A Tribute to a Great Teacher

In an age in which the roots of goodness and relationships are getting detached, I thank God for permitting me to witness the sweetness of a Teacher-Student relationship. 

My father was disheartened when he missed the chance to see his Guru on his 100th birthday celebrations which was held at Sanskrit College, Trivandrum.

That is when the news came that this year's Senior citizen sports meet is to be held in Bangalore, in which my father would participate.

My 82-year old father started preparing for the next chance to meet his Teacher. He got his Teacher's address and his son's phone number in Bangalore from the Principal of Sanskrit College, Trivandrum. 

Then, many a time during the long months of waiting, I heard in wonder, when my father spoke proudly and respectfully about his Guru, Mr. M.H. Shastri and about his classes. It was my father's wish that I accompany him when he visits that Great Personality.

While listening to all these anecdotes, I prayed that both Guru and Shishyan should be hale and healthy till their reunion. Finally, on February 27, both of us reached the Teacher's son, Mr. M.G. Mahadevan's house in Bangalore. Knowing that his Teacher was bed-ridden and that there was no chance to be recognised by him, my father approached his Teacher, just to see him and to receive his blessings.  Touching Guru’s feet with both his hands, he bowed down and stood in silent meditation for some time. The son supported his father as if he would for a small child to make him sit on the bed. The son and the student sat on his right and his left. In his mother-tongue, the son said, "Appa, yaaru vanthirukkiraanga paarungo. Thiruvananthapuram samskrutha collegile unga pazhaya student vanthirukkiraanga" (Father, see who has come. Your old student from Trivandrum Sanskrit College has come).

The moment when the Teacher looked at his student, lifting up his head with much difficulty, will always remain fresh in my memory. Holding his father who lives in the innocence of his second childhood, and gently rubbing his back, Mr Mahadevan had tears in his eyes. Equally, the fading phase of a Great Life clouded our hearts with an inexplicable sadness.

The Teacher could not sit for a long time. Mr. Mahadevan gently made his father lie down. "Sir, may I leave?" My father, who had never cried in his life, held his Guru's feet and stood there for a long time helplessly. Then, wiping his eyes, he saluted his Teacher and came out of the room. Watching the Student-Teacher meeting and parting, Mr Maha Devan, his wife and myself, we couldn't help our tears.

Later on, for about an hour, I listened like a little girl, to the endless stories about his great life, which his son and student shared in the drawing room. I understood that Guru is a Sanskrit Kingdom and when he passes away from this world, an Era will come to an end. The world which lost so many Great Legends still survives, thanks to the books that they wrote, which holds a small part of their knowledge.

Knowing that there is no further reunion, leaving his Teacher and climbing down the steps, the cold silence alone came along, together with some memories. I have not seen in anyone else, so much longing to meet a teacher and to receive his blessings. There is nothing to be surprised about Mr. P.S. John, who stands first in the hurdle race at the age of 82, to have crossed so many hurdles to meet his Teacher. I felt very proud of my father, who I always loved and respected. Also, I thought in wondrous admiration about the Great Guru who gained a place in his student's heart, which made him take all the trouble to come and meet his Teacher with such longing.

A few days ago when the student called me to inform about the death of his Guru, his voice was mixed with the feeling of loss. When I called Mr. Mahadevan to condole, his voice carried me once again to the Teacher’s room. Nothing remains there but a picture which I took as desired by my father: a photo of Guru, with his son and the student on either side.

I thank again God Almighty for that wonderful day which taught me, who is a student and also a teacher, the essence of Teacher-Student relationship.

My respects to the Great Teacher. With heartfelt pain, I bid adieu!

"Gurave namaha"!