About the author

Kannan Srinivasan is a graduate engineer, in chemical engineering and a postgraduate in management studies. Commencing his work career as a management trainee with a dominant multinational in the FMCG space, he spent the next eleven years across various functions and with postings in various regions of the country. He then moved over to the Middle East, in 1993, for an assignment with a large regional group. Extensive travel across the Far East, North America, Europe and Asia, were enabled by this assignment. Setting up and establishing newer businesses, working with a diverse multinational workforce enriched his experience. He subsequently took up an assignment in the private equity business with a global leader and spent the next 8 years, guiding the fortunes of a diverse range of businesses.

His writing has been influenced by his experiences gained during his work life as much as the influences of his growing up years.

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Introduction

My growing up years have been in a progressive, middle class household, with relatives and guests dropping in, mostly unannounced! Some of the visitors would stay on for extended periods and our small thousand sq. ft. accommodation invariably was inadequate to provide the desired space and privacy for all. However, this became a way of life and we- the occupants and guests learnt to co-exist with an element of comfort. Our mother spent significant hours in the kitchen to cater to all, commencing work at early hours of the morning and concluding late into the evenings. She, in all this, found time to carry out other chores effortlessly! Dad too, had his time fully utilized and would straddle both, his work as well as his share of the domestic chores, with relative ease!

While the locality that I grew up in was cosmopolitan in composition, with ‘middle of the road’ conservatism, the period saw a lot of changes all around. Mumbai (then Bombay) was gradually transforming, with the development of the city’s infrastructure. The emergence of flyovers to ease road traffic, introduction of energy efficient and bright streetlights, induction of newer buses by the public transport operator (BEST), the arrival of the first wide body ‘jumbo jet’ of Air India, introduction of super express trains like the Rajdhani, were significant developments. Concurrently, the road traffic continued to be the exclusive domain of the Ambassador and Fiat (subsequently Premier) cars, with minor modifications to their appearance over the years. A newer concept of ‘alternate cinema’ created some buzz in society, with a lot of unknown, fresh talent redefining standards of creativity and production quality. Finally, the arrival of color television was a ‘substantial advancement in entertainment technology’ though the contents could not keep pace, due the drab offerings and monopoly of the state-controlled telecaster.

At home, amongst families such as ours, expectations of offspring were standard, to have them achieve good grades in school and progress to higher education in either medicine or engineering or chartered accountancy. Should they succeed in getting into one of these ‘privileged’ lines, the next expectation was for them to either progress to post-graduation studies or travel to the USA for their master’s or enter one of the ‘B’ schools that would assure good placement. Marriage, ideally arranged, would be a standard preference of most such families. I grew up in one such household. However, being from a family with musical and journalistic linkages, we had good exposure to a wide cross section of society. Spiritual Gurus on the one hand, free thinking progressive minds on the other, journalists, film personalities, musicians, politicians, in-between, helped our development as individuals with balanced perspective. Acceptance of seeming contradictions of the system, compromise, limited expectations and learning to wade through various fixations across the cultural spectrum of society were the other traits that helped subsequently, in life.

Some of the significant influencers, during those years, remain to this day as role models and aspects of their personality continue to influence thoughts and approach to life. A superior once stated that all experiences in life must be absorbed, enhanced in value with our intellectual reasoning and used appropriately, to minimize the pain of existence. This, at a sub conscious level, continues to provide an element of stability and enables absorption of challenges, with limited turbulence.

Though this book is a fictional rendering, it is influenced by some of those I came in close contact with, during my growing years. My parents, a revered Guru, the elders who facilitated the economic and spiritual development of my parents are some of them. I have also, based on first-hand experience, during the course of my professional life, attempted to capture some of the significant learnings. My experiences from extensive travel across geographies, interaction with people from varied cultures, association with organizations in various businesses and countries, have also influenced my thoughts and consequently enabled the construction of the contents of this novel.

While I have made every attempt to stay on a middle path of realism, there are a few extraordinary events at the intuitive plane, that have found their way into this rendering. It is for the reader to take a call on their realism. They may, alternatively, choose to treat the same as fiction. Above all, the profound influence of my mentor and Guru have helped in the development of the fundamentals of this novel. I have attempted to have this as a continuous thread through the pages.

I am indebted to my close family, wife Sudha, son Nikhil, daughter Sanjana, for supporting me through the development of this novel.

Kannan Srinivasan

bostonbrahmin20@gmail.com

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Sadashiv Rao and Baba

As far as you are concerned, I am dead,’’ thundered a worked up Sadashiv Rao to Baba. From now onwards, you need not be a part of my family. You can leave for wherever you please and there is no need for you to be in touch with any one of us. We can fend for ourselves he said with finality.

Knowing his uncompromising stand, no one around, attempted to respond, fearing an even stronger and painful tongue lash. His control over the language, his work that involved extensive interaction with the newsmakers of the day, had enabled his total command over spoken English. This, within the walls of his house, with dependents, was virtually a one-way communication with the recipients, blindly adhering to all his wishes, out of respect.

Baba was the eldest son of Sadashiv Rao and had taken over the mantle of the media group , handed over to him, at a young age of 21 years. With the advent of competition by a plethora of periodicals of all types, it had become imperative to sharply position the publication, to ensure it as the most preferred medium by its core target group and thereby, effectively secure the long term interests of the business. Baba’s view was that the group must define its editorial policy to align with its philosophy of providing content that was entertaining and educational, within the realms of respectability and most importantly, ensure its independence from political influence. The last requirement necessarily conflicted with Sadashiv’s political inclination and was a bone of contention between them.

Baba’s steadfast stand that political leaning would eventually weaken the firm position, that the group held, of independent journalism, was constantly diluted by the editorial team that was driven by their personal agenda. This had resulted in a significant loss of readership over the years. Sadashiv Rao had provided complete independence to the editors and was unfortunately, blinded to the gradual political leaning, that was setting in. When Baba firmly voiced his concern, he was shown the door! The unfortunate outcome, unanticipated by anyone around, caused enormous pain to all.

Packing his bag, he prostrated at the feet of his parents, blessed his sibling and moved out of home, on a rainy evening bringing tears to everyone. The son who embodied all the virtues that parents would seek- of loyalty, good grooming, ethics, high morality, good education and value, was being forced out of a secure dwelling for reasons that were beyond comprehension.

The thought that passed his mind was, why such an adverse turn to his sedate, secure life, with his near and dear ones! Everything that they aspired for, love, caring, security and stature, was abundantly available. The reason for his exit was incomprehensible! However, his deep regard and loyalty to his parent, had him accept the verdict, without defense. For him, his parents were the ultimate providers of justice and their decision, a fair one that cannot be opposed or contradicted.

With tears and deep pain, Baba set out in the pouring rain, looked back for one last time, at his grieving mother and an inconsolable sister. Feeling completely helpless in not being able to provide them solace, he turned away and walked into the darkness.

With no firm plans of a destination, he drifted towards the railway station and slumped into one of the vacant seats, leaving his fate to providence. The events of the evening had drained his energy and overcome with sorrow, his mind had blurred. He gradually fell into a deep slumber, to be woken up, an hour later, by the shrill whistle of a steam engine, hauling a passenger train. Quickly rushing to the ticketing counter and buying a ticket upto the end destination, he boarded the train, hoping to gain clarity as to where he should be heading. In the compartment, the steady breeze that came through the open window, provided him some solace. Being philosophical and a firm believer of destiny, Baba began to rationalize in his mind that the dramatic events of the evening were meant to happen, to drive him towards a destiny that was in store and he must not resist the same.

At around 2.30 am, the next morning, the train halted at a crossing, to make way for an oncoming train. Instinctively and without much thought, he gathered his belongings, jumped out of his train and headed towards a small village, dimly lit, at a short distance. While he was not very clear of this sudden, unplanned move, he did not feel concerned of the same. Rather, feeling light in his head, he felt a renewed burst of energy and rapidly strode towards the village. Obscure, with limited habitation, this village, on the outskirts of Solapur and in the midst of a paddy field, was still asleep. Reaching it, at around 3 am, he found comfort on a cement platform of a small temple and soon dozed off. The deep slumber was an outcome of the extreme stress and deep sorrow of separation from his family, the previous evening. He awoke to a gentle tapping of his shoulder, by a pujari, fresh from a bath in the river nearby, with sacred ash smeared on his forehead and the exposed part of his torso. Clad in a saffron dhoti, with a thin towel across his bare chest, he suggested Baba to get up and complete his ablutions at the river head and return for some tea. You must have been quite tired as I had to repeatedly tap you. Hope you would have had a good sleep. Do come into my small hamlet for some tea and light refreshments. I guess, you must be quite hungry. We can have a proper breakfast at around 7.30am. The time now is 5am, he added.

Gratefully accepting his invitation, Baba ventured towards the riverbank and returned fresh and reasonably groomed. Borrowing some ash and applying the same on his forehead, he was ready for a quick visit to the temple, prior to consuming the tea and snacks that the pujari’s wife had prepared. I am not certain as to why I got down from the train and that too at a crossing! I am however grateful for your kind hospitality and do feel a lot better, said Baba.

From your looks, you do come through as someone who is well groomed! Where are you headed and why did you discontinue your journey at this small place, enquired the pujari. I do not have a clear explanation for this query, but I can certainly share the reason for my travel. Baba then related the happenings of the previous evening and also gave a quick background to his upbringing and his family. Everything happens for a reason, rationalized the pujari. I guess, you are in for bigger things in life!. Profound words uttered by a spiritual person and that too in the early hours of the morning! Interestingly, a highly attained siddha (a perfect person), is presently camping a couple of kilometers away. Being very simplistic in his needs, he rests in a cow shed and after his morning ablutions at the river, he comes over to this temple for his daily rituals, that commence with a dedication to Lord Shiva in the form of a pooja. This invocation, called ‘Chandramouleeswara pooja’ will go on for about an hour, post which, he provides an audience to devotees who have been coming over from all parts of the country. I would certainly like to seek the blessings of the highly attained Swami, suggested Baba. Certainly. Post our tea, we can certainly seek his grace and blessing, responded the pujari.

The pangs of separation were weighing heavily on Baba. He however concealed the same, not wanting to evoke queries from those he would come in contact with. Having consumed their morning tea and snacks, feeling refreshed, Baba and the pujari strode towards the temple where, a small crowd of devotees had already gathered. Discreetly staying at the end of the crowd, Baba waited for his time to seek the blessings of the Swami. Shortly, a lean gentleman, clad in a dhoti, bare chested, walked up to Baba and invited him over to meet the Swami. His Holiness has noticed your presence and is wanting to meet up. Do come along with me, he said. Surprised, Baba meekly followed the messenger and was soon in the presence of the Swami. His magnetic aura, his sharp penetrating eyes, his serenity, calmness and strong positive energy was quite pronounced. Baba was soon engulfed in the same. So, you have had a misunderstanding with your father! He has sent you away and here you are, without any understanding as to where you are heading, enquired the Swami. Completely taken by surprise, the first thought in Baba was, how could all this be known to him, without my sharing the same! With a gentle smile, a response was quick to come, Don’t be surprised! That I know of the happening is irrelevant. What is important is to comprehend your subsequent journey in life, said the Swami.

Also referred to as Maha Periva, the highly attained Swami, headed a highly revered spiritual institution in the Southern part of the country. He would trek across the length and breadth of our vast nation and desisted from using any form of transport. He led a frugal life, stayed at obscure places, would eat bland food and was in perpetual meditation. Extremely knowledgeable and intuitive, his ability to read minds and foresee events of the future would seem extraordinary. He however, would not leverage these abilities for any form of recognition or gain. For that matter, he never sought anything in return, as he was way beyond wants and desires.

Now in his late sixties, he is followed wherever he goes, and it is believed, his benevolent grace does away with problems of daily life! He is also known to have, by his mere looks, done away with fatal ailments of devotees on multiple occasions.

Your time to move to the next stage of your life has come. As you were deeply entrenched in your family environment, you needed to be extricated by this unexpected event with your father. Maha Periva, while I accept whatever I need to experience, with fortitude, I do feel extremely shattered with my being torn away from my near and dear ones. Is there no remedy? Will I not get to experience their love and affection, ever?, Baba conveyed with deep pain. Everything is scripted for a reason and one has to patiently bear the consequences that are particularly painful. One emerges stronger from such experiences and is then able to pursue complex assignments with firmness, responded the highly attained one. I would like you to travel with me, as we traverse the nation and gain from all the experiences. Hope you are fine with my suggestion. Bowing down and prostrating at the feet of divinity, Baba gratefully accepted the offer. Thus, commenced a phase of indoctrination into spiritualism, for Baba.

For the next couple of years, Baba moved with the Maha Swami, getting to interact with spiritually awakened souls, visiting shrines and places of relevance, like Varanasi, Allahabad, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gaya, Haridwar, Gokarna, Solapur, Pandharpur and many more. Above all, his continuous interaction with the Maha Swami and the various practices that he imbibed, certainly accelerated his evolution as a spiritual soul. It is essential to understand our purpose in this world. We are here to identify our inner self that is perpetual and indestructible. For this, it is essential to break through this distraction of ‘Maya’ that guides us to aspects that are materialistic and consequently, take us farther away from our ultimate objective. As we burn our karma, both positive and negative, we move closer to our objective of attaining ‘moksha’ or the state of bliss. For normal people, they need the guidance of a superior being or a Guru, who can walk them through the arduous path of attaining bliss. You have a role to play in guiding such ordinary ones and it is therefore essential for you to prepare for the same, conveyed the Swami to Baba.

At Haridwar, on the advice of his Guru, the Maha Swami, Baba travelled up the Himalayas and spent the next couple of years in solitude, with various Swamis. His experiences, rich in both spiritual as well as mental content, gradually transformed him to what we see in him today!

At the end of four years, at the advice of his Guru, Baba took a train home! Baba was 27 years of age and the year was, 1952.

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Baba: formative years and return

Baba was born in a little inconspicuous village near Pandharpur, a town of religious significance, having hosted a famous saint. His was a family of three, father, mother and himself. His father, a local schoolteacher was revered and respected by all the village folk. Soon after Baba’s birth, his dad passed away and Baba was brought up by his mother up to his age of 12. He went to a local school for his initial education up to class 6. As he completed his final exams of class 6, his mother finally succumbed to an ailment that could never be detected. Crestfallen, Baba was then taken to Nasik, by a maternal uncle, sometime in 1940, where he continued his education. His uncle, Sadashivrao, a, prosperous journalist, having established a successful newspaper, saw in Baba, a worthy successor. The uncle had no children of his own and lived a content life with his wife, Saraswati bai. He apparently referred to Baba’s arrival at his place, a response of God, to his lifelong prayers, for an issue of his own. Both Saraswati bai and Sadashivrao, had earlier adopted a girl, Sita, not knowing Baba was to soon join them. They, however, were grateful that the almighty had provided them with a complete family, of a boy and a girl. Baba and Sita were extremely close to each other, having similar traits of compassion, love and sharing.

Baba, in his years at Nashik, had to find time to visit his uncle’s press, every other day, to get to experience the way it was run. This was in addition to his schooling and subsequent university education. He gradually exhibited a trait of good commercial instincts as well as an ability to communicate his thoughts that had Sadashivrao encourage him to travel around, to cover issues for the journal as well as develop advertising business, that is a major source of revenue for all media, be it print, radio or television.

Baba’s only area of divergence from his uncle was his objection to the political color that the publication was acquiring, due to the policies of the group of editors who got to operate with an element of independence. Irrationality, dilution of ideology was soon impacting the readership of the publication.

In their extensive travel, together, to source content for the journal, Baba and Sadashivrao got to build relationships with people across all walks of life, like musicians, film celebrities, politicians, corporate professionals, sports personalities and bureaucrats. However, the simmering divergence of views of ideology was building and causing a discomforting wedge in their otherwise sublime relationship. This was up to 1948, when Baba was shown the door and he embarked on his spiritual journey.

On a cold January morning, in the year 1952, with the external temperature hovering at around 15 deg.‘c’, Baba got off a train at Nasik and took a rickshaw home. It was early morning and the sun was yet to usher in daylight. At the door was Saraswati bai, watering the plants and clearing the pathway. Seeing a familiar figure, with a measured walk that was Baba’s hallmark, the mother’s instinct in Saraswati bai, had her drop the water can and focus on this person. Stilled and surprised on seeing her son, she rushed and tightly hugged him. Shuddering and unable to coherently communicate, she let her tears convey her happiness and joy. A deeply moved Baba, welled up and was soon in a similar state as his mother. Hearing the mild commotion, Sadashivrao stepped out and experienced a state of sublime joy on seeing his long-lost son. If I ask you to leave, does it mean that you should forget you parents, he conveyed, between tears. Unable to respond, Baba hugged his uncle (father), welled up, shuddered uncontrollably and let their minds communicate. The stillness of the environment and the limited verbal communication was significantly impactful. It seemed, within a space of 5 minutes, all the hardship and pain of being away from each other, had completely evaporated in thin air. I am unable to comprehend as to what came upon me to behave in such a manner, dear son! I am grateful to the Almighty, that he has brought you back into our lives, said a very emotional Sadashivrao. Prostrating at the feet of his divine parents, Baba sought their forgiveness for not being in touch and this session continued for a while.

Sita, hearing the laughter and joyous communication, rushed out of her room, surprised and excited by her brother’s sudden return. She rushed into his benevolent hands, opened out for her. Uncontrollable and sobbing, she protested In your issues with papa, you walked away from us, not concerned about the deep anguish the separation caused. Every day without you, was like life tearing away all of us. Nothing interested us anymore! . A very moved Baba, apologizing to his sibling, promised, I will never again leave you all. I feel miserable. Do forgive me!.

It took a couple of days for the emotions to give way and normalcy to return to the Sadashiv household. The next few days saw joyous celebrations, felicitations, temple visits, culminating in a major ‘havan’ in their home. As normalcy set in, Baba gradually shared his experiences and travels, over the 4 years of wandering. The following week, he visited the publication and was quite disturbed by what he saw. The circulation had dipped, and revenues had been impacted. However, the publication did remain profitable. Son, you were right with your views, then. We have paid the price of our leanings and affiliations. The business has got adversely affected, said Sadashivrao. With the country gaining Independence and the advent of large international publication groups, I do see an opportunity to exit the business. Sooner than later, competitive pressures of larger groups will hurt businesses of small regional publications like ours. It is therefore prudent to encash value when the going is good, rationalized Sadashiv. As for you, son, you have my investments as well as your talent to secure your future, he advised Baba.

The hectic lifestyle, long hours of work advancing age, an ailment related to his heart, soon took away Sadashivrao, in 1954. Fortunately, in early 1953, in the presence of his uncle(father), Baba had managed to find a buyer for the publication and close the deal to Sadashivrao’s satisfaction. The very next year, with Saraswati bai and Sita, Baba relocated in Mumbai. This probably was his destiny. His past had preceded him, to Mumbai(then Bombay). The