A New Point of View
1264 Words
Kasyap jerked into the present with the bell ringing for the morning assembly. He had followed the other teachers to the assembly ground. It was a large ground – some 2-3 thousand feet. The college was placed in a huge campus spread out in over 30 acres he had read. The college building had actually been donated by the King of Simhadrikona – His Royal Highness, Ugra Narasimha Raya. He was a pioneer in educational reforms and was a patron of true education, establishing many educational institutions and donating many of his palaces to the newly established colleges. This was also one such building. He could see the bronze statue of the Late king, standing tall, majestic and truly divinely graceful, exquisitely sculpted by one of the former students of this college, showing the kind of talent this college actually nurtured.
He watched as the students and the class teachers arranged themselves according to their class and height, the tallest standing at the end of the line. The college captain marched to the stage escorting the Principal to the assembly. The uniform was simple – Pattu Parikini and Langa Voni. It was a decent and dignified uniform in contrast to that of other colleges – short skirts and tops that could be very embarrassing for the girls. Here, the word embarrassment seemed to have a completely different meaning. The girls here seemed to be more confident, happier and better fed.
“Om Asatoma Sadgamaya, Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya, Mrutyorma Amrutangamaya!” the students sang as Kasyap’s mind automatically translated the prayer. “let untruth lead to truth, let darkness lead to light, let death lead to life !” A beautiful way to start a day. He observed carefully as the girls finished the prayer with
“Om Sahana Vavatu Sahanau Bhunaktu
Sahaveeryam Karavavahai
Tejas Vinavati Tamastu ma vidhwishavahai
Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi”
(May the Almighty protect student and teacher and nourish the both of us together.
May the student and teacher work in sync with intensity and our learning be efficient and impressive. And may there be no enmity between us. May there be peace for all.) and then other students presented the various items – Thought of the Day, News, Science Article, Special Item, Birthday – and then the Principal took the mike.
“Shubhodayam !” (Good Morning)
“Shubhodayam, Sriman!” (Good Morning, Sir !)
“Today, we have a new teacher joining our college. He is a master in his subject, comes with a vast knowledge that belies his age. Please welcome, Mr. Bhagavatula Kasyap !” The staff and students burst into applause as Kasyap walked to the stage. “Mr. Kasyap has done his MA in Sanskrit from Rishi Ashtavakra University with flying colors. He was the University topper and received a special award for merit from The Raja Ugra Narasimha Raya Education Trust, Simhadrikona. Based on that, he has been appointed here as Sanskrit Lecturer. We hope that everyone here will benefit from his knowledge and talent. I request Mr. Kasyap to say a few words. Mr.Kasyap.”
“Dhanyosmi, Sriman ! (Thank You, Sir !) I deeply and wholeheartedly thank our respected Principal Sir for giving me this opportunity. I promise that the trust placed in me will not be broken and I shall strive to give my best to this prestigious institution. I hope that I will earn the trust and respect of my colleagues and humbly solicit their cooperation. Thank you!”
“Thank you Mr. Kasyap. I now welcome, Ms Sattenapalli Mounika, the new Female Assistant Tutor. Please welcome her." There was another burst of applause as Mounika walked to the stage. Kasyap’s eyes went wide as this woman seemed familiar. He racked his brains trying to recall where he had seen her. He failed to register what Mounika was saying as suddenly it clicked – she was the n***d woman on XTV the other day. She had a mole on the right boob and she had such perfect curves, she would be heavenly in bed. He couldn’t help his manhood come alive at the thought of Mounika in his bed. He shook his head to clear his thoughts and get a grip on himself. It would not do well to make a bad impression in a college that obviously treated women with more respect than the rest of the Empire. How they still managed to function was a million Gold Piece question.
The Classes
Kasyap looked at the time-table. His first period was in BA First Year. He was the class teacher also of that class. He went into the Principal’s chamber, took the class attendance register, two pieces of chalk and went to his class. As soon as he entered, the students rose and greeted him with,
“Shubhodayam, Sriman !(Good Morning, Sir)
Gurur brahmah gurur vishnu
Gurur devo maheshwaraha
Gurur saakshaat param brahmah
Tasmai shree guravey namaha
(The teacher is equal to Brahma and Vishnu. The teacher is Maheshwara. The guru is equivalent to the Almighty.)
Om sarveshaam swastir bhavatu
Sarveshaam shantir bhavatu
Sarveshaam poornam bhavatu
Sarveshaam mangalam bhavatu
Sarve bhavantu sukhinah
Sarve santu niraamayaah
Sarve bhadraani pashyantu
Maakaschit duhkha bhaag bhavet
(May auspiciousness, peace, fullness and prosperity be unto all, may all be happy and free from disabilities, may all look to the good of others, and may none suffer from sorrow.)
“Shubhodayam!” Kasyap greeted them back, motioning them to sit. There was a smile on his face as he was impressed by the warm greeting and the invocation for the well being of all, despite the crazy, inhuman things happening throughout the empire and the world. The college seemed to live up to its reputation of being the best and perhaps the only college unafraid to stand for its values, no matter what. This was also a recipe for disaster, as no government would tolerate an organization that defied its laws and mandates.
The girls here seemed very intelligent, genuinely interested and eager for knowledge. He was happy. Despite his stupid carnal thoughts the night before, he was as eager to impart his knowledge as were the students to absorb it. Someone rightly said,
“Apoorvah kopi koshoyam,
Vidyate tava bharati !
Vyayato vruddhimayati,
Kshayamayati sanchayat !!”
(knowledge is a unique treasure that is lost if stored, but increases when spent.) He had been carried away by the anti-women laws but he felt his lecherous thoughts washed away by the purity of the campus and the genuine aura of goodness that the campus radiated. He felt a bit ashamed that he had allowed himself to think of Mounika in such a bad way. He suddenly asked, “Girls, how many of you know what ‘AVM’ in AVM Girls College stands for?”
“Atma shuddhi (purity of self), Vivekam (shrewdness), Manavatwam (being humane), Sriman !” they echoed together. It was as if the sound had woken up something in him – something pure and selfless – that told him he should be the candle burning itself to give light to others and not the fire that burns all. He took the class with an enthusiasm he had not felt before.
Glossary:-
Brahma - God of creation as per Sanatana Dharma.
Vishnu - The Protector of creation as per Sanatana Dharma. He brings balance to the World.
Maheshwara - Lord Shiva - The remover of evil and protector of good. He destroys evil and not everything as is commonly thought of.
Aothor's Note: How is the story so far guys? please leave chapter comments
- Writer
