ತನಾದ ಕವಿಗೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ಸ್ಫುರಿಸಬಲ್ಲ ಎಷ್ಟೋ ಹೊಳಹುಗಳು ಕೃತಿಯ ಮೌಲಿಕತೆಯನ್ನು ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಸಿವೆ. ಈ...

Karnataka’s celebrated polymath, D V Gundappa brings together in the fourth volume, some character sketches of the Dewans of Mysore preceded by an account of the political framework of the State before Independence and followed by a review of the political conditions of the State after 1940. These remarkable leaders of Mysore lived in a period that spans from the mid-nineteenth century to the...

Bharatiya Kavya-mimamseya Hinnele is a monograph on Indian Aesthetics by Mahamahopadhyaya N. Ranganatha Sharma. The book discusses the history and significance of concepts pivotal to Indian literary theory. It is equally useful to the learned and the laity.

Sahitya-samhite is a collection of literary essays in Kannada. The book discusses aestheticians such as Ananda-vardhana and Rajashekhara; Sanskrit scholars such as Mena Ramakrishna Bhat, Sridhar Bhaskar Varnekar and K S Arjunwadkar; and Kannada litterateurs such as DVG, S L Bhyrappa and S R Ramaswamy. It has a foreword by Shatavadhani Dr. R Ganesh.

The Mahābhārata is the greatest epic in the world both in magnitude and profundity. A veritable cultural compendium of Bhārata-varṣa, it is a product of the creative genius of Maharṣi Kṛṣṇa-dvaipāyana Vyāsa. The epic captures the experiential wisdom of our civilization and all subsequent literary, artistic, and philosophical creations are indebted to it. To read the Mahābhārata is to...

Shiva Rama Krishna

சிவன். ராமன். கிருஷ்ணன்.
இந்திய பாரம்பரியத்தின் முப்பெரும் கதாநாயகர்கள்.
உயர் இந்தியாவில் தலைமுறைகள் பல கடந்தும் கடவுளர்களாக போற்றப்பட்டு வழிகாட்டிகளாக விளங்குபவர்கள்.
மனித ஒற்றுமை நூற்றாண்டுகால பரிணாம வளர்ச்சியின் பரிமாணம்.
தனிநபர்களாகவும், குடும்ப உறுப்பினர்களாகவும், சமுதாய பிரஜைகளாகவும் நாம் அனைவரும் பரிமளிக்கிறோம்.
சிவன் தனிமனித அடையாளமாக அமைகிறான்....

ऋतुभिः सह कवयः सदैव सम्बद्धाः। विशिष्य संस्कृतकवयः। यथा हि ऋतवः प्रतिसंवत्सरं प्रतिनवतामावहन्ति मानवेषु तथैव ऋतुवर्णनान्यपि काव्यरसिकेषु कामपि विच्छित्तिमातन्वते। ऋतुकल्याणं हि सत्यमिदमेव हृदि कृत्वा प्रवृत्तम्। नगरजीवनस्य यान्त्रिकतां मान्त्रिकतां च ध्वनदिदं चम्पूकाव्यं गद्यपद्यमिश्रितमिति सुव्यक्तमेव। ऐदम्पूर्वतया प्रायः पुरीपरिसरप्रसृतानाम् ऋतूनां विलासोऽत्र प्रपञ्चितः। बेङ्गलूरुनामके...

The Art and Science of Avadhānam in Sanskrit is a definitive work on Sāhityāvadhānam, a form of Indian classical art based on multitasking, lateral thinking, and extempore versification. Dotted throughout with tasteful examples, it expounds in great detail on the theory and practice of this unique performing art. It is as much a handbook of performance as it is an anthology of well-turned...

This anthology is a revised edition of the author's 1978 classic. This series of essays, containing his original research in various fields, throws light on the socio-cultural landscape of Tamil Nadu spanning several centuries. These compelling episodes will appeal to scholars and laymen alike.
“When superstitious mediaevalists mislead the country about its judicial past, we have to...

The cultural history of a nation, unlike the customary mainstream history, has a larger time-frame and encompasses the timeless ethos of a society undergirding the course of events and vicissitudes. A major key to the understanding of a society’s unique character is an appreciation of the far-reaching contributions by outstanding personalities of certain periods – especially in the realms of...

Prekṣaṇīyam is an anthology of essays on Indian classical dance and theatre authored by multifaceted scholar and creative genius, Śatāvadhānī Dr. R Ganesh. As a master of śāstra, a performing artiste (of the ancient art of Avadhānam), and a cultured rasika, he brings a unique, holistic perspective to every discussion. These essays deal with the philosophy, history, aesthetics, and practice of...

Yaugandharam

इदं किञ्चिद्यामलं काव्यं द्वयोः खण्डकाव्ययोः सङ्कलनरूपम्। रामानुरागानलं हि सीतापरित्यागाल्लक्ष्मणवियोगाच्च श्रीरामेणानुभूतं हृदयसङ्क्षोभं वर्णयति । वात्सल्यगोपालकं तु कदाचिद्भानूपरागसमये घटितं यशोदाश्रीकृष्णयोर्मेलनं वर्णयति । इदम्प्रथमतया संस्कृतसाहित्ये सम्पूर्णं काव्यं...

Vanitakavitotsavah

इदं खण्डकाव्यमान्तं मालिनीछन्दसोपनिबद्धं विलसति। मेनकाविश्वामित्रयोः समागमः, तत्फलतया शकुन्तलाया जननम्, मातापितृभ्यां त्यक्तस्य शिशोः कण्वमहर्षिणा परिपालनं चेति काव्यस्यास्येतिवृत्तसङ्क्षेपः।

Vaiphalyaphalam

इदं खण्डकाव्यमान्तं मालिनीछन्दसोपनिबद्धं विलसति। मेनकाविश्वामित्रयोः समागमः, तत्फलतया शकुन्तलाया जननम्, मातापितृभ्यां त्यक्तस्य शिशोः कण्वमहर्षिणा परिपालनं चेति काव्यस्यास्येतिवृत्तसङ्क्षेपः।

Nipunapraghunakam

इयं रचना दशसु रूपकेष्वन्यतमस्य भाणस्य निदर्शनतामुपैति। एकाङ्करूपकेऽस्मिन् शेखरकनामा चित्रोद्यमलेखकः केनापि हेतुना वियोगम् अनुभवतोश्चित्रलेखामिलिन्दकयोः समागमं सिसाधयिषुः कथामाकाशभाषणरूपेण निर्वहति।

Bharavatarastavah

अस्मिन् स्तोत्रकाव्ये भगवन्तं शिवं कविरभिष्टौति। वसन्ततिलकयोपनिबद्धस्य काव्यस्यास्य कविकृतम् उल्लाघनाभिधं व्याख्यानं च वर्तते।

Karnataka’s celebrated polymath, D V Gundappa brings together in the third volume, some character sketches of great literary savants responsible for Kannada renaissance during the first half of the twentieth century. These remarkable...

Karnataka’s celebrated polymath, D V Gundappa brings together in the second volume, episodes from the lives of remarkable exponents of classical music and dance, traditional storytellers, thespians, and connoisseurs; as well as his...

Karnataka’s celebrated polymath, D V Gundappa brings together in the first volume, episodes from the lives of great writers, poets, literary aficionados, exemplars of public life, literary scholars, noble-hearted common folk, advocates...

Evolution of Mahabharata and Other Writings on the Epic is the English translation of S R Ramaswamy's 1972 Kannada classic 'Mahabharatada Belavanige' along with seven of his essays on the great epic. It tells the riveting...

Shiva-Rama-Krishna is an English adaptation of Śatāvadhāni Dr. R Ganesh's popular lecture series on the three great...

Bharatilochana

ಮಹಾಮಾಹೇಶ್ವರ ಅಭಿನವಗುಪ್ತ ಜಗತ್ತಿನ ವಿದ್ಯಾವಲಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಮರೆಯಲಾಗದ ಹೆಸರು. ಮುಖ್ಯವಾಗಿ ಶೈವದರ್ಶನ ಮತ್ತು ಸೌಂದರ್ಯಮೀಮಾಂಸೆಗಳ ಪರಮಾಚಾರ್ಯನಾಗಿ  ಸಾವಿರ ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಂದ ಇವನು ಜ್ಞಾನಪ್ರಪಂಚವನ್ನು ಪ್ರಭಾವಿಸುತ್ತಲೇ ಇದ್ದಾನೆ. ಭರತಮುನಿಯ ನಾಟ್ಯಶಾಸ್ತ್ರವನ್ನು ಅರ್ಥಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಇವನೊಬ್ಬನೇ ನಮಗಿರುವ ಆಲಂಬನ. ಇದೇ ರೀತಿ ರಸಧ್ವನಿಸಿದ್ಧಾಂತವನ್ನು...

Vagarthavismayasvadah

“वागर्थविस्मयास्वादः” प्रमुखतया साहित्यशास्त्रतत्त्वानि विमृशति । अत्र सौन्दर्यर्यशास्त्रीयमूलतत्त्वानि यथा रस-ध्वनि-वक्रता-औचित्यादीनि सुनिपुणं परामृष्टानि प्रतिनवे चिकित्सकप्रज्ञाप्रकाशे। तदन्तर एव संस्कृतवाङ्मयस्य सामर्थ्यसमाविष्कारोऽपि विहितः। क्वचिदिव च्छन्दोमीमांसा च...

The Best of Hiriyanna

The Best of Hiriyanna is a collection of forty-eight essays by Prof. M. Hiriyanna that sheds new light on Sanskrit Literature, Indian...

Stories Behind Verses

Stories Behind Verses is a remarkable collection of over a hundred anecdotes, each of which captures a story behind the composition of a Sanskrit verse. Collected over several years from...