This blog was conceived soon after my visit to Ramnathpura along with Ranga on 15th August 2011. But my sincere gratitude to Mujumdar for arrival on the scene to ease the delivery.
The purpose of using the words 'Saint of Ramnathpura' in the title was not to imply any spiritual angle to this write up. It was more from what I feel when I look at C Krishna - A
Karmayogi.
Picturesque surroundings of Ramnathpura that Krishna has selected as his
Karmabhumi :
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| Early mornings of Ramnathpura. This was on 15th August 2011. |
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| And here is one evening - Shall I call it Go-raja muhurtam in Ramnathpura ! |
I came to know in late nineties that Krishna actually did what he had once hinted. That time he was working with Philips in Mumbai and we used to meet some times. I remember his saying once that he would own a plantation in a Coorg town and would eventually settle there, not too far in the future. My all attempts to trace him had failed until our gathering in December 2010 and Ranga had the same urge, if not more, to make a Pilgrimage to this place.
One memory of Krishna etched in my mind from KREC days was the way he slept. Flat on his back in perfect
Shavasana posture with a cloth of some sort folded in a strip covering his eyes.
His habit continues even in 2011 and in that habit I actually see the contentment that he has deep within. On this visit, out of curiosity, I had a look at his wardrobe. Do you all remember his blue-black checks shirt and a greyish blue pants and black leather footwear during KREC days? Things had only changed a little in that he had now colourful T-shirts and number surely was larger than fingers on my one hand !
My self and Ranga had planned to travel by Ranga's car on early morning of 14th August. Even on this occasion as Mujumdar experienced, Krishna was our GPS. One memory of mine was that he wanted us to buy fruits in one particular town from a particular vendor on our way and was also sure that the vendor would be there once we turn right in the main circle of the town. .
I was keen that we spend at least a night at Krishna's place to know his routine and give us more time with him and then I could also choose the title :
'A day with the Saint of Ramanathpura'.
If not for anything, one should visit Krishna just for the food he cooks with his own techniques and to allow him the pleasure of serving you. I dont exactly recall today what he cooked but I surely remember licking my fingers at the end of meals that we had at his place. Modest that he is, he was not satisfied at all with his hospitality and culinary qualities so the next day breakfast was planned at his sister's place living close by because he believed that she was a better roti maker. So the next day we had rice rotis by his sister and chutney prepared by Krishna. Some pictures from Krishna's kitchen.
Our Day-1 in Ramnathpura began with walk in Krishna's kitchen-garden surrounding his abode and Mujumdar has already given you a short description of what happens there. Later after a simple lunch and the regulation siesta of about 30 minutes as mentioned by Mujumdar we walked to his plantation about 2 Kms away. As we walked, Krishna was talking on various topics with Ranga while I was busy looking around. He was passionately talking on Science and Technology, Politics, US economy and also his ideas on what should happen in India for her good. Before returning home for dinner, we also visited two of the temples in the town. The following pictures were of the temple which I clicked next day morning.
I was up quite early on the next day and went out in search of birds. It was a bit foggy though not chilly and the first picture on the top could give some idea how picturesque the town is. Here are more memories from that morning etched in my mind :
No birds but when I was back I caught Krishna peparing for our hot bath. After breakfast at Krishna's sister's place we walked around the town and enjoyed the slow pace of village life. It was our Independence day and we came across a parade by students through the town to the tune of the school band.
I was very curious about many things I observed about Krishna in that short duration of our visit. It seemed he managed his household and also the plantation with much need for additional hand or labour. He was a strong proponent of organic manure which he had been using in his plantation which he claimed gave him a better yield. He did not have a television or a computer at home, leave alone internet but generally was informed on the happenings around. I was surprised that he had invested in stocks and though not very active, kept track of it once in a while. The most shocking was the expenses he needed to meet his personal needs and to run the plantation. Curious ? Go and spend a day with him to understand the economics of Krishna's life from the horses mouth. This has already given me ideas what I should do once I decide to retire and once the money tap starts leaking only in drops. If my wife agrees, that is.
I am not too emotional in matters regrding parting etc but when the time came for us to say Good Bye to Krishna, it was different for me. I remembered the sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach when I was saying bye bye to my parents on that cloudy day in July 1973 after they settled me in Surathkal. So just to buoy my mood, here are the shots of birds and other creatures I clicked during our stay at Ramnathpura.
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| This was shot from the terrace of Krishna's place. A Indian Koel family had made home in the tree there. |
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| This was shot on way to Krishn'a planation. |
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| These 2 buttlerflies were in Krishna's vegetable garden |
So make up your mind and find out for yourself a way that could bring a more parmenant happiness.
