A Brief Memoir of Bakshi

Venkatachar

1
 FOREWORD

THE late Mr. V. N. Narasimha Iyengar, an eminent

member of the Hebbar Srivaishnava community, to
which the subject of this sketch also belonged, has, in
one of his contributions to a local journal, under the
caption, 'Old Scenes Re-visited,' written as follows:
'Hunsur also gave to the Mysore world the late Savar-
kacheri Bakshi B. Venkatachar. His father was employed
at Hunsur. There were two others also, who, hailing from
Hunsur, founded flourishing families at Bangalore, and
their sons earned suitable places in the then public
service. But none stands out so well apart from and above
his contemporaries as Venkatachar and his half-brother,
B. Narayana Aiyengar. In private life, as well as in
official conduct, they both lived to show, not only
conspicuous efficiency, but also an unsullied probity, so
rare in the long-ago office-bearers. Bakshi Venkatachar
was besides, that singularly rara-avis, a genuine and
practical believer in his religion, and an ardent student of
its tenets and intricacies till his death, at Bangalore, at a
ripe old age. His ascetic life was respected even by
orthodoxy. B. Narayana Aiyengar is a well-known and
highly revered personality of our own times, and it may
be practical for me to give to the world the story of his
life by and by, if his surviving brothers will take the
trouble to put me in possession of facts and incidents,
without which no literary superstructure can be built.'
As several friends and relations wanted to know some-
thing more about Venkatachar than what is given in the
above, this memoir, compiled by his late half-brother,
Mr. B. Ramaswamy Iyengar, is now published.
Some additions and alterations have, however, been
made in the original, in the light of facts and incidents
kindly furnished by Sriman Srinivasa Varadachar Swamy
of Kilinir-kundram, Wandewash Taluk, who was for
nearly twenty years in constant attendance on
Venkatachar. I shall be failing in courtesy if I do not
acknowledge the help given to me by my genuine well-

2
wisher, Mr. C. Vasudevayya, retired Assistant to the
Inspector-General of Education in Mysore, in giving
finishing touches to this sketch and getting it ready for
the press.
It is, of course, not possible in our present
circumstances to follow in every detail of life the
example of Venkatachar; but the principles underlying
his conduct in matters, public and private, stand for all
time.
48, Seshadripuram, B. TIRUMALACHAR.
Malleswaram P.O.

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 A Brief Memoir of Bakshi
Venkatachar
PART I
BIRTH, PARENTAGE AND EDUCATION
BAKSHI VENKATACHAR was the second son of
Bindiganavale Timmappa, the progenitor of a large
family with numerous off-shoots. Of the ancestors of
Timmappa very little is now remembered. They belonged
to the Bindiga- navale settlement of Srivaishnavas in the
Nagamangala Taluk of the Mysore State, and held some
lands there. In the eighteenth century the country was
subject to the raids and incursions of hordes of Mabrattas
and others on one side, and the mis-government and
tyranny of the local governors on the other. Men's minds
were unsettled, and the quest for adventure, employment
and safety was keen. Hundreds of families of the
Mahratta-speaking races came up to the Mysore plateau
and settled here, while large numbers of Kannada-
speaking people went to the countries north and south of
Mysore. The great-grandfather of Timmappa, Benki
Timmappa, migrated to Gajendragad, a small principality
in the Southern Mahratta country, and found employment
there. But the shelter of the Mahrattas was no guarantee
of safety, for they, in their turn, had to cope with the
armies of Muhammadan chiefs, and in the confusion and
flight, consequent on the success of a Muhammadan
army, the grandfather of Timmappa, a very pretty child,
was in danger of being seized and carried away, to be,
according to the prevailing belief, circumcised and
brought up as a Moslem. But the child was saved by the
dexterity and presence of mind of his mother, who
managed to have him passed off in a basket, containing,
or represented to contain, flour that was to be used for the
food of her family. The child so saved was known as
Mavu Timmaiya, or Timmaiya of the flour, who later was
brought up at Gajendragad, and held there the post of

4
Anche Mutsaddi (post master) with the army of Tipu
Sultan in 1778-79. On his death, Timmajamma, his
widow, returned to the Mysore country after the fall of
Seringapatam, and settled down at Mayasandra, in the
Turuvekere Sub-Taluk of the Tumkur District, where she
purchased some lands and brought up her three sons. Her
third son died without issue, and her second son,
Venkata- narnia, had a son named Ananta Ramaiya, who
served as a writer in the 29 R.M.I., and was present in
1824 at the battle of Kittur. Her eldest son, Venkataraya
alias Annajiengar, had by his first wife two sons,
Timmappa, the father of Venkatachar, and
Venkataramaiya, his uncle. Timmappa was born in 1795,
and after obtaining what little education he could get in
those days, joined service on the 1st of July, 1811, at the
early age of sixteen, as conicopoly (accountant) in the
British Post Office at Sira. From here he went to Harihar,
still in the same postal department, where he: stayed a
little more than three years, being transferred on the 1st
of July, 1815, to Hunsur, as conicopoly in the
Commissariat Department, from which he retired as head
writer, Public Cattle Department, on the 8th of July,
1854, after a service of nearly 42 years, during which he
earned the approbation and esteem of the officers under
whom he served. Chief among these was General Sir
Mark Cubbon, the first Chief Commissioner of Mysore;
and such was the love and regard that he had for
Timmappaiya that the General used to refer to
Venkatachar as Timmappaiya's son. Venkataramaiya, the
brother of Timmappa, rose to be Bakshi of the Amrit
Mahal Department, which reared large herds of the
famous Amrit Mahal cows and bulls, from which the
British Public Cattle Department selected and maintained
as many bullocks as were required for military purposes.
Such was the ancestry of Venkatachar on his father's
side.
The mother of Venkatachar was Lakshmamma, a
daughter of Gubbi Venkappaiya, of Srivatsa Gotra,
whose ancestors fixed their abode at Kadaba, in the

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Tumkur District — a thriving agraharam, the extensive
tank of which afforded an ample supply of water to their
fields. Bazaar Tirunarnaiya, the father of Gubbi
Venkappaiya, was Sheristedar of the Ganjam Bazaar, in
Srirangapatna, in the troublous times of Hyder Ali and
Tipu Sultan, and later was Sheristedar of the Anche
Cutcherry. He retired to his native village of Kadaba at
the ripe age of 90, and then planted a tope in its vicinity.
He is said to have died at the age of 95. His son, Gubbi
Venkappaiya, had greater opportunities during the
administration of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadeyar III. He
held the office of Sheristedar in the Gubbi Taluk, and
later was Amildar of the Kanakuppa and Devaraidurg
Taluks. According to a family tradition, H. H. the
Maharaja came to Kadaba on receipt of a report of people
in the vicinity having risen against his Government, and
it is stated that, upon enquiry, His Highness ordered
about 80 men to be hanged. But Venkappaiya had the
temerity to approach His Highness and submit a
representation on behalf of the condemned men; and His
Highness was pleased to say he would reconsider their
case if he (Venkappaiya) would stand as security for their
good behaviour; and Venkappaiya accordingly became
their surety and procured their release. His Highness was
then pleased to confer on him the Amildari of the
Holalkere Taluk. The office of Amildar was very
important in those days, and appointments to it were
made direct by His Highness. The nirupas, or orders,
issued by His Highness, bearing his royal seal and
signature, were in the family, and his grandsons and their
classmates had an opportunity of reading them in their
pial school, in which, as in other pial schools of the time,
the reading of all available private and public letters,
accounts and orders, in manuscript, formed part of the
curriculum of pupils. This branch of the Kadaba Srivatsas
had the rare privilege of giving to the Government
tripaurusheya Amildars, three of them in the order of
descent having been Amildars. For, next to Venkappaiya,
his son, Vedantaiya, and next to Vedantaiya, his son,

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Anantaramiengar, were, in their time, Amildars of
several taluks. Tact and ability in the management of
people and the discharge of onerous public duties seem to
have been a particular trait of this branch, as may be seen
from the careers of Vedantaiya and Anantaramiengar, the
son and grandson of Gubbi Venkappaiya. Vedantaiya
cast his lot in the Nagar Division of the State. He knew
nothing of English. After holding petty clerical posts in
taluk offices, he rose to be a Peshkar (now styled as
Deputy Amildar), and later an Amildar of the highest
class. He held charge, successively, of the taluks of
Shikarpur, Tarikere, Sorab, Koppa and Honnali, and was
remarkably efficient in the performance of all the
branches of taluk work, more multifarious and difficult in
those days than at present. He pacified the people of the
Shikarpur Taluk, who had risen against his predecessor,
and earned special recognition of the immense help
which he rendered during the first survey and settlement
of three of the above taluks. The taluks of the Nagar
Division were the first to receive the shock of the sudden
advent of large bodies of low-paid Maharatta officials of
the Survey Department, from the Dharwar and other
Kanarese districts of the Bombay Presidency, under the
leadership of English officers of the Bombay Service,
who stood on their dignity as experts and insisted on
having a free hand. The local taluk and district revenue
officers of the State were required to give all the help that
this new department might need, but neither they nor the
people were prepared to meet what the large number of
men, with a strange dialect and strange ways, wanted.
Often the tension caused by the impact was great, and it
required no little tact on the part of the Amildar to pacify
the raiyats and their leaders, the village officers on one
side, and the officials of the Survey Department on the
other, and to see that the operations of this department
progressed satisfactorily. Vedantaiya was specially fitted
for this kind of work. Exceedingly simple in his dress and
manners, without any appearance or airs of superiority,
he looked like one of the village headmen, and the village

7
people and their leaders had free access to him and felt
confident that they had his sympathy, and ungrudgingly
co-operated with him. The change from the old to the
new system of taxation and account-keeping was very
great, and the work which the village and taluk officers
had to do to bring about the change was specially
arduous. Vedantaiya was equal to the task. His hard work
and the valuable assistance which he gave were noticed
favourably in the annual progress reports of the Survey
Department, and the Chief Commissioner was pleased to
convey his recognition of them. In communicating this to
Vedantaiya, the Deputy Commissioner, Kadur District
(Colonel H. E.Mottet), added that personally he felt
pleasure that Vedantaiya earned such recognition.
Equally successful and laudable were Vedantaiya's
exertions in the Settlement of Inams in the Koppa Taluk,
the land tenure in which was of a complex character, and
in the execution of works of great public utility in the dry
taluk of Honnali, such as the making of roads, the
planting of topes in the vicinity of villages, the building
of a Musafarkhana in the hill-pass of Ganigar Kanive,
etc., in all of which he tactfully evoked the communal
interest of the raiyats and secured their hearty co-
operation. Colonel A. J. Bruce, Deputy Commissioner,
Shimoga District, on the conclusion of his Jamabandi
tour of inspection, wrote to Vedantaiya, expressing his
great satisfaction at all that he saw, and brought the same
to the notice of the Commissioner, Nagar Division
(Colonel J. A. Campbell), who recorded that the
exertions of the Amildar deserved commendation, and
got him promoted to the first grade. The spirit of co-
operation which he fostered facilitated the collection of
revenue, and he was complimented for his success in this
important branch of his work as Amildar. The ideal of a
revenue collector in those days was to minimise coercive
measures as far as possible, and Vedantaiya's success lay
in inducing the well-to-do among the people of a village
to temporarily accommodate the needy therein. When the
time came for Vedantaiya to retire from service, his

8
claims for special consideration were brought to the
notice of the Secretary of State who was pleased to
sanction a pension somewhat higher than what local
authorities could by a strict application of financial rules
grant. Vedantaiya enjoyed this pension for thirty-four
years. His son, Anantaramiengar, the third of the
tripaurusheya Amildars, had to work his way up under
the eyes of Indian administrators. He began his English
education somewhat late, but by a close application to his
studies succeeded in passing the matriculation
examination and securing a certificate of honour bearing
the signature of Colonel R. J. Meade, Chief
Commissioner of Mysore. He then entered the lower
ranks of the public service, but though for a time thrown
back by the operation of orders for retrenchment of
establishments, he rose to be an Amildar by his steady
hard work and thorough integrity, which were recognised
by successive Deputy Commissioners. He was in charge
of the taluks of Channagiri, Nagar, Honnali, Tarikere,
Hoskote and Chik- naikanhalli, and while in Nagar he
took, as noticed by Mr. K. P. Puttanna Chetty, officer in
charge of that sub-division, (now Sir K. P. Puttanna
Chetty, retired Councillor), a vigorous initiative in
carrying out, with zeal and energy, certain works on the
Kodachadri Hill, on the occasion of the tour of Dewan
Seshadri Iyer, in 1889. He retired on pension in January,
1902, and lived a simple, unobtruding and unostentatious
life, hale and hearty, devoted to religious pursuits.
From this family of long-lived, hardy men, noted as
efficient workers, came the mother of Venkatachar, and
the sequel will show that, like his maternal ancestors and
their progeny, Venkatachar possessed a hardy, robust
constitution and exhibited remarkable energy, endurance
and efficiency in another sphere of public service, in
which he had to deal with large bodies of low-paid armed
men and their officers, and with matters of importance
and difficulty in the office of the Military Assistant and
Sowar and Barr Cutcherries.

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 Such was the parentage of Venkatachar, the subject of
this memoir. The place of his birth was Hunsur, where
his father, Timmappa, settled himself, and the date was
22nd January, 1822. In addition to Venkatachar, his
mother, Lakshmamma gave birth to two sons—one older
and the other younger than Venkatachar. The former,
Venkatavaradaiya, was employed in the Commissariat
Department at Bellary, Hyderabad (Deccan), and other
places, and the latter, Garudachar, served as a clerk, first
in the Amrit Mahal Department and later in the office of
the Chief Commissioner of Mysore, Residency
Department. She gave birth also to two daughters —
Timmajamma and Lakshmamma — who were mothers
of large families, several members of which have
distinguished themselves in the service of the State. She
was, however, not destined to attend to the bringing up of
her children, for she died at the early age of 25, at
Tirumakudlu Narsipur, to which place she had been,
removed for change and treatment. The betrothal of the
eldest son, Venkatavaradaiya, and of the eldest daughter,
Timmajamma, and the upanayanam of the second son,
Venkatachar, had alone been celebrated; and the others
were infants. Timmappa strove to bear the burden of the
bereaved family with the aid of his aunt, Akkamma, and
was very reluctant to marry again, though he was only
about 35 years old at the time; but at last the counsel of
an old lady, Ammanyamma, the grandmother of his
daughter-in-law, prevailed, and he married
Yadugiriamma alias Yaggamma, a niece of Naranaiya,
then in the employ of the Raja of Coorg at Mercara.
Happily, the stepmother proved to be as good a mother to
these children as to her own, and Venkatachar always
bore the greatest respect for her; nay, idolised her as a
mother.
Hunsur possessed no educational facilities in those
days, though it was a place of some importance as the
headquarters of the British Commissariat establishments
in this part of the country, with transport corps of bullock-
carts camels and elephants. In the old indigenous method

10
Venkatachar received elementary instruction in Kannada,
Mahratti and Sanskrit, and with the aid of his uncle,
Venkataramaiya, and of the medical officer of the Com-
missariat Depot, a European gentleman who took an
interest in the family, he picked up a knowledge of
English. Even the ordinary elementary books in English
had then to be obtained through the intercession of the
medical officer from some of his acquaintances at Vellore
or Madras, and it was a real case of pursuit of knowledge
under difficulties. Nevertheless, so practical was the
course of study followed by Venkatachar, and so
successful his attempts at composing letters in English,
that, later, when onerous public duties devolved upon him
under an administration mainly conducted in English, he
was found thoroughly competent to discharge those
duties, and was even complimented by his English
superiors for his scholarship in English. He was also able
to express himself fluently in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu,
Mahratti and Hindustani.
Venkatachar was particularly fortunate in the early home
influences which shaped or strengthened his moral
conduct and character. His father was respected for his
probity, piety, purity and hospitality; and his stepmother,
equally with his short-lived mother, was an excellent
lady, exemplifying the highest ideal of a house-wife
portrayed in the shastras. The family was somewhat
overgrown, as Timmappa brought up under his roof
several poor relations and their children; nevertheless
good feeling, discipline and self-restraint prevailed, and
the prescribed duties were performed by all faithfully.
The modern luxuries of coffee, tea and other stimulants
were then happily unknown and the daily meals were
restricted to two — viz., dinner and supper, partaken
after ablution and worship. The Mahabharata, the Sri
Bhagavata and other Puranas were read and explained to
the family for a series of years, by a teacher of
exceptional merit engaged for the purpose by Timmappa,
and Venkatachar very early made it his regular habit to

11
read the Ramayana and other sacred works and to
observe the Ekadasi fast.
Venkatachar was married to Nacharamma, familiarly
known as Tachamma, the eldest daughter of Venkat Rao
alias Venkataramaiya, Head Daroga in the Amrit Mahal
Department, who had the privilege of going by
deputation to Hansi Issar, in Northern India, with a large
herd of Amrit Mahal cattle, and who returned to his
country with a very gratifying testimonial for the
excellent condition in which the herd, largely increased
by the births during transit, was delivered to the British
officer at Issar. Being a grandchild of Akkamma, the
aunt of Timmappa, Tachamma was brought up under the
same roof as Venkatachar, and throughout her life she
exemplified the ideal of Aryan womanhood. She was a
dutiful daughter-in-law, a devoted wife, a loving mother,
a kind mother-in-law, and, above all, a reverent and
generous hostess, ever active in the performance of her
domestic and religious duties.

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 PART II
OFFICIAL CAREER

PUBLIC service was in those days, more than at present,

the goal of the sons and other relations of Government
officials, as there were then no institutions to give the
training required for success in the legal, medical or
other profession. Venkatachar was entertained in his
twentieth year as the sixth clerk in the Public Cattle
Department at Hunsur on a salary of Rs. 17-8-0, and after
about eleven years in that office, during which time he
rose to be the Deputy Accountant, he was transferred to
the Commissariat Department at Masulipatam. He
worked there for about fifteen months, and then, at the
instance of his father and other relations, and with the
help of the reputation he bore in the Public Cattle and
Commissariat Departments for smartness, industry and
intelligent acquaintance with and zealous performance of
his duties, testified to by the Deputy Accountant-
General, Colonel R. Ogilvie, he obtained the post of
Head Clerk in the office of the Military Assistant to Sir
Mark Cubbon, Commissioner for the Administration of
the Territories of H. H. the Maharaja of Mysore. He was
at times employed directly under this popular
administrator, and had opportunities of forming the
acquaintance and earning the regard of several British
officers of high rank, such as Colonels Porter, Elliot, Hay
and others, who called on the Commissioner and shared
his genial hospitality. He held the post of Head Clerk for
nine years, during which time he was allowed liberal
biennial increments; next the post of Munib of the Sawar
Cutcherry for eight years, with increments of pay rising
to Rs. 300; and, lastly, the post of Civil Bakshi of both
the Sawar and Barr Cutcherries, on a salary of Rs. 400,
for nearly nine years.
The period during which Venkatachar served in the
Military Assistant's office was marked by the

13
introduction of several retrenchments and reforms to
render the Mysore troops more efficient, and the
consequential re-adjustments entailed considerable
labour and responsibility on Venkatachar, first as Munib
and later as Bakshi.
Heavy as was the work entrusted to him, it was always
performed with scrupulous care and unremitting
attention. These qualities, combined with excellent
temper, gentlemanly behaviour, unswerving truthfulness
and thorough honesty, secured for him the regard and
affection of the high-minded British officers who
occupied the post of Military Assistant to the Chief
Commissioner.
Colonel E. B. Ramsay, a worthy scion of the noble
Scotch baronet, Sir Alexander Ramsay, and a nephew of
the eleventh Earl of Dalhousie, has recorded the
following valuable testimony regarding Venkatachar's
work in his official reports:
' Mr. B. Venkatachar has a thorough knowledge of
English and is a first-rate accountant. He prepares the
whole of the accounts of the Sawar Department, and
Mr. Hudson has constantly spoken of the correct and
neat manner the Sawar accounts are sent in, and this
is due to Mr. Venkatachar alone.'
‘He has worked well, willingly and with great zeal,
and] kept his department in excellent order.'
Mr. B. Venkatachar conducts the whole of the
accounts! of both the Sawar and Barr Cutcherries;
the labour' is very great, but the large accounts sent
to the:
Accountant-General have always met with his
approval and very seldom is an account returned for
correction. This is entirely due to Mr. Venkatachar.'
'Owing to his long service and good character, the
maximum rate of pay (of Civil Bakshi), namely
Rs.400 a month, has, as a special case, been at once
granted to him. This favour he well deserves.'

14
 Colonel R. C. Stewart, who once acted for Colonel
Ramsay and later succeeded him, and who subsequently
filled important commands in Burma and Hyderabad, has
stated as follows in his official reports:
‘This officer has without exception given the highest
satisfaction to those under whom he has served. His
duties are of a most onerous nature, comprising the
superintendence of the working of the Military
Assistant's office and the correspondence with six
different regiments scattered over the country. The
Account Department is entirely under his charge, and
the books are written in his own hand!
‘With regard to the manner in which these duties have
been performed, I can but quote the opinion of Major
Ramsay, who always spoke of his qualifications in the
highest praise. From my own experience I can endorse
this opinion, adding that I have always found him
working for the good and efficiency of the service and
with strict integrity.'
The introduction of English accounts has materially
added to the work executed by himself, but apart from
this, I would hope that the way in which he has hither-
to filled his post may have earned him an increased
salary.'
The Munib has afforded me every assistance in his
power and the accounts are kept admirably by him.'

'The accounts of the Chanda Fund have been thrown

upon the Munib in addition to his former work, and
the whole of his duties have been done in a manner
worthy of the highest commendation.'
'Mr. Venkatachar has superintended the Accounts and
Correspondence Departments of the Military Assist-
ant's office with great ability and energy, and has, as
usual, given me the greatest assistance.'
'I have every reason to be satisfied with the continued
energy and ability of Mr. B. Venkatachar.'
'Mr. B. Venkatachar aided me at this time by taking a
great deal of the current office work off my hands,

15
 and continues to fill his responsible position with zeal
and ability.'
'Mr. Venkatachar's services as Civil Bakshi are most
valuable. For the ability and integrity with which he
has performed his duties, and for the assistance he has
always rendered me, I have every reason to thank him
sincerely.'
Colonel A. Lindsay, who held the office of Military
Assistant for a short period, has recorded as follows:
'Mr. Venkatachariar was directly under me for only a
few months, but I have known him for many years,
and fully concur in the encomiums bestowed on him
by the other officers under whom he has served.'
The relations between Mr. Venkatachar and the
European officers with whom he came in contact were
most intimate and cordial. Colonel Ramsay found Bakshi
Venkatachar worthy of elevation in his affections to the
position of a valued personal friend. After his return to
England he wrote several letters to this Indian friend,
subscribing himself therein as a friend. On one occasion
(December, 1868) he sent him a watch, 'a very good one,
winding up at the top,' and on another occasion
(December, 1874) a likeness of the late Lord Dalhousie
and one of himself, as well as a gold pencil case. In
transmitting the watch he said: 'Very hard work you have
often had to do, but you always did it and did it well. I
trust this watch may long be your companion, and
whoever you serve under you may serve them as
faithfully and as well as you served me.' No less was the
attachment of Colonel Stewart. Some years after he left
the Mysore Service, when he came back to Indian soil to
assume the Hyderabad command, he expressed an
earnest wish to see the Bakshi, and the latter went up to
Hyderabad to have and to give the pleasure of the
meeting. So solicitous was the Colonel to make his
friend's stay comfortable, and to create surroundings
congenial to his religious instincts, that he had
parnasalas specially put up for his temporary sojourn.

16
Further, the Colonel, whenever he came to Bangalore,
made it a point to meet Venkatachar, and on these
occasions he was not satisfied with the formal greetings
usual at such meetings, but warmly embraced Venkata-
char, so sincere was the affection and so great the esteem
that he had for his erstwhile companion in office.
By a rare combination of unselfishness, sympathetic
disposition, well-balanced judgment, dignified
demeanour and equable temper, the Bakshi earned the
sincere respect and gratitude of fellow-officials and
subordinates, which often are not as easy of attainment as
the approbation and regard of high-minded superior
officers. Jansale Srinivasa Rao, who for several years
held the post of Head Munshi in the Military Assistant's
office and who afterwards became an Amildar in the
Mysore State, writes to the compiler of this sketch:
‘Duty to him was above all things, and office work his
first and foremost engagement. He was noted for his
punctuality and hard work. When he once took his
seat at his office table he would leave it only after
six, when the office was to close. He never availed
himself of any rest or refreshment, and during his
service of more than thirty-seven years he scarcely
took any leave. He was a good task master. There
was harmony between his subordinates and himself.
He proved himself to be a good adviser, especially as
regards the granting of liberal pensions and gratuities
to disbanded men.'
His Highness the Maharaja, Mummadi Krishnaraja
Wadeyar Bahadur, even after he had entrusted the
administration of his territories to the British
Commissioner, was keeping himself informed of the
progress of events and taking a keen interest in the
welfare of those officers, who, with loyalty to his throne,
combined zeal and ability in the discharge of their duties
and earned the approbation of the British officers of
Government. Venkatachar early attracted the attention of
His Highness, who was pleased to grant him a ready
audience whenever he went to Mysore in the i course of

17
his official tours, and to invite him for important
functions in the palace.
Venkatachar had likewise the honour of attending, by
the invitation of the Chief Commissioner, important
functions at Government House, e.g., evening party to
meet His Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos,
the durbar on the occasion of the announcement of the
assumption by Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen
Victoria of the title of Empress of India, evening party to
meet His Highness Sri Chamarajendra Wadeyar
Bahadur, Maharaja of Mysore, the levee of His
Excellency the Viceroy and Governor-General of India
at Bangalore, evening party to meet His Excellency the
Right Hon'ble Lord Lytton, etc., and the marriage at the
Palace, Mysore, of His Highness Sri Chamarajendra
Wadeyar Bahadur.
At the approach of the statutory limit of age, Bakshi
Venkatachar was anxious to retire from service, but as
Colonel Stewart was unwilling to part with him he
continued to serve for two years longer. In May, 1879, at
the earnest solicitation of the Bakshi, Colonel Stewart
was pleased to allow him to retire, and, in reporting this
to the Chief Commissioner, that officer wrote as follows:
' Mr. B. Venkatachar, the Civil Bakshi, having
urged upon me his desire to be relieved without
delay, I propose to comply with his request on
the 15th instant. On the retirement of the Civil
Bakshi, Mr. B. Venkatachar, after a service of
37 years, it is right that I should bring to the
notice of the Chief Commissioner his
meritorious services. From the records in the
office I learn that he gave entire satisfaction to
my predecessors in this appointment, and I can
but add my own testimony to his ability. The
accounts of the Local Force have been kept by
him for many years to the entire satisfaction of
the Deputy Accountant-General and myself, and
he has had entire charge of the pensioners
throughout the province (about 1,000) and the

18
 payment of their stipends. From his experience
and long acquaintance with most of the members
of the Force, he has been of great assistance to
me, and I have invariably found his opinion
most valuable. I much regret his retirement.'
The Chief Commissioner, in acknowledging his letter,
noted with satisfaction the remarks made on the good
services rendered by B. Venkatachar, the retiring Civil
Buckshi.' On being apprised of this retirement, Colonel
E. B. Ramsay wrote a very complimentary and
affectionate letter, in the course of which he says:
‘So you have taken your pension, which I hope you
may enjoy many years to come, after so many
hard years of work as you have had. I am sure no
person ever worked harder or was a more honest
servant to Government than you have been.'
The hope of the worthy Colonel was happily fulfilled,
for the Bakshi lived twenty-five years after his
retirement, highly esteemed for his piety and sanctity.

19
 PART III
PRIVATE LIFE

VENKATACHAR was a genuine Brahmana of the

Ramanuja School, not a mere rajarshi, which term is
flatteringly applied in these days to a Brahmin official
who conforms to a few outward usages and shows some
degree of toleration or deference to the pretensions of the
vaidikas. Brought up in orthodox ways of living in the
first quarter of the last century, he steadfastly pursued
those ways in his early manhood, and, as he advanced in
age, he became intensely religious and increased the
rigour of the acharas observed, while the tendency of the
two generations which witnessed his later manhood and
old age was to relax imperceptibly the observance of the
acharas, followed by open neglect of them and
ostentatious adoption of foreign acharas, often of a
baneful kind. His faith was strong in the efficacy of the
teachings of the gurus of his school and of the acharas
handed down by his elders, and inculcated personally by
his chosen preceptors, which to him were full of life and
full of meaning, as embodying approved methods of
befitting oneself for rendering service and worship to the
Almighty. Whatever he did, howsoever rigorous from
the standpoint of advanced India, he did with pleasure
from a strict sense of duty, and it may safely be asserted
that he never failed in the performance of any duty, so
well ordered was his life and so perfect his control of the
indriyas.
He used to rise by 4 a.m. and bathe by 4.30 a.m. Since
building a well with stone steps in his own compound,
which was done several years before his retirement from
the service of the State, this bath was made in the well,
whatever the season and whatever the weather. His rich,
sonorous voice giving utterance to the praises of God and
gurus during the bath and on his way home shook the
students and others, dwelling in his house and in the
neighbourhood, from their slumbers, and led them to
begin, betimes their several avocations. In that quiet

20
hour, with restful mind and uninterrupted attention, he
went through the sandhyavandanam in all its details,
repeating the upasthanam exactly at the hour of sunrise.
This was followed by astaksharajapam, Brahma-yajnam,
aupasanam, and the reading or repeating of the
Ramayanam and of the stotras composed by esteemed
acharyas, which completed, by about 8 a.m., he would
receive visits or go out for a short walk visiting relations
and friends. Whenever he called on his uncle, a venerable
gentleman who by that hour had made his aupasanam
and would be seated chanting stotras, he would prostrate
before him and make abhivadanam in an humble way,
without any feeling of abashment. At about 9 a.m.,
during the period he was in service, he had his second
bath, made madhyahnikam and read other religious
books, the aradhanam or puja of the family saligramas
invoked as the Lord of Vaikuntha, being in the meantime
performed by his eldest son or by a duly trained
Srivaishnava Brahmana who lived in the house. The
mangalarati, or conclusion of the puja, was an
impressive proceeding, in which he and members of his
family and the atithis (guests, invited and uninvited) took
part, repeating various texts, Sanskrit and Tamil, in
solemn concord. After this, he made the vaisvadevam
offerings, on being duly initiated in this behalf by his
uncle, and took his simple breakfast in the company of
the atithis and such male members of the family as were
ready. He then drove to his office in a victoria, his low
caste servant, in an unostentatious livery, seated at the
back seat. He was a good judge of horses, and kept a
large swift-footed Australian. He took his seat in office
exactly at 11 a.m., and returned home in the evening. He
bathed again, made the evening sandhyavandanam,
repeated the sahasranamam, Sri-stuti, etc., and after the
night puja, or worship of the family saligramas, took his
supper, a lighter meal than the breakfast. He went to ted
early, between 8 and 9 p.m.
It is needless to add that he observed strictly the rules
of saucha and abstinence laid down by the school of

21
Smriti- karas and commentators, which his elders and
gurus followed. Not to mention the days of single meal,
the days on which he observed complete fasts without
any food or drink were:
1. Ekadasi: fortnightly fast for about 35 hours if there
happened to be one Ekadasi, for about 59 hours if
there happened to be two Ekadasis, and for about
67 hours if his father's Sradh, which occurred on
Kartik Bahula Dvadasi, happened to follow two
successive Ekadasis.
2. Sri Krishna Jayanti: this fast was also prolonged for
over one day, if the Astami having the Yoga of the
Rohini star at the time of moonrise had any
remnant of Saptami or Bharani.
3. Sri Rama Navami: fast for one day.
4. Sri Nrisimha Jayanti: fast for one day.
The approach of these fasts was not unwelcome to him.
On the other hand, he felt vexed at remonstrances made
by loving relations against such rigorous observance of
fasts even when he was very old. Begun at the early age
of 18, and continued ever after with firm faith and
strength of mind, fasting on prescribed occasions had
become quite a painless exercise to him, and affected
neither his health nor energy. It is said that when he
heard, at his distant camp in the Channagiri Taluk, of the
serious illness of his father at Hunsur, he travelled,
without halting and without food or rest, for three days.
After his retirement he personally made the
abhigamana- aradhanam (worship of saligramas invoked
as the Lord of Vaikuntha), after the morning aupasanam,
as well as the laghuvaradhanams in the noon and in the
night for the purpose of nivedanam or offering of food;
and he added considerably to his studies. In addition to the
Ramayanam, he read every day portions of the
Rahasyatrayasaram, the Gita, Sri-bhashyam, Bhagavad-
vishayam, etc., and at intervals repeated stotras and made
japam.
Such was the even tenor of his life, rendered feasible by
a heavenly gift of unbroken health and the hearty co-

22
operation and labours of a most exemplary wife and a
dutiful daughter, and directed above all by a rare strength
of purpose, which suffered not the least from any feeling
of weariness or tendency to procrastinate.
The death of Venkatachar was as remarkable as his life.
During the four score and three years that he lived he had
to undergo many reverses in his family, including the
death of his wife, eldest son, a daughter, several
grandchildren and daughters-in-law. But none of these
affected him so severely as the death of his daughter,
Sitamma, who, bereft of matrimonial bliss in her early
youth, devoted herself wholeheartedly and incessantly to
the service of her father, and was his constant helpmate in
the discharge of his social and religious duties. Referring
to this occurrence, the venerable old man of 82 writes:

‘ಒಳ್ಳೇ ಩ದ಺ಥಥ ಕ್ೈಬಿಟ್ಟು ಹ್ ೇಯಿತಟ. ಎಷ್ಟು ವ್ಯಸನ಩ಟ್ುಯ

ಸ಴ಲ್ೃವ್ೇ ಇದ್. ನ್ನ್ಸಿದ ಕ್ಲ್ಸ ಕಟುಂದಕವಿಲ್ಲದ್ ಸ಺ಗಟತ್಺ಾ ಇತಟಾ. ಈಗ
಩ರಯ಺ಸ಩ಟ್ಟು ನಡಿಸಿಕ್ ಳ್ಳಬ್ೇಕಟ;’ and again ‘ಸಿೇತಭಮ ನನೂ
ಕ್ೈಬಿಟ್ಟುಹ್ ೇದದಟೀ ನನಗ್ ಎಲ್಺ಲ ವಿಷ್ಮದಲ್ಲಲಮ ಶ್ರಭವ಺ಗಿದ್. ಇಷ್ಟು
ದಿನಗಳ್ು ನಡ್ದ ಹ಺ಗ್ ಭಟುಂದ್ ಆಚ಺ಯವ್ಯವ್ಹ಺ಯಗಳ್ು ನಡ್ಮಟವ್ುದಟ
ಫಹಟ ಩ರಯ಺ಸ. ಎಲ್ಲಯನ ೂ ಅನಟಸರಿಸಿಕ್ ುಂಡಟ ಉ಩಺ಮದಿುಂದ
ಕ಺ಲ್ಹಯಣಮ಺ಡಬ್ೇಕಟ.’
In fact, the death of Sitamma, followed by that of his
eldest son, seems to have hastened the end of
Venkatachar. Sitamma died in May, 1903, and
Venkatachar followed her in August, 1904. One who was
present at the passing away of the great man gives a
graphic account of the death scene, which is reproduced
hereunder:
ಇವ್ಯ ನಿಯ಺ಥಣ ವಿಷ್ಮವ್ನಟೂ ನ್ನಪಿಗ್ ತುಂದಟಕ್ ುಂಡರ್
ದ್ೇಹವ್ಲ್ಲವ್ೂ ರ್ ೇಮ಺ುಂಚಿತವ಺ಗಟತಾದ್. ಅತ್಺ಯಶ್ಚಮಥಕಯವ಺ದದಟೀ.
ಭೇಷ಺ಮಚ಺ಮಥಯಟ ನಿಯ಺ಥಣವ್ನಟೂ ಸ್಴ೇಚ್ಚಯಿುಂದ ಩ಡ್ದರ್ುಂದಟ

23
ಭಹ಺ಭ಺ಯತದಲ್ಲಲ ಹ್ೇಳಿಯಟತಾದ್. ಈ ಭಹ಺ತಮಯನಟೂ ಈ ಕ಺ಲ್ಕ್ೆ
ಅದ್ೇ ಮ಺ದಿರಿ ಎುಂದಟ ಹ್ೇಳ್ಲ್ಟ ಯ಺ವ್ ಸುಂಶ್ಮವ್ೂ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಆದರ್
ನ಺ನಟ ಇದನಟೂ ಫರ್ಮಲ್ಟ ಅಶ್ಕಾ. ತಿಳಿದವ್ರಿವಿಗ ಜ್ಞ಺಩ಕದಲ್ಲಲ
ಇಯಟವ್ವ್ರಿವಿಗ ವಿಜ್ಞ಺ಪಿಸಟವ್ನಟ.

ಮೊದಲ್ಟ ಇವ್ಯಟ ಶ್ರೇರ಺ಭನವ್ಮಿ ಸಭಮ ಅುಂದರ್ ಚ್ೈತರ

ಶ್ಟದುದಲ್ಲಲ ಸ಴ಲ್ೃ ಆಲ್ಸಯದಲ್ಲಲದೀಯಟ. ಅದಟ ಮೊದಲ್ಟ
ಬಗವ್ದ಺ರ಺ಧನಕ್ೆ ನನಗ್ ಆಜ್ಞ಺ಪಿಸಿದೀಯಟ. ನ಺ನಟ ಬ್ಳಿಗ್ೆ
ಸ಺ೂನಮ಺ಡಿ ತಟಲ್ಸಿೇ ತ್್ ೇಟ್ದಲ್ಲಲ ನನೂ ಗೃಹದಲ್ಲಲ ಆರ಺ಧನವ್ನಟೂ
ಮ಺ಡಿಕ್ ುಂಡಟ ಶ್ರೇಮವ್ಯ ಬಗವ್ದ಺ರ಺ಧನಕ್ೆ 7 ಘುಂಟ್ಯೊಳ್ಗ್
ಫುಂದಟ ಆರ಺ಧನವ್ನಟೂ ಮ಺ಡಿ ಶ್ರೇಮವ್ರಿಗ್ ತಿೇಥಥವ್ನಟೂ ಕ್ ಟ್ಟು
಩಺ಠಶ಺ಲ್್ಗ್ ಹ್ ೇಗಟತಿಾದ್ೀ.

ಹೇಗಿಯಟವ್ಲ್ಲಲ ಭನ್ಮವ್ರ್ಲ್ಲರಿಗ ಶ್ರೇರ಺ಭನವ್ಮಿ ಎುಂಫ

ಜ್ಞ಺಩ಕವ್ನಟೂ ಆಮಥರಿಗ್ ಕ್ ಡಕ ಡದ್ುಂದಟ ಅಭ಩಺ರಮವಿತಟಾ. ಅದ್ೇ
ರಿೇತಿ ನನಗ ಹ್ೇಳಿದಯಟ. ಆದರ್ ಆ ದಿನ ಬ್ಳಿಗ್ೆ ಮಧ಺಩ರಕ಺ಯವ಺ಗಿ
ನ಺ನಟ ಆರ಺ಧನಕ್ೆ ಹ್ ೇದದೀನಟೂ ಕುಂಡಟ ಶ್ರೇಮವ್ಯಟ ‘ಈ ದಿನ
ಶ್ರೇರ಺ಭನವ್ಮಿಮಲ್ಲವ್ೇ? ಭಧ಺ಯಹೂದಲ್ಲಲ ಆರ಺ಧನ
ಮ಺ಡಬ಺ಯದ್ೇ?’ ಎುಂದಟ ಅ಩ೃಣ್ ಕ್ ಡಿಸಿದಯಟ. ಅದ್ೇ ರಿೇತಿ
ಆರ಺ಧನಮ಺ಡಿದ ಮೇಲ್್, ವ್ರತ ಲ್್ ೇ಩ವಿಲ್ಲದ್ ಏನ಺ದಯ ಸ಴ಲ್ೃ
ಆಹ಺ಯವ್ನಟೂ ಅುಂಗಿೇಕರಿಸಲ್ಟ ಩಺ರರ್ಥಥಸಿದ್ವ್ು. ಅದಕ್ೆ

’ಯಘುನ಺ಥಜಮುಂತ್಺ಯ ತಟ ಭ್ ೇಕಟಾನ್ೈಥವ಺ಸಿಾ ನಿಷ್ೃತಿಿಃ’

ಎುಂಫ ವ್ಚನವ್ನಟೂ ಹ್ೇಳಿ, ತಭಗ್ ಶ್ಕ್ತಾ ಇಯಟವ್ವ್ರ್ಗ ನಿಫಥುಂಧ

಩ಡಿಸಬ್ೇಡವ್ುಂದಟ ಅ಩ೃಣ್ ಕ್ ಡಿಸಿ ಉ಩ವ಺ಸವ಺ಗಿಯೇ ಆ
ದಿನವ್ನಟೂ ಕಳ್ದಯಟ. ಭಯಟದಿನ ಩಺ಯಣ್ ಸಭಮ, ತ್಺ವ್ು ಮ಺ಡಿದ
ಉದ್ೀೇಶ್ವ್ನಟೂ ದ್ೇವ್ಯಟ ನ್ರ್ವ್ೇರಿಸಿಕ್ ಟ್ುದೀಕ಺ೆಗಿ ಫಹಳ್

24
ಸುಂತ್್ ೇಷಿಸಿ, ಬಗವ್ುಂತನಲ್ಲಲ ಭ಺ಯವ್ನಟೂ ಅಪಿಥಸಿ, ಩ಕೆದಲ್ಲಲ ಕಟಳಿತಿದೀ
ನನಗ್ ಅ಩ೃಣ್ಕ್ ಡಿಸಿದ ಸುಂಗತಿ ಏನ್ುಂದರ್: ’ನ಺ನಟ 18 ನ್ೇ
ವ್ಮಸಿಿನಲ್ಲಲ ಈ ವ್ರತವ್ನಟೂ ಆಯುಂಭಸಿದ್ನಟ. ಇದಟವ್ರ್ಗ ದ್ೇವ್ಯಟ
ಅವಿಚಿಿನೂವ಺ಗಿ ನ್ಯವ್ೇರಿಸಿಕ್ ಟ್ುಯಟ. ದೃಢವ಺ದ ಅಧಯವ್ಸ಺ಮವಿದೀರ್
ದ್ೇವ್ಯಟ ಕ್ೈ ಬಿಡಟವ್ುದಿಲ್ಲ. ದ್ೇಹವ್ು ಯ಺ವ಺ಗಲ್಺ದಯ
ಗಳಿತವ಺ಗಬ್ೇಕಟ. ಇದಕ಺ೆಗಿ ಹುಂಜರಿಮಬ಺ಯದಟ’

಩ಶ಺ಚತ್, ಒುಂದಟ ದಿನ ಬಿಟ್ಟು ಭಯಟದಿನವ್ೇ ಏಕ಺ದಶ್ ಫುಂದಿತಟ. ಆ

ದಿವ್ಸದಲ್ಲಲ ಸ಴ಲ್ೃ ನಿಫಥುಂಧಬ಺ಗಿ ಏನ಺ದಯ ತ್್ಗ್ದಟಕ್ ಳ್ಳಬ್ೇಕ್ುಂದಟ
ನ಺ವ್ು ಩಺ರರ್ಥಥಸಿದೀಕ್ೆ – ’ನಿೇನಟ ನನೂ ಩ಕೆದಲ್ಲಲಯಟ. ನನಗ್ ಜ್ಞ಺ನ
ತಪಿೃದರ್ ಆವ಺ಗ ನಿನೂ ಇಷ್ುದುಂತ್್ ಮ಺ಡಟ. ಜ್ಞ಺ನವಿಯಟವ಺ಗ ನನೂ
ಸುಂಕಲ್ೃಕ್ೆ ವಿರ್ ೇಧಮ಺ಡಬ್ೇಡ’ ಎುಂದಟ ಅ಩ೃಣ್ ಕ್ ಡಿಸಿ,
ಉ಩ವ಺ಸವಿದಟೀಬಿಟ್ುಯಟ. ಆದರ್ ಶ್ರೇಮವ್ರಿಗ್ ಅದಟಮೊದಲ್ಟ ಸ಴ಲ್ೃ
ಅಶ್ಕ್ತಾ ಹ್ಚಿಚ ಅದ್ೇ ಕ಺ಲ್ದಲ್ಲಲ ಩ಯಭ಩ದವ್ನಟೂ ಅಲ್ುಂಕರಿಸಫಹಟದ್ುಂಫ
ಶ್ುಂಕ್ಮಟುಂಟ಺ಗಿತಟಾ. ಆ ಸುಂಗತಿಮನಟೂ ಶ್ರೇಮವ್ಯ ಹರಿಮ ಭಕೆಳ್ು
ಶ಺ಭಣಣನವ್ರಿಗ್ ತುಂತಿಮ ಭ ಲ್ಕ ತಿಳಿಸಲ್ಟ, ಅವ್ಯಟ ಩ರಯ಺ಣಿಸಿ
ಭಧಯಮ಺ಗಥದಲ್ಲಲ ಕ್ುಂಗ್ೇರಿಯಿುಂದ ಈಚ್ ಹಠ಺ತ್಺ಾಗಿ ಩ಯಭ಩ದವ್ನಟೂ
ಹ್ ುಂದಿಬಿಟ್ುಯಟ. ಅದಟ ಶ್ರೇಮವ್ರಿಗ್ ಫಹಳ್ ವ್ಯಸನಕಯವ಺ಗಿತಟಾ.
಩಺ರಯಫುಕಭಥದ ಩಺ರಫಲ್ಯದಿುಂದ ಇುಂತಹ ಕಷ್ುಕ್ೆ ಗಟರಿಯ಺ದಯ
ತಭಮ ಆಹೂಕಕ಺ಮಥಗಳ್ಲ್಺ಲಗಲ್ಲ, ಏಕ಺ದಶ಺ಯದಿ ವ್ರತಗಳ್ಲ್಺ಲಗಲ್ಲ
ಒುಂದನ ೂ ತಪಿೃಸಲ್ಲಲ್ಲ.

ಆಮೇಲ್್ ಶ಺ರವ್ಣ ಶ್ಟದು ಏಕ಺ದಶ್ ಩಺ರ಩ಾವ಺ಯಿತಟ. ಆದರ್ ಅದಕ್ೆ

ಭಟುಂಚಿತವ಺ಗಿ ನ಺ನ ಶ್ರೇ ತ ಩ೃಲ್ ವ್ೇುಂಕಟ಺ಚ಺ಮಥಯ
ಶ್ರೇಮವ್ಯ ಸನಿೂಧಿಗ್ ಫುಂದಟ ಸ಴ಲ್ೃ ಕ್ಲ್ಸದ ಮೇಲ್್ ಮೈಸ ರಿಗ್
ಹ್ ೇಗ್ ಫಯಲ್ಟ ಅ಩ೃಣ್ ಕ್ೇಳಿದ್ವ್ು. ಅದಕ್ೆ ಅವ್ರಿಗ್ ಮ಺ತರ ಹ್ ೇಗಿ
ಫಯಟವ್ುಂತ್್ ಅ಩ೃಣ್ ಕ್ ಡಿಸಿ, ನನಗ್, ಸ಴ಲ್ೃಹ್ ತಟಾ ಕಳ್ದ ಮೇಲ್್,

25
ತ ಩ೃಲ್ ಸ಺಴ಮಿಗಳ್ು ಭನ್ಬಿಟ್ಟು ಹ್ ಯಟ್ನುಂತಯ, ತಭಗ್
ದ್ೇಹಸಿಿತಿ ಅನಟಕ ಲ್ವಿಲ್ಲವ್ುಂತಲ್ , ಆ ಸಿಿತಿಮಲ್ಲಲ ತಭಮನಟೂ ಬಿಟ್ಟು
ಹ್ ೇಗಲ್಺ಗದ್ುಂದ ಅನಟಗರಹ಩ೂವ್ಥಕವ಺ಗಿ ಆಜ್ಞ಺ಪಿಸಿದಯಟ. ನ಺ನಟ
ಅದನಟೂ ಶ್ಯಸ಺ವ್ಹಸಿ ನನೂ ಩ರಯ಺ಣವ್ನಟೂ ಮ಺ನಸಿಕಮ಺ಡಿದ್ನಟ.
ಏಕ಺ದಶ್ ದಿನ ಬ್ಳಿಗ್ೆ ಎುಂದಿನುಂತ್್ 7 ಘುಂಟ್ಗ್ ಆರ಺ಧನಮ಺ಡಿ
ಬಗವ್ತಿಾೇಥಥವ್ನಟೂ ಕ್ ಡಟವ಺ಗ ಶ್ರೇಮವ್ಯಟ ಩ದುತಿಮ ಩ರಕ಺ಯ ಎದಟೀ
ನಿುಂತಟ ತಿೇಥಥವ್ನಟೂ ತ್್ಗ್ದಟಕ್ ಳ್ಳಲ್ಟ ಅಶ್ಕಾರ಺ಗಿ ಕಟಳಿತ ಹ಺ಗ್ಯೇ
ತಿೇಥಥ ತ್್ಗ್ದಟಕ್ ುಂಡಯಟ. ಭತಟಾ ಕ್ೈ ನಡಟಕ ಉುಂಟ಺ದಟದರಿುಂದ
ದ಺಴ದಶ್ೃೇಧ್ಥ ಩ುುಂಡರವ್ನಟೂ ಧರಿಸಲ್ಸ಺ಧಯವ಺ಗಿ ಒುಂದ್ೇ
಩ುುಂಡರವ್ನಟೂ ಧರಿಸಿದೀಯಟ. ಅಲ್ಲದ್, ಩ುಂಚಕಚ್ಚಹ಺ಕ್ತ ಧ್ ೇತರ
ಉಟ್ಟುಕ್ ಳ್ಳಲ್ಟ ಅಶ್ಕಯವ಺ಗಿ ಸಣಣ ಚೌಕವ್ನಟೂ ದಟ್ಟುಯ಺ಗಿ
ಧರಿಸಿಕ್ ುಂಡಿದೀಯಟ. ತಭಗ್ ಫಹಳ್ ಅಶ್ಕ್ತಾಯ಺ಗಿಯಟವ್ುದ಺ಗಿಮ
ತ್಺ವ್ು ವಿಧಟಯರ಺ಗಿಯಟವ್ುದರಿುಂದ ಆ಩ತಿಾನ ಸಭಮದಲ್ಲಲ ಆ ರಿೇತಿ
ಧರಿಸಟವ್ುದಟ ಅಷ್ಟು ಬ಺ಧಕವಿಲ್ಲವ್ುಂತಲ್ ಅ಩ೃಣ್ ಕ್ ಡಿಸಿದಯಟ.

ಆಮಥರಿಗ್ ತಿೇಥಥವ್ನಟೂ ಕ್ ಟ್ಟು ಩಺ಠಶ಺ಲ್್ಗ್ ಹ್ ೇದವ್ನಟ 1

ಘುಂಟ್ಗ್ ಹುಂತಿಯಟಗಿದ್ನಟ. ಶ್ರೇಮವ್ಯಟ ಮಥ಺ಕರಭವ಺ಗಿ
ಮ಺ಧ಺ಯಹೂಕವ್ನಟೂ ಮ಺ಡಿ, ನುಂತಯ ನನೂನಟೂ ಭನ್ಗ್ ಹ್ ೇಗಿ
ಫಯಟವ್ುಂತ್್ ಅ಩ೃಣ್ಕ್ ಟ್ುಯಟ. ನ಺ನ ಭನ್ಗ್ ಹ್ ೇಗಿ
ಮ಺ಧ಺ಯಹೂಕಮ಺ಡಿ ಇನ ೂ ಏನ್ ೇ ಕ್ಲ್ಸ ನ್ ೇಡಟತಿಾಯಟವ್ಲ್ಲಲ,
ಭನ್ಯಿುಂದ ತಕ್ಷಣ ಫಯಟವ್ುಂತ್್ ಶ್ರೇಮವ್ಯ ಆಜ್ಞ್ ಫುಂದಿತಟ. ತಿಯಟಗಿ
ನ಺ನಟ ಅಲ್ಲಲ ಸ್ೇಯಟವ಺ಗ್ೆ ಸಟಮ಺ಯಟ ½ ಘುಂಟ್ ಇಯಫಹಟದಟ. ಒಡನ್
ತಭಮನಟೂ ಎಬಿಿಸಿ ದಿುಂಬಿನಲ್ಲಲ ಒಯಗಿಕ್ ಳ್ುಳವ್ುಂತ್್ ಬಿಡ್ುಂದಟ
ಅ಩ೃಣ್ಕ್ ಡಿಸಿದಯಟ. ಅದ್ೇ ರಿೇತಿ ಮ಺ಡಿದ ಮೇಲ್್
’ಬಗವ್ದ಺ುಾನಸ್ ೇ಩಺ನ’ ವ್ುಂಫ ಸ್ ಾೇತರವ್ನಟೂ ಹ್ೇಳ್ುವ್ುಂತ್್ ಆಜ್ಞ್
ಮ಺ಡಿದಯಟ. ಈ ಸ್ ಾೇತರವ್ನಟೂ ಩ರತಿದಿನವ್ೂ ಸ಺ಮುಂಕ಺ಲ್ದಲ್ಲಲಮ

26
ಹ಺ಸಿಗ್ಮ ಮಲ್್ ಭಲ್ಗಟವ಺ಗಲ್ ಅನಟಸುಂಧ಺ನವ್ನಟೂ ಮ಺ಡಟತ್಺ಾ
ಕಣಟಣಗಳ್ನಟೂ ಭಟಚಿಚಕ್ ುಂಡಟ ಶ್ರೇಯುಂಗನ಺ಥನನಟೂ ಧ಺ಯನಿಸಟವ್ುದಟ
ಆಮಥಯ ವ಺ಡಿಕ್. ಆದರ್ ಆ ದಿನ ಬ಺ಯಿಬಿಟ್ಟು ಉಚಚರಿಸಲ್ಟ
ಅಸ಺ಧಯವ಺ಗಿತಟಾ. ಅದಕ಺ೆಗಿ ನನೂನಟೂ ಅವ್ಯ ಩ಕೆದಲ್ಲಲ ಹ಺ಸಿಗ್ಮ
ಮೇಲ್್ ಕಟಳಿಳರಿಸಿಕ್ ುಂಡಟ ಸ್ ಾೇತರವ್ನಟೂ ಹ್ೇಳಿಸಿ ಕಣಟಣಗಳ್ನಟೂ
ಭಟಚಿಚಕ್ ುಂಡಟ ಬಗವ್ದ಺ುಾನ ಮ಺ಡಟತಿಾದೀಯಟ. ಇದಟ ಸಟಮ಺ಯಟ 3 ½
ಘುಂಟ್ಮ ವ್ರಿವಿಗ ನಡ್ಯಿತಟ. ತಿಯಟಗಿಮ ನನೂನಟೂ ಸ಴ುಂತ
ಕ್ಲ್ಸಕ್ೆ ಹ್ ೇಗ್ುಂದಟ ನಿಫಥುಂಧ಩ಡಿಸಿದಯಟ. ನ಺ನಟ ಭನ್ಗ್ ಹ್ ೇದ
ಅಧಥ ಘುಂಟ್ಗ್ ಒಡನ್ೇ ಫಯಟವ್ುಂತ್್ ವ್ತಥಮ಺ನ ಫುಂದಿತಟ. ತಕ್ಷಣ
ಓಡಿಹ್ ೇದ್ನಟ. ಇಷ್ುಯಲ್ಲಲ ಶ್ರೇಮವ್ಯಟ ಅಲ್ೃಶ್ುಂಕ಺ನಿವ್ೃತಿಾಮ಺ಡಿ,
ಬ಺ಯಿ ಭಟಕೆಳಿಸಿ, ಹ಺ಸಿಗ್ಮ ಩ಕೆದಲ್ಲಲ ಪಿೇಠದ ಮೇಲ್್ ಕಟಳಿತಟ
ಸ಺ಮುಂಸುಂಧ಺ಯವ್ುಂದನವ್ನ ೂ ಜ಩ವ್ನ ೂ ಮ಺ಡಿ ’ಕ಺ಯೇನ
ವ಺ಚ಺’ ಇತ್಺ಯದಿ ಶ್ೃಲಕವ್ನಟೂ ಹ್ೇಳ್ುತಿಾಯಟವ಺ಗ ನ಺ನಟ ಅಲ್ಲಲಗ್
ಸ್ೇರಿದ್. ಆವ಺ಗ ಸುಂಧ಺ಯಕ಺ಲ್ ಫುಂದಿಯಲ್ಲಲ್ಲ. ಇನ ೂ ಸ಴ಲ್ೃ ಹ್ ತಿಾತಟಾ.
ಸಟಮ಺ಯಟ 4½ ಘುಂಟ್ ಇಯಫಹಟದಟ. ನ಺ನಟ ಹ್ ತಿಾಯಟವ್
ಸುಂಗತಿಮನಟೂ ಅರಿಕ್ ಮ಺ಡಿದೀಕ್ೆ ನಭಮ ಆಮಥಯಟ ಅ಩ೃಣ್
ಕ್ ಡಿಸಿದ್ೀೇನ್ುಂದರ್: ’ಆಜ್ಞ಺ಕ್ೈುಂಕಮಥುಂ ಭಟಖಯುಂ; ಎಪ್ೃೇ ಎ಩ೃಡಿ
ಇಯಟಕಟೆಮೊೇ? ಚಿತಾುಂ ಸರಿಯ಺ಯ್ ಇಯಟಕೆಚ್ಚಾ ಩ಣಿಣವಿಟ್ುೇನ್.’ ಈ
ವಿಷ್ಮ ಯೊೇಚಿಸಿದರ್, ಅವ್ಯಟ ಫಟದಿು಩ೂವ್ಥಕವ಺ಗಿ ಆಜ್ಞ಺
ಕ್ೈುಂಕಮಥವ್ನಟೂ ಒುಂದಟ ವ್ೇಳ್ಮ ಬಿಡದ್ ಮ಺ಡಿದರ್ನೂಫಹಟದಟ.

ಆಮೇಲ್್ ಹುಂದಿನುಂತ್್ ಹ಺ಸಿಗ್ಗ್ ಕರ್ದಟಕ್ ುಂಡಟ ಹ್ ೇಗಲ್ಟ

ಮತಿೂಸಿದ್ವ್ು. ಆದರ್ ಭಹ಺ ಯೊೇಗಿಗಳ಺ದ ನಭಮ ಆಮಥಯಟ ತಭಮ
ನಿಯ಺ಥಣ ಸಭಮವ್ನಟೂ ಅರಿತವ್ರ಺ದೀರಿುಂದ ಹ಺ಸಿಗ್ ಹತಾಲ್ಟ
ಇಚಿಿಸದ್ ಕ್ಳ್ಗ್ ಫಟ್ುಮನಟೂ ಹ಺ಕ್ತಸಿ ಅದಯಲ್ಲಲ ದಬಥವ್ನಟೂ ಹಯಡಿಸಿ
ಅದಯ ಮೇಲ್್ ಭಲ್ಗಿದಯಟ. ಇದಟ ಸಟಮ಺ಯಟ 5 ಘುಂಟ್ ಸಭಮ.

27
ಶ್ರೇಭದ಺ಮಥಯಟ ಩ರತಿ ದಿವ್ಸದಲ್ಲಲಮ ಬ್ೇಡಟತಿಾದ1ೀ
ಅನಟಸುಂಧ಺ನಕ್ೆ ಭನಸಿನಿೂಟ್ಟು ’ನ಺ರ಺ಮಣ, ನ಺ರ಺ಮಣ’ ಎುಂದಟ
ಬ಺ಯಿಬಿಟ್ಟು ಉಚಚರಿಸಲ್ಟ ಭನಿಃ ಩ೂವ್ಥಕವ಺ಗಿ ಩ರವ್ೃತಿಾಸಿದಯಟ.
ಆದರ್ ಶ್ರೇಮವ್ಯಟ ಬ಺ಯಿಯಿುಂದ ಶ್ಬ್ ೀೇಚ಺ಚಯಣ್ ಮ಺ಡಿದರ್
ಗುಂಟ್ಲ್ಟ ಒಣಗಿ ಫಯಟವ್ುದನಟೂ ಕುಂಡಟ ಩ಕೆದಲ್ಲಲದೀವ್ಯಟ ನನೂನಟೂ
ಏನ಺ದಯ ಹ್ೇಳಿ ಶ್ರೇಮವ್ಯನಟೂ ನಿಲ್ಲಲಸಟವ್ುಂತ್್ ಩್ರೇರಿಸಿದಯಟ.
ತದನಟಸ಺ಯ ಶ್ರೇಮವ್ಯ ಶ್ಯಸಿಿನ ಹತಿಾಯ ಕಟಳಿತಟ ’ಶ್ನ್ ೂೇಮಿತರಿಃ’
ಎುಂದಟ ತ್್ೈತಿಾರಿೇಯೊೇ಩ನಿಷ್ತಾನಟೂ ಹ್ೇಳ್ಲ್ಟ ಩಺ರಯುಂಭಸಿದ್ನಟ.
ಶ್ರೇಭದ಺ಮಥಯಟ ’ಸ಺ಮುಂಕ಺ಲ್ದಲ್ಲಲ ಉ಩ನಿಷ್ತ್್ಾೇನಟ?’ ಎುಂದಟ
ಬ಺ಯಿುಂದ ಅುಂದಯಟ. ತಿಯಟಗಿಮ ಸ಴ಲ್ೃ ನಿಮಿಷ್ಗಳ್ು ಕಳ್ದ ನುಂತಯ
ನ಺ನಟ ಸುಂಧ಺ಯವ್ುಂದನ್ ಮ಺ಡಿ ಩ೂವ್ಥದುಂತ್್ಯೇ ಶ್ರೇಮವ್ಯ
ಶ್ರ್ ೇಭ಺ಗದಲ್ಲಲ ಕಟಳಿತಟ ಎಲ್ಲಯ ಩್ರೇಯಣ್ಗ್ ಳ್ಗ಺ಗಿ
’ಶ್ಟಕ಺ಲುಂಫಯಧಯುಂ’ ಎುಂದಟ ಸಹಸರನ಺ಭವ್ನಟೂ ಹ್ೇಳ್ಲ್ಟ
಩಺ರುಂಭಸಿದ್ನಟ. ಇಷ್ುಯಲ್ಲಲಯೇ ಶ್ರೇಮವ್ರಿಗ್ ಶ಺಴ಸಶ್ಕ್ತಾ
ಕಡಿಮಯ಺ಗಟತಾ ಫುಂದಿತಟ. ಆದಕ಺ಯಣ ತಭಮ ಕ್ೈಯಿುಂದ
ಹ್ೇಳ್ಬ್ೇಡವ್ುಂದಟ ಸುಂಜ್ಞ್ ಮ಺ಡಿದಯಟ. ಆಮೇಲ್್ ಹತಿಾಯ ಇದೀವ್ರಿಗ್
ಸಮ಺ಧ಺ನ ಹ್ೇಳಿ, ಆಮಥಯಟ ಚಿಯಕ಺ಲ್ದಿುಂದ ಸುಂ಩಺ದಿಸಿಸ

1
ಸ಺಴ನಟಸುಂಧ಺ನಕ಺ಲ್ದಲ್ಲಲ ಎಲ್ಲಕ್ತೆುಂತ ಬಗವ್ನ಺ೂಭಸುಂಕ್ತೇತಥನ ಫಹಳ್ ಭಟಖಯವ್ುಂಫ
ಅಭ಩಺ರಮದಿುಂದ

ಕೃಷ್ಣ ತ಴ದಿೇಮ ಩ದ಩ುಂಕಜ಩ುಂಜರ಺ುಂತುಂ

ಅದ್ಯೈವ್ ಮೇ ವಿಶ್ತಟ ಮ಺ನಸರ಺ಜಹುಂಸ: |

಩಺ರಣ಩ರಯ಺ಣಸಭಯೇ ಕಪವ಺ತಪಿತ್್ತಿಃ

ಕುಂಠ಺ವ್ರ್ ೇಧನವಿಧೌ ಸಮಯಣುಂ ಕಟತಸ್ಾೇ ||

ಎುಂಫ ’ಭಟಕಟುಂದಮ಺ಲ್಺’ ಶ್ೃಲೇಕವ್ನಟೂ ಩ಠನಮ಺ಡಿ ’ಅಪ್ೃೇದಟ ಜ್ಞ಺಩ಕುಂ ವ್ಯಟಮೊೇ

ವ್ರ಺ದ್ ೇ; ಇಪ್ೃೇ ಶ್ೃಲ್ಟಲಕ್ತರ್ೇನ್’ ಎುಂದಟ ಆಯವ್ದಲ್ಲಲ ಹ್ೇಳ್ುತಾ, ’ಕೃಷ್ಣ, ಕೃಷ್ಣ,’ ಎುಂದಟ
ಶ್ರೇಮವ್ಯಟ ಆಗ಺ಗ್ೆ ಉಚಚರಿಸಟತಿಾದೀಯಟ. ಈ ತ಩ಸ್ಿೇ ಅವ್ರಿಗ್ ಅುಂತಯಕ಺ಲ್ದಲ್ಲಲ ಪಲ್ಲಸಿತಟ.

28
ಬಗವ್ದ್ ಯೇಗಕ್ೆ ಹ್ದರಿ, ಅದಕ್ೆ ವಿರ್ ೇಧ ಮ಺ಡಕ ಡದ್ುಂದಟ ನ್ನಸಿ
ಸಟಭಮನ಺ದ್ನಟ.

ಇಷ್ುಯಲ್ಲಲ ಭನ್ಮವ್ರಿಗ್ ಶ್ರೇಮವ್ಯ ಕ್ೈಯಿುಂದ ಉತ್಺ೆರುಂತಿ

ಗ್ ೇದ಺ನ ಮೊದಲ್಺ದ ಕ್ಲ್ಸಗಳ್ನಟೂ ಮ಺ಡಿಸಬ್ೇಕ್ುಂದಟ
ಅಭ಩಺ರಮವ್ು ಫಹಳ್ವ಺ಗಿತಟಾ. ಅದನಟೂ ಩ರಸ಺ಾಪಿಸಟವ್ುಂತ್್ ನಭಮ
಩ುರ್ ೇಹತಯಟ ಶ್ರೇ ರ಺ಭಣಣಮಯನವ್ರಿಗ್ ಭನ್ಮವ್ಯಟ
ಪ್ರೇತ್಺ಿಹಸಿದಯಟ. ಅವ್ಯಟ ಹತಿಾಯ ಫುಂದಟ ’ಅುಂಟ್ಣಣ, ಅುಂಟ್ಣಣ,’
ಎುಂದಟ ಕ್ತವಿಮ ಹತಿಾಯ ಕರ್ದಟ, ’ದ಺ನುಂ ಩ಣಣಲ್಺ಮ಺?’ ಎುಂದಟ
ಕ್ೇಳಿದೀಕ್ೆ ಶ್ರೇಮವ್ಯಟ ಅವ್ಯ ದ಺ಕ್ಷಿಣಯಕೆ2 ಒಳ್ಗ಺ಗಿ ’ಎಲ್಺ಲುಂ
ಸಿದುಮ಺ಯಿಯಟಕ್ತೆಯದ಺?’ ಎುಂದಟ ಩ರಶ್ೂ ಮ಺ಡಿದಯಟ. ’ಗ್ ೇದ಺ನುಂ
಩ಣಣಲ್಺ುಂ’ ಎುಂದಟ ಩ುರ್ ೇಹತಯಟ ಹ್ೇಳ್ಲ್ಟ, ಶ್ರೇಮವ್ಯಟ ’ನ಺ಳ್
ದ಺಴ದಶ್, ಕ಺ಲ್ಮ ಎಲ್಺ಲುಂ ಩ಣಣಲ್಺ುಂ’ ಎುಂದಟ ಫದಲ್ಟ ಹ್ೇಳಿ, ತಿರಿಗಿ
ಬಗವ್ನ಺ೂಭ ಅುಂದರ್ ’ನ಺ರ಺ಮಣ’ ಎುಂಫ ನ಺ಭವ್ನಟೂ
ಉಚಚರಿಸಟತಿಾದೀಯಟ. ಹೇಗ್ ಅಧಥ ಘುಂಟ್ ಕಳ್ಯಿತಟ. ಆಮೇಲ್್
ಶ್ರಮವ್ಯಟ ತಭಗ್ ಅದೃಷ್ುವ್ನಟೂ3 ಅನಟಗರಹಸಿದ ಶ್ರೇಭದ಺ುಂಡವ್ನ್
ಸ಺಴ಮಿಗಳ್ ತನಿಮನ್ ಅುಂದರ್ ’ಶ್ರೇಯುಂಗ್ೇಶ್಩ತಿ’ ಇತ್಺ಯದಿ
ಶ್ೃಲೇಕವ್ನಟೂ ಕಷ್ುದಿುಂದ ಩ೂತಿಥಯ಺ಗಿ ಹ್ೇಳಿ, ಆಮೇಲ್್ ’ನ಺ರ಺ಮಣ’

2
ದ಺ನ಺ದಿಗಳ್ು ತಭಮ ಩ಯಗತಿಗ್ ಅವ್ಶ್ಯವಿಲ್ಲವ್ುಂಫಟದಟ ಶ್ರೇಮವ್ರಿಗ್ ದೃಢವ಺ದ
ಅಭಸುಂಧಿ. ಆದರ್ ಬಗವ್ತ್ಪಿರೇತಿಯ಺ಗಿ ಭಕೆಳ್ು ಮ಺ಡಲ್ಲ ಎುಂಫ ಅಭ಩಺ರಮವ್ೇನ್ ೇ
ಅವ್ರಿಗಿತಟಾ. ಈ ವಿಷ್ಮವ್ನಟೂ ಆಗ಺ಗ್ಯ ಸುಂ಩ರದ಺ಮ ವಿಚ಺ಯ ಕ಺ಲ್ದಲ್ಲಲ ನನಗ್
ಅ಩ೃಣ್ಕ್ ಡಿಸಿದೀಯಟ.

3
’ಅದೃಷ್ು’ ವ್ುಂದರ್ ಆತಮಯಕ್ಷ಺ಬಯಸಭ಩ಥಣವ್ುಂಫ ಭ಺ಗಯವ್ು. ಇದಟ ಆತಮಯಕ್ಷ್ ಅಥವ಺
಩ರಿ಩ೂಣಥ ಩ಯಫರಹ಺ಮನಟಬವ್ವ್ುಂಫ ಩ಯಭ಩ುಯಟಷ಺ಥಥವ಺ದ ಮೊೇಕ್ಷಕ್ೆ ಸ಺ಧನವ್ು.
ಆತಮಯಕ್ಷಣದ ಭ಺ಯವ್ನಟೂ ತ್಺ನ್ೇ ಆಗಲ್ಲ ತನಗ್ ೇಸೆಯ ಩ಯಭಕೃ಩಺ಶ಺ಲ್ಲಗಳ಺ದ
ಆಚ಺ಮಥರ್ೇ ಆಗಲ್ಲ ಬಗವ್ುಂತನಲ್ಲಲ ಸಭಪಿಥಸಟವ್ುದಟ; ಇವ್ನಟೂ ಬಗವ್ುಂತನಟ
ಸಿ಴ೇಕರಿಸಟವ್ುದಟ. ಇದ್ೇ ’ಶ್ಯಣ಺ಗತಿ,’ ’಩ರ಩ತಿಾ’ ಎುಂದಟ ಹ್ೇಳ್ಲ್ೃಡಟವ್ುದಟ.

29
ಎುಂದಟ ಹ್ೇಳ್ಲ್ಟ ಆಯುಂಭಸಿದಯಟ. ತದ಺ಯಬಯ ಅಧಥಘುಂಟ್
ವಿಚ್ಿೇದವಿಲ್ಲದ್ ಬಗವ್ನ಺ೂಭವ್ನಟೂಚಚರಿಸಿದ ಫಳಿಕ, ಕ್ ನ್ೇಸಲ್
’ನ಺ರ಺ಮಣ’ ಎನಟೂವ಺ಗ ಬ಺ಯಿಮಟ ಒುಂದಟ ಩ಕೆವ಺ಗಿ ಬ಺ಗಿ
ಬ಺ಯಿನಿುಂದ ಸ಴ಲ್ೃ ಯಕಾವ್ು ಫುಂದಿತಟ. ಫಲ್ಗಣಟಣ ಅಗಲ್ವ಺ಗಿ
ತ್್ಗ್ಮಲ್ೃಟ್ಟು ತಕ್ಷಣ ಉಸಿರ಺ಡಟವ್ುದಟ ನಿುಂತಟಹ್ ೇಯಿತಟ. ಈ ರಿೇತಿ
ಶ್ರೇಮವ್ಯಟ ನ಺ನಟ ಕಣಿಣನಿುಂದ ನ್ ೇಡಟತಿಾದೀ ಹ಺ಗ್ಯೇ
಩ಯಭ಩ದವ್ನಟೂ ಹ್ ುಂದಿದಯಟ. ನನಗ್ ಈ ಆಶ್ಚಮಥವ್ನಟೂ ನ್ ೇಡಿದ
ಆ ಸಭಮದಲ್ಲಲ ಏನ ತ್್ ೇಚಲ್ಲಲ್ಲ. ಸಟಖಸಟಿಃಖವ್ುಂಫ ಭ್ೇದವ್ೇ
ಏ಩ಥಡಲ್ಲಲ್ಲ.
Thus passed away Venkatachar to Sri Vaikuntha, the
abode of eternal bliss. His death was regarded more as a
communal loss than a family bereavement, and numerous
were the expressions of appreciation and condolence that
came from far and near. Sometime after his demise, a
meeting was held in the Tulasi-totam, Bangalore, for
among other things, the organising of a Sanskrit library
for the use of the public, his own library forming the
nucleus of the new institution. The late Sir P. N.
Krishnamurty, Dewan of Mysore, who presided on the
occasion, voiced the opinion of the general public
regarding Venkatachar as follows:
’ಫಕ್ಷಿ ವ್ೇುಂಕಟ಺ಚ಺ಮಥಯನಟೂ ನ಺ನಟ ನನೂ ಬ಺ಲ್ಯದಿುಂದಲ್
ಫಲ್್ಲನಟ. ಇವ್ಯಟ ಮಿಲ್ಲಟ್ರಿ ಇಲ್಺ಖ್ಮಲ್ಲಲ ಫಹಟ ದಿನಗಳ್ು ದ್ ಡಡ
ಅಧಿಕ಺ಯವ್ನಟೂ ವ್ಹಸಿದಟೀ ರಿಟ್ೈರ಺ಗಿ 30 ವ್ಯಟಷ್ಗಳ಺ಗಿಯಫಹಟದಟ.
ಇವ್ಯಟ ಲ್ೌಕ್ತಕದಲ್ಲಲಯಟವ಺ಗಲ್ ಅನಟದಿನವ್ೂ ಕ಺ಲ್ಕ಺ಲ್ಕ್ೆ ಸ಺ೂನ,
ಸುಂಧ಺ಯವ್ುಂದನ, ಔ಩಺ಸನ, ವ್ೈಶ್಴ದ್ೇವ಺ದಿ ಷ್ಟ್ೆಭಥಗಳ್ನಟೂ
ಆಚರಿಸಟತಿಾದೀಯಟ. ಈಚಿಗುಂತಟ ಩ುಂಚಕ಺ಲ್಩ರ಺ಮಣರ಺ಗಿ,
಩಺ುಂಚಕ಺ಲ್ಲಕ ಕಭಥಗಳ್ನಟೂ ಅನಟಷಿಿಸಟತಾ, ನಮಮಲ್ಲರಿಗ
಩ಯಭ಩ೂಜಯರ಺ಗಿದೀಯಟ.’

30
Simple and sincere, affable and sympathising, first of
speech (purvabhashi), but never flippant or jesting,
candid yet ready to admit errors, truthful and honest,
kind, forgiving,4 hospitable and benevolent, patient and

4
Mention may be here made of one of the incidents that
put to proof his forgiveness, patience and perseverance in
the performance of duty. This was the return of the late Mr.
S. B. Ramaswamy Iyengar from England, whither he had
gone to qualify himself for the Bar. This event was of
some importance at the time, as Mr. Rama swamy Iyengar
was the first Hebbar Srivaishnava to undertake
ಸಭಟದರಯ಺ನುಂ (sea-voyage), and his return created much
stir in the community to which he belonged. The ardent
sympathisers with the England-returned gentleman had
consulted the greatest South Indian scholar of the time,
Sriman Tiruppukuli Appa, and obtained his dictum that
upon his undergoing prayaschittam in a certain manner he
would be entitled to perform his nitya and other karmas,
but that he would not have the privilege of ಸಹ಩ುಂಕ್ತಾ
ಭ್ ೇಜನುಂ, etc. The prayaschittam was accordingly
performed at Paschimavahini. Some person or persons
present at the place gave out that certain gentlemen made
ಸಹ಩ುಂಕ್ತಾ ಭ್ ೇಜನುಂ after the prayaschittam, and this caused
a considerable flutter. One party believed on this evidence
that there was and that those who took part in it ought to
undergo prayaschittam. Those implicated, some of whom
were eminent men held in high esteem, denied that there
was ಸಹ಩ುಂಕ್ತಾ ಭ್ ೇಜನುಂ; but the orthodox party persisted in
asserting that there was ಸಹ಩ುಂಕ್ತಾ ಭ್ ೇಜನುಂ; so strong was
their faith in what men who posed as eye-witnesses stated
to them. The gentlemen implicated had a strong body of
young men to sympathise with them, and these were
scandalised at such eminent men not having been believed.
There were meetings and counter-meetings, resolutions
and counter-resolutions, and the conflict was kept up with
feeling and fervour. The strain in Venkatachar's household
was on this account very severe, as some of the principal
office-bearers of both the opposing sections were in it; and
the situation for Venkatachar, whose name had been
dragged in as one of the presidents of the orthodox or
asserting party, was very trying, but so perfect was his
santabhisandhi that nothing ruffled his temper, and he
continued to live and perform his daily duties in perfect
peace of mind, in the midst of obtrusive disturbing

31
persevering in the performance of duty, pious and
humble, pure in thought, word and deed, his character
towered high over what ordinarily passes for virtue and
goodness. As might be expected, his presence was ever
chastening, and for more than half a century it shed
lustre among those who had the good fortune to live or
move with him. He was a true saint, whose like we may
not see again.
May it be given to us, his progeny, to walk in his foot-
steps and follow the advice given in these terms in his
last will and testament:

’ನಿೇವ್ುಗಳ್ು ಸ಺ಲ್ ಭಟುಂತ್಺ದಟೀ ಮ಺ಡದ್ಮ ಒಫಿರಿಗ್ ೇಸೆಯ

ಹ್ ಣ್ ಭಟುಂತ್಺ದಟೀ ಆಗದ್ಮ ದ್ೇವ್ಯಟ ನಿಭಮಗಳಿಗ್ ಕ್ ಟ್ಟುಯಟವ್
ಜೇವ್ನ್ ೇ಩಺ಮಗಳ್ಲ್ಲಲ ಸುಂತಟಷ್ುರ಺ಗಿದಟೀ ಫಯಟವ್ ಆಮತಿಮಲ್್ಲೇ
ಬಗವ್ದ಺ಾಗವ್ತ ತದಿೇಯ಺ಯದನ್ ನಡಸಿಕ್ ುಂಡಟ ನಭಮ ಹರಿಮಯಟ

elements. The leaders of the heterodox or denying party,

who were highly-cultured, large- hearted, discerning
gentlemen, were struck with his perfect calmness and
thorough sincerity, in contrast with the provoking ardour
and obstinacy of others.
On one occasion, referring to his rebellious relatives,
Venkatachar remarked that they were ಹತಶ್ತಟರ i.e.,
inimical, yet doers of good to him — good, since he was
able to show and practice forbearance, forgiveness,
fortitude and equanimity of temper.
For Mr. Ramaswamy Iyengar himself he had great regard
and affection. Writing soon after Mr. Ramaswamy
Iyengar's untimely death, in January, 1904, he says:
'ಶ್ರೇರ಺ಭಸ಺಴ಮೈಮಯುಂಗ಺ಮಥಯಟ ದ್ೇವ್ಯ ಩಺ದ಺ಯವಿುಂದವ್ನಟೂ
ಹ್ ುಂದಿದರ್ುಂದಟ ತಲ್ಟಪಿದ ಟ್ಲ್ಲಗ಺ರಭನಟೂ ನ್ ೇಡಿದ಺ಯಬಯ ಫಹಳ್
ವ್ಯಸನವ಺ಗಿದ್. ಹ್ೈದರ಺ಬ಺ದಿನಲ್ಲಲಯಟವ್ ನಭಮ ಜನಗಳಿಗ್ಲ್಺ಲ
ತಿಲ್ಕ಩಺ರಮರ಺ಗಿದೀಯಟ. ಫಹಟ ಗಣಯವ಺ದ ಭನಟಷ್ಯ. ಒಳ್ಳೇ ಉ಩ಕ಺ರಿ.
ಆಮಸಟಿ ಇಲ್ಲದ್ ಹ್ ೇದದೀಕ್ೆ ಎಷ್ಟು ವ್ಯಸನ ಩ಟ್ುಯ ಸ಴ಲ್ೃವ್ೇ.’

32
ಸುಂ಩಺ದಿಸಿಯಟವ್ ಗಜ್ೇುಂದರಗಡದ ಭನ್ತನದ ಗ಺ುಂಭೇಮಥವ್ನಟೂ
ಕ಺಩಺ಡಿಕ್ ುಂಡಟ ಫಯಬ್ೇಕ್ುಂಫಟದ್ೇ ನನೂ ಭಟಖಯ ಅಭ಩಺ರಮ.
ನಿೇವ್ಲ್ಲಯ ಆ ರಿೇತಿ ನಡ್ಸಿಕ್ ುಂಡಟ ಫಯಬ್ೇಕಟ.’

33