Quest for the Flute (1)

7/31/2019 Quest for the Flute (1)

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By:

V. Veidyanath IyerGirinagar

BANGALORE26.10.2011


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This Novel

With Best wishes

Is presented to:-


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STOP, READ AND PROCEED.

Many of the bestselling novels of the world are facts, fantasy and fictionblended beautifully like Russian cocktail with Vodka and Martini, like Palghat

Ayers Avial where many vegetables are mixed together, like Karnatakas Cootu

(Sambar), like Andhras Mutton Biryani topped up with a boiled egg and many

more. Likewise in this narration I hope to mix up the 3Fs i.e. Facts, Fantasy and

Fiction in the best possible manner so as to entertain the reader in a simple and

decent manner. It has no bearing or relevance what so ever to any person living or

dead. It is purely a novel to entertain the reader and also to enlighten him/her

about ancient and modern India. For the casual reader it is time Pass. For those

who know little about Sri Krishnas life it is a 2 minutes trailer of a full length feature

film of 180 minutes. For persons well versed with Krishnas life it is a nostalgic tripinto the past, down memory lane. Here I have referred to many films as per

circumstances. It is my way of appreciation of the memorable films made by great

Producers, Directors and Actors. It is not at all to show any disrespect to the film or

concerned person. I thank and appreciate those concerned for the chance to refer

their films at appropriate occasions in my novel. On the occasion of my 81st.

birthday, at end of my daily pooja, I offer this novel as my humble Neivediyam to

Bhagwan Sri Krishna.

V.VEIDYANATH IYER.

My address: #896, SUVASINI,

1st C Main Road, 11th Cross Road,

2nd Phase Girinagar,

Bangalore - 560085

Phones: (R) 080 - 26722311.

(M) - +91 - 9886623001.

Email: [email protected]


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SOURCES OF REFERENCE AND INSPIRATION

Srimad Bhagavatham.

Mahabharatham.

Internet Information.

Various Newspapers, Periodicals and other Publications.

Many ancient literatures, local village legends and modern novels.

Authentic information through known and reliable persons.

Railway time table new and old.

India map old and new.

Many films I have viewed during a period of three score + ten years.

My imagination and memory.

Concise Encyclopaedia of Hinduism.

Finally, Sri Krishnas Idol, in the show case of my house which inspired me with

new and novel ideas.

Many thanks to the authors, printers and publishers of the above, for the

information.


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CHARACTORS IN THIS NOVEL

Group 1 - G 1. All retired, drawing penson.Shankarlingam Iyer - Engineer.

Ramanuja Iyengar - Sanskrit Professor.

Raghavendra Rao - Doctor.

Govinda Goodbole - Symbologist.

Group 2 G 2

Shahjahan Shanbag. - Well Known drama actor of yester years.

Vyjayanti Sayonara - Share Broker.

Ramlal Chaturvedi - Punter who made Millions.

At Guruvayoor - Narayan Namboodiri.

At Dwaraka - Damodar Patel and Kusuma Ben.

At Kurushethra - Swami Haricharandasji Mahobadyaya.

At Mathura - Nandlal Trivedi.

At Gokul - Kanhaiahlal Yadav.

At Vrindavan - Shyamsunder Goswami.

At Puri - Bhagwan Prasad Chowrasia.

At Udipi - Adinarayan Ganapatigal.

At Mathura Railway Station - William Johnson.

At Rajarajeshwarinagar - Dr. Shivaramakrishna Panchavedi.


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CHAPTERS. PAGE NO.

Stop, read and proceed. 3

1. Republic day fiesta. 7

2. The quest. 12

3. Dive into the depths. 15

4. Up in the air. 18

5. Into the wilderness. 21

6. Deep into the river. 25

7. Child Krishnas day out. 29

8. Up north east. 33

9. Through the Ghats. 36

10. Back to base. 40

Epilogue tailpiece. 43


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QUEST FOR THE FLUTE

CHAPTER 1

It was Republic day on 26-01-2011. My daughter, grandson and I were

observing the Republic day parade on TV. It started by 9 am and concluded by

about 12 noon.

Indias armed might was showcased in the parade by marching of Army, Navy

and Air Force in all their finery and full uniform. Our Military capability was

showcased. Then students both boys and girls in their NCC uniform and school

children in their best dresses paraded. After that, tastefully decorated tableaux

depicting the best of the culture and heritage of each State went in a procession.

Brave students, boys and girls who were bestowed Bravery Award by Prime

Minister were taken on elephant backs for all to see and clap them. Many more

items were paraded.

All these were reviewed by our respectful and Honble President Smt. Pratiba

Devi Singh Patil. By her side was seated our honourable guest of the day

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono When a contingent passed in

front of her the President stood up and saluted the marchers, it was a tiring job for

her.

My daughter had prepared some nice breakfast, while gulping it we observed

the parade. When it was over I turned my head and looked into the showcase in

our hall. In the middle of the showcase stood the Lord Bhagwan Sri Krishna in black

made out of Plaster of Paris. It was presented to me on our Grahapravesam Day by

my friend Sri Kishore Kumar. It was an idol of 2 feet in height and about 1 foot

wide beautifully made out with clean face, arms, legs and other parts. The

showcase was specially designed to accommodate the idol in the centre. Sri

Krishna stood there majestically in his characteristic manner with crossed legs and

arms holding a flute to his lips. But strangely the flute was not there or missing.

Then I wondered what happened to the flute and also the original flute of Lord

Krishna. Then I determined to go in search of the flute originally played by

Bhagwan Sri Krishna.

In the evening I went for a stroll in the BDA Park, Avalahalli. After going round

three times on the jogging track I sat on an empty bench. There four of my friends

joined me for chats and relaxation. They are all retired, drawing pensions.

Shankarlingam Iyer retired Engineer, Ramanuja Iyengar Retired Sanskrit

Professor,


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Raghavendra Rao retired Govt. Doctor & Govinda Goodbole Retired

Symbologist.

Govinda was a student of World famous Mr. Robert Langdon, Professor of

Religious Symbology. His grandfather was always telling good things to one and

all. He was respectfully called Good Bole Sahib in his days. So the Goodbole

became the family surname. Thus our Symbologist got his name as Govinda

Goodbole.

We talked about Scams, Politics, and Civic Amenities etc. I told them about the

missing flute of Lord Krishna. They thought for a while and promised to go in search

of it, if necessary throughout India. They are of 60+ years in age. As I am running 81

years, I told them that I may not be able to go with them, which they agreed. For

convenience sake hence forth I will mention them as G1/Group 1, whenever all of

them are to be mentioned.

Every year this G1 goes to Guruvayur to have darshan of the Lord Krishna in the

month of February, after Lord Iyappas season. During this season all the temples

in Kerala State will be flooded with Iyappas devotees in their traditional black

dress. It is very difficult to get seats / berths in train, bus or hotel during this

season. (Nov. 16 to Jan 15.) G1 left Bangalore by Bangalore-Ernakulam Intercity

Express, at 6.15 am reached Tiruchur at 15.15.Hrs. They alighted from the train, got

into a local bus and reached Guruvayur by about 17hrs. They took two rooms in

Devasthanam lodge, took rest, after bath went to Sri Krishnas temple. After moving

in the long queue they had darshan of the Lord decorated in all finery with flowers

etc.

Early next morning after bath they went to the temple to have Lords Nirmalya

Dharshan at 3 am, with old flowers and garlands. The idol was about 1 feet in

height and was in its splendour. The idol was in Narayana Roopa with 4 hands one

right hand holding Sudarshana chakra and the other hand holding lotus flower, one

left hand holding Sanku / Conch and the other holding Gadha, with attractively

carved crown and jewellery, with pearl and golden chains in the neck, with dhoti

tied in traditional manner, with a Prabhavali/decorated arch at the back and with

many more decorations. The face was like Sri Krishnas, appealing, attractive and

mesmerizing the viewer to ecstasy, all carved in the original idol itself. The sculptor

must have got Moksha for carving such an exquisite idol. After dharshan they

returned to their lodge. There they saw 30 ladies from Bangalore, led by an elderly

lady reciting Narayaneeyam as written by the Sri Narayana Battathri in 3 sessions -

pre lunch, post lunch and after tea. It was a pleasant and fascinating sight to see

and hear 30 ladies singing Narayaneeyam in wonderful unison and that too

different dasakas in 26 different meters i.e. raga and thala. In the afternoon they

visited many temples in Guruvayor, rested in a distant park for a while. After rest

they went round the park. In one corner they observed a strange foot path in the

form of an arrow made in stone slabs to a distance of 30 feet. The head was pointing


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to the direction of North by North West from that point and another arrow of

about 5 feet in length pointing towards east from the same place.

About 40/50 years ago the master of suspense Mr. Alfred Hitchcock made a

suspense film by name North by Northwest. In the climax of the film the hero and

the heroine escape from the clutches of the villain, to Mount Rushmore, South

Dakota State, U.S.A. There is a massive sculpture of the heads of 4 greatest

Presidents of U.S.A. namely George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore

Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Each head is about 55 feet in height and 25 feet

wide. It was carved from 1927 to 1939, on top of a mountain cliff. Each ear about 15

feet in height, one can easily walk into the nostril, eyes as big as an elephant. All

faces were carved most realistically. The hero and heroine escape standing in the

ear hole, going into the nostril and so on.

G1 wondered what the arrow might indicate. Govinda Goodbole suggested that

it might have some bearing to the temple and its history and location. When they

were discussing about it sitting in the park an old monk by name Sri Narayana

Namboodri came there and enquired about them. To him they mentioned about the

arrow. After self introduction he narrated to them the legend of 5000 years. As per

that Vasudeva and Devaki were worshiping an idol of Maha Vishnu at Mathura. As

per ancient legend, the idol was traced to Maha Vishnu, who passed to Brahma; in

turn it passed through Sutapa, Kashapa Prajapathi, Vasudeva and Krishna. After

their demise Sri Krishna brought it to Dwaraka and worshiped it as Maha Vishnu.

The idol was said to bring good luck and prosperity to those who worshiped it.

When the time came for HIM to depart to Vaikunta Sri Krishna transferred all his

powers to the idol. Thus the idol got the image of Sri Krishna. Since ancient days

devotees used to address the idol as Guruvayoor Sri Krishna, Guruvayoorappa,

Pavanapurapathe and so on. Bhagwan told Brahaspathy Guru to extract the idol

from the depths of the ocean and reinstall it at an appropriate location in India,

when Dwaraka will get submerged into the sea due to a deluge. Then Guru and

Vayu searched for a suitable location and installed it in a small village near west

sea coast. Thus the village got its name as GURUVAYOOR (Guru-vayu-ooru). Since

then the temple has developed into a magnificent one. Every Hindu in Kerala and

other places visits the temple not once but many times. Hence our G1 has made it

an annual ritual to visit Guruvayoor.

Further Namboodri added that as per local legends there was a Lord Shivas

temple at the location where Sri Krishnas temple is, at present. When Guru and

Vayu, decided to install it they were in a dilemma. Then Lord Shankar himself

suggested to him, that His temple may be shifted to east at about a km away then,

install Sri Krishnas Idol at the present location. This is indicated by the small arrow

pointing towards east.

Then G1 departed to Tiruchur visited many temples there, came to Railway

station, got in to intercity train at 10.15 hrs and reached Bangalore at about 20 hrs.


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They rested for a few days. After few days they came to Avalahalli Park, where I

met them. They narrated about their pleasant trip to Guruvayoor, the strange

arrows, its significance. By studying the Atlas they learnt that in the north by

northwest direction the city of Dwaraka is located and their plan to go to Dwaraka,

in their quest. While they were discussing about their trip, three persons were

standing outside the wire mesh compound of the park, observing and listening to

them. Due to the distance of 8 to 10 feet and the noise of traffic on 50 feet road they

could not hear them in full and clearly. They presumed that G1 are after the costly

jewels of Sri Krishna and decided to snatch them from G1 at an appropriate time.

Next day G1 went to ISKCON temple at Rajajinagar, I phase, on the Outer Ring

Road. They performed pooja there, so as to receive Gods Blessings before

proceeding on their quest. The ISKCON temple is a marvellous monument with

ancient and modern architecture built on an inclined hillock terrain. The bottom

most point and highest point have a difference of about 150 feet in elevation. On

this inclined hillock, the temple was built as a tribute to Sri Krishna.

The three persons were (1) Ramlal Chaturvedi (2) Vyjayanthi Sayonara

and (3) Shahjahan Shanbaug. Shahjahan is not a Muslim. His parents went to Agra

during their North Indian tour, while he was still in his mothers womb. There they

saw Taj Mahal and were very much impressed by it. They appreciated the gesture

of King Shahjahan to build a mosailum to his beloved wife and Queen Mumtaj

Mahal. So when he was born, he was named Shahjahan in memory and appreciation

of the late King. Thus he got his peculiar name. Normally he calls himself as

S.Shanbaug. Vyjayanthis mother was pregnant with her, when their parents went

for sightseeing Mysore. There a Japanese couple joined them. Together they saw

all places of interest in Mysore. Then they came to Bangalore and saw all places of

interest in this old city. Together they had Tiffin at Udupi Krishna Bhavan. Then

the Japanese couple bid them good bye by saying SAYONARA SAYONARA. In

Japanese sayonara means good bye. This word caught the fancy of her mother.

But her grandmother insisted her name should also be included. So combining both

the names she was named Vyjayanthi Sayonara, on child naming ceremony day.

During 1957 an American film was released by name SAYONARA throughout

the world. At the time of 2nd world war during 1945 (already Germany had been

defeated and Hitler committed suicide) American President at that time Mr. Harry

Truman ordered dropping of atom bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6-8-1945

and 9-8-1945 respectively, 2 of the most populated and industrial towns in Japan.

Both the cities were completely destroyed beyond recognition. Very next day

Japan totally and unconditionally surrendered to American Army. At that time

General Macarthur was the Supreme Allied Commander for the Far East. Japans

military and defence was totally dismantled. America became caretaker and

protector for next 50 to 60 years including defence. For this American Army

soldiers were stationed in Japan.


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As per the film Sayonara many American soldiers fell in love with Japanese

maidens and set up a family after formal marriage as per Japanese custom. The film

was about one such couple. They together saw all places of interest in Japan, Mount

Fujiyama, Japans beautiful plains, 2 rocks outside the sea shore representing a

man and a women in love, Japanese drama troupe all acted by males donning male

and female dresses as per the role, another troupe all by females who played male

and female characters and many more places. Then one fine day the American

soldier, American Air Force Major Lloyd Grover was transferred to America. His

wife Katsumi could not go with him due to passport, Visa and other formalities. He

says good bye and she says SAYONARA. It was a superb film with good acting,

good music, good entertainment and above all a sort of travelogue through Japan.

Thus Vyjayanthi got her name added with Sayonara.

Hence forth I will mention this group as G2/Group2 whenever I wish to mention

something about them. G2 followed G1 to know about their future program, there

was a big queue and crowd at Iskcon temple. While they were following them they

lost them in the crowd and could not trace them. Then they returned to their homes

which were in Nagendra Block.

After few days I met G1 in the park and learnt that they had planned to go to

Dwaraka. There are 2 routes; 1. To go to Ahmedabad and from there go by another

train to Okha, next and last station from Dwaraka. 2. To go to Ghandhidham and

from there go to Dwaraka by sea route. They could not get reservations for the

connecting train at Ahmedabad, so decided to reserve berths on Ghandhidham

train, a journey of about 40 hours. On an auspicious day they boarded the train

Bangalore Ghandhidham Express No. 16506, departed from Bangalore at 10pm. I

bid them good bye and success in their Endeavour.


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CHAPTER 2

They reached Ghandhidham at about 2pm, after 40 hrs 0f tedious journey.

From there took a local bus which went through Mundra and reached Mandvi about

80 Kms. The bus took about 3 hours for the journey. From there they took a motor

launch to reach Okha crossing sea of 50 Kms through Gulf of Kutch. This gulf

behaves strangely due to geographical conditions. Suddenly there will be high tide

which will go deep into the land to a distance of 25 Kms. and suddenly it will

recede. The land becomes unfertile due to salt setting. They hoped to reach Okha

after 5/6 hours journey through sea. Midway on their sea journey, suddenly a

cyclone formed on the sea and their boat was pushed topsy turvy, with great

difficulty the navigator held the steering of the boat. Their boat was pushed deep

into the gulf and capsized throwing them on the sea, with great difficulty they swam

through the sea and landed on a land mass. Later on, they learnt that it was an

island by name Baidhar. They were marooned for a day. They dried their dresses.

Luckily their spare dresses and other items were in air tight and water tight

briefcases. So those items were dry. The navigator and the boat were not to be

seen, perhaps drowned. They did not know what to do. Shankarlingam suggested

walking through the sea as it will be shallow and knee deep only. Each of them took

long sticks pushed into the sea water to know the depth at each point; it was only 3

or 4 feet deep. The sea there was not deep due to sand dunes. Then they started to

walk with their luggage in knee/waist deep sea water. After walking for 6 hrs or so

they saw land mass with trees etc. They were very happy. Their sprit grew up. They

started walking with more speed and reached the land, after great adventure. They

laid themselves underneath a big tree and slept for few hours. By this time it was

very dark and at a distance of a km or so, some lights were visible. They walked in

the dark and reached the place where there was light. It was a small village; people

were very hospitable and friendly. They offered them warm bath with clean water,

good simple food and mats to sleep. After bath and dinner they slept through the

night peacefully. Next day they learnt that from there Dwaraka is only about 50

Kms. They engaged a bullock cart and reached Dwaraka after 4 Hrs. They searched

for a simple lodge and settled there, took dinner and rested for the night. Next day

they went round Dwaraka, it was a small town of tourist interest only.

At Dwaraka they met an elderly couple Sri Damodar Patel and Smt. Kusuma

Ben. They were very nice and courteous, took G1 to their house and gave them

freshly prepared Pav Baji & tea. To them G1 told that they wanted to see Dwaraka

of Sri Krishnas time. The elderly couple told them whatever they know. As per

them on 19-5-2001, Sri Murali Manohar Joshi arranged an on sight investigation of

Dwaraka that was. As per the investigations in the gulf of Khambhat, 9 Kms. from

Gujarat coast at a depth of 40 Meters/130 feet from sea surface a large ancient city


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was found; it got submerged due to tsunami or deluge, about 5000 years ago

approximately.

As per Srimad Bhagavatham, Jarasanda, Father-in-law of Kamsa, to avenge

the killing of Kamsa by Sri Krishna, invaded Mathura with an army of 23 Akshohini

soldiers. Si Krishna & Sri Balarama alone defeated and killed the entire army,

leaving Jarasanda to repent and go back. Jarasanda with gap of a year or so again

invaded with a similar army, which was totally destroyed. Like this with a gap of 1

or 2 years he invaded Mathura 17 times. All the time he alone went back, his army

was completely destroyed.

One Akshohini consists of:-

Soldiers on foot 1, 09,350

Soldiers with horses 65,610

Soldiers with elephants 21,870

Drivers of chariots 21,870

Soldiers in chariots 21,870

Total 2, 40,570

Every time when Jarasanda invaded, the entire citizens of Mathura were

disturbed, fearing anxiously what would be the outcome of the war and what

awaited them in case of defeat. Sri Krishna pondered over the problem and

decided to shift all the residents of Mathura to a faraway place. Then He summoned

Sri Viswakarm, Architect and Engineer of Gods to create a large city just outside

Bharat/India, on the Arabian Sea, little away from Gujarat Coast. Accordingly

Viswakarma created an island city, very similar to Mathura, in shape of roads,

houses, bazars etc. The palaces of Sri Krishna, Balarama, Vasudeva and Devaki,

Rukmini, all the 8 queens of Krishna, Pradyumna, Anirudra, Uddava and other

bigwigs were of new design. Then on an auspicious day, by His yogic power,

Krishna shifted the entire residents of Mathura with all their belonging like dresses,

household items, cattle with calfs etc to Dwaraka City. Left Mathura as a deserted

city. Then all of them lived happily without any fear for decades. From there Sri

Krishna used to visit Hastinapur and other places to help and guide Yudistira and

his brothers.

G1s quest was to visit such a city and search for the item for which they have

come. Govinda remembered James Bond Film Thunderball in which a NATO

plane carrying 2 atom bombs was high jacked and forced to dive into sea to hide

them. Then a party of vested interest would go and retrieve them for safe custody

and ransom. James Bond learnt this and was instructed to deactivate them, wearing

scuba diving apparatus. Govinda proposed to search by scuba diving,

Raghavendra Rao suggested that for such diving one should have specialized

training, which they dont possess, hence the idea was dropped. Shankarlingam

told the group to recollect seeing the film Titanic. The unsinkable ship was

specially designed for high and cold sea. It started its maiden journey from


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England, on 15-04-1910. During midnight somewhere near Iceland a very big

iceberg scratched its side and caused a deep cut in its hull. Water started seeping

into the ship and next day it sank into ice cold deep sea splitting into 2 parts. Many

expeditions were arranged to probe how it sank. Then after nearly 90 years, a

research group using a miniature submarine with high intensity lights and other

investigative gadgets would dive deep into the sea and explore the debris of the

ship. So he proposed that they would also go in such a submarine boat and

investigate about the sunken city.


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CHAPTER 3

A search was made for such a submarine and in Dwaraka one such item was not

available. Luckily a foreign ship with such a submarine landed in Dwaraka, for

routine check-up, refitting and refilling of necessary items. G1 learnt about this and

discussed the matter with the Chief Commander. He demanded a high fee for this,

a certain amount was discussed and fixed as the rate for the services rendered. G1

were all retired drawing high pension and possessing credit cards of ICICI, Citi

Bank, State Bank of India and other Banks. So money was not a problem for them.

They withdrew the required amount and a little more. The amount was paid to the

Commander and started on the trip into deep sea.

After an hour or so they reached the spot of the sunken city. The submarine

dived deep into 130feet/40mts. and located the city. It was in a dilapidated

condition. All the walls, roof, doors, windows etc. had fallen only the basement was

visible with dust, debris, decaying fish, fungus and other items. They searched for

the smaller locations but could not find anything worthwhile. Finally they came to a

palace, which they learnt, was Rukminis. In that palace, as per ancient legend, an

idol of Krishna, for which, Rukmini performed pooja ever since her maidenhood.

Here also the idol and other items were not to be seen. Then they came to the final

and biggest palace, supposed to be that of Krishna. As per Damodar Patel, it was

the tallest palace and its peak would be visible when the tide was low, in ancient

time, as per local legend. It had number of rooms. One big room was located,

which had cots, almirahs, steel boxes and other items, all in a dilapidated condition

due to the ravages of time, sea current, movement of large fish, like shark etc. Then

they began the real search, one by one all the items were opened and checked,

nothing was found. Finally they found a steel box with heavy lock, opened it by

smashing the lock. Inside it only old cloths, decorative coats, some unimpartent

items were found. Again they searched all the items one by one in detail, finally

located a Palm Leaf kept inside a small water tight glass box was found. They did

not know how to open it without damaging the palm leaf. It was sealed in such a

way. They broke the glass and took the palm leaf. Lot of fungus had accumulated on

it. Ramanujam slowly cleaned it and observed that something was written. He

turned it this way and that way, reversed it and observed that something was

written in a strange script. Immediately he could not decipher it. They kept in their

kit bag and returned to shore. Got down from the submarine, thanked the

Commander and returned to their lodge. They washed the palm leaf with soda

water, clean water, sprayed some face powder and slowly wiped the surface with a

clean cloth. Now the script was clearly visible. It was in ancient Sanskrit and Bali

language. With great difficulty Sanskrit Professor could translate it to modern

Sanskrit.


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It was as below:

thrishath panchaashath eeshaanya kroshaH

He pondered over the meaning of the line, after hours of thinking he could find

the meaning of it.

Thrishath means 3 hundred, Panchaashath means fifty,

Eeshaanya means Northeast, Kroshah means a distance of 2 miles.

They all discussed what would be the indication of this. Then the symbologist

Govinda suggested that in the North east direction at a distance of 300 + 50 = 350 x

2 = 700 miles or appx. 1100Kms. something must be there. They went to a book

shop in Dwaraka purchased an atlas with large map of India. In the map with a

pencil drew a line in the Northeast direction from Dwaraka, with the help of scale

measurement provided in the map drew an arc at approximately 700 miles. At the

intersection of the line and the arc they located the city of Kurukshethra. Then it

flashed in the mind of Ramanujam that Kurushethra was an important place in the

life of Krishna. It was there 5000 years ago the great war of Mahabharatha was

fought for 18 days between Duryodhanas army and Yudhishtras army and theydecided to go there. They went to the house of Damodar Patel and Kusuma Ben

thanked them for all the help rendered. They moved over to Ahmedabad by Okha

Rameswaram Express Train No. 16734. At Dwaraka they got into the train at 06.30

hours and reached Ahmedabad at 15.15 hours, went to a lodge, booked 2 rooms

and settled for the day.

In the evening they went to Swaminarayan Swami temple and prayed for the

success of their quest. Next day early morning after bath and breakfast they went to

Mahatma Gandhijis Ashram at Sabarmati. There they saw how simple the greatest

man to walk on this earth after Krishna, Buddha and Lord Jesus Christ, lived. Hisproud and poor possessions were exhibited there for all to see. His possessions

were his spectacles, 2 aluminium plates, 2 wooden spoons, which were given to

him while in Yarawada Jail, his Ingersoll eight shilling watch with a small chain

attached, to keep him punctual, his spinning wheel, Bhagavathgeetha, Kuron, Bible,

a book with Sri Ram Bhajans, pair of khadhi hand spun dhotis, loin cloth, khadhi

shawl, his walking stick, pen and pencil. These were his only possessions. He never

desired anything and never owned anything. His only desire was Independent

India where Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and all people lived most

cooperatively and peacefully and betterment of poorest of poor. His only

possession was the image of Purushottam Ram in his mind and thought.


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Now let us go to G2. They learnt that G1 had gone to Dwaraka. They booked

seats in Kingfisher Plane to Ahmedabad and from there went to Dwaraka by

chartered taxi. In Dwaraka they enquired about 4 persons from Bangalore and

where they could be found. A shop keeper said that they had gone to harbour to

enquire about something. At the harbour after enquiry they engaged the same

submarine and went into deep water. Their search was for the jewels of Krishna.

This they searched in all the dilapidated palaces of the sunken city. After searching

for 3 to 4 hours they could not find anything and presumed that G1 might have

already looted the jewels and ran away. They returned to shore and took rest for

the day. Next day by chance they met Damodar Patel and Kusuma Ben and learnt

that G1 are proceeding to Kurushethra. G2 discussed among them, how to go to

Kurushethra.

G1 went through the bazaar of Ahmadabad, which is supposed to be the cotton,

cotton mills, oil and oil seeds capital of India. Then they visited the other

sightseeing spots like zoo etc and went boating on Sabarmathi River. Then they

returned to their lodge. Next day they went to Railway Station and booked seats for

them in T. No. 12917, Ahmadabad Nizamuddin Samprank Kranthi Express.

Departed from Ahmedabad at 17.20 hours and reached Nizamuddin Station at 10.40

hours next day. Searched for a lodge at Karolbagh and settled at a South India type

lodge. In the evening went to Mahatma Gandhis Samadhi at Raj Ghat, paid their

respects to him. Then they visited one of the wonders of the modern world, Swami

Narayan Swami Temple in White marble, magnificently built to behold and

captivate the viewer. Then they went to Bahai Lotus Temple, built in the shape of a

lotus. Next day they saw, Teen Murthy Bhavan, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehrus residence

for 17 long years, as first P.M. of free India, Jan Path, where parades on 26 th Jan.

every year is held, Red Fort by the side of Yamuna River, from where King

Shajahan ruled India, Palki Bazaar, designed underground, where everything

under the Sun is available. They wanted to visit, pay their respects and good wishes

to President Smt. Pratibha Patil, PM Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia

Ghandhi, HM; P.Chidambaram, FM; S.M,Krishna, Lok Sabha Speaker, Meira Kumar

and other bigwigs, but due to 3 bomb blasts at Mumbai, Zaveri bazaar, Opera

House and Dadar on 13th July 2011, the security was very tight and they were not

permitted to visit these persons. Govinda wanted to see Jantar Mantar and study its

construction. It was built by a Jaipur Maharaja, who had studied Astronomy in

Scientific and Vedic systems. It was built to locate the position of various planets

and stars in the sky and also to accurately calculate the occurrence of New Moon,

Full Moon, eclipse and many more celestial events. The Maharaja first built a Jantar

Mantar in Jaipur city, then at Delhi. Then they booked their seats to Kurushethra on

New Delhi-Amritsar Express T.No.12459, which departs from Delhi at 13.35 hrs, and

reaches Kurushethra at 16.07 hrs. They returned to their lodge and took rest.


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CHAPTER 4

Mean while G2 came to Ahmedabad and immediately got into a train to New

Delhi. From there they went to Kurushethra without taking rest anywhere. They

reached Kurushethra and settled in a lodge. It was a small city, next day after bath

and breakfast they went to Jyotisar, from where Sri Krishna delivered Bhagavath

Geetha to Arjuna. (And also to the entire world) Then they went to Bhishma Kund.

During the Mahabharata war on the 10th day, Bhishma was injured, almost on death

bed with many arrows by Arjuna; he could not fight and fell down. He was laid in a

temporary cot made up of arrows created by Arjuna at one end of the war field. He

felt very thirsty, Duryodana and others rushed to the camp to bring water and

juices. Krishna ordered Arjuna to shoot an arrow at the ground, to every ones

surprise water came out in the form of a fountain and fell straight into the mouth of

Bhishma. As per legend the holy Ganga River, she came to quench the thirst of her

beloved son in the form of a fountain. Whomsoever goes to Kurushethra see these

two places. Later on the fountain formed a pond. G2 searched for G1 but could not

trace them. Suddenly a tornado, like Twister came from Rajasthan desert. Its main

beam was about 30 feet in diameter and swirling in a fast pace. G2 had never seen

a tornado, except in the film Twister. They dont know what to do and how to face it?

Before they could think of a plan, they were sucked by the tornado, which moved

on and on. After an hour or so its force reduced and G2 fell down, in a far away

village, between Thanesar and Kaithal. It was a small village with no infrastructure.

They were bruised all over the body and minor hairline cracks here and there.

There was no hospital, a village Doctor saw them and took them to his house. He

grinded some fresh leaves mixed with other items made a paste of it and applied it

to all the bruised places in the body. They were given some fluid to drink, which

reduced their pain, made them sleep soundly and helped in curing the wounds.

They were well looked after, fed in a simple village manner and after a week they

were able to sit and walk. Then they learnt that Kurushethra is about 15 to 20 Kms

from there. They engaged a camel cart, moved over to Kurukshethra, after thanking

the villagers for their help and hospitality. They offered some cash to them but the

villagers refused to take it. After 2 hours journey, reached Kurushethra, (after G1

had departed to Delhi after their sojourn at Kurushethra) went to their (G2s) lodge,

after dinner took complete rest.

Now-a-days we read in papers that, greed to make or pocket some quick bucks,

has caught every one; like commonwealth games scam, 2G scam, Adarsh housing

scam, Bellary iron ore scam, land grab scam and many more scams. So it is no

surprise that G2 were also caught in a sort of greed to knock off precious jewels of

Krishna.


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The day after G2 were sucked by the tornado, G1 had reached Kurushethra.

They took rooms in a lodge and rested for the day. Next day early morning G1

visited Jyotisar, Bhishma Kund etc. They were wondering, why this area was

selected by the war lords of Pandava and Kaurava. In a war fighting alone is not

everything, the infrastructure for the war is also very important. Normally the

Mahabharata war would start at sun rise and close at sun set. The wounded would

be picked up, given first aid, the dead men and animals would be removed to

burial ground for burial or cremation. The debris of the war like broken arrows,

spears, mace, bow, swords etc would be cleared from the war zone. Then the

soldiers, horses, elephants etc would be bathed, fed and rested for the night. Next

day the men should be fitted with new set of armaments. There must be space for

attending to natures call, plenty of water, space for cooking etc, space for cleaning

vessels and so on. They learnt that the war field is in between 2 rivers, Saraswathi

and Drishadvati and intervening space is well fed with sub Terrain Rivers. Hence

the entire requirements for the infrastructure were there. So the war lords on both

the sides decided this area for the war. Hence it was decided to conduct the Great

War at that area.

G1 searched all the dilapidated areas for any lead towards their quest. They

were thinking what to do and where to go? A Swamij in saffron dress, passed by

them. G1 pranamed him and asked about Kurushethra, their quest and requested

him for help to achive their goal. Swamiji introduced himself as Swami

Harichandradas Mahopadyaya he has set up a research centre and he is a double

doctorate in Modern science as well as Ancient Vedic Science. His aim was to help

humanity somehow or other. He has indigenously designed, built and about to take

field trial on his TIME MACHINE which could take persons in time and space, for

10000 years in forward or reverse mode to probe hidden secrets to some extent.

G1 expressed their desire to see the machine. Swamiji took them to his laboratory,

showed the machine and told them that next day is auspicious day and time to take

field trial.

Next day G1 went there, Swamiji welcomed them and offered hot poories with

side dishes, hot jeelabis and hot milk tea. The time machine was in the centre of a

big room of 25 x 25 feet, with a doom of 35 feet above the machine, with lot of

panels, intricate wiring, meters, control gear etc. There were comfortable chairs by

the side of the machine, lights all around the machine and room. Swamiji told them

that the machine has to be programmed for forward or reverse journey in time,

space, location and direction to go. The machine has a remote control in Swamijis

wrist watch. But once the machine is set and switched on, it cannot be stopped

suddenly, it will complete its time period then only stop and come back to current

time and day. He told them, that the first field trial will be done now and asked them

whether they are willing to participate in the trial. They happily said yes. Then he

asked them where they want to go? They said they would like to go to the first day

of great Mahabharata war. Swamiji told them to sit on the chairs, tighten the safety

belts like the seats in an aero plane. He set the machine to go in reverse mode for


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5000 years and to the war zone of Kurushethra. Swamiji also sat with them, applied

the safety belt and advised them to close their eyes, then switched on the machine

with his wrist watch remote control.

Some decades ago a TV serial Star Trek in English was being broadcast. In that

the crew travelling in U.S.S.Enterprise space ship travelling deep into the space,

beyond Suns regime would spot a planet, with strange men and animals would

decide to go to the planet and investigate. Their space ship would be in space only.

They alone would be dematerialised, atomised transmitted through

electromagnetic waves and rematerialsed in the new planet, all in a jiffy. Such was

the advancement of science, as per the serial.


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CHAPTER 5

Similarly the 5 persons (G1 + Swamiji) in a split second were in the war zone of

Kurushethra, sitting on a tall tree top observing what is going on there. The scene

observed by them is mentioned hereunder.

Both the armies were stationed opposite to each other and about to start the war

at a given signal. Arjuna wanted his chariot to be taken to the centre of the war

field, so that he could see his opponents, pay respects to elders, so requested

Krishna to take the chariot there. Krishna did so. Seeing his own grandfather

Bhishma, Gurus Dronacharya and Kripacharya, his own cousins Duryodana,

Dushshasana and brethren, various kings known and unknown, lakh of warriors,

compassion overcame Arjuna. He told Bhagwan, why I should kill these entire

people and rule a kingdom over their dead bodies, I am not willing to fight and

choose to withdraw from the war. Krishna consoled him telling that you are

grieving for those, who do not deserve to be grieved for; you are thinking you are

very wise, but wise men never weep for the dead or living. Then Bhagwan tells him

who He is? Says I am the best in everything, I have no beginning, middle or end. He

is the SUPREME BEING. Arjuna requests him, to show, His Cosmic Form,

Yogeswararoopa. Bhagwan says that Arjuna cannot see his Cosmic Form with his

own eyes, so he grants Arjuna special eyes with which to see His Visions unlimited-

Cosmic Form. In that Arjuna sees everything, past present and future, all beings

dead or alive, all persons in the war field being swallowed by Bhagwan. It was a

terrible form; Arjuna trembled on seeing it and requests Bhagwan to come back to

his normal form. Arjuna had many doubts and clarifications, which Krishna

clarified. Their dialogue was brilliantly recorded by Veda Vyasa, which is called

Srimad Bhagavath Geetha. (My dear reader, please read the Geetha with

meaning, authored by great men, the code of conduct for humanity and the way

one should behave in the course of life, are explained very splendidly in detail by

Bhagwan Sri Krishna Himself) After getting his doubts cleared, Arjuna agrees to

fight. As a signal to commence the war, Krishna blows his panchajanyam and

Arjuna clicks his bow, Gandeeva, the sound of which makes all warriors tremble in

fear.

At this point Swamiji says let us go to the 13th day of war and see what is

happening there. So they are moved to the 13th day of war, by the time machine.

By the end of 10th day Bhishma is seriously wounded and is on death bed, which

was made by Arjuna. To quench his thirst, Ganga herself sprouted through a

spring, caused by Arjunas arrow. From 11th day onwards Dronacharya was the

Commander-in-chief, of Kauravas army. By this day more than half the army, on


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both sides were dead. On Pandava side Arjuna was formidable. On the 13th day

early morning Trigartas challenges Arjuna and they go to the southern side of the

war field. After his going Dronacharya formed his army in Chakravyuha /

Padmavyuha, in which Duryodana was positioned in the centre. The first layer

comprised of Radeya / Karna, Dussasana, Kripa; next layer Jayadritha, with his

huge army, then the 3rd layer by Sakuni, Krithavarma, Salya and others,

Dronacharya was on the outskirts of the vyuha. It is very difficult to penetrate such

a formation. Only very few persons know the solution, like Krishna, Arjuna, Karna,

Dronacharya. Then Yudhishthira orders Abimanyu to enter in and fight. He says

that he knows the art of going in but does not know how to come out of it.

Yudhishthira tells him to go in and fight and all of us would follow him for help and

to retrieve him. So Abimanyu goes in and creates havoc on Kaurava side. Then

under Dronas instructions Abimanyus chariot, with horses, swords, bow, and

charioteer are either destroyed or killed. Abimanyu was helpless. 6 great warriors

of Kaurava side killed Abimanyu most treacherously and unlawfully. They danced

over his dead body.

By this time it was almost evening, Swamiji told G1 let us go back to our lab. He

operated his wrist watch and in a jiffy they were in the lab sitting in their chairs.

They were very happy that they could see the war and unhappy that they could not

get clue to their goal. Then they requested Swamiji to find out through his machine

where the flute might be or some clue to go further in their quest.

Swamiji thought for a while, what to do? As this will be the first time to instruct

the machine to find out by itself the solution. Swamiji operated the machine in that

way, which indicated search is in progress. After an hour some script appeared

in Sanskrit on the monitor.

!# ' )*+ ,

The literal meaning of the sloka is name of a city starting with M, and it is not on

the banks of Krishna, Godavari, Cauvery and Sindhu Rivers. Ramanujam noted

down the sloka in his diary, thanked Swamiji for all his help and returned to their

lodge. Next day they left Kurushethra by Amritsar-New Delhi Express, Train No.

12460. At 11.34 am they got into the train and reached Delhi by 14:20 hrs. Went to

their lodge pondered over solution to that Sanskrit sloka. They referred the Atlas,

followed the paths of each river like Ganga, Krishna, Brahmaputhra, Godavari,

Cauvery etc. They could not find a city with name M. Then it flashed in their mind

to trace the path of Yamuna River. Then they saw the city of Mathura mentioned

there. This confirms to the sloka and decided to go to Mathura.

In the meanwhile, G2 returned from the village on camel cart (a cart drawn by a

camel just like horse or bullock). Camel cart is very popular in North India in the

States surrounding Rajasthan desert. They rested for the night in a lodge. Next day


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they searched all the dilapidated areas, met some village people and enquired

some details, but could not get what they are after. By evening by chance they met

the very same Swamiji whom G1 had met. They introduced themselves and said

they are from Bangalore. He revealed that few days ago another group from

Bangalore met him, to whom he had demonstrated his machine. G2 also expressed

their desire to see the machine. Next day after breakfast they went to swamijis lab

and acquainted with the details of the machine and its capability. They expressed

their desire to see how British formed the East India Company in Calcutta 200 to

300 years ago. Swamiji was setting the machine, G2 stood very near it leaned over

and observed the intricacies of the machine. Vyjayanthi unknowingly and

unintentionally pressed some buttons with her palm. While doing so she had

initiated the machine to go forward in time and to a far away location in space. They

sat in the chairs along with the Swamiji, who told them to close their eyes and be

calm for few minutes. Then he pressed the buttons in his wrist watch.

Oh! What a miracle, they have landed in a far away planet Pandora (made

famous by James Cameron in his epic film Avataar), in the year 2154 AD. They had

landed in a crevice formed between 2 roots of a giant tree 200 feet tall, and were

observing what is going on there. By 2154, Earth had exhausted all its natural

energy resources. So an army well equipped, goes to Pandora to extract a mineral

called unobtainium from its vast resources. They had planned to get the mineral at

any cost, if necessary to wage an all out war with the natives. They have taken latest

generation of helicopters, armed vehicles, as big as 10 elephants, tanks, Robots 20

feet tall, soldiers armed head to heel, aided and guided by latest generation of

computers and guidance apparatus. Prior to this, they had sent one crippled marine

soldier, Jack Selly in his new avatar, as a Navi native. He falls in love with the

princess Neytiri of the planet; he switches sides, joins natives, to protect the

Pandora from the Sky People, as they are called by the natives. The natives are

armed with primitive bow, arrows, daggers, swords, spears etc. They pray to their

God, who answers their prayer, send strange looking birds as big as an aero plane,

strange animals bigger than an elephant and many more in thousands to their help.

An ultimate war was about to start. G2 wondered how and who will win the war and

about their own lives and fate.

Suddenly there was a Power Grid failure in Haryana state and the whole state

plunged into darkness, including Kurushethra and Swamijis lab. However the

machine has a back up UPS which can supply power for a short while only. It sent a

signal to Swamiji, who noted it on his wrist watch and decided to return to lab

immediately. Next moment G2 and Swamiji were sitting in their chairs in the lab.

They felt very much relieved from the dreaded war and safe in the lab. They very

much thanked the Swamiji for the strange experience and asked him about G1.

Swamiji told them that they might have gone to Mathura. So G2 returned to Delhi.

Permit me to mention a few words of appreciation of the film Avataar. 12 years

ago James Cameroon, gave the world Titanic, an epic in its own way. So far none


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have shown the sinking giant ship in so much detail. Now he has given us an EPIC

of outstanding proportions. Our own God Brahma created our world with humanity,

animals, birds, fishes, mountains, rivers, flora and fauna etc. Similarly our dear

James has created in the land of Pandora, men and women 8 feet tall, bluish body,

yellow eyes, flat thick nose, long ears like rabbit, 5 feet long tail, 4 to 5 feet long

plaits, which they linked with their pet animals and plants and communicated their

thoughts and ideas electromagnetically, strange animals with 6 legs, birds of

strange design, unimaginable flora and fauna, flouting mountains with Unobtainium

mineral, trees of several hundred feet tall and 100 feet wide and many more. I have

no words to describe further. If there is an award for creation, like Oscar, Bharat

Rathna, Noble, Magsaysay etc, then it should be given to James Cameron first.

Please see the film in 3D format at the earliest, if you have not seen it in theatres. It

is an epic film of the century. I wonder where James would take us in his next film. If

I have an opportunity to meet him in person, I would express my appreciation and

thanks for giving us Titanic and Avataar; and many more in future.


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CHAPTER 6

G1 are in Delhi. Govinda expressed that he experienced a premonition that one

or more persons are following them closely to learn what they are doing. So he

suggested that the other party must be given a slip and misguided. So they booked

4 seats in New Delhi Agra Cantt. Intercity express train no. 14212 and got tickets to

Mathura, left Delhi at 17.40 hrs, got down at Faridabad at 18.30 hrs. (After getting

their tickets checked by TTE-travelling ticket examiner). They took a taxi at

Faridabad and returned to New Delhi. Immediately they vacated their lodge and

took another lodge at Delhi Sarai Rohilla. They stayed in their lodge without stirring

outside for 3 days to mislead the followers.

G2 came to Delhi searched the reservation lists of the trains to Agra/Mathura.

They saw the names of G1 in a particular train. Next day they took another train and

reached Mathura. Then they decided to go to Vrindavan in search of their quest.

They saw and searched many places, where Krishna in his boyhood played, while

herding his cattle.

They learnt that near Yamuna River, a small lake by name Madu was there. In

that a big snake Kaliya lived. It had poisoned the water of the lake in such a way

that any person or animal which drank the water would die soon, and then it will

swallow them or share with his family for lunch or dinner.

As per Srimad Bhagavatham, Sri Krishna decided to kill the snake. He climbed

up a tall Kadamba tree, dived into the River, played in it for some time. Kaliya

snake hearing the disturbance of the lake water came to the surface and saw a

small boy playing there. He wanted to kill and eat him. Krishna fought with him for

a long time, defeated him and was about to kill him. His wives came out and

begged Bhagwan to spare their husbands life. They promised that they would

vacate the area with family and move over to ocean. Immediately all of them moved

over to sea, Kaliya, his wives, small siblings, raw eggs and everything. While

vacating they forgot to pickup one egg which was buried very deep into a crevice

of the lake. It was dormant for 5000 years nearly. On 26-12-2006 there was collision

of earths basic tectonic Plates at Indonesia, which caused great Tsunami waves,

which caused heavy damage at South India sea shore and disturbance to earths

crust. After that there was earth quake at Iran. All these caused disturbance at

Yamuna River and its bed, due to which the forgotten/hidden egg hatched and out

came a small snake. Due to its altered DNA it grew into an Anaconda like Python

and lived in Yamuna River, eating whatever was available.


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G2 wanted to see the places where Krishna killed many demons, fought with

Kaliya snake and was about to kill him. They came near the Madu Lake. Suddenly

the anaconda came out, coiled its body over G2 and swallowed all the 3 in one go.

It dived deep into the River, came to a cave like formation, spit them there and went

away to come at some other time and eat leisurely. The G2 observed that they

were completely covered with some sort of paste like thing. They noted that the

cave was big about 25 x 25 x 15 height, had dry land, well ventilated and dim

light coming through a tunnel. They washed themselves with clean water, dried

some of their apparel. They had some biscuit, chocolate and drinking water in their

waterproof bags, which they consumed. They searched their surroundings. They

noted that fresh air and light was coming through a tunnel of 3 feet in diameter and

about 50 feet in height. They planned to escape through this tunnel. They

searched the area for any suitable material. They found a pair of shoes with long

spikes. Perhaps the python might have swallowed a sports person, spitting out his

spiked shoes. Shahjahan Shanbhag picked them and tried on his legs. It suited

him. So he decided to climb the tunnel wearing it. He remembered in the Hindi

film Baadshah, how Sri Shah Rukh Khan climbed the wall of the building, in a

perpendicular manner, wearing a special James Bond type shoes. He also tried to

walk in an inclined manner along the tunnel and he succeeded. He reached the top

and open space after about half an hour of struggle. He searched for some rope,

which he could lower into the tunnel to get the other two out of it. He could not find

any rope. He saw some wild creepers wound round on a big tree. With great

difficulty he uncoiled it and lowered it into the tunnel. He threw the spiked shoes

into the tunnel and called the other two to come up with the help of the rope. First

Vyjayanthi came and then Ramlal came up and all of them were out of the cave.

They saw all around them, rolled a big boulder of more than 3 feet diameter into

the opening of the tunnel so that the Python would not come up and catch them.

They felt much relieved but were very tired and full of dirt all over their body.

They learnt that they had landed on the opposite side of Vrindavan, crossing

Yamuna River. They assumed it must be Gokul, where Sri Krishna played his

pranks as a child. They moved into the village. They met a person and enquired

about any lodge where they can take bath, have food and take rest. The person

introduced himself as Sri Kanhaiyalal Yadav, owning a milk dairy with 500 cows and

buffalos. His ancestors were Gopas, cowherds during Sri Krishnas time and now he

is making a livelihood in Gokul. He welcomed G2 to his house, showed them 2

guest rooms. They took bath and when they came out they were surprised to see 2

sets of spare dresses for all of them. They dressed themselves with one set of dress

and kept the other set for future use. They threw away their old and spoiled

clothes. Sri Kanhaiyalal came and invited them to have dinner. They partook the

dinner which had many varieties of food and retired to their rooms and were soon

fast asleep after their terrific experience with the python.


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Next morning, after the morning chores they took leave of Sri Kanhaiyalal and

returned to Mathura in a local Bus and went to their lodge on a Wednesday. In the

evening, they decided to attend a drama staged by village people depicting

Krishnas life. They seated themselves in the east side of the Auditorium. It was a

crude drama, but it entertained the public. On the West side G1 were enjoying the

drama as well. Both the groups did not see each other due to heavy crowd at the

auditorium. G2 decided to get back to Bangalore after their terrific experience at

Kurukshetra and Vrindavan.

Next day they came to Mathura Station to get Railway ticket to Bangalore. They

met the Chief Station Master Mr. William Johnson. After enquiry, they learnt that

none of the Bangalore bound train stops at Mathura. Mr. Johnson informed that

Jammu Tawi - Chennai Andaman Express, Train No.16032 stops at Mathura and as

lot of pilgrims from Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana will get down, berths will be

available to Chennai. They booked 3 berths for the evening train. The train started

at 17.25 hours and reached Chennai at 10.10 hours on the 2 nd day after nearly 41

hours of journey. They had bath and lunch in the waiting room at Chennai Railway

Station, and got into Chennai Bangalore Express Train No. 12609 which left Chennai

at 13.35 hours and reached Bangalore at 20.05 hours, went to their respective

homes and took complete rest for 3 days. They narrated their terrifying experience

in detail to their family and friends.

G1 after 3 days of isolation, they got into an unreserved compartment of Delhi

Sarai Rohalla- Chhindwara Patalkot Express Train No.14010, left Delhi at 12.20

hours and reached Mathura at 15.22 after 3 hours of journey, on the same

Wednesday as G2 arrived from Gokul. They settled down in a simple lodge. In

the evening they attended a drama, staged by village folk depicting Krishnas life.

They took seat in Western side of the Auditorium. There G2 were also present on

the eastside of the auditorium, both the groups were unaware of the others

presence. In the drama, Sri Krishnas life from the moment he & Balarama enters

Mathura lead by Sri Akrura was shown.

In the drama it was shown that Sri Krishna & Sri Balarama took permission from

Sri Akrura to have a glimpse of the great city of Mathura. There at a particular

place, they saw a young and gorgeous lady with a hunch back. She said that her

name was Trivakra. She gave fine perfume to them. Sri Krishna wanted to give her

something in return, he placed both his feet on the foot of the lady, held her chin,

lifted her head. Aho! A miracle happened. She was no longer a hunch back but a

very charming lady.

Then the 2 brothers went to Ayudha shala, saw a Dhanus (bow), lifted it with left

hand, and tightened the bow string by bending the bow. But the Dhanus was

broken with a loud noise like thunder. After that they were going through the

streets of Mathura. The mahout of a mammoth sized elephant by name


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Kuralayapide, positioned the elephant at the entrance and did not allow the 2

brothers. Sri Krishna fought with the elephant and killed it.

Then they went to the wrestling arena. They fought with giant wrestlers Mustika,

Chanura, Kuta, Shale and Toshala and killed all of them. Then they killed Kamsa

also. After that they went to prison, released their father Sri Vasudeva, mother Smt

Devaki and grandfather Sri Ugrasena all of them imprisoned by Kamsa. Sri Krishna

installed Ugrasena as King of Magadha. After that, Upakarma (thread ceremony)

was done to both the brothers. Then they were sent to the Ashrama of Guru

Sandipini. In 64 days they mastered all that is to be learnt by young students

including 64 arts/ skills.

The drama was over and they returned to their lodge.


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CHAPTER 7

Next morning, G1 got up early and went to see the birth place of Sri Krishna. It

was a small room with a stone platform as cot. Perhaps Devaki must have delivered

Sri Krishna there. There was a mosque / Jumma Masjid nearby. Adjacent to it, a

modern type temple has been built in 1814 by Seth Gokul Das Parikh for Sri

Krishna, playing flute with Radha, named as Dwarakadeesh Temple and they

visited other places of interest. Then they went to old relics shop and places

dealing in antique items, but could neither see the flute nor have any clue leading

to it. Next day they met Nandalal Trivedi, whole sale merchant of Mathura. G1

informed him about their quest. He advised them to go to Gokul.

They went to Gokul and met Kanhaiyalal Yadav. He welcomed them to his

house and gave G1 snacks and milk. He told them about himself and enquired

details about G1. They said they are from Bangalore and are in search of Sri

Krishnas flute. Mr. Yadav told them that no such thing is available in Gokul. In the

evening, they attended a dance drama arranged by local dance school. In the

drama they showed the following items. The dance style was in Kathak.

In the dance drama, the students danced to show how Vasudeva as soon as

Krishna was born, took him to Gokul, crossing Yamuna River. The waters of

Yamuna jumped higher and higher so as to touch Lords baby foot. Once the foot

was touched as a mark of paying respect/pranaam, the water subsided and gave

way to Vasudeva to cross it. It even parted and rejoined. Vasudeva went to

Yashodas house, kept the child there and took the female child lying by the side of

Yashoda and returned to Mathura. As soon as the child was placed by the side of

Devaki, it cried, alerting the guards. The guards in turn informed Kamsa. He came

and took the child and threw on the wall. But the child flew into the sky and told

him that the child who is supposed to kill him is elsewhere and vanished.

Yashoda after a while woke and saw a child unmatched in beauty by her side.

Slowly day by day the child grew up into a handsome boy. One day Yashoda left

the child in the cradle and went for her routine domestic duties. Poothana, a demon

friend of Kamsa, came to feed the child with her breast milk. She had smeared

deadly poison on her breast, so that when Krishna puts his lips on it, he will die.

She took the child and put it to her breast. But the Lord not only sucked her milk

and but also her very life itself. She died with a big roar, showing her real form as a

giant demon. Krishna was over her and playing. He was 15 days old then. After 3

months, Kamsa sent another demon Shakatasura. He shaped himself as a bullock

cart and was in the backyard. As it was summer, Yashoda put the Baby Krishna

underneath it for shade and went on with her routine job. After a while Krishna with

his tiny foot kicked the cart so forcefully, it went up to 50 feet and came down

crashing on the floor. Thus he was also killed.


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When Krishna was 6 months old, another demon Trinavartha came as a

whirlwind / tornado and took away Krishna. Krishna killed him with his tiny hands.

One day as Krishna was crawling all over the house and court yard, Yashoda tied

him with a rope to the wheat and grains crushing stone and went away. By crawling,

Krishna dragged the stone and passed between 2 big Arjun trees with a gap of 2

feet between them. The trees fell down with a loud noise. The dance troupe

showed how Yashoda bathed Krishna, cleaned him, dressed him, combed his hair,

made small pony tails on the hair on both sides, how she gave food to him and so

on. Then the drama closed with Aarti to all the students who danced. G1 returned

to the guest room at Kanhaiyalals house. Next day, they thanked Kanhaiyalal for all

the help he had rendered and took leave of him and crossed Yamuna River to go to

Vrindavan.

They reached Vrindavan. It is a small town. In a lodge they booked room. They

saw some interesting places like Govardhana hill, Madhu Lake, Temples etc. In the

evening they saw a DVD on big TV screen, showing Sri Krishnas Leelas as a young

boy of 5 to 12 years. Krishna killed many demons in the shape of calf; duck, bull,

horse etc as a boy & conquering Kalinga snake by dancing on its head, lifting of

Govardhana hill and many more. The DVD was from a serial named Mahabharatha

directed and produced by B R Chopra a famous producer of Hindi film industry. It

was very nice.

During early 80s TV shows were broadcast from Delhi, only in Hindi and

relayed by stations in big cities like Ahmedabad, Bombay, Bangalore, Chennai,

Calcatta only and relayed by antennas only. No satellite TV. The programmes

were in Hindi like Rajni, Nukkad, soap opera Hum Log shown 2 or 3 days in a week

and many more. On Sundays from 9 to 10 AM, mega serials like Ramayan by Sri

Ramanand Sagar and Mahabharat by Sri B R Chopra were shown. These 2 serials

captured the mood and attention of all the people all over India irrespective of

language barrier. Every Sunday, whole of India came to a standstill, when these TV

serials were being shown. Its popularity reached a point where the entire nation

came to virtual stop as everyone who could gain access to a television stopped

whatever they were doing to watch televised adventures of Rama and Krishna.

Before the programme started, people used to make pooja to the TV set and took

Arthi and then switched on TV. All other engagements like General Body meeting,

Political meeting, and marriage were rescheduled to accommodate viewing of

these TV shows. Intercity buses and trucks stopped running when the show was on.

Such was the popularity of the show. Sri Arun Govil acted as Sri Rama and Sri Nitish

Bharadwaj acted as Sri Krishna. In these serials the villains were more popular and

loved by the audience because of their character and acting capability. Sri Diwedi

acted as Ravan and Sri Gulfi Painthal acted as Sakuni.


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My respects, regards and congratulations are to Sri Ramanand Sagar and

Sri B R Chopra for producing such a magnificent mass attraction serials during the

late 80s. Lord Almighty Sri Krishna and Sri Rama will bless them well.

After the DVD show, all returned to their homes and lodge. Next day they met

an elderly monk, Sham Sunder Goswami and enquired about the flute. He said as

per ancient local legend, Sri Krishna before going to Mathura met Radha and spent

some time with her. They exchanged their dresses; Krishna dressed up like a girl

and Radha like a boy. Krishna told Radha that he is going to Mathura with Uddhava

at the invitation of Kamsa to see the wrestling tournament. She was very much

depressed. To console her, Sri Krishna gave his flute to her as a memento and to

keep it as a substitute for him during his absence. She was very happy. After that

what happened to Radha and Flute, nobody knows. G1 requested him to give some

clue to look for it. He searched his home library, pulled out an ancient book,

dusted it and started reading. On a particular page, he saw a Sanskrit script and

showed it G1. The script is as below:

+- !# #

)+ , 2 2 ,

The English literal meaning is as below:

4 hundred Kroshah (2 miles) South east direction Krishnas jewels Sea

Shore Two brother and a sister

They thanked Goswami and returned to their lodge. They could not decipher

the script immediately. They then decided to go back to Bangalore, take rest and

relax for some days, then plan about their quest. As trains to Bangalore does not

stop at Mathura, they went to Agra, got into Nizamuddin Coimbatore Kongu

Express Train No. 12648 passing through Bangalore at 11.35 am and reached

Bangalore at 1 am in the morning after 38 to 40 hours of journey. They engaged a

taxi and reached their respective homes.

After a few days of rest, they met me in Avalahalli Park and narrated all their

adventures at various places. Then they showed me the strange script, I read it

many times, scratching my head. Then I searched some old books, local legends

and internet information about Puri Jagannath Temple. I invited them to my home.

After snacks and tea, I explained the above sources in which it is mentioned as

below:

Pious King of Malava Country, Indradhyumna, as instructed by Sri Krishna, built

the temple, with wooden images of Krishna, Balarama and Subhadra. The idols

were prepared by Vishwakarma himself. Vishwakarma told the King, that none

should see the images till they are completed. But the King and Queen out of

curiosity saw them through a gap in the door. Then Vishwakarma got angry and left

for heavens without completing the idols. Hence the strange shape of the idols.

The wooden images are replaced by similar ones every 12 years, by a function,


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called Navakalevara (new body). Some jwells of Krishna are transferred from old

to new idols. The place is also called Purushothama Tirtha. I showed them many

more details of the temple by internet.

Ramanujam got up and said that Puri Jagannaths Temple and its location

confirms to the script that was found at Mathura. Then he explained the Sanskrit

Sloka: +- - 4 x 100 x 2 = 800 miles from Mathura i.e., 800 miles is 1287.2Kms i.e. 1300 Kms.

Southeast direction from Mathura

!# #- Krishnas jewels, perhaps with flute

)+ ,- on the sea shore of Bay of Bengal

2 2 , Two brothers and one sister, Balarama, Krishna andSubhadra.

Then he proposed to go to Puri and search for the old relic including flute.


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CHAPTER 8

Next day they planned to book Train No. 12846 Yeshwanthpur Bhuvaneshwar

Express, get down at Khurda Road and go to Puri. The train leaves Bangalore once

a week, only on Tuesdays. So on one auspicious Tuesday they left Bangalore. The

train started on time and reached Renigunta at 15.00 hours. G1 bought a local

paper and read the news, which mentioned that there is low depression in Bay Of

Bengal Sea; it may develop into a cyclone and move towards Vishakapatnam. By

the time the train reached Ongole, the depression developed into a cyclone and

started moving towards Vishakapatnam at more than 100kms per hour velocity.

Their train reached Vijayawada. There the Chief Station master announced that all

trains already left Vijayawada and east bound trains were stopped wherever they

are to avoid any accidents. All trains that were about to start from Chennai, Howrah

etc, passing through Vishakapatnam were cancelled indefinitely. Trains already

started on route were diverted via alternate routes. So G1s train was diverted

through Warrangal, Chandrapur, Gondia, Raipur, Bilaspur, Jhanssinguda,

Sambhapur to reach Bhubaneshwar. The exact route and timing was to be decided

at every junction, depending upon the movement of the cyclone, by the respective

station masters. The train was moving very slowly due to heavy rain. At every

junction the pantry car in charge got down to procure provision, as he had only

limited provision for the journey. The train, instead of its normal 28 hours journey,

took more than 56 hours to reach Bhubaneshwar. G2 were also travelling in the

same train, having their berths on the last sleeper coach where as G1s berth were

on the 1st sleeper coach. At last, it reached the destination. By the time the intensity

of the cyclone had decreased and only slight drizzle was there. G1 stayed in

Bhubaneshwar for few days and after the total stoppage of cyclone and its effect,

they went to Puri by a local Bus.

In this regard, I would like to mention my true life adventure due to cyclone.

Vishakapatnam and Vijayawada are notorious in attracting seasonal cyclones

during October to December every year; rather the periodical cyclones are very

affectionate in kissing Vijayawada and Vishakapatnam with their torrential rains

and high speed winds. During July 1987, I, my wife Mallika, daughters Amba and

Latha went on a North India tour. We stopped at my co-brother VVK Raman and

sister-in-law Gowris house for a week. From there for a couple of days we went to

Mussorie, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Pavandham etc. In Haridwar, holy Ganga was

flowing; it is very sacred to bathe in it. The climate was very hot; more than 105

degree F / 40 degree centigrade, but the water of Ganga was strangely freezing

cold. I took bath in the Ganges, not minding the freezing cold. Mallika poured 4 to

6 mugs of water on her head and body, daughters touched the water, refused to

take bath due to chillness and sprinkled few drops of water on their head, as a

symbolic bath. In Pavandham, the temples are designed in a strange way, full size


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mirrors on 3 sides all around the idols are there. When one peeps into the temple

he/she can see thousands of similar idols on both sides. We returned to Delhi.

After couple of days we went to Agra, Fathehpur Sikri (from where Great Akbar

ruled of India) and Mathura. One day prior to our departure, we went to Pragathi

Maidan (permanent exhibition ground in Delhi) to see some industrial exhibition.

We returned home, my co-brother Raman informed that my train and all trains

passing through Vijayawada were indefinitely cancelled due to cyclone,

derailment of train and damage to bridges. We thought of cancelling our train

tickets and come by plane. But in those days, cancellation will be made only at the

station from where the tickets were issued and planes were fully booked. In those

days Indian Airlines was the only Airline in India and it operated few limited trips to

State capitals, one trip a day. So we had to wait for resumption of train services.

Our booked train was scheduled to pass through Vijayawada and Chennai on way

to Bangalore. Such was the arrangement in those days. On 3rd day from our

scheduled departure day, it was announced on TV that a train would proceed to

South at about 5pm, touching all the 4 Southern States. So we bid goodbye to

Raman and Gowri and boarded the train. We had booked 1st class tickets, in our

bogie out of 6 chambers, only 2 were occupied, one by us and the other by an

Army Major and his family going to Bangalore on transfer. The TTE checked our

tickets and wished us happy journey. I asked him about the route. He said nothing

is decided and at Itarsi, in consultation with the chief station master, it will be

decided. When the train reached Itarsi, the guard announced that the train would

be deviated via Jalagaon, Manmad, Daund, Wadi to Guntakal on way to Bangalore.

We were quite happy that at least we will reach Bangalore. When the train reached

Yelahanka on the outskirts of Bangalore, the guard informed us that passengers to

Bangalore should get down here, as the train would go to Krishnarajapuram, on

way to Jolarpet, Salem, Coimbatore, Shoranur and to Thiruvananthapuram. We got

down wondering what to do? The Army Major and his family also got down. He had

a lorry load of luggage as he was going on transfer. He went out of the station,

booked a closed lorry, loaded his luggage, and invited us to go with him to

Bangalore. He sat by the side of the driver to show the route and we all sat at the

back with his family and luggage. At Chamarajpet, he informed that his house was

nearby and asked us to get down and thanked us for giving him company. We took

2 autos and reached home. Thus our train adventure via the deviated route ended.

POOJA at PURI

G1 & G2 separately went to Puri Jaganatha Temple, without knowing and

identifying each other. They performed pooja at the Temple for all the 3 idols. The

idols were of peculiar shape of about 1 feet or so with large round eyes, without

eyelashes, hands without fingers, with some jewels and relics perhaps carried over

from Krishnas times. The temple was a very big one. They saw the 3 chariots /

Rathas on which every year during July the grand Rathayathra is conducted.

Perhaps the 3 Rathas are the biggest in India with 36 to 48 wheels. They took bath in

Chandrabhaga River, a branch of Mahanadi. After that they went round the city.


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Then next day they met an old man by name Bhagwan Prasad Chourasia. He

took them to his house, offered biscuits and milk. He narrated the importance of

the city and temple. Samba, Krishnas son, through Jambhavathi, travelled to

Konark because he had contacted leprosy. In olden days there was no cure for such

a disease. Only method was to take a dip in the holy waters of Chandrabhaga River

during solar eclipse and benefitted from certain properties in the refracted rays of

the sun at that position, at that time of the day. Samba got cured of his malady. That

is why leprosy patients travelled from far and wide for a holy dip in Chandrabhaga

River, flowing in between Konark and Puri, on a solar eclipse day.

G1 enquired about the flute with Shri Chourasia and asked him where to search

for it. He informed that Rukmini worshipped an idol of Krishna, child of about 3 to 4

years holding a churning rod in right hand and holding a rope in left hand. To this

she performed pooja every day. Before her demise she told Arjuna to keep the

idol in a safe place. He buried it in a sand dune. Being buried for more than 4000

years, it had become as a hard lump, which a captain of a ship used, as ballast in his

ship. The ship was about to sink. Sri Madhvacharya by his yogic power lifted the

idol, cleaned and installed it at Udupi. He suggested G1 to go to Udupi and enquire

about it.

In the local legend, there is a saying Bhaktar Bojha Bhagawan dhoye in Orissa

language. The meaning is the Lord takes upon himself the suffering of the

devotees and absolves them when they surrender to him in total faith and

devotion. Perhaps Vishwakarma, to project this message of the Lord has given

such a shape to the idols. As leprosy progresses, patients eye lashes and fingers

are eaten away by the disease.

Next day they went to Bhubaneshwar and returned by the same train in which

they travelled to Puri but in the regular route only. The train tracks were cleared,

bridges repaired and other minor things attended to. They could get the berths

easily. Both G1 & G2 reached Bangalore safely. After few days, G1 narrated all

these to me in Avalahalli Park. After few days when I was alone in the Park, 3

persons came to me, made Sastanga Namaskaram and introduced themselves as

Shahjahan Shanbhag, Ramlal Chaturvedi and Vyjayanthi Sayonara. I asked

Shahjahan Shanbhag and Vyjayanthi Sayonara how they got their peculiar names.

They narrated the incidents by which they got their names. They also narrated to

me all their adventure at various places. They enquired about G1 and requested

me to reveal their future plans. I told them that G1 may go to Udupi, by bus, as last

leg in their search for the flute. G2 said they will follow G1 closely to Udipi in their

search, thanked, took leave of me and I returned home.


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CHAPTER 9

G1 booked their seats on KSRTC Rajahamsa bus which starts very early in the

morning. There are no trains direct to Udupi from Bangalore. The only train route is

through Salem, Coimbatore, Shoranur, and Mangalore to Udupi which is circular

and time consuming that too, by changing 2 or 3 trains on the way. On an

auspicious day they started on their final leg of their quest. The bus went through

Nelamangala, Kunigal, Chennarayapatna, Hassan, Sakleshpur and reached Shiradi

Ghat by about 1pm or so. After passing Shiradi Ghats, it goes to Karkala and then to

Udupi. Shiradi ghat is very accident prone area. During 2010, 21 accidents had

occurred on this section, involving oil tankers. From Mangalore fully loaded with

oil, the tankers about 30 feet long would be travelling on way to Bangalore. From

Bangalore, empty tankers would be going back to Mangalore. These are in

addition to normal traffic of Buses, Lorries, cars, vans etc. At a particular point, the

road goes to the bottom of a mountain and turn at a critical angle. At this point, a

fully loaded tanker suddenly skidded and stood across the road. It could neither go

forward nor backward due to shortage of space. Another tanker coming from

Bangalore reached the spot, driver applied sudden brakes and it also skidded and

stood just across the road. It caused a traffic jam and within half an hour, about 25

to 30 vehicles on both sides had come and stopped, bumper to bumper. G1s

vehicle was 5th in the line. Incidentally, G2 had also booked their seats on this day

and were travelling by Airavatha AC bus and their vehicle was 15th in the line. G1

got down to see the spot and to enquire, when the road will be cleared. The driver

of the tanker informed that nothing can be said in the matter. He wanted travelling

jacks to set right the tanker on road in a straight manner. He had sent phone

message to Mangalore and Hassan to hurry up sending 4 numbers of travelling

jacks immediately. After their arrival vehicles on both sides have to move back 15

feet or so. The jacks may arrive by evening. Even working full night with powerful

lights, it may take about 8 hrs to set them on line. Then only it can move up.

Altogether it may take about 12 to 15 hrs for movement. He suggested that if people

could climb up the mountain and cross over, they may reach a safe road and carry

on their journey.

So G1 took their entire luggage and started climbing the mountain. They

reached almost top of it. There they observed some caves. They entered it, went

through a passage of 50 feet, they saw a huge chamber about 100 feet in diameter

and 50 in height. In it there were lot of statues of various Gods and Goddess. In the

centre they saw a statue of Krishna holding a flute in his hands and touching his lips.

Radha was leaning on him on his left side and white cows at his back showing its

head. Underneath the statue, which was 6 feet in height, something was written in

ancient Kannada, perhaps written 1000 + years ago. Ramanujam and Govinda

studied it closely with a torch. By this time the sun had set and it was dark. There


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was an opening on the roof, full moon light was beaming, striking a concave mirror,

which reflected the light to 10 such concave mirrors, one by one in a cascading

manner and illuminated the cave, just like day light. The English meaning of the

writing is mentioned below.

As per village legends, Krishna be

Quest for the Flute (1)

Documents

Transcript of Quest for the Flute (1)