Valsala Menon

Anpathonnaksharam vanpina krupayotumen
navinthunpathangezhuthittinpathil
njaan patikkendathu palathumivannam
ptippichchuchemme
vanpichchorandhakaaramhridihrudamotu neekki
prakaasathvamullil
sampannamodamekeetinaGuruvrane
kaithuzhunnen njan.
guvarakarunaaaleshamundennuvannaal
oruvanumoru kaaryam saadhyammallatheyundo?
paramathinoru daivam mattenikkill paarthal
Paramasivanathaamachaaryane kaithozhynnen njaan'

This poem is written in Manglish. The meaning is as follows: (I salute my guru, who has, with great love initiated me to the first 51 letters and thus wiped away the darkness and filled my heart with the light of knowledge... If we earn even a bit of the compassionate Grace of our Guru, there is nothing in the world which is impossible for us. So, I salute at the feet of my Guru who is verily Lord Shiva, the Sadguru of the Universe.

My beloved Parents and Grand Parents were mu first Gurus. They led me tenderly to God, which in Swami's words is the prime duty of all parents.

I am 68 yrs now. Way back in 1950, when I was just 4 yrs, I was given in the care of my first Guru. I remember him vividly even now. He was tall, fair, lean and he lost his left hand. He was called Aasaan and the kindergarten was called Aasaan Palli. It was a beautiful, round, open space with a roof of coconut leaves and floor of soft white sand. Imagine the joy of the tiny tots! Aasaan would come to each of us and holding our small fingers he made us write the alphabet on the sand. No books, no bags, not even foot wear! We first wrote "Hari Sri Ganapathye namaha!" then prayers, songs, play, play and play. As I was the smallest in the class, at noon after everybody left my Aasaan carried me home which was near. He went to the well first, washed my hands and feet and then enter the house. Till today, I am continuing that habit!! My humble pranams at his feet though he is no more in this earth (By the way with his inspiration, I conducted a kindergarten for tiny tots for 12 yrs, giving them all a lot of love which made my life richer)

When I was 6 yrs I was admitted to the dance class and Mathpatashaala (like BalVikas) which were conducted in the hall adjoining the temple. Theme of the dance was always religious (I danced to the song Bhaja Govindam.!!) The stotras, keerthans. Bhagavad Gita etc. were taught to us. Later I could pass on all that to my Balvikas students. Now, when I remember the beauty and innocence of those days my eyes fill with tears of joy and gratitude.

As my father had transfers, I studied in many schools, making my life rich with variety and experiences. Many schools and many teachers, all of them inspired me with their love and attitudes. Even their scolding were a chance to get more affection from them (I was very weak in Maths. Can you imagine my teacher sacrificing her leisure time after lunch, for months, to teach me maths, without any fee, so that I would do well in my Tenth class!) They inspired me with their example to do work sincerely, to be kind and helpful, to do service, to see no differences of caste etc. and thus made me what I am today.

In High School and college too I was fortunate to get wonderful teachers and professors. They made me self-reliant and filled me with self- confidence. They encouraged me to be a writer and a speaker, In those days, teachers never forgot their students. They were like friends or parents in school!

All these training given by them from 4 yrs to 20 yrs became the basis for my personality. That training and their blessings led me, later to become a Balvikas Guru E.H.V teacher and Gurus' Trainer and speaker for Sathsang in the Sri Sathya Sai Organisation. My Parents and my teachers led me to Swami, the Sadguru of the Universe.

With humility, love and heartfelt gratitude I salute them all. At this auspicious occasion of the Guru Purnima,
my humble shathakooti pranaams at the Lotus Feet of our Beloved Swami.

I thank Radio Sai for this wonderful idea which helps to share our feelings and memories which were locked in our hearts for so many years. May Swami bless you to prosper and give joy to millions of people around the world in future!!

Jai Sai Ram