SHRADDHANJALI
Some
people inspire you through their thoughts and actions. They are called 'Pratah
Smaraneeya' (The person to be remembered when one wakes up). The very thought of them will make you happy. Sri M.R. Aiyar was such
a great personality. Sri M.R. Aiyar passed away on 14th
June in his
age of 74th year. Born in an orthodox family of Palghat Aiyars, he was a
self made man. After his graduation, he had to work in his father's law
office as they had just migrated to Mumbai. His mother, in those days was not
keeping good health. Mother's medical treatment and to conduct marriage of
his younger sister were his aims in those days. He had to shoulder the
familial responsibilities at an young age. With whatever little time, he
completed his LLB. He had his initial appointment in State Secretariat in
Mumbai. He would recall, "There was no looking back, for next 6-7 years
there were no annual increments but promotions!" Changing from job to job,
finally he landed with IBM in those days of first generation computers.
When his family astrologer
and close friend Sri P.S. Aiyar passed away, he was searching for a
competent astrologer. Sri M.R. Aiyar had gone through several books of astrology, both modern and
classical works and had commendable knowledge in astrology. He was satisfied
with none of the people who claimed to represent Sri P.S. Aiyar in Mumbai and in
Kerala. He made few enquires and found me a fit person to replace Sri. P.S. Aiyar. As he put it, " You have all the qualities of a good astrologer
concern, knowledge, discipline and devotion I found in my friend P.S. Aiyar. Like P.S. Aiyar, you too do not change your attitude for the sake of
fame and money." Sri P.S. Aiyar had seen good days and bad days. His
magazine was forced to close with losses. He had to shift from Maharastra
to Kerala towards his retirement. He had many VIPs like central ministers,
owners of big business houses, film producers in his client hood but never
did any name dropping. He would even criticise such people in unflinching
words. The villager who had lost his buffalos and had only few rupees with
him was given the same attention that was given to a central minister the
previous day! Being very close to Sri P.S. Aiyar, he had told me several
incidents reflecting concern, kindness and other high qualities of Sri Aiyar.
Yes, I adore Sri P.S. Aiyar very much. In due course, I was consulted by
some family members of Sri P.S. Aiyar which I call a great honour. I do not
think I am equal to Sri P.S. Aiyar in any way, but it is true I have good
qualities of Sri Aiyar to some extent. When you adore great men, you will
get some of their good qualities without your efforts!
Biological
twins have same time of birth and parenthood. When the same astrological
combinations prevail in two charts, they are known as astrological twins.
Sri M.R. Aiyar and I have several such combinations and that is the reason
for the great understanding between us. He is senior to me by many years.
On many occasions, he would tell me that he too had undergone the same
situations and would enlighten me. He was the source of my
strength. Death is but changing the dress for the soul. I do not believe I
am here for the first time. I was here since long and would be here and so
my friend Sri M.R. Aiyar. We enact different roles depending our the
aspirations. The time had come for Sri Aiyar to get down from the bus, when
my stop comes, I too would get down from the bus. We meet again somewhere
else, some other time as we belong to each other. Yet, as we associate a
soul with a form and a name it is truly difficult to recover from the
shock of demise of those we like. Sri M.R. Aiyar is survived by his wife,
two sons, daughters-in-law, a grand son and many admirers. Let God give
strength at this time of need to his family and friends.
देहिनोsस्मिन्यथा देहे
कौमारं यौवनं जरा। तथा देहान्तरप्राप्तिर्धीरस्तत्र न मुह्यति॥ [श्लोक:13,
सांख्ययोग:, श्रीमद्भगवद्गीत] "As the embodied soul
experiences childhood, youth and old age in this body, so also it obtains
another body; the steadfast man is not perplexed from this phenomenon."-
Sloka 13, Sankyayoga, Srimadbhagawadgeeta.

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