Transformaci´ on en Gram´ aticas Propias

It was customary in the Theosophical Society to refer to the names of important persons by their initials instead of by their full names. Even the Theosophical Society was called T.S., and Esoteric Society, E.S. Annie Besant was referred to as A.B. and Charles Webster Leadbeater as C.W.L. In the Society there were many people with the given name of Krishnamurti. So Jiddu Krishnamurti was first called ‘K’, later J.K. and finally Krishnaji. C. Jinarajadasa was referred to as C.J. and George Sydney Arundale as G.S.A. Tummalapalli Gopala Krishna Murty was called T.G.K. Jinarajadasa began to refer to Uppaluri Gopala Krishnamurti as U.G.K and later the name became settled as U.G. From then on Krishna had been called U.G.

U.G. gained recognition by participating in different activities of the Theosophical Society. Whatever work was assigned to him, he completed diligently and whole- heartedly, in his own way, receiving compliments from everyone around him. He was the beam of guiding light for the youth.

Important people with different backgrounds from various countries participated in the activities of the Society. Many bigwigs from different parts of India also visited there. U.G. was thrilled to work with them enthusiastically. By nature U.G would not recognize the greatness of anyone in any field. But he had three great stalwarts before him as ideals and they had inspired him.

Sir C.P. Ramaswami Iyer was the first man. He was an intellectual giant of a rare kind, well known for his skills in criticism. His audiences were always spellbound by his prolific and fluent speeches. He was a multifaceted genius who could speak in English fluently on any topic.

Another person was Jinarajadasa, the Buddhist from Sri Lanka (Ceylon). He was a polyglot and a great scholar. He could speak lucidly in fourteen languages.

The third person was Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. He was a great scholar and a topnotch philosopher. He could speak fluently and commandingly with a unique style of his own. He was noble, humble and majestic in his demeanor.

U.G. had been aspiring to achieve such all-round abilities some day. But there were many ladder-steps to climb, many hurdles to overcome and many skills to acquire, to gain recognition as a top-level scholarly expounder. With that aim in view, he had been working on improving himself.

* * *

In 1916, Pantulu constructed a building for the Theosophical Society at the centre of the town of Gudiwada. The building was named Krishna Nivas. For a number of years, meetings, discussions and seminars had been organized there. Since it happened to be at the centre of the town and because of increased population and noise, the activities there faced a number of inconveniences and disturbances.

To solve the problem, Pantulu thought of constructing another building with all the modern facilities in about a three-quarters acre of land in his fields on the outskirts of the town.

U.G. came to know of it and vehemently opposed the idea: ‘It’s wasteful to construct another building in this town spending large amounts of savings. I think you’ll do better to construct such a building in Adyar. It will serve a useful purpose. Moreover, you’ll have better recognition.’

‘I don’t make any decisions thoughtlessly or suddenly. But how is it useful for me if I construct a building in Adyar? If I don’t, someone else will build one there. Here in Gudiwada, no one except me will come forward. My satisfaction is more important to me. Here I can visit it whenever I want, at my convenience. And I can improve it in my own way,’ answered Pantulu.

‘With due respects for your feelings, I am awfully sorry to say, it’s a foolish idea to sink money in another building here,’ said U.G.

Pantulu stood his ground firmly. Some arguments ensued. Finally U.G Said, ‘All right, it’s your money and it’s your choice. But one thing I can predict: there will not be anyone to look after it after you. Petty people will use it for their own selfish ends. All the hoopla and enthusiasm will end in ruins.’

With surprising looks, Pantulu questioned, ‘How could that be? You will be there to take over. Don’t you have any responsibility to look after it?’ U.G. responded immediately, ‘I am very sorry to say a big no.’ ‘Why?’ Pantulu asked. ‘Well, my mission and path are different. It is impossible for me to spend my life caring for the building and supervising the activities here,’ U.G. replied. Pantulu concealed his disappointment within himself. After a long pause, he said, ‘If the desire is right, it will succeed.’

An auspicious moment was fixed and the necessary prayers, including Bhoomi Puja,56

were performed on the new site in a traditional manner. A foundation stone was laid. Pantulu personally looked after the construction and the building with a number of rooms was completed as planned.

A separate large room was allotted to the Esoteric Section. The Library room was equally big. On the right side of the building, U.G. had a room built for him exclusively. Some rooms with amenities were allotted to guests. The new well in the precinct was full of water. Two iron gates in the front were erected. A number of trees were planted around the building.

The building was completed and was called “Theosophical Lodge” in English and “Paravidyashram” in Telugu.

Pantulu planned a grand opening ceremony. He asked U.G to make the necessary arrangements. U.G. personally invited Arundale and his wife Rukmini. He prevailed

upon Jinarajadasa to grace the occasion. Other important people of the Society were also invited.

After the ceremony, cultural events were scheduled. U.G. arranged for the performance of a hilarious satire called Modern Ramayana written by Malladi Ramakrishna Sastry and a character-acting session.

As he had invited Jinarajadasa and Rukmini Arundale specially to be guests at his house, he had two rooms modified to suit their needs and ordered a special chair and a teapot for each.

Invitations were printed and posted to different Theosophical Lodges in the Circar districts. The Principal of the Hindu College, Dr. P. Srinivasachari and the eminent translator, Somanchi Linga Raju of Eluru, were specially invited.

All the streets leading to the Theosophical Lodge were decorated on either side with colorful paper cutouts. The premises were adorned with strings of green mango leaves and festoons. Plantain trunks with broad leaves were placed on either side of the gates. Invitees from all the districts and local dignitaries were present at the function. Jinarajadasa and Rukmini Arundale arrived a day earlier than expected; and George Arundale and N. Sriram could not attend.

On the 12th

February 1941 at 10.30 am, the Paravidyashram building was opened formally by Jinarajadasa. Pantulu arranged for the recitation of sacred literature such as the Vedas and Upanishads. He instituted “Durgamma Trust” in the name of his wife. Another ardent Theosophist, Ramachandra Rao, provided a library for the Lodge in the name of Rangamma. It was said that, like the libraries in Adyar and Rajahmundry, this library had a number of invaluable ancient books such as Bhavishyad Puranam. The inaugural address of Jinarajadasa was translated into Telugu by Somanchi Linga Raju. Among other things, Jinarajadasa said in his address: ‘...We are happy that he (T.G.K.) is continuing his legacy in the Society by introducing his grandson U.G. Krishnamurti -- we call him as U.G. We ardently hope that U.G. will represent the youth and follow the footsteps of his grandfather for the amplification of the Theosophical Society in his own way.’ He concluded his long speech to a thundering applause from the huge audience.

Vemuri Narasimha Rao who came from Machilipatnam photographed the proceedings. After the character-acting of Appa Rao, as a finale, the hilarious Modern Ramayana was performed under the direction of U.G. Venkatasubbaiah acted the role of Dasaratha, and Kameswara Rao and Satyanarayana the roles of Vasishta and Sri Rama, respectively. The local youth played the other roles.

Vasishta asks, ‘Dasaratha, you are a hen-pecked husband and you drove your own sons to the forest. Until now they have been enjoying princely pleasures here. How can they eat in the forest?’ Dasaratha replies ‘Don’t worry; I have received information that Tamilians come over to the forest and established restaurants. So, they can live by eating idli (steamed rice cake) and dosa (pancake). They will not be having any problem finding food.’

Vasishta asks again, ‘Your daughter–in-law, Sita, has not been exposed even to the sun. How can she walk on stony rugged paths in the forest?’ Dasaratha replies, ‘I also learned that there is a shoe store there and coaches are also available. She can walk wearing sandals, and if she is tired, she can travel by a coach.’

* * *

U.G. was back in Adyar. One day, he was typing a letter in his room. A messenger came and informed that Jinarajadasa wanted to see him. He got dressed and went to Raja’s residence.

Jinarajadasa was alone and writing something seriously. On seeing U.G, he signed to him and said, ‘Please be seated. I want to assign an important job to you. Please wait.’ U.G tried to guess what it was. After a few minutes, Raja completed the job on hand and looked at U.G. kindly. He said, ‘You have to go to Santi Niketan and meet Rabindranath Tagore.’

U.G was pleasantly surprised on hearing the news. In 1901, Rabindranath Tagore established Santi Niketan. In 1913, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for his Gitanjali. He became well known in literary circles all over the world. In 1921, Santi Niketan was transformed into Viswa Bharati University. Creative people from different parts of the world and from all walks of life -- artists, poets, musicians and dramatists -- visited the university and a number of foreigners enrolled themselves in it to study. It represented the Indian soul. Incidentally, Tagore was also the Pro-chancellor of the World University which was run under the auspices of the Theosophical society.

U.G had a great regard and high appreciation for Tagore. He had read some of his books and, in fact, had a strong desire to see him personally. U.G. admired Tagore for his sincerity and honesty. What Tagore ardently believed he put into practice. He proved beyond doubt the power of the individual.

U.G. wondered why all of sudden Raja asked him to see Tagore. He felt thrilled and replied enthusiastically, ‘Definitely, sir, I will go.’ He would be representing the Society, which carried its own weight.

U.G. immediately prepared for the journey. He sent a telegram to his grandfather requesting him to meet him at the train station in Bezawada. Pantulu saw him there and was overjoyed at the prospective journey.

U.G reached Calcutta after three days, stayed in a hotel overnight and traveled by taxi to Santi Niketan, situated in Bolpur, a hundred miles away. He went to the visitor’s room and informed that he came from the Theosophical Society in Madras and he was there to pay his respects to Tagore.

Tagore’s health was delicate. He was resting in bed and met only a few visitors, that too by appointment only. However, he consented to see U.G.

After a few minutes, with the help of a walking stick, Tagore slowly emerged into the visitor’s room like a fairy. U.G stood up and bowed to him in a most respectable manner. Tagore acknowledged his greeting by nodding.

U.G. introduced himself and conveyed the respects of Jinarajadasa to him. Tagore enquired about the activities of the Theosophical Society. U.G. answered by giving the details. Meanwhile a servant brought a cup of tea and placed before him on the table. Tagore signaled to him to take the tea. U.G. drank the tea and left the empty cup in a corner of the table.

Tagore wore a long coat. He had a long silvery bright beard. His face was brilliant and graceful. There was an indefinable peace surrounding him. He was shining like an occult yogi who had the gift of seeing even ordinary things as wonderful with his poetic vision. He was like an ancient saint who could speak about the entire world in a word or two, as if the ultimate aim of life was peeping through him. He was magnetic. U.G was spellbound in his presence.

Tagore glanced at U.G keenly with his inner eye. The demeanor of U.G impressed him. Silence pervaded the room. After some time, Tagore stood up and walked towards the almirah. He picked a copy of his Collected Poems from it, and gazing at U.G interestingly for a few moments, he inscribed the following lines in it:

The shy little pomegranate bud Blushing today, behind the wheel Will burst forth into a passionate Flower tomorrow when I am awake

He inscribed his name on the book and presented it to U.G. U.G. was elevated and received it thankfully. Both of them were silent for a few moments.

U.G got up and said, ‘I am very much thankful indeed to you, sir, for giving me an audience in spite of your ill health. I apologize for troubling you. My whole heart respects you for your august personality. Your presence gave me great enthusiasm and elevation. I can never forget your hearty reception. I shall ever preserve the memory of this meeting in my heart. My cherished dream came true.’

Tagore came out with U.G and U.G took leave of him in a humble manner. He came back to Calcutta by the same taxi and purchased there a marble idol of the Lord Buddha. The next day he left for Madras.

After returning to Madras, U. G. narrated the details of his trip to Jinarajadasa. One question remained unanswered in his mind: why did Jinarajadasa particularly ask U.G to visit Tagore?

* * *

U.G was on a busy schedule in the Society. He was determined to plunge himself heart and soul into Society’s work.

To reward him, the Society appointed U.G. as the Joint General Secretary for the All India Federation of Young Theosophists. U.G represented the third generation of Theosophists. He was like a new tidal wave in the Society. Pantulu felt very happy to read the news about his grandson in the English periodical, the Theosophist and the Telugu periodical, Divyajnana Dipika. He had been dreaming to see his grandson as a true Theosophist and his dream had come true. This appointment gave U.G. a status and a position in the Society. His bond with the Society had become strengthened. A heavy responsibility had been placed on U.G. as a representative of the youth wing. U.G. decided to conduct youth camps to awaken brotherhood among the youth who had different views and thinking styles and who hailed from different backgrounds. It was decided to have the first camp in Gudiwada. U.G. personally went to Guntur to invite Dr. P. Srinivasachari to inaugurate the camp. U.G prepared a pamphlet about the camp and got it printed. The details of the program were yet to be decided. But the pamphlets were mailed to the invitees in Andhra districts.

“Youth Shall Reshape the World” YOUTH CAMP

Gudiwada Tuesday, 20th _{May 1941.}

Object: To provide an opportunity for youth with different conceptions and different ideas to gather in this camp, partly that by meeting together, exchanging thoughts, sharing in feelings, partly that to link ourselves on the golden bonds of brotherhood.

CAMPING PLACE: The Theosophical Society Building (Paravidyashram). Dr. P. Srinivasachari, M.A., Ph.D. (London), will open the camp with an address.

SYMPOSIUM : Youth Looks at the New World What are we going to make of it? CHAIRMAN: Mr. U.G. Krishnamurti,

Joint General Secretary,

The All-India Federation of Young Theosophists. SYMPOSIASTS: To be announced later.

CAMP FEES: (Including admission to the Entertainment and Tea) Four Annas57

Application for registration to be made to the Camp Organizers, accompanied by the camp fees. Copies of Camp’s full program (now in the course of preparation) and further particulars can be obtained from:

Mr. Selaka Venkata Subbaiah Mr. U.B.G. Sarma

Mr. R.V.Raghava Rao Mr. T. Kameswara Rao

The Camp Organizers, Gudiwada. Or from: The Theosophical Society, Gudiwada

U.G. never liked to postpone things or delay matters. He took decisions quickly to act as planned. A number of youth, particularly from Guntur, Bezawada, Machilipatnam and Eluru, took active part in the camp. The number of enthusiastic speakers became unwieldy and had to be cut short, which caused disappointment in some of them. Dr. Srinivasachari said in his inaugural address:

There are hidden energies in the youth. They should be brought to light and utilized for eradication of the age-old social evils which have been pestering the society. Only such youth power can play a prominent role to uplift the society. Youth should not waste their potentialities for unnecessary undertakings. So programs must be planned in which youth from different parts understand one another, properly express or exchange their views openly and work constructively for the welfare of the society. I wish that more camps like this shall be organized to encourage the youth.

The president of the meeting, U.G., spoke about “The Present Youth -- Their Role in the Society”. He said that a number of hurdles have to be faced by good programs:

We should not get disturbed by them; we should not get weakened by them. In spite of the hurdles we have to be determined to face them boldly and go ahead with our new ideals and views. A conflict between the old and new views is inevitable. We shall develop the necessary strength and power to overcome such conflicts. The present social conditions are deplorable. Age-old moldy customs should be brushed aside and the society should be re-organized and re-oriented. Youth’s life is what we make of it and we have to choose to make the best of it. We have to set our values and standards.

Unless we get rid of the old how can we usher the new? So great responsibility is vested with all of us and we shall guide the rest. Simply having degrees and spending lives, having some jobs will not be fruitful. You have sole authority on your life, none else. You are the master of your own destiny. We have to mold ourselves according to high ideals. Freedom of choice rests upon us. What we have to achieve is much more than that we have achieved. There should never be a disagreement between what we say and what we do. We shall practice what

we actually believe. This core honesty should always be reflected in the youth. We should not believe anything blindly. Let us think for ourselves, using our minds, depending upon our own experiences. Let us be work-oriented. With honesty and purity of heart alone can we carry the society forward with us. U.G. spoke at length in English for half an hour and infused new energy in the youth. At the end of the program of the camp cultural activities were organized. There was a detailed report about the camp in Divyajnana Dipika. U.G. was congratulated for